Best telephoto lens on Reddit
149 reviews from r/canon, r/Nikon, r/SonyAlpha and 14 more subreddits
149 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Canon
4.4
(38)
"It can be paired with the RF 100-400 for a lightweight, sharp, and effective budget wildlife combo."
"There is no lens that’s as good or better as the 55-250 STM—or even that comes close—and costs less."
"EF 70-300L should be around 600$ used. It’s really sharp en very compact."
"Check out a used Canon 70-200 f4 IS on ebay."
"I'll vouch for the EF 70-200mm F/4L IS USM, first generation being a fantastic lens."
"RF 100-400."
"RF 1200 f/8 IS USM."
"The RF100-400 lens is outstanding for wildlife photography."
"This lens is perfect for capturing distant subjects with clarity and detail."
"Rf 100-400."
#2
Tamron
4.2
(20)
"I got a Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 for $659."
"Here are some good options (if bought used): Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD"
"It's an excellent lens. I use mine when I don't want to haul around my 800. And you can't beat Tamron's 6 year warranty."
"It's a compact zoom that is easy to carry around."
"It's a great lens for the price, feels nice in the hands, and is easy to use."
"It's better than the 70-300, and similar in IQ to the tamron 50-400 but is significantly lighter."
"Here's the Ken Rockwell review and he says it's comparable to the Canon."
"The Tamron G2 version is supposed to be pretty good."
"Tamron or Sigma 100-400 with their respective 1.4x extender."
"The Tamron 150-500 is a good lens for cheaper as well that could be a good intro lens for less financial commitment and is smaller than the 180-600."
#3
Sigma
4.1
(17)
"The 150-450 is sharper, and not as light thirsty as the Bigma."
"Autofocus : sigma 100-400 / canon ef 400mm f5.6 with viltrox EF-L"
"Here are some good options (if bought used): Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM"
"Is below 700 usd or if you have 1700 usd, the 150 to 450 is excellent."
"She tried a friend’s EF 400mm that was pretty good, then moved to the Sigma 150-600mm which is really good."
"I have the sigma 100-400 and use it quite a bit for wildlife."
"If you're lucky you can find the sigma 150-600mm 'C' for that price."
"You can get a Sigma or Tamron EF 150-600mm."
"Tamron or Sigma 100-400 with their respective 1.4x extender."
"A bit more than that, sigma 150-600, tho you will only get that used for that range."
#4
Nikon
4.3
(16)
"It's very popular for a reason."
"The 400 + 1.4 on a z8 would be very comfortable as a walk-around bird combo."
"The 500pf lens is much better than the 200-500, with faster focusing and great performance on Z mount."
"The 500pf is an incredible lens, and if you can afford it there's basically no reason to consider the 200-500."
"The PF lens is sharper for cropping with the D850, providing better color and AF performance."
"A micro-nikkor 200mm f/4 can be had off ebay within your budget."
"Nikon has made a fair number of lenses in that focal length range, but they're all pretty different."
"Go with the first generation Nikon AF-S 70-200 f2.8 as the center is sharp."
"Any of the 80-200/2.8 lenses will work on your camera. Doesn't matter, they're all pretty good."
"More expensive and better: 70-200/2.8 VR II (under $1,000)"
#5
Panasonic
4.4
(7)
"What about the panny 14-140? This is the perfect combo with my GX85."
"The 14-140mm lens is versatile and performs well in various conditions, including low light."
"I love my 14-140mm, but if you already have the 12-60, add the 100-300. There's very little those 2 can't do for you."
"Both the 40-150R and the PL 100-400 would fit your description."
"It's a great lens for the price."
"The 100-300mm lens is excellent for wildlife photography, but not ideal for indoor use."
"I'd go with the 100-300mm."
#6
Sony
4.4
(5)
"Personally I’ll go for Sony always"
"The Sony 200-600 is compact, has great weather sealing, and offers a smooth zoom experience."
"A used Sony 200-600 zoom can be a steal if you do not mind pre-owned lenses."
"I rented the Sony 24-100 f/4 for Denali last spring from Lensrentals and it was great."
"The big selling point of the Sony is ergonomics, and it’s not even a minor point here."
#7
Nikon 200-500mm
4.3
(3)
"Just got mine on Dec 29. You will be so happy with it."
"My suggestion is to get a second-hand long tele with zoom, either the Nikon 200-500 or one of the third party 150-600s."
"Only reason to consider the 200-500: the zoom makes it easier to find a bird."
#8
N/A
4.3
(3)
"If price is not a concern and you know you would enjoy it, get the 600mm."
"The 400mm would be much more portable, though."
