Finding Purpose in Wildlife Photography with the XF500mmF5.6
Photography is one of the few things that anchors me in the present. When I’m out in nature, camera in hand, everything else fades away. My mind clears, and it’s in these moments that I feel truly alive, connected to the world in a profound way.
I picked up wildlife photography during the pandemic, when I had to stop always being on the go. I started to look at my surroundings differently, and realized that wildlife is all around us – even in the city – if you take time to notice it.
When Fujifilm reached out to introduce the new XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens, I was impressed by its characteristics. Its size and weight – at just 1335g – meant I could actually be able to bring it with me on hikes and shoot handheld, both top priorities for me. When I finally received it, I was struck by its design. Unlike other telephoto lenses that can feel cumbersome, this one was remarkably lightweight. It was definitely crafted with the field photographer in mind, understanding that every ounce counts when you’re out in the wild for hours.
Paired with the X-H2S, I had a month to test the lens. As the countdown started, I realized that testing a telephoto lens over only a month represents a significant challenge, particularly for wildlife photography, where patience and timing are crucial. Wildlife doesn’t operate on a schedule, and capturing a good image often requires extended periods of observation, sometimes over several days or weeks. A limited timeframe meant limited opportunities to encounter diverse species and to get the proper weather and lighting conditions.
Our trip to Tadoussac, Quebec, was an example of how sometimes, conditions don’t cooperate. The thick smoke from the Alberta wildfires made it nearly impossible to capture clear images of the marine and coastal wildlife. It was a stark reminder of the broader environmental issues that affect even the most remote and beautiful places.
My trip to Newfoundland, however, was the total opposite. I was able to properly test the lens in a variety of conditions. Here are the things that striked me the most:
Compact Design
Lightweight gear is incredibly important for wildlife photography, where mobility, endurance, and quick reactions are key to success. I had never been able to go hiking or kayaking with any of the other telephoto lenses I’ve used – they were always too heavy and cumbersome for it to even be a possibility. However, I was able to fit the XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR in my usual photo bag without any difficulty and do both of these activities without breaking my back.
I shot handheld for the whole test period and carried the lens by the tripod collar while walking for hours without any problem. I rarely use a tripod, as I like to move around freely and adjust my angles and compositions on the fly. I always felt it limiting, not to mention that the perfect moment can so easily be missed if you don’t move quickly enough. I was also truly amazed by the lens stabilization. Even at 500mm, handheld, I could easily frame my images without any perceptible shake and get sharp results.
Prime Lenses: A Favorite of Mine
Prime lenses, like the 500mm, are designed with a fixed focal length, which means fewer optical elements inside the lens. This results in superior sharpness and clarity, a must to capture your subject’s details.
The F5.6 aperture allows for beautiful bokeh and a good separation of the subject from the background. It also allows for better performance in low-light conditions, enabling me to maintain a fast shutter speed without having to increase the ISO too much. I could take pictures at dawn or dusk, when wildlife is most active, without sacrificing too much image quality.
The simplicity of the prime lens design also allows for faster and more accurate autofocus. This is crucial in wildlife photography, where you often need to lock onto a subject quickly before it moves out of frame. Paired with the AI bird detection / animal detection of the X-H2S, it was a major help in automatically detecting the animal’s eye to achieve proper focus.
Super Telephoto, Super Range
When photographing wildlife, minimizing disruption to animals is the priority. The 500mm focal length (742mm equivalent on a 35mm sensor) allowed me to get close to my subjects without actually being physically close. I was also able to capture fast-moving birds at a distance with an accuracy I had never achieved before.
A Tool for Advocacy
As photographers, we have the unique ability to capture moments that can evoke emotion and inspire change. Each photograph is a statement, a visual argument for why these creatures and their habitats must be protected.
Through my lens, I aim to bring attention to the ecosystems that are under threat from human activity. In a way, photography becomes more than just a passion—it becomes a tool for conservation.
The Meditative Power of Photography
The act of photographing wildlife is, in many ways, a form of mindfulness for me. It requires patience, focus, and a deep connection to the environment.
In the end, photography is about more than just capturing a moment — it’s about being in the moment. It’s about the pursuit of beauty, the thrill of adventure, and the satisfaction of knowing that, in some small way, you are contributing to something greater.
