Expert pro wildlife photographer Andy Rouse explains the best lens for wildlife photographers

[@Jonathantuba]

I did have a Sony 600 F4, but have now sold for a 300 F2.8 with teleconverters. Much more flexible as I in effect have a 300, 420 and 600 in one lens together with the beautiful F2.8 bokeh. But my main reason was weight and portability. It was a nightmare flying with the 600 and I could only hold up for a couple minutes. More than once I missed action because it happened as soon as I lowered the lens. The other thing is I don’t always want my subject filling the frame. Environmental shots are good and often better compositions.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Yeah I agree. I picked up the Sony 600 yesterday and was really surprised how light it was. But I wouldn't hand hold it. At the moment I am caneraless as my loan stock has gone back but I will buy the 200-600 and 300 2.8 alongside the 70-200 2.8. That's all I need. Thanks for posting

[@peterbowler6524]

Blimey Andy these images are beautiful!!

[@Wildmanrouse]

Thank you!!!!

[@joecronin5017]

great video Andy,here in Canada i use the a9 and 200/600 my bird photography is of great quality, you can get great photos of any birds thanks again for the videos.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Personally I don't describe any of my images as good or great, that's for others ti tell me. Which they rarely do but they seem to win awards so someone obviously likes them out there! Have a happy Christmas!

[@SkylarkFields]

Your videos always cheer me up and give me a smile. And as I am about to try and choose a new lens (and camera, as changing systems, hopefully), this was very timely! Thank you!

[@Wildmanrouse]

Sure well feel free to contact me via email for help and advice. Happy to ensure you are on the right path for you

[@SkylarkFields]

@@Wildmanrouse Thank you, very kind of you. I shall bear that in mind. 👍

[@tonyblake8841]

To me, for flexibility with tc’s and multiple lenses, it’s more about having a second body. Changing lenses on the go is a pain. Throw in an option for macro when out and about and a second body would be great. Over the last couple of years it seems people are less interested with “ bird on a stick“ images often over edited IMO. And Lee Hoy’s latest video is even about portrait images. Heresy just a few years ago. Great video Andy.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Yes I advocate actually having at least two bodies, I have three for my work. But I also appreciate that lots of people cannot afford a second body so I am very careful what i say and only offer some guidance. Again thanks for sharing much appreciated

[@jameswong3105]

Totally agree with you. 15 years ago, I used to have the Canon 1Dseries and old 600mmf4 with gitzo tripod. Great Image quality! But it's painful to bring it out and hike with it. Quit birding totally. Until 2 years ago I found out there are so many newer good quality mega-Zoom lens(sony 200-600mm, Nikon 180-600mm OM150400 etc) in the market. Current setup is OM1+15400pro. Love the setup.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Yep it's a great setup, just not for a publishing pro unfortunately. So I am very happy with my Sony move and glad you have found your place too! Thanks for commenting and make sure you subscribe as plenty to come!

[@silentrabbit247]

A bird shot in it's environment can always be cropped in editing to create a close up, but the reverse can not be done. So 300mm f2.8 + 1.4x & 2x TC is compact and flexible, especially good when using 2 camera bodies, each with the TC fitted, swop between 420mm f4 & 600mm f5.6 without the sensor being exposed to the elements. You also have the 300mm f2.8 option too.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Yes that's all true except if you watch my video on why I am using Sony and my commercial needs you will know my options for cropping are not the same as others might have. The constraints of art vs retaining a commercial image size for publishing clients. That's the dilemma!!!!

[@GillianEvans-q3m]

Great chat, great advice. Great shirt!

[@Wildmanrouse]

OMG someone likes my shirts!!! My day is complete thank you 🙏

[@michaeljohannsen4872]

Theres Great photos to be taken with many kinds of lenses. Big or small. It depends on how you intend to use it and what motives/looks you are after. The best combination is a large Prime + a flexible Zoom and you pick depending on your current situation. BTW Congrats on your fab photos and good luck on that new contest

[@Wildmanrouse]

I disagree. You cannot say the best combo is as that's your opinion. It's not the best combo it's what you think is the best combo. As you see I don't have that combo and it's been fine for me and most pros who now have the same philosophy!

[@Karkawry1970]

@@Wildmanrouse At least he congratulated you on your photos and wished you luck in the contest, not sure why you didn't thank him for that...

[@Karkawry1970]

I think a lot of people can be prone to confirmation bias when they spend silly money on super telephoto primes, yes it can be a 'badge' a tick on a list, but there's plenty of folk still using them, myself included, but largely when i can put myself into position and wait for my subject, but at 3 kg I am totally fine hand holding for a couple of minutes on and off if needs be... Small primes and zooms aren't the only way to achieve a desired image, just like a super-telephoto, they are a tool to get a specific job done.

