It's never easy deciding which is the best lens for wildlife photography.  The equipment I use for macro-photography is covered on my Macro Photography pages.  However it's my larger (and heavier) lenses that are used for the bird and larger mammal photography.   My camera of choice is the Canon R5, paired with either the RF100-500mm f/f4.5-7.1 l is usm, or the 400mm f/4DO and 1.4x convertor.  I still use my 5D MkIV Bodies with battery grips, and occasionally put one of the back up 7D bodies into service.  My "go to" lenses is the Canon 400mm f/4 DO lens, although if I'm not walking to far I use the Canon 600mm f/4; both lenses are occasionally supplemented with the Canon 1.4x convertor.  If the subject is close enough, or I want to capture something of the habitat I use either the Canon 100-400mm f/5.6 - 6.3, or a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8. 

 

Supporting the camera and lens is just as important as the camera and lens themselves. My go to tripod for wildlife photography is the Manfrotto Carbon Fibre 055 with a Kenro Carbon Fibre Gimbal head.  This combination allows me to use the camera at eye-height without extending the centre column, so providing greater stability.  If necessary I can spread the legs on the tripod for low level shots.  The Kenro Gimbal head allows for rapid and smooth panning and tilting for following birds in motion.  In hides where-ever possible I mount the Gimbal head on a metal plate, which is then placed on the hide shelf.  If this isn't possible then out comes one of the bean bags.