For most of the nature and wildlife, you will need to have lens in the range between 300 or 400 mm, which is a typical one. Even 300 mm is long enough for nature and wildlife photography, but you cannot expect your ultimate sharpness in the photo from a mid range zoom like this. However, if you intend to take the photographs only of wildlife in places where you can get fairly close to the animals like preserves or National Park; then, the 400 range is enough.

I purchased the canon t2i and the ef-s 18-135 lens about 5 months ago and I've been very satisfied. I recently purchased the 50mm 1.8 lens also which is great for product/people shots.

Thanks for the input, fellas!

More is welcome ofc

Just another suggestion. If you like nature as in mountains, scenery of the world, (not animals) I would suggest a wide angle lens! I'm not sure what people are suggesting these days, but I use a sigma 10-22mm wide angle and I love it. Good luck on your purchase! But for animals, a zoom is obviously the way to go.

hi chantal

Thanks for the info, appreciate it

There's not one specific thing I want to only photograph. Whether it be nature in general, wildlife, using it to take photos of people, etc.

However, I can say that the majority of my interest will be general nature while I'm hiking, camping, etc....and of course wildlife too.

I know that I'm going to need several different lenses for this, but I'm just trying to get a feel of what I should purchase first while I start off. Unfortunately I can't just go out and buy every piece of equipment all at once...I wish I could afford to do so though!

thanks again for the input and more is welcomed!

I have to buy the lenses one at a time too in fact there's still about 2 more I want to get! but I know it won't be happening for a while. Save up while you can, cause you never know when you won't get the chance to save.

I find I use my wide angle more than my zoom, but I haven't had much opportunity to take shots of animals, and haven't made the effort a whole lot (squirrels maybe, lol) I love taking photos while I'm camping as well. The outdoors are just great in general! I am hoping to get some pretty winter shots this year. As much as we hate the cold, it can be beautiful!

This post was edited by Chantal7 on Oct 30 2011 08:57pm

Thanks for the post!


as always, more are welcomed!

~10 day bump.

I am getting a 100mm macro lens.
Imo you have to start taking photos for you to realize what you like to do.

Agreed. I thought I was going to be into sports photography 100%, but most of my photography has ended up being urban architecture/nature/landscape.