Equipment is a crucial aspect of photography, and for good reason. The right gear can be the deciding factor between capturing the image you envision and ending up with a less-than-perfect shot. While discussions often revolve around camera bodies, investing in a quality lens is paramount, especially for Pet Photography.
For pet photography, the lens you choose makes a significant difference. A good lens can elevate an average camera’s performance without breaking the bank. Trust me, a quality lens is a worthwhile investment. However, the vast array of lens options can be overwhelming. I’ve navigated this maze myself, learning through trial and error.
While I’m not a lens expert on par with professionals in photography stores, my experience has given me valuable insights into selecting the ideal lens specifically for capturing stunning photos of your pets.
In this guide, I’ll share essential tips and tricks to help you choose the right lens for pet photography and achieve your creative vision. Let’s explore the world of lenses!
Understanding Lens Speed for Pet Photography
When selecting a lens for pet photography, “speed” is a key factor. Forget action movies for a moment – we’re talking about “fast” lenses. A fast lens is undoubtedly the best choice for capturing high-quality pet photos.
Lens speed refers to the width of the lens’s aperture, not its focusing speed, although focus speed is also important. A lens with an aperture of f/2.8 or wider (indicated by smaller f-numbers like f/2, f/1.8, f/1.4, etc.) allows more light to enter the camera. This is crucial for shooting in low-light conditions while maintaining image quality.
More importantly, wider apertures create a shallower depth of field. This effect is what produces those beautiful blurry backgrounds with a sharp subject in focus, and those captivating bokeh light spots that are highly sought after in pet portraits.
Lenses with narrower maximum apertures, such as f/3.5, f/4.5, or f/5.6, may limit your ability to achieve this effect and require more light for proper exposure. While these lenses might be suitable for landscape photography where greater depth of field is desired, they are generally less ideal for pet photography, especially portraiture.
Therefore, for pet photography, aim for lenses with a fixed aperture of f/2.8 or wider. This will provide you with the flexibility to shoot in various lighting conditions and create stunning portraits with beautiful background blur.
Finding the Right Focal Length for Pet Photography
Focal length is another crucial lens characteristic to consider. It essentially determines how far you need to be from your pet to take a photo and how much of the background is included in the frame.
Shorter focal lengths capture more of the background, resulting in a wider field of view, similar to smartphone photos. Longer focal lengths, on the other hand, compress the background, making it appear closer to your pet and creating a more isolated subject. This compression effect also transforms background highlights into pleasing circular bokeh.
Focal lengths range from approximately 14mm to 200mm and beyond, each with its own advantages and disadvantages for pet photography. Choosing the right focal length involves nuance, but here’s a general overview:
Wide-Angle Lenses: 14mm – 70mm for Pet Photography
- 14mm – 35mm: These ultra-wide to wide-angle lenses are excellent for capturing environmental pet portraits, emphasizing landscapes, and including more of the surroundings in your shot. However, be mindful of potential distortion, especially at the wider end, which can sometimes lead to a “bobble-head” effect on your pet. 24mm-35mm lenses are versatile for landscapes, product photography, and even pet and human portraits in context.
- 50mm: While popular for human portraits, a 50mm lens can feel somewhat generic for pet photography. Many beginners start with a 50mm lens, but often quickly seek lenses more specialized for pet portraits.
- 70mm: As you move towards the longer end of this range, you start entering the sweet spot for pet photography. 70mm lenses offer a good balance, allowing for pleasing portraits while still including some background context.
Examples of Wide-Angle Pet Photography (Primarily 35mm)
These images showcase the versatility of wider angle lenses in pet photography, capturing pets in their environment.
Telephoto and Portrait Lenses: 85mm – 200mm for Pet Photography
- 85mm – 200mm: These lenses are where pet portraits truly shine. They excel at creating soft, creamy backgrounds and beautiful subject isolation. While longer lenses (especially beyond 85mm) can be heavier and require more practice to handle, the compression and background blur they offer are highly desirable for professional-looking pet portraits.
- 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, and 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are popular choices among pet photographers seeking that classic portrait aesthetic with blurred backgrounds.
- 200mm+ lenses are typically reserved for wildlife photography or situations where you cannot get close to your subject, making them less common for typical pet photography scenarios.
Examples Using an 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Pet Photography
The 85mm lens is a favorite for many pet photographers due to its versatility, sharpness, and pleasing portrait perspective.
Examples Using a 135mm f/1.8 Lens for Pet Photography
For even more background compression and subject isolation, the 135mm lens is a fantastic choice, delivering tack-sharp focus and creamy bokeh.
The Best Lens for YOUR Pet Photography
For my personal preference, an 85mm f/1.8 lens is incredibly versatile, and my 135mm lens is my go-to for tack-sharp focus, creamy backgrounds, and beautiful compression.
However, the “best” lens truly depends on your individual style and creative goals. You might prefer even creamier backgrounds and stronger compression with a 105mm or 135mm lens. If you specialize in action pet photography, you’ll want to explore lenses optimized for capturing movement. Many pet photographers value the versatility of a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens.
The 85mm lens remains a personal favorite due to its lightweight design, affordability, sharpness, and comfortable working distance. While the 135mm offers superior image quality in terms of sharpness and background blur, the 85mm strikes a great balance between performance and portability.
Most of the images you see on my Instagram are captured with either an 85mm or 135mm lens. The 85mm is compact and budget-friendly, making it a practical choice even if it gets a bit of pet slobber on it! Ultimately, the choice between an 85mm and 135mm often comes down to prioritizing portability and price versus ultimate image quality and compression.
Brand choice is less critical than lens specifications. Research different brands and models of 85mm and 135mm lenses, considering reviews and comparisons from photography experts. Numerous excellent options are available across various brands.
Ultimately, selecting the best lens for pet photography is a personal journey. Experiment with different focal lengths and apertures to discover what best suits your style and helps you capture the unique personality of your furry subjects.