"150 to 600 or 500mm"
#9
Sony 100-400mm GM
3.3
(3)
"I should mention that the Sony 100-400 GM is about the size and weight of the Tamron."
"I’ve used that for similar ends to yours. Any way you slice it, the big telephotos are a lot to haul around on long hikes."
"I'm looking at getting the sony 100-400mm gm for this purpose but am interested to know what other people think as my mind isn't made up yet."
#10
Canon 100-400mm
4.5
(2)
"Of the options you’re considering, I’d definitely pick the 100-400mm."
"My 100-400mm is killer for portraiture and so I’m sure the 100-500mm would be too."
#11
Olympus
4.0
(2)
"Both the 40-150R and the PL 100-400 would fit your description."
"Is far better than it should be."
#12
Generic 24-200mm and 105mm Macro
5.0
(1)
"The less lenses to fiddle with the more you will enjoy your trip."
#13
Sigma 150-600mm
5.0
(1)
"Best options are the Sigma Sport version or the Tamron G2 model."
#14
Tamron 150-600mm
5.0
(1)
"Best options are the Sigma Sport version or the Tamron G2 model."
#15
Leica 100-400mm
5.0
(1)
"Definitely the way to go."
#16
Nikon Ai 105mm f/4 Macro
5.0
(1)
"Excellent lens, both for general use and macro."
#17
Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro
5.0
(1)
"Sharp as shit and cheap"
#18
Tamron Adaptall 2 SP
5.0
(1)
"Take a look at the Tamron Adaptall 2 SP line of lens."
#19
Sony 200-600mm
5.0
(1)
"I can vouch for the Sony 200-600"
#20
Leica 100-400
5.0
(1)
"I upgraded to the Leica 100-400, and it is WAY better."
#21
Tamron 28-400
4.0
(1)
"If you need a zoom and weight is your top priority since you’re hiking, the 28-400 is probably your best bet."
#22
Nikon 28-400mm
4.0
(1)
"Maybe that fits."
#23
Nikon 300mm
4.0
(1)
"I have this lens and use it."
#24
Tamron 50-400
4.0
(1)
"Maybe the 50-400 tamron would be the best solution as an all in one."
#25
Pentax
4.0
(1)
"Another vote for the Pentax-M 80-200 f/4.5. it's fairly compact, good optical quality for a zoom lens of that era, solidly built, and not very expensive at all."
#26
Generic 28-400mm
4.0
(1)
"Much better suited to wildlife without being anywhere near the bulk of the 180-600."
#27
RF 100-400mm
4.0
(1)
"RF 100-400."
#28
Generic 70-300mm Lens
4.0
(1)
"Usually a great beginners option."
#29
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 AFS
4.0
(1)
"Bought a 300mm f4 pf instead for travel on my ZF."
#30
RF 180-600mm
4.0
(1)
"If you like owls the 180-600 is a good choice."
#31
Tamron 70-200 f/4 IS
4.0
(1)
"70-200/4 IS is one. EF 55-250 STM is another classic."
#32
Tamron 28-200
4.0
(1)
"You could look at the Tamron 28-200mm. It’s $699 USD new."
#33
Tamron 70-300
4.0
(1)
"For under 500€ you can look at the Tamron 70-300."
#34
Panasonic 100-400
4.0
(1)
"I like the panasonic 100-400, recently tried the om 150-600 as a replacement, but sold it and kept the panasonic."
#35
Nikkor 70-300 AF-P
4.0
(1)
"The Nikkor 70-300 AF-P lens is perhaps a touch better than the Tamron option."
#36
Sigma 100-400
4.0
(1)
"You might be able to get a good used price on a sigma 100-400."
#37
Nikon 300mm PF
4.0
(1)
"I would buy a used 300 pf and 1.4 TC .. that’s a pretty tiny lens for a telephoto if you don’t mind a prime."
#38
Nikon 80-400mm
4.0
(1)
"A used Nikon F 80-400 - 1,470g without the foot, and 96mm long."
#39
Beastgrip
4.0
(1)
"Beastgrip have one of the best, but it is not cheap."
#40
Generic 800mm Mirror Lens
3.0
(1)
"Not the sharpest lens but small. Good fun."
#41
Generic 40-150mm f/4-5.6
3.0
(1)
"Would prefer larger, for the animals that are a bit farther away."
#42
Canon 100-500mm
3.0
(1)
"The 100-500 is a very long lens when extended would absolutely make any bystander think you are trying to study them with a telescope."
#43
Nikon 200-500
3.0
(1)
"Just FYI the 200-500 or the 150-600 are big and heavy lenses."
#44
Tamron 150-500
3.0
(1)
"I have this lens and it is a beast even for all its 'compactness'."
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