When to Use a Super-Telephoto Lens

We call this “the long glass” (because the lens barrel itself is often very long), and it’s designed to get you in really tight on whatever you’re shooting. Typical focal lengths for these lenses would be from around 300mm up to around 600mm (or higher). They are mostly used for sports photography, aerial photography, and for shooting wildlife and birds. You can buy fixed focal lengths (like a Canon 400mm f/5.6), but they also make super-telephoto zoom lenses, as well (I use a Nikkor 200–400mm f/4 zoom myself). If you want a lens that will shoot in lower light (like an f/4 or an f/2.8), it can get really pricey (for example, the Canon 500mm f/4 lens runs around $5,800)—they’re so expensive because the very low f-stop lets you shoot in lower light, like a night game, and still freeze motion. However, if you generally shoot sports in the middle of the day, in nice bright sunlight, then you can get away with buying a less expensive super-telephoto lens (like the Canon zoom telephoto EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 for around $1,460). Also, if you buy a long lens, you’re usually going to need a monopod to support it (your monopod screws into a hole on a bracket on the lens, and your camera is supported by being attached to the lens. It works much better than it sounds). I GRAB THIS LENS FIRST WHEN...I’m shooting sports.