best lens for wildlife photography?

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

I know the zoom lens is what I need for beginning wildlife photography, but I'm unsure of the differences between 70-300mm and the 55-250mm as to which would be better, and whether the Canon 200D Mark II may have better image quality. Another thing to note is that I have a constant hand tremor making the image stabilisation function is pretty important as, and I don't believe the Canon 55-250mm has image stabilisation. If the Canon may be better overall though, I'd be willing to try find an alternative 55-250mm with IS. Thank you for any help!

What particular wildlife do you want to photograph? How far away will you be?

tamandua11 said:

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

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You are looking at two cameras with APS-C sensors. For Nikon, you can multiply the lens focal length by 1.5 to get the full-frame equivalent. For Canon, multiply by 1.6 (because Canon's sensor is smaller).

tamandua11 said:

I know the zoom lens is what I need for beginning wildlife photography, but I'm unsure of the differences between 70-300mm and the 55-250mm as to which would be better, and whether the Canon 200D Mark II may have better image quality. Another thing to note is that I have a constant hand tremor making the image stabilisation function is pretty important as, and I don't believe the Canon 55-250mm has image stabilisation. If the Canon may be better overall though, I'd be willing to try find an alternative 55-250mm with IS. Thank you for any help!

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The Nikon 70-300 mm lens will give you the most "reach" which means you can fill the frame more effectively with small and/or distant subjects. That said, one key to great wildlife photography is to learn how to get close to the animals, to get better, sharper photos with less atmospheric distortion. As a city-dweller, I am terrible at this unless my subject is a pigeon or a squirrel at the local park where they are not afraid of people.

I have a D5600 and I like the way it renders colors a lot. It was a great camera to learn and grow my skills on. I do not have experience with the Canon 200D, but one of the reasons I bought a Nikon is that APS-C Nikon "kit" lenses (the lenses sold with the bodies when bought new) were/are superior to Canon's.

The D5600 has 39 AF points while the 200D has only 9. DP review rates the D5600 higher for metering and focus accuracy compared to the 200D, which is important for wildlife photos, but I can tell you from experience that this will pale in comparison to the capabilities of modern mirrorless cameras.

Among the two choices you present, I would buy the D5600. I did buy the D5600 in 2018 and I still use it occasionally, most recently for the supermoon because the long end of my DX zoom at 300 mm (450mm FF equivalent) is, for now, the longest lens I own.

If you let us know your budget, perhaps we can help point you toward something even better with a similarly long lens and superior autofocus.

tamandua11 said:

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

I know the zoom lens is what I need for beginning wildlife photography, but I'm unsure of the differences between 70-300mm and the 55-250mm as to which would be better, and whether the Canon 200D Mark II may have better image quality. Another thing to note is that I have a constant hand tremor making the image stabilisation function is pretty important as, and I don't believe the Canon 55-250mm has image stabilisation. If the Canon may be better overall though, I'd be willing to try find an alternative 55-250mm with IS. Thank you for any help!

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The Canon EF-S 55-250 has IS. Check which version, the STM is generally considered better, the specs are on this site at https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses/canon_55-250_4-5p6_is_stm/specifications and the older https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses/canon_55-250_4-5p6_is_ii

I have the older model and either is considered very good value for money.

You haven't said what wildlife you are hoping to photograph and I have no knowledge of Nikon gear.

In terms of stabilisation it is normally measure in STOPS, so the 55-250 lenses are quoted as 4 stops, this means that if you need 1/400 shutter speed for lens stability then you should be able to use 1/50 (1/400 then 1/200 then 1/100 then 4th stop gives 1/50) BUT usually for wildlife you'll likely be wanting a high shutter speed anyway unless your taking pictures of sloths or tortoises

Use a tripod or monopod if necessary, camera shake is going to ruin photos, particulary zoomed in, and depending on the severity of your condition it may be better not to go for too much zoom. Make sure you work on your camera holding technique, elbows in to the side, hand under the lens, press against the face, lean against something if you want to hand hold. Take burst so that you have several rapid shots.

tamandua11 said:

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

I know the zoom lens is what I need for beginning wildlife photography, but I'm unsure of the differences between 70-300mm and the 55-250mm

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There is very little practical difference. Ideally, especially if you want to photograph birds, a lens that goes to 400mm or even 600mm would be better, but these will be heavier, more expensive lenses.

tamandua11 said:

as to which would be better, and whether the Canon 200D Mark II may have better image quality. Another thing to note is that I have a constant hand tremor making the image stabilisation function is pretty important as, and I don't believe the Canon 55-250mm has image stabilisation.

