A Wildlife Photographer's Arsenal of Lenses
Purchasing quality lenses can get crazy expensive and it's hard to know which specific lenses belong in your bag. Obviously, it depends on the type of photography you intend to pursue, but it's an an expensive and daunting task nevertheless.
I am primarily an African Wildlife photographer, but I have a secondary love of Landscape Photography, Indigenous People Photography (portraits), LDS Temple Art and Commercial Photography. I realize this is a rather wide scope of subjects, but it's what I enjoy and it takes quite a few lenses to cover this diverse group of subjects. I am a Nikon shooter currently using the Z8 and Z9, but every lens manufacturer has a version of the lenses listed below. Additionally, see my previous blog discussing the pros and cons of purchasing used gear: https://www.davidwilliamsphotography.com/wildlife-photography-gear-on-the-cheap
Here is what I own, what I use each lens for, and which ones I don't use as much.
F 14-24 f2.8. Landscape, Commercial work. Fantastic lens for buildings and cityscapes. 14mm is quite wide and mostly used indoors or in small spaces. Most of my Landscape Photography is shot between 24-35mm. I suggest purchasing the 24-70mm and look at this as a secondary lens unless your primary field is Landscape, Commercial Photography or Real Estate.
Nikon Z S 24-70 f2.8. Portraits, Landscape, Commercial, just about everything. One of the most versatile lenses I own. Everyone should own one and is always in my bag.
Nikon F PC 19 mm Shift f4. LDS Temple Art, Commercial, and Landscapes. This corrects converging lines which can also be accomplished in Lightroom or Photoshop, but this lens does it without distortion. Actually a newer purchase for me; this lens has a huge learning curve, but I love the lines it creates. This is a specialty lens and most likely not needed unless shooting primarily Commercial or Real Estate.
Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3. Haven't used this lens much, and not as sharp as the 2.8 lenses, but 24-200mm covers a ton of ground. Mostly purchased so I can travel and leave one lens on the camera. I would look at this as a secondary lens.
Nikon Z 35mm f1.8. Awesome lens for Landscape, environmental portraits (showing some background), portraits. I have 35mm within the 24-70mm lens but the magic of this lens is the 1.8 bokeh. A secondary lens.
Nikon Z S 70-200mm f2.8. A must have lens that should be in anyone's bag, very versatile and is always in mine.
Nikon Z 85mm f1.8. Wonderful portrait lens. Again, I have an 85mm within the 70-200mm lens but the magic is the 1.8 bokeh. Most likely a secondary lens.
Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3. This is a must have for Wildlife Photography and a tremendous lens for the money. Nikon's 200-500mm F mount lens is a wonderful lens as well.
Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 PF. Wildlife Photography. For me, I am more interested in getting up close and personal with an animal than showing the animal within a landscape or habitat, therefore I opt for the longest lenses possible. I am using this lens more and more as I travel to Africa.
So define your genre and get out and shoot, but however you decide to proceed, good luck and good light to you. Please reach out to me if you have any additional questions, I am always happy to help.
About David Williams: David specializes in African Wildlife, Landscape, Indigenous People Cultural Photography and LDS Temple Art.
See his work at https://www.davidwilliamsphotography.com
https://davidwilliams.photoshelter.com/index
https://www.instagram.com/david_williams_photography_
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1657414100
