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Zooms vs Primes for Wildlife Photography: Which Should You Choose?

B&H Photo Video Pro Audio

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The prime lens vs zoom lens debate is back again, this time for wildlife. There are many features to consider when choosing a lens that's right for you. Matt takes these Canon lenses to Yellowstone National Park to see which focal length had better image quality, autofocus, low light performance, and more.

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Zoom lenses
Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens: http://bit.ly/3U1kLwE
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens: http://bit.ly/4milpC6

Prime lens
Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM Lens: https://bhpho.to/4oceTyp

Camera bodies
Canon EOS R1 Mirrorless Camera: https://bhpho.to/4bPlDLn
Canon EOS R5 II Mirrorless Camera: https://bhpho.to/3zNuGiI

Lens accessories
Canon Extender RF 1.4x: https://bhpho.to/43JTna9
Canon Extender RF 2x: https://bhpho.to/2YOvSgG

0:00 Telephoto Prime or Zoom?
1:05 Prime Lens Pros & Cons
3:38 Zoom Lens Pros & Cons
5:12 Image Quality
5:49 Fall Off
6:14 Autofocus (Speed, Accuracy, & Tracking)
8:12 Ease of Use
10:43 Low Light
12:54 Which Works Best?
14:00 Which Should You Use?

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20 Comments

@JunnoStelustier 1 year ago

Contextualizing viral clips adds value beyond re-uploads.

@RavenHernandez-l4w 11 months ago

Loved the flow of this video.

@vui-e4o 11 months ago

I appreciate your consistency.

@ChungCa-z9g 10 months ago

You explained everything clearly.

@MichaelTorresDev 1 year ago

Great video. Loved seeing the Ermine photos

@rudyTish 1 year ago

Excellent demonstration.

@MyThao-h5p 1 year ago

Thanks for the great content.

@peggysuesinge 1 year ago

I really enjoyed this video.

@pamelaangela-u1b 1 year ago

This is so helpful.

@OdelLeid 11 months ago

This is pure quality content.

@GomezParker 1 year ago

Very motivating.

@Clos111888 1 year ago

I like the 100-500 for wildlife that’s more closer to me. I got nice shots when they are closer to me. But the prime is another story. It definitely has an advantage at longer distances.

@SolukemileInman 1 year ago

I can relate to this.

@3DJunkieDude 1 year ago

I have the Nikon Z 800S prime, and absolutely love it! It's razor sharp, faster at f/6.3 and 800mm than my RF 100-500L at f/7.1 and 500mm. That said, I find myself grabbing the 100-500L on my R7 more often, simply because I can cover more focal lengths with it. And it's sharp enough that I don't see a difference between the two even when I'm pixel peeping.

I recently added the Sony 200-600G for my A6700, and that lens is every bit as sharp as the Canon and Nikon. The truth is, unless you need f/4 or faster apertures, you really can't go wrong with any of these tele zooms from Canon, Nikon, or Sony.

@petervives7033 1 year ago

Recently began in the world of bird photography and use two lens an RF 100-500 4.5-7.1L and a classic EF 500 4.5L, both capture awesome images most times 100-500 is my go to. Thank you for your video!!

@dmfinpa 1 year ago

I think this is an excellent program, and I enjoyed the tour of Yellowstone in winter with great photography and videography. For me approaching age 80 and an amateur wildlife and air show shooter, I use the Canon 100-500 on my R6ii. I find that to be the weight limit I can comfortably handhold and maneuver. I own a 1.4 convertor, but I’ve only rarely used it.

@fredlar9421 1 year ago (edited)

As a seller, the opinion is fixed😂
I have both. I almost only use prime except overseas travel. The color rendering, micro contrast from big whites unbeatable. And, 1.4X and 2X TC are only useful on big white and not that great for the rest.They are designed based on the best results for big whites, i think.

@robhamilton8993 6 months ago

How about the Rf200-800mm for wildlife photography. I have had mine about a month and find it amazing

@alansach8437 1 year ago (edited)

Team whatever works in the situation, and whatever I have in my hand at the time! Not being so young anymore there is no way that I could handhold a 600 f4 as long as it would take to wait for an eagle to take off (I have spent hours)! My arms would be numb! And I can guarantee that I would relax them at EXACTLY the wrong moment! So generally, if I am in a situation where I can use a tripod, I will use my big prime, if not, a zoom is in order.

@Paul-f6p 1 year ago

Nice video as I've never been to Yellowstone. Looks more so amazing in the winter.
I have a 'sleepy' RF 100-500mm which an American shooter might describe as a stone cold loser ! And it is! Canon mugged me with their limited RF lenses.
I shall switch to Nikon 400mm or 600mm with built in t/c. And B&H is a good site!