The 6 Best Lens Focal Lengths for Outdoor Photographers
Your first few years as a photographer will probably involve a lot of experimentation to determine what you like and dislike. But if you’ve realized that you enjoy outdoor photography, it’s worth thinking about how to update your kit to meet your needs.
Regardless of the camera manufacturer you use, you’ll find a broad selection of lenses that suit different kinds of outdoor photography. Some are better for capturing wildlife, whereas you might need an alternative if taking pictures of landscapes interests you more.
In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best focal lengths for outdoor photographers. Note that your manufacturer might have different ranges.
1. 18-55mm
Arguably the best lens for outdoor photography is the 18-55mm. It’s also what many photographers start with since many cameras include it as a kit lens when you purchase the body. The 18-55mm lens is incredibly versatile, and it’s an ideal choice if you want toimprove your product photographyoutside—such as capturing your tent, backpack, and hiking boots.
You can also use the 18-55mm lens for photographing landscapes that aren’t too far away, such as capturing moments when walking through trails in the forest. On top of that, the lens is ideal if you need something that doesn’t consume a huge amount of space. So, you can take it on outdoor adventures in other countries or states.
If you previously sold your kit lens, you’ll be pleased to hear that 18-55mm lenses are pretty affordable. You shouldn’t pay more than $300 in most cases, and many are even cheaper than that.
Every photographer should own a 50mm lens, also known within the community as the nifty fifty. Outdoor photographers are no different in respect; this lens is superb for those who like to capture whatever they like when out and about. The 50mm lens is great for photographing portraits in stunning natural settings, and many have a wide maximum aperture—allowing for blurry background effects.
If you’re especially interested in photographing landscapes, the 50mm lens is a great option if you find that the more telescopic options don’t include enough in your images. See theselandscape photography tipsif you want to improve in this field.
You can also use the 50mm lens for photographing some forms of wildlife. And in many cases, the lens is more compact than the 18-55mm option—meaning it’s a better travel companion.
The 27mm lens is also known as the pancake lens, and it’s not hard to see why when you get one. This minuscule lens can easily fit into your coat pocket and is a great choice if you want a non-intrusive lens for outdoor photography.
If you use a 27mm for your outdoor adventures, you’ll find that it’s an ideal choice for capturing images of products and people.
The 27mm lens is also a good outdoor photography choice if you want to leave more space in your bag for food, water, and sleeping essentials like your tent. Fujifilm cameras use this focal length, but if you use a Sony or Canon camera, you can use the 28mm instead.
You canshoot several types of photography with an 85mm lens, and it’s often the entry-level lens for those that want something more telescopic. 85mm lenses are arguably the best option for outdoor portrait photography, and you’ll find it much easier to capture the emotions on your subject’s face. For example, if you’ve just been on a long hike, you might be able to showcase both exhaustion and elation.
The 85mm lens is also perfect for capturing landscapes when you can’t get closer, such as mountain ranges in the far distance. Furthermore, you can use the lens to isolate parts of the subject you’re trying to photograph, such as the fog rolling over a group of trees or a mountain peak covered in snow.
Many 85mm lenses have relatively wide apertures, meaning that you can use them in low-light situations—such as when photographing the Northern Lights. One downside, however, is that some models are susceptible to camera shake. So, you should consider putting them on a tripod if your lens doesn’t have image stabilization.
5. 24-105mm
The 24-105mm lens is another excellent zoom lens for outdoor photography. It’s a versatile choice, and you should think about this option if you like capturing both long-range and short-range subjects. It’s also ideal if you want to grab video footage to accompany the photos of your outdoor adventures.
Many 24-105mm lenses have a maximum aperture of f/4, which doesn’t make them as ideal for low lighting as the likes of the 85mm lens. However, you can mitigate this by using a tripod and turning on Aperture Priority mode. So, if you’re willing to carry around a little more equipment, it might be a great choice.
If you only take outdoor photos during the day, the 24-105mm is a handy option. Though they often cost a lot, you may find that—since you get lots of different focal lengths—you don’t need to buy anything else.
For outdoor photographers that are particularly into hiking, consider checking out theseapps to improve your hiking experience.
6. 70-300mm
The 70-300mm lens is an excellent outdoor photography lens for those who particularly enjoy taking pictures of faraway subjects. For example, if you’re into wildlife photography, you can capture fantastic images of birds, deer, and other creatures you might see but can’t get close to.
Like the 24-105mm lens, you often won’t get a huge maximum aperture with these lenses. However, the fact you can get closer to subjects you normally wouldn’t be able to offsets that drawback.
In addition to wildlife, you can use the 70-300mm lens for photographing landscapes you can’t get close to. One example is if you’re standing on top of a tall hill or mountain and want to capture the surroundings.
Where Can You Buy These Lenses?
You can purchase lenses for outdoor photography from many electronics outlets. It’s also worth looking at your local Walmart or Target store for deals, especially around Black Friday.
Other places to consider checking out are Amazon and eBay. If you already have camera equipment that you no longer need, you can consider purchasing your lens from one of manysecond-hand photography websitesand trading in your old equipment.
Choose the Best Focal Length for Outdoor Photography
Outdoor photography is a varied genre, and picking the best lens for your favorite styles will make capturing your desired images much easier. You can pick from a selection of prime and zoom lenses, each of which has its own unique pros and cons.
If you’re unsure what lens to buy, look through your old pictures to see which styles interest you the most.
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