Online discussions about what the best lens is for various photographic genres, or for specific focal lengths, or sensor sizes, are endless. The reality is that everyone has their own best lens opinion based on their individual needs and preferences. Those needs and preferences are really only relevant for the person that holds them.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
If we accept someone else’s ‘best lens’ opinion without question, we may be taking a blind eye to our individual needs.
It can be difficult to sort through various lens options. This difficulty can be compounded significantly when we have not clearly identified our individual needs.
Even when we examine the telephoto lens offerings from only one manufacturer, we can twist ourselves into mental knots if we have not clearly identified our individual needs and preferences.
For example, many M4/3 photographers who use M.Zuiko lenses rave about the PRO 300 mm f/4 IS telephoto prime. For many folks this lens represents the pinnacle of image quality.
Other photographers may feel that the M.Zuiko PRO 150-400 f/4.5 IS represents the pinnacle of M.Zuiko telephoto lenses. One can comb through test data, and numerous online reviews, to support either point of view.
On a personal basis I wouldn’t consider buying either one of those telephoto lenses. Not because they aren’t great products… they most certainly are… but because they are not a good fit for me.
Over the years I’ve made no bones about the fact that I hate using prime lenses. I view them as speciality lenses, focused on specific shooting situations. We own three primes (PRO 45 mm f/1.2, 60 mm f/2.8 Macro, and PRO 90 mm f/3.5 Macro IS) which all serve very specific purposes.
Other than meeting unique shooting scenarios I find primes are too restrictive in terms of limiting my composition options. So, the PRO 300 mm f/4 IS is a lens that I would not give even a moment of serious consideration.
Likewise I would not give the PRO 150-400 f/4.5 IS lens a moment of serious consideration. I simply could not justify the investment required given my business and personal priorities.
So, what is the best telephoto lens to photograph birds from my perspective? There isn’t one. It depends on my specific needs and objectives on a particular day.
If my objective is to travel as light as possible when photographing birds in good light and weather conditions, I’m likely to reach for the 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II.
If I need to deal with a wide variance in light conditions where using a faster aperture may be of benefit, then the M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom with a couple of teleconverters may be the best choice.
If I have a need for additional reach while still keeping the size and weight of my gear within modest limits, then the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS may be the best lens for me to choose.
For many folks interested in bird photography the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS may deliver the right balance of in-field flexibility, image quality, and relative affordability for them.
There may be other photographers who want as much reach as possible, but also need to stay within some budget parameters.
They may feel comfortable with the weight and size of a lens like the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS… and can make the investment necessary to acquire that lens.
At the end of the day it doesn’t matter at all what someone else thinks about a specific lens. Test results don’t matter. Reviews don’t matter. Pixel peeping doesn’t matter. All that matters is how well we understand our own needs and objectives. And, how well a specific lens fits with our photographic objectives.
Best lens reality is pretty simple. If we have the requisite photographic skills we can create a wonderful assortment of images with any lens or photographic gear. That applies to a wide range of photographic genres and camera formats.
The key is for us to understand how to best utilize the advantages that a specific lens provides… and do our best to minimize the trade-offs that every piece of photographic gear brings to the table.
We also need to remember that the post processing software we use is an integral part of our camera system. What we do in post can be the ‘great equalizer’ when it comes to getting the most out of the lenses we use.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld with the camera equipment noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,420 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.
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“Test results don’t matter. Reviews don’t matter.”
I wish I had learned that lesson long before I descended into the depths of GAS and spent all of my life’s savings! 🙂
Jon
Hi Jon,
Most of us have suffered from GAS at some point in our photographic journeys. On a personal basis my worst bout with GAS was initiated by putting too much faith in tests and reviews, and ended up with my worst camera equipment purchase decisions.
Tom
Its very true Thomas everyone has a different idea what lens is their choice if it is determined by cost, reach, weight and of course IQ.
Olympus make and have developed some amazing lenses in the past and OM Systems have themselves developed a couple of perfect longer telephoto versions.
Many of these latest and greatest aren’t in the financial field of ordinary people for much of the time, the big white lens although cheaper than full frame is hideously expensive obviously.
I appreciate your piece and find it interesting
Best wishes
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for adding to the discussion. I think its important that each of us should really assess our needs and buy the most appropriate lens for our individual situations.
Tom
Once again I agree with you — I too find prime lenses too restrictive when photographing wild critters in natural settings. The Olympus 100-400mm with it’s minimal focusing distance and very good image quality is my most versatile lens, although for a walk-around every day telephoto that’s very light the 75-300mm is my lens of choice. Since I switched from film to digital many years ago, the only prime lens I’ve owned is the 60mm macro. Thanks for telling me I made the right choice 🙂
Hi Woody,
As long as the lenses you purchased are helping you create the images you want… then you made the right choice. I have some associates that prefer prime lenses… different strokes for different folks.
Tom