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The 55-250mm has image stabilisation. The IS in the full lens name above stands for "Image Stabilisation" and all versions of the 55-259mm lens have it. Confusingly, Nikon calls it Vibration Reduction or VR.

If you have a hand tremor problem, you could try shooting off a monopod - cheap, light and easy to use.

tamandua11 said:

If the Canon may be better overall though, I'd be willing to try find an alternative 55-250mm with IS. Thank you for any help!

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--
Chris R

I started shooting with a crop body like you and the 55-250. I soon wanted more reach, as 250mm is not a strong telephoto.

If you are serious about this, you're going to want more reach like what a 100-400mm telephoto can provide. Even then, I wanted more reach, but at least you have a decent chance of getting good shots.

So, if you cannot afford a lens that goes to 400mm now, I would consider a bridge camera.

Specifically platypus, there's a creek near me full of them and I really want to be able to take good pictures of them, they're not too far away from the bank, sometimes they get as close as 2m. I also want to be able to photograph other Australian mammals like koalas, wombats, possums, and bats. Birds are cool but I know I'll need a much bigger zoom for them anyway so they're not my focus at the moment.

tamandua11 said:

Specifically platypus, there's a creek near me full of them and I really want to be able to take good pictures of them, they're not too far away from the bank, sometimes they get as close as 2m. I also want to be able to photograph other Australian mammals like koalas, wombats, possums, and bats. Birds are cool but I know I'll need a much bigger zoom for them anyway so they're not my focus at the moment.

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That really helps. A platypus is about 50 cm long.

A basic lens formula is:

Focal length / Sensor width = Distance to subject / Width of view at subject

Or, needed focal length = Sensor width x Distance to subject / Width of view

The Canon APS-C sensor is 22.2 mm x 14.8mm in size, and let’s say you want to fill the frame with the platypus, which is 2 m away.

Focal length = 22.2 mm x 2000 mm / 500 mm = 88.8 mm, which is totally easy.

And really, while you do want to fill the frame with your subject, it’s best to leave some room around the subject, and so you don’t need quite that long of a lens. But if your platypus is a more reasonable 10 m away, you’ll need five times the focal length, or 444 mm, to fill the frame, which again is quite doable with affordable gear. And the cameras have enough megapixels (and let’s hope the lens is sharp enough) that you can crop quite a bit.

tamandua11 said:

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

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The Nikon combination will be better for wildlife. This is because of the Nikon's superior AF, metering and 12.5% longer reach.

I have shot the 200D and was not impressed. I have shot the D5600 and thought it was only a little better.

tamandua11 said:

I know the zoom lens is what I need for beginning wildlife photography, but I'm unsure of the differences between 70-300mm and the 55-250mm as to which would be better, and whether the Canon 200D Mark II may have better image quality.

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It doesn't. Its IQ is marginally worse at the same settings, but not by enough to worry about, as should be expected from its slightly smaller sensor. However, since the max aperture of the Canon lens is faster than the Nikkor, the Canon's achieved IQ will be marginally better, when it is able to use that faster aperture, again by not enough to worry about.

tamandua11 said:

Another thing to note is that I have a constant hand tremor making the image stabilisation function is pretty important as, and I don't believe the Canon 55-250mm has image stabilisation.

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The 'IS" in the Canon lens' specification means "Image stabilization". The "VR" in the Nikkor's spec means "Vibration Reduction" - essentially a different name for the same sort of thing.

I have not used the Canon 55-250mm lens. Most accounts I have read seem to indicate it is not as sharp as the Nikkor. It is an older lens.

tamandua11 said:

If the Canon may be better overall though,

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I see no reason to think so for wildlife stills.

tamandua11 said:

I'd be willing to try find an alternative 55-250mm with IS. Thank you for any help!

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I would definitely go for the Nikon in this case, simply for the longer reach. With a limited budget, that's a very good starter kit. You will be able to learn a lot, and get some great shots along the way.

If you can stretch your budget a bit, get yourself a used Sony RX10 IV. It has more "reach", many more frames per second, better autofocus and it's more versatile. You don't need to change lenses, by the way.

Sample shots:





--
Gear list: eyes, brain, hands and a couple of cameras.
Instagram: @rodrigo_pasiani
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rodrigo_pc/albums/72157697391983321

Krusty79 said:

I started shooting with a crop body like you and the 55-250. I soon wanted more reach, as 250mm is not a strong telephoto.

If you are serious about this, you're going to want more reach like what a 100-400mm telephoto can provide. Even then, I wanted more reach, but at least you have a decent chance of getting good shots.

