Are Varifocal Lenses Suitable for Photographing Wild Animals?

As the title suggests, varifocal lenses are ideal for wildlife photography and are currently one of the most popular lens choices in wildlife photography. The focal length flexibility, focusing speed, and image stabilization of varifocal lenses allow photographers to quickly capture fleeting moments of animals while maintaining a safe distance, enabling them to handle complex and ever-changing wild environments.

1.The main advantages of varifocal lenses for shooting wildlife

(1)No need to frequently change lenses: Wild animals are often elusive, and you might miss a crucial shot if you switch to a fixed focus lens. Using a varifocal lens allows you to quickly compose a shot by adjusting the focal length, such as switching from a panoramic view to a close-up, without having to change lenses.

(2)Adaptable to diverse shooting needs: Using a varifocal lens, you can use the telephoto end (such as 200mm and above) to shoot close-ups of distant animals, or use the mid-range telephoto end (such as 70-100mm) to shoot images of animals and their environment, showcasing ecological scenes.

(3)Reduce equipment burden: Compared to carrying multiple fixed focus lenses (such as 300mm, 400mm, 600mm), a single telephoto varifocal lens (such as 200-600mm) can cover multiple focal lengths, reducing the weight carried and facilitating long-distance tracking and shooting in the wild.

(4)Reduce shooting difficulty: When shooting animals in the wild, it is often necessary to remain hidden, making it difficult for photographers to get close to the animals. The telephoto end of a varifocal lens can be used to shoot from a safe distance, avoiding disturbing the animals, reducing the difficulty of shooting, and also ensuring personal safety.

Advantages of using varifocal lenses to photograph wildlife

2.How to choose a varifocal lens suitable for wildlife photography?

Wildlife photography also has specific requirements for varifocal lenses; not all varifocal lenses are suitable. The following parameters need to be carefully considered:

(1)Focal length

Focal length is the most important factor when choosing a varifocal lens; a longer focal length is generally considered better in wildlife photography. Beginners typically choose a 70-300mm or 100-400mm focal length range, suitable for shooting relatively fearless large animals or at closer distances, allowing for a balance between animal and landscape photography.

Most professional photographers opt for focal length ranges such as 200-500mm or 150-600mm, suitable for shooting small animals or birds from a distance. Some lenses are also compatible with teleconverters, further extending the focal length to 800mm or even 1200mm, providing even greater telephoto capabilities.

(2)Aperture

Aperture size is also a key parameter to consider when choosing a varifocal lens. Variable aperture lenses like f/4.5-5.6 and f/5-6.3 are lighter and more affordable, making them the choice for most people. However, they have smaller apertures at the telephoto end, requiring higher light levels.

Constant aperture lenses, such as f/2.8 and f/4, offer powerful performance but are expensive and heavier. A large aperture increases light intake, ensuring faster shutter speeds, preventing blurry images, and also creates a shallow depth of field, highlighting the subject, such as animals.

Aperture is an important parameter to consider when choosing a varifocal lens

(3)Image stabilization and autofocus performance

Telephoto lenses are prone to blurring due to camera shake, making built-in optical image stabilization crucial! It helps you use slower shutter speeds when shooting handheld to obtain sharp photos. At the same time, a fast, quiet autofocus system that accurately tracks moving objects is equally important for capturing birds in flight or running animals.

(4)Weight and portability

Outdoor shooting often requires trekking, and the weight and size of the lens directly affect physical exertion. If you need to shoot on long hikes, you need to consider a lightweight design for the lens or use a carbon fiber lens body. If necessary, you will also need to use a lightweight tripod or monopod.

Weight and portability are also factors to consider for varifocal lenses

(5)Weather resistance and reliability

When shooting in the wild, the lens's weather resistance also needs to be considered. The lens uses an internal zoom design (the lens length remains unchanged when zooming) to help maintain a stable center of gravity and provides better dust and moisture protection; the dust and drip resistant structure can remain reliable in harsh environments such as rainforests and grasslands.

In conclusion, varifocal lenses, with their flexibility, convenience, and optical image stabilization, have become one of the mainstream lens choices for wildlife photography.

When shooting, the flexibility of zoom can be used to cope with the unpredictability of animals, combined with the compression effect of the telephoto end to highlight the subject while preserving environmental narrative; coupled with high-speed autofocus, image stabilization technology, and proper composition, the success rate of wildlife photography can be significantly improved.