What lens should I take to the zoo

[reaper7534]

Heading to the zoo, not sure which of my lens to take.....or all of them.

Last time I went, I only used the 24-105.

What I have right now

70-200mm f/2.8 L
50mm 1.4
24-105mm f/4 L
90mm Tamron Macro f/2.8
Kenko 1.4 TC
10-22mm


The 70-200 and TC are a given, there is only one relatively low light area ( bats ), without a tripod I don't even think the 1.4 would help. Trying to keep my load