So, if you cannot afford a lens that goes to 400mm now, I would consider a bridge camera.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gkphotos79/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/greg79
"You can't be young forever, but you can always be immature" - Larry Andersen

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Agree, I went that way and I'm very satisfied.




Sony RX10 (I)

A good bridge camera and some effort can produce decent results.

--
Gear list: eyes, brain, hands and a couple of cameras.
Instagram: @rodrigo_pasiani
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rodrigo_pc/albums/72157697391983321

tamandua11 said:

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

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300mm over 250mm is still a 1.2x crop. It's worth it in my opinion. Plus the Nikon 70-300mm AFP is a pretty nice lens.

JasonTheBirder said:

tamandua11 said:

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

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300mm over 250mm is still a 1.2x crop.

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It is a bit less than that because Canon APS-C has a 1.6 crop factor compared with Nikon APS-C's 1.5. Equivalent focal length's are 400mm for the Canon and 450mm for the Nikon.

Member said:

It's worth it in my opinion. Plus the Nikon 70-300mm AFP is a pretty nice lens.

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That, of course, is the most important reason for choosing the Nikon.

--
Chris R

The Sony RX10 IV is a great camera. The only downside to the RX10 IV is that it is a bit bulky and heavy.

willbe23 said:

The Sony RX10 IV is a great camera. The only downside to the RX10 IV is that it is a bit bulky and heavy.

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I'd say the biggest downside of the RX10 IV is that a lot of wildlife is not obliging enough to sit motionless and exposed in midday summer sunshine. Take a photo of a deer running at dawn, or a jaguar hunting in the rain forest or bison galloping in the snow on a cloudy winter day and your RX10's small sensor will produce a noisy image.

Of course, what you need for good results with these subjects is probably bulkier and heavier than an RX10.

FingerPainter said:

willbe23 said:

The Sony RX10 IV is a great camera. The only downside to the RX10 IV is that it is a bit bulky and heavy.

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I'd say the biggest downside of the RX10 IV is that a lot of wildlife is not obliging enough to sit motionless and exposed in midday summer sunshine. Take a photo of a deer running at dawn, or a jaguar hunting in the rain forest or bison galloping in the snow on a cloudy winter day and your RX10's small sensor will produce a noisy image.

Of course, what you need for good results with these subjects is probably bulkier and heavier than an RX10.

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I paid 1250 Euros for mine, new. Hard to find something with better light gathering for the price.

A Canon APS-C body with RF 100-400 lens isn't brighter (f/13 vs. f/11 in FF terms).

tamandua11 said:

Hi!

I'm trying to buy my first camera and there's two options available to me that are similar in price and I'm quite restricted by budget as I'm a student. Canon 200D Mark II with 1 x Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Lens, 1 x Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens is the first option. The second option is Nikon D5600 with Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens and Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P Lens.

I know the zoom lens is what I need for beginning wildlife photography, but I'm unsure of the differences between 70-300mm and the 55-250mm as to which would be better, and whether the Canon 200D Mark II may have better image quality. Another thing to note is that I have a constant hand tremor making the image stabilisation function is pretty important as, and I don't believe the Canon 55-250mm has image stabilisation. If the Canon may be better overall though, I'd be willing to try find an alternative 55-250mm with IS. Thank you for any help!

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T11, welcome to both photography and DPR.

I'll make this short and simple. I would recommend the Canon 5Ds and 100-400 L mkl lens. The 5s is a semi pro cameras and the lens is a pro lens. They make an amazing combo that will take stunning wildlife images, and I mean stunning!

400mm is the cut-off for a wildlife lens, everything shorter is simply too short. At 50mp the 5Ds can be cropped a lot if you're unable to fill the frame. The amount of detail if you fill the frame is stunning! You can probably find the camera for $750 US and the lens for $500. Few ML cameras today can match the wildlife images made by that combo. The ONLY advantage a new ML camera has is focus but not image.

The following pics were made with a 5Dmkll. I WISH I'd had a 5Ds for those! I think these images are representative of shooting a platypus or related wildlife. I'm glad to answer any questions if you have any. Good luck

John

Are those your only choices? For a telephoto lens on a budget with the need for good stabilization, a micro four thirds setup makes a lot of sense.

I think a Panasonic Lumix G85 or G95 paired with a G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II POWER O.I.S. Lens would be the best option for you. You'll be getting Dual I.S. 2.0 which is IBIS + Lens stabilization combined.

i would love to see your platypus pictures once you have them

particularly pictures with groups of platypuses if they interact like that. your saying a creek full of platypuses is intriguing.