[@Wildmanrouse]

I should add though that it is horses for courses - and often the 'best' combo for someone is another photographers worst nightmare! My ethos always is you have to shoot with what you are comfortable with and what you have to hand, and thank you for the good wishes :)

[@Wildmanrouse]

@@Karkawry1970 an oversight which has been addressed

[@michaelwallwork7482]

Top bloke. You talk a lot of sense. Cheers Andy 👍

[@Wildmanrouse]

Thanks 👍

[@seanlonsdale]

Sounds good to me Andy. I’m using the M.Zuiko 150-600 and the 2.8 40-150 on my OM1. I will be bringing both to your workshop next week. I just will have to swap lenses as we go, unless someone has a spare body they could bring …….. 😎😎📸📸

[@Wildmanrouse]

Well I have 4 no longer in use but they will soon have new homes

[@RVNmedic]

I know it's still pretty big but I love my Canon 200-400 F4 w/ built in TC. I add a 1.4 and have a 200-800 F4-F8. Do anything lens. Thanks. Great video.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Yeah I have a client with one who just had it on safari. Nice lens and I was the one who first launched it in the UK and promoted it as I loved it. Now love my Sony 200-600 so much. Thanks for wiring and supporting the channel

[@martingibbons8021]

Great video Thank You

[@Wildmanrouse]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@martingibbons8021]

@ came at a perfect time as was trawling the internet for lenses but tbh realised I’ve got plenty

[@Wildmanrouse]

@ awesome thank you

[@TwinIonEngines]

I shoot wildlife with Fujifilm (hard mode, I know lol). 50-140 F2.8 (70-200mm FF) sometimes with the 1.4x converter. 100-300mm F4 FF equivalent with the tele. Thats it, that's 80% of your shots right there, on 40mp what else do you want? For the particular projects, Fuji's new 500mm F5.6, bright enough, light, small enough, you're golden. Your back and knees will thank you in the long run haha, especially if you also hike a lot to locations, or do other things like landscape, street, etc.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Like I said what counts is what you do with it and it sounds like you have a good handle on it. Good luck and thanks for the comment!

[@rockymanilow5115]

Very true! Canon 100-500 lens is great for birds.

[@Wildmanrouse]

It's great for anything !

[@redauwg911]

I have made many of my best images with a 70-300vr lens and old Nikon D800E.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Awesome !

[@kaisapeltomaki]

But Andy, all eldery men love pixel peeping, especially engineers and especially if they have to deal with women wildlife photographers... 😂 But have to say very wise words! You can certainly do nature photography with many different equipment. 👍

[@Wildmanrouse]

Absolutely

[@antonoat]

Let’s face it, you have more wildlife photography experience than most people alive, so if a zoom is good enough for you it should be good enough for anyone! There is nothing more frustrating than having too much lens for a shot, a zoom opens up so many more creative options! 😀👍👏 ps it’s impossible to be discreet with a 600mm f4 😂🤣😂

[@Wildmanrouse]

Agree on all counts and thank you!

[@d53101]

I use a Sigma 100-400 on an APSC Canon DSLR so it becomes a 150-600. It’s quite manageable in weight and size.

[@Wildmanrouse]

That's great glad you found a combo that works for you!

[@jameschetwynd]

Got Nikon Coolpix p510 The 42x optical 24-1000. $280. Great pictures not low light camera

[@Wildmanrouse]

Sure it has it limitations but I have a couple of clients with then and they get great photos. They can do everything with one piece of kit! My leopard tracker has one too! Like I said on the film if you have kit that works for you then that's great and keep in your happy place !

[@philipgowdy]

The Sony light has shone on you...the 100-400 and the 200-600 with 1x4 really are all you need for telephoto.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Disagree. Don't need the 100-400 as I want 2.8 bokeh!!!

[@philipgowdy]

@@Wildmanrouse Yep agree but truly depends on how deep the pockets are..The 100-400 wide open is very nice and compact. Hang on a few more weeks for the A1 mk2. Will be a beast. Thinking on what I said earlier I guess you can already achieve images with the Olympus similar to my lenses in DOF. So the 300 2.8 would be a game changer on visual effect. Regards from the girls.

[@Wildmanrouse]

@@philipgowdy as always you speak sense Phil and I know you do! We can agree to differ but we both love the 200-600. To be honest I am just a new and inexperienced user so the A1 is unbelievable for me and I cannot even imagine what the mk2 would give.

[@Wildmanrouse]

And regards back to the lovely girls!!!

[@tonyblake8841]

I’m waiting for the extra 46 seconds 😂

[@Wildmanrouse]

Don't complain I usually waffle on for far longer!!!

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

hi Andy I completely agree with you. I have always been a fan of zoom lenses. it gives me a lot of freedom and creativity. Zoom lenses used to not be very good. but I have a Canon RF 100-500 which is a super sharp lens, even with the 1.4 extender on it you still have a lot of quality in your images. We hope you enjoy your Sony equipment.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Yeah it's a great lens but I would never put a converter in it as it's not designed for it. Much better to crop IMHo as AF will be more accurate and quicker without the converter. Just my 3 1/2p worth!

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

@@Wildmanrouse hi Andy I have always had the 1.4 extender on the RF 100-500. I will test the Af without the extender on the lens. but at the moment that won't work, because I was able to sell my Canon r3 for a good price, and I'm waiting for the Canon R1. This will probably only become available in the Netherlands at the end of February. Kind regards from the Netherlands

[@tonyblake8841]

To me, for flexibility with tc’s and multiple lenses, it’s more about having a second body. Changing lenses on the go is a pain. Throw in an option for macro when out and about and a second body would be great. Over the last couple of years it seems people are less interested with “ bird on a stick“ images often over edited IMO. And Lee Hoy’s latest video is even about portrait images. Heresy just a few years ago. Great video Andy.

[@Wildmanrouse]

Thanks well I have stuck to my beliefs throughout my pro career and it seems now that the world is changing thankfully. Cheers for commenting!