• Wildlife photography requires telephoto lenses and the professional nature photographers at Mountain Trail Photo.com recommend lenses with focal lengths ranging from 300mm to 600mm. Focal lengths less than 300mm would require the photographer to get too close to the wildlife, putting both the animal and the photographer in danger. Nikon has several long lenses that can be used for wildlife photography.
  
  

Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 G IF-ED VR

• The auto focus on this lens is "fast and sure," according to noted camera reviewer Ken Rockwell. Because it is a zoom lens, it can save shots you otherwise would miss if you had to change focal lengths. On cameras with a 1.5 crop factor, such as the D300, the lens is the equivalent of a 300-600mm lens. Vibration reduction allows a photographer to use three shutter speeds slower than otherwise would be required to prevent camera shake. There are two drawbacks to the lens---price and weight. The lens cost around $5,100 as of Jan. 2010, putting it out of reach for many hobbyists. The lens weigh more than seven pounds, making it difficult to carry on long hikes. It could be difficult for some photographers to hand-hold this lens for long periods of time.
  
  

Nikon 600mm f/4GED VR

• Noted bird photographer Arthur Morris says a 600mm f/4 lens is the premier bird photography lens because of the reach it provides. With shorter telephoto lenses, birds will often look like specks. Nikon's 600mm lens has vibration reduction. The lens also has a detection system which reduces shutter release vibration in tripod-mounted cameras. A tripod is necessary when using this lens because it weighs more than 11 pounds.
  
  

Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D VR

• The Nikon 80-400mm lens has enough reach to be used for most wildlife photography except birds. It is small and light, making it ideal to use on a long backpacking trip. The lens is a favorite of wildlife photographer Bob Krist, according to Outdoor Photographer's "Choosing Your Tele-Zoom." The lens is ideal for handheld photos of stationary subjects, said Ken Rockwell, an expert on Nikon cameras and lenses. However, Rockwell called the lens the slowest auto-focusing lens ever made by Nikon. The lens is not designed to work well in low-light situations. As of Jan. 2010, the lens cost around $1,700.
  
  

Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

• If you are looking for an economical wildlife lens, consider the Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR. The lens sells new for less than $600. On a D300, it is the equivalent of a 105-450mm lens. While it will not give you the necessary reach to get close-up shots of camera-shy animals, it is a excellent lens for photographing animals in captivity at zoos and nature preserves.