6 Must-Have Nikon Wildlife Lenses of 2024

Top-rated Nikon lenses for wildlife to get impressive images.

When doing portrait and landscape photography, you can get top-quality results using a budget lens, however, it’s impossible to do without the best telephoto Nikon wildlife lens if you want to capture animals in the wild.

While such equipment is quite expensive, it’s totally worth the money. The most affordable models cost from $500 to $1,500, while top-quality lenses might cost as much as $10,000 and more.

On my visit to Safari Park, I bought several Nikon lenses compatible with my camera. I received a heavy box with carefully packaged equipment. Using these lenses, I was supposed to take photos of specific items with lions visible in the background.

While this task was quite difficult, I learned a lot in the process and discovered how to make the most out of these lenses. Nikon releases lenses with an extended zoom range, impressive focus, and superb apertures.

Dimensions: 4.92 x 2.83 x 2.83 inches | Weight: 1210g | Lens Type: Telephoto | Autofocus: Yes

In case you are interested in wildlife photography but don’t have much money to spend on equipment, take a closer look at this wildlife lens for Nikon. It stands out for its excellent AF capabilities in daylight and has an impressive zoom range of 70-300mm, which allows you to use it for snapping pictures of large animals, such as elephants and hypos, and small birds.

The lens is quite portable and doesn’t weigh much, which makes it perfect for those who go on long walks trying to capture their best shot of wildlife.

The lens allows you to achieve a decent bokeh effect and make the background slightly blurred, especially when you use its longest end.

However, you might notice its sharpness getting worse at 300mm. Thanks to in-built VR image stabilization, you can take clear images without worrying about camera shake when you use the lens in a hand-held mode.

Dimensions: 8.74 x 3.86 x 3.86 inches | Weight: 1355g | Lens Type: Telephoto | Autofocus: Yes

This telephoto lens will grow on you once you start using it. It has a weather-sealed body with professional specs, supports speedy, silent focusing, and has in-built optical image stabilization with 5.5 stops of shake reduction.

This camera lens has dual stepper motors, which improves its performance even further.

When you start using it, you will see that it can be compared to the flagship lens Nikon Z9 which stands out for its excellent resolution. After using it for some time, I was fully satisfied with the result.

It allows taking great wildlife photos with excellent sharpness. The lens is reliable and delivers excellent performance regardless of the weather conditions.

Dimensions: 14.09 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches | Weight: 3845g | Lens Type: Telephoto | Autofocus: Yes

This is the telephoto lens for Nikon that allows you to enjoy an 800mm focal length at f/5.6 using a 2x teleconverter. As it has a large aperture of f/2.8, it is quite big.

However, it allows this lens to capture more light. To stabilize your camera, it’s better to use a tripod as the lens is quite heavy. You won’t be able to use it in handheld mode if you need to shoot photos for long hours.

The lens stands out for its high-quality optical elements, which allows you to use it to capture pro-level pics at the max aperture of f/2.8. The only disadvantage is that this lens is too big and heavy for hiking, which makes it hardly suitable for taking photos of mammals.

Dimensions: 15.16 x 5.51 x 5.51 inches | Weight: 2385g | Lens Type: Telephoto | Autofocus: Yes

In case you want to find a lens with a decent max reach without resorting to the use of teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is what you need. It is used by many famous wildlife photographers who take photos of birds and small animals.

Unlike other Nikon lenses for wildlife, it may be too long for shooting bigger objects.

With this lens, you can capture waterbirds or shorebirds during your trips. If you need to take photos at a distance of 5-15 meters from a bird, use an 800mm focal length. For other situations, it’s better to use a 500-600mm focal length.

Dimensions: 4.84 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches | Weight: 530g | Lens Type: Telephoto | Autofocus: Yes

With a decent focal length of 300mm at the long end, this model is best suited for novice photographers who want to capture wildlife but don’t have much money to spend.

While you might not be fully satisfied with its aperture, it is quite small and doesn’t weigh a lot. Thanks to it, you can take it with you on hiking trips.

Despite some minor disadvantages, this lens for Nikon cameras can be used for taking photos of birds and animals. It is fitted with the Silent Wave Motor, which ensures precise and accurate AF.

Due to the support for Vibration Reduction technology, you don’t have to worry about camera shake.

Dimensions: 17.01 x 6.54 x 6.54 inches | Weight: 3825g | Lens Type: Telephoto | Autofocus: Yes

This model is considered one of the best lenses for bird photography. It stands out for its impressive image quality and flawless performance, which makes it a desired choice for many professionals.

As it is quite heavy, it’s better to mount it on a tripod if you are going to take photos for hours. For instance, you may use a tripod from the Gitzo Systematic series. Such models are fitted with Wimberley Gimbal heads, which makes them perfect for supporting a camera with a heavy lens.

This wildlife lens for Nikon has an f/5.6 aperture, which allows you to use an 840mm focal length. You can also capture pictures of birds using a 600mm focal length with an aperture of f/4.

You need to consider multiple factors, including focal length, aperture, weight, weather protection, and focusing speed.

It’s better to use a lens with a longer focal length if you want to capture photos of birds and animals.

To take great pictures of birds, use a lens with a focal length of 400mm or more. The max focal length for lenses suitable for capturing birds is 800mm. When snapping pics of animals, use a focal length ranging from 200mm to 600mm. A lens with a long focal length has better reach.

However, sometimes photographers stop following this rule. For instance, if you want to capture a picture of an animal in its natural habitat and need to approach it, you can use wide-angle lenses, such as 12mm or 14mm.

Most photographers don’t need to use a wide aperture when doing wildlife and horse photography.

However, if you need to capture images with a shallow depth of field, an f/5.6 and wider aperture will be especially useful. It will also allow you to take photos in the evening or in the morning when there isn’t enough light. Large-aperture lenses are large and quite expensive.

The best Nikon wildlife lens should support speedy and accurate focusing even in poor light conditions. Focusing speed depends on the max aperture and the model of a lens.

Most lenses with a max aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/4 focus quickly, which allows you to capture fast-moving objects.

Novice travel and wildlife photographers often make the same mistake when they buy a heavy lens without thinking about how they are going to use it for hours in handheld mode. While every photographer has their preferences, you can put lenses into three categories depending on their weight:

• Lens and camera under 2500g (under 5.5 lbs): They are quite lightweight, which ensures that you won’t experience muscle strain.
• Combined weight ranging from 2500g to 3200g (5.5 to 7 lbs): You can use such lenses and cameras in handheld mode if you are fit and don’t mind feeling like you are exercising all day.
• Combination over 3200 g (over 7 lbs): Big lenses can be used for handheld shooting for a short time, however, it’s better to mount such lens with a camera on a tripod or monopod.

If you are looking for a reliable lens for wildlife and forest photography, pick a weather-sealed model that can be used in different conditions. It will allow you to use it in the rain or at severe temperatures.

In addition, such models are protected against dust, which allows them to serve longer. Weather-sealed lenses are typically more expensive, but they are perfect for outdoor use.