7 Deadly Mistakes Choosing The Best Lens 

Another interesting video. The smooth bokeh is certainly a big reason to get a prime lens - I use my F2.8 400 wide open most of the time, only stopping down if trying to capture multiple subjects in the frame

Tin Man, you made your arguments for prime lenses quite clear and convincing but I was kind of expecting a recommendation or two that you might make for a zoom lens IF someone absolutely felt like they needed the versatility of a zoom or for reasons of budget. You mentioned your 70-200mm f2.8, but it really didn't seem like you were recommending the 200-400mm lens. Did I miss something or do you plan a part three to this series? As always, I enjoyed seeing your work.

Thank you Tin Man, Every video you post is packed with good info and not the usual commercial "propaganda". Love your photos as well

Great information Tin Man. Going to Katmai next month and got Nikon to lend me the Z400mm f/2.8, which I have on order but might be a while before I get it. You are becoming a master like Da Vinci. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us mortals.

You are so right, Tin Man! I own older 500 f4 and 300 f2.8 lenses and love the creamy bokeh. Thankfully, they work with modern camera bodies.

Love your photos very inspiring!

Love the philosophy of this vlog, so more interesting than camera gear stuff!

Another very informative video and i think it gives people an understanding of the differences that a pro grade lens provides but lets face it, most people cannot afford to put that kind of money into a hobby. When i was a kid just getting into this hobby i asked, "how do photographers afford those huge lenses and very expensive cameras?"..a very wise man told me "simple, its their job, just like a mechanic or cabinet maker will have good tools". Please keep the videos coming Tin Man, everyone needs to learn, be informed and strive to find their own vision in this amazing pass time called photography.

Nice video. Thanks. 👍 I’d love to see a video on which of the newer telephotos - especially the new Nikon lenses - are usable for handheld video (if any). Cheers Tom

Tin Man your photographs are truly awesome! You capture the essence and beauty of wildlife like no other. Thank you so much for sharing your learning experiences, and the secrets you have learned in your quest to make outstanding images. I have rented a 400 2.8 twice. Once to photograph a special night football game which resulted in getting great shots of my son in the air making a reception touchdown. That image is a favorite memory. Most recently this past spring I decided to rent again as I had an opportunity to photograph a fox family that moved in under our garden shed. I loved that I could shoot in early morning and late evening low light and it helped with distracting backgrounds. I did not want to return the lens and have been longing to purchase it. After seeing your images and hearing your advice I am convinced that I should have the same lens that my "idol" uses. wink wink. Thanks Tin Man, these two series have been quite informative and probably quite costly. :)

Tin Man, You are an amazing photographer and teacher. When you mention the 400 2.8 do you mean the Nikon 400 2.8 with built in 1.4 teleconverter?

very nice explanation of the artistic elements making it into photography and conveying the message. Haven't seen anyone speak so nicely about it. on the other hand I could as well summarize the conclusions here as: 1) buy a lens worth a car 2) move to africa or travel the whole world 3) develop your artistic vision once the gear and subjects are on point. otherwise it's a waste of opportunities, time and self-realization in photography. if you use a .. f5.6 zoom or some other crap like that.

While a great vid, you should change the title to telephoto lens. Zoom lens have a variable mm length like eg. 200-600, 24-70, etc. Your friend probably purchased the 500-5.6 because that is what he could afford & probably already knows the 500 or 600 f4 would yield a much nicer photo. As for adding a tele converter & blurry photos, well,,,,?

Simply magical for me your videos

Your experience is very exciting. I live in trinidad and Tobago. A lot of birds here in tropical rainforest. Which lens would you recommend, 400mm f2.8 or 600mm f4？ Thank you.

There may be a fundamental disconnect with some of us who watch your videos. Great information but it may not be right for everyone. I don't do much wildlife photography, but when I do it's usually birding and is more about being able to later on identify the bird rather than to sell the photo or enter it into a contest of some sort. I don't think I've posted a photo I've taken onto any internet site in, well, I can't remember ever doing that. I've had family post a few that I sent to them, but I haven't. I'd be concerned about sfumato or other technical details more in other areas of photography. So for me the reason to get a fast lens is more about using the light-gathering power of the objective lens so that I can get a decent image with a fast shutter speed. And even then one has to realize that the size of the objective lens is actually crucial for that purpose as a small objective lens gathers little light no matter how far down you can stop the lens. The other thing? The potential resolution of optics increases with the diameter of the objective. That means that even with a superb design of a lens system with a small objective it will not be able to compete with a similarly well designed and built lens system with a larger objective. Look at the size of the objective lens (the front element) if you want to get an idea as to whether you will be able to get more resolution/detail, or less (assuming quality of design and build are the same). This is simply optics.

I agree with @ianbachanek2538 points. Tin Man's two part discussion is mostly about his privilege/access to top notch gear etc. I get it. If one can get the best lens that money can afford then one should get it, right? But I echo what @ianbachanek2538 said, that "most of us do this as a hobby not career". And certainly, not all of us get into photography for the awards or accolades from certain judges by some organization with certain sets of standards. There are many ways to get a good photograph. And there are many styles and tastes to a good photograph. A lens is just a tool. I respect the photographer with the simple gear but can get a striking photograph because he has a good grasp on his skillset and gears. A bad worksman blames his tool. One can talk about the story in a photograph but one should not put down a good photographer with simple gear just because his photos were not shot with a prime gear thus having grain, or ugly background. Don't laugh at a blurry bird in flight photo because you'll never know until you see them files in a desktop monitor that maybe there was one there that gave an artistic effect. Everything is relative until one imposes the rules of an elite photography circle. Now if one does impose, then all "good" photos would look the same according to ones standards. That doesn't sound great. I guess one needs to sell photography courses too. NB: I guess you also need the best paint and paint brush and canvas to achieve sfu·ma·to. ; )

Excellent video Tin Man. What is your opinion of the Canon Rf 100-300mm f2.8? If you were using the R5, would you recommend this lens over the RF70-200 f2.8? Is it worth the extra $7,000?

Why is this titled, how to choose the best zoom? This is about using a prime. Very disappointing. Not everyone can afford the monster prime.

Are you a hobby photographer? Your gear is crap! Get a $8k camera + a $15K prime. Most people don't get paid to take photos. Yes pro gear is better but most of us do this as a hobby not career. Just saying....

I dont like zooms for exactly the reasons you mentioned. For me, the Sony 600mm 4.0 GM (or any 600mm 4.0 lens) is the way to go. Btw, do you still own the Nikon 500mm 5.6 PF?