Although this type of photography is prevalent, the internet still hasn’t done its bidding by providing a sufficient amount of helpful buying guides to help photographers navigate the market.

With that idea in mind, I have decided to create an ultimate guide to help fellow photographers get their hands on quality gear in a more efficient and money-wise way.

• Mounting Type: Nikon Z
• Lens Type: Wide Angle Zoom
• Focal Length: 14-30mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.28m
• Weight: 1.07 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.35 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 offers an optical design of 14 elements in 12 groups, with seven rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 114° to 72°, with a minimum focus distance of 11,02 inches, and it doesn’t have optical image stabilization.

One of the reasons I included it on the best lens for nature photography list is the compact and lightweight design, with a retractable lens mechanism that comes down to 3,5 inches, and it doesn’t take up almost any space in the camera bag.

The lightweight, in this case, doesn’t mean low quality. On the contrary, the design is impeccable, with solid lines and a nice finish, and weather-sealing on top. Another vital point of the given optic is the stepping motor which always allows smooth, fast, and silent focusing. The image quality is rock-solid. The sharpness is excellent across the frame, and too much higher levels compared to the competition.

When considering the focal length, it is fantastic to see that vignetting is next to non-existent, with a minimum amount of chromatic aberration. The aperture is standard, but with the lack of OIS, capturing professional images in low lighting can be tricky, so it would be good to use a tripod.

On the other hand, the focal length of this best lens for nature photography Nikon is excellent, and it covers an enormous range suitable for many types of nature photography. The performance it gives comes with little to no distortion.

Sony 70-200mm f/4 has an optical design of 21 elements in 15 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view ranges from 34° to 12°, with a minimum focus distance of 39,97 inches and a maximum magnification of 0,13x. The lens has optical image stabilization and a standard f/4 aperture. One advantage of the given optics over competitors (even those from Sony) is the relatively lightweight and robust body that is suitable for hand-holding and long shooting sessions.

The first thing:

I noticed the smooth work of focus and zoom rings since they operate in total harmony. Another great point is image stabilization, one of the critical factors that made me include it on the nature photography lens list. I could use the lens without a tripod and capture great images of wildlife and mesmerizing landscapes without compromising the image quality. The OIS is a beautiful asset when shooting during darker hours.

The image quality is excellent. The sharpness is on point at all focal lengths and aperture ranges. Although the lens doesn’t create an awe-inspiring shallow depth of field, for photographing nature, it is more than enough.

I also didn’t have too many issues with distortion and vignetting, except at the extreme focal length ends. Still, those issues were expected and easily mitigated in post-production. The autofocus operates quite well, and I also used a switch to limit the autofocus range to three meters (and beyond).

The best Fuji lenses for nature photography come with an optical design of 14 elements in 10 groups, with seven rounded diaphragm blades. The minimum focus distance sits at 9,45 inches, and the maximum magnification is 0,16x. It has optical image stabilization and a relatively fast aperture of an f/4, which offers solid photographic performance.

The crucial reason that put Fujifilm 10-24mm f/4 on the nature photography lenses list is the presence of a weather-sealing design in a relatively compact body with an excellent finishing touch and the mostly metal-based design.

The next in line for praise is the focus system that delivers accurate results with surgical precision while remaining relatively silent. The overall image quality the lens produces is terrific. It saturates colors quite vividly and with a lot of vibrance. I was content with the sharpness at an f/4, although it rendered a much better quality when I stepped down a few notches.

The contrast is quite strong, and even though the focal length ranges from 10mm to 24mm, the distortion and vignetting are negligible. Moreover, the given focal lengths allow one to capture many details in the frame. I didn’t face any problems with flare, not even while shooting nature during sunny days, and the chromatic aberrations were easy to remove.

The second Sony from this article has an optical design of 10 elements in eight groups, with seven rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 109 ° – 76 °, with a maximum magnification of 0,1x and a minimum focus distance of 9,84 inches.

It also sports optical image stabilization and a rich package consisting of lens front and rear caps. I noticed it has a metal skin over a hard plastic frame, making it quite robust and sturdy. It made the best lens for nature photography list for several reasons.

The focus system is phenomenal, responsive, and accurate, while the sharpness is present from edge to edge when you step down from the widest aperture. Another excellent point regards the optical image stabilization since it enabled me to enjoy nature by photographic moving animals without a tripod, but still retaining sharpness in all the images.

Moreover:

Having it in low-light settings is vital, and it is of tremendous help in those scenarios. On the other hand, I have noticed vignetting and barrel distortion at the 10mm, but it was not a deal-breaker and didn’t occur at different focal lengths. I like the wide angle since it allows one to frame so much in the picture without losing sharpness, and this Sony 10-18mm f/4 has all of those qualities that make it an excellent videography gem.

The best Canon lens for nature photography has an optical design of 18 elements in 13 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 84° – 34°, with a maximum focus distance of 1,25 feet and a maximum magnification of 0,21x. Despite the lack of optical image stabilization, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 offers a fast aperture that ensures a high-end performance, even under low light.

The main reason why it made the best lens for nature photography is the incredible versatility it offers. The focal length of 24-70mm is sufficient to combat most primes and even other lenses with broader focal capabilities while remaining extraordinarily sharp and without many cornering issues.

I didn’t use it at the widest opening for most of the time when I tested it by shooting landscapes. It showed remarkable results in terms of general sharpness and virtually no distortion and vignetting issues.

Moreover:

Despite the lack of OIS, it has a fast aperture that ensures a rock-solid lowlight performance. Another point worth mentioning is the impeccable focus system which operates in silence while delivering exquisite and accurate results. It also provides a smooth and creamy bokeh effect, and as I’ve already said, it can go on par with certain primes. The design is incredible, and as you see the “L” signature, you can rest assured it will be great.

Verdict

Buying the best camera lens for nature photography is a must if you want to capture amazing landscapes and shots of our beautiful Earth. Getting the proper optics can be easier when you have solid guidance and know what to look for.

No matter which style or brand you prefer, purchasing any of the lenses from the list will grow your portfolio.

Now that you have learned something new from this article, it’s time to choose a lens to help you become a better photographer. If you’re still confused about which lens is best for you, we suggest you test this one.

Check out our other articles, especially the best lenses for bird photography and best lenses for night sky photography, for great tips on how to get better at taking pictures.

More Nature and Outdoors Lenses Guides:

• Bird Photography Lenses
• Nature Photography Lenses
• Wildlife Photography Lenses
• Landscape Photography Lenses
• Surf Photography Lenses
• Moon Photography Lenses