by Wildlife Photographer Kathleen Reeder
When selecting which lens to use for a given wildlife shoot, keep in mind the minimum focus distance of the lens. The minimum focus distance is the shortest distance at which a lens can focus. With DSLR cameras, the distance to the subject is measured from the focal plane mark on the camera body, not from the front of the lens. The lens cannot focus at distances shorter than the minimum focus distance. It is useful to know how close your lens can be to the subject and still focus. Here is a list of my lenses, their minimum focus distance and how I often choose to use them to photograph different wildlife. Use this as a guide for how you choose which lens to use when photographing wildlife.
| Lens Focal Length | Minimum Focus Distance | Wildlife Uses |
| Nikon 60mm macro f/2.8 | .72 feet | Close up – Small Mammals Close up – Small reptiles Close up – Aquarium |
| Nikon 105mm macro f/2.8 | 1 foot | Close up – Small Mammals Close up – Small reptiles Close up – Butterflies Close up – Insects Small mammal portraits |
| Nikon 200mm macro f/4 | 1.6 feet | Close up – Hummingbirds |
| Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 | 1.3 feet | Groups or packs at close range Medium mammal portraits |
| Nikon 70-200mm VRII f/2.8 | 4.6 feet | Raptors in flight Large mammals and their environment Large mammals running Groups or packs |
| Nikon 200-400mm VRII f/4 | 6.6 feet | Large mammal portraits Raptor portraits Medium – Large mammals running |
| Nikon 600mm f/4 | 15.7 feet | Small birds from a blind Large mammals behind a fence Medium – large mammals and their environment Large birds in flight |