The Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography
- Tracey Jones
- Apr 11
- 5 min read
Wildlife photography is one of the most rewarding—and sometimes downright unpredictable—genres you can dive into. One moment you're quietly stalking butterflies in the bushes, the next a cassowary struts past like it owns the place (true story, we’ll get to that!).
But before you can snap that perfect shot of a bird mid-flight or a sleepy tree frog blinking in the morning light, you’ll need the right lens. Because when it comes to photographing wildlife, your lens isn’t just important—it’s essential.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the two main types of lenses I use for wildlife photography: telephoto and macro. I’ll also show you real examples of the images I’ve taken with them, and share some helpful advice for choosing your own lens. Whether you're a total beginner or already experimenting with your camera in the great outdoors, this one’s for you.
👉 This post is part of my Camera Essentials series. If you're just starting out, definitely check that out next for an overall guide to using your DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Why Your Lens Choice Matters in Wildlife Photography
Unlike photographing flowers in a garden or a sunset from a hilltop, wildlife doesn’t exactly wait around while you change settings or switch lenses. Animals move fast, fly off, hide behind leaves, or vanish into the water. You often have one chance to get it right—so you want gear that works with you, not against you.
Another important factor to consider is the f-number, or aperture. A lens with a low f-number (like f/2.8 or f/4) lets in more light, which is a game-changer for wildlife photography—especially when you’re dealing with fast-moving subjects like birds in flight. The more light your lens can gather, the faster your shutter speed can be. And faster shutter speeds mean you’re more likely to freeze the action and get that sharp shot, even when your subject is flapping, hopping, or darting through the trees at full speed.
That’s why the lens you choose is one of the biggest factors in whether you get the shot, or go home with a nice photo of an empty branch.
Now, let’s get into the two kinds of lenses that I reach for the most when I’m out exploring the wild:
1. Telephoto Lenses – For Birds, Wildlife in the Distance, and Skittish Creatures
A telephoto lens lets you photograph subjects from far away without disturbing them—which is not only polite but also essential for safety (yours and theirs!). These lenses bring your subject closer while keeping the background beautifully compressed and blurred.
📷 Example: The Canon 100–400mm Lens
I use the Canon 100–400mm lens for bird photography all the time. It’s the perfect combo of reach and flexibility. I can zoom in on a bird like this Rainbow Bee-eater without getting so close that I scare it off. This lens gives you the space to observe and the sharpness to capture every feather in flight.
Why You’ll Love a Telephoto Lens:
Ideal for birds, mammals, and subjects that are hard to approach.
Great for nature reserves, open fields, or your own backyard.
Helps isolate your subject with soft, dreamy backgrounds.
Versatile enough for handheld shooting or tripod setups.
🔍 What to look for:
A zoom lens like 70–300mm or 100–400mm if you want flexibility.
A fixed focal length (prime) like 300mm or 500mm if you’re going for image quality and don’t mind the weight.
Image Stabilisation is a big plus for handheld shooting.
💡 Tip: Practice handholding your telephoto lens with good posture to avoid camera shake. Elbows in, deep breath… and shoot!
2. Macro Lenses – For Tiny Details and Close-Up Wonders
If you’ve ever spotted a butterfly gently landing on a flower or a tiny lizard sunbaking on a leaf, you’ve probably thought: I wish I could photograph that up close! Well, you absolutely can—with a macro lens.
📷 Example: The Canon 100mm Macro Lens
This shot of a butterfly feeding on a flower was taken with my Canon 100mm macro lens. It let me get in close enough to capture every detail of the butterfly’s wings and the flower’s texture, while keeping the background nice and blurry. Perfect for removing distractions and focusing attention right where it should be.
Why Macro Lenses Are Magic:
Designed for extreme close-ups with incredible detail.
Excellent for insects, frogs, reptiles, flowers, textures, and even small mammals.
Often have beautiful bokeh (that lovely soft background blur).
🔍 What to look for:
A dedicated macro lens (often 90mm–105mm is a great focal length).
A lens with a 1:1 reproduction ratio, meaning life-size detail.
Minimum focusing distance: This tells you how close you can get to your subject while still being able to focus. A shorter minimum focusing distance lets you fill the frame with tiny details.
📸 Surprise Use:Believe it or not, this cassowary shot was also taken with my 100mm macro lens! I’d gone out hoping to find butterflies and had my macro lens already on my camera… and then the cassowary showed up. Sometimes you work with what you’ve got—and that’s part of the fun of wildlife photography.
How to Choose the Right Lens for You
If you're just starting out, don’t feel like you need to buy every lens under the sun. Here are a few questions to guide your decision:
What animals or subjects are you most excited to photograph?Birds? Go telephoto. Insects or frogs? Start with a macro. Want both? A versatile zoom like 100–400mm plus a 100mm macro is a dream team.
What’s your budget?Lenses can be pricey, but there are fantastic secondhand options and more affordable models from Tamron and Sigma that are beginner-friendly.
How often will you use it?If wildlife is something you really want to explore, it’s worth investing in good glass. You’ll use it for years! (I've had my Canon 100mm macro lens for almost 10 years)
Want Personal Help Choosing or Using a Lens?
Whether you're feeling unsure about which lens is best for your goals, or you’ve already got one and want to learn how to get the most from it, I offer Private Photography Lessons in Port Douglas.
You can book a one-off lesson or a series tailored to what you're most interested in—wildlife, landscapes, editing, you name it. We’ll work at your pace, with your gear, in real locations.
➡️ Book a private lesson today or get in touch with your questions—I'd love to help.
Final Thoughts
Wildlife photography is one of the most exciting and soul-filling genres of photography out there. It’s unpredictable, full of surprises, and bursting with beautiful moments—if you have the right lens and a little patience.
Whether you're out to capture the flash of colour on a butterfly’s wings or the fierce gaze of a cassowary in the rainforest, choosing the right lens can make all the difference.
And remember: you don’t need to start with perfect gear—you just need to start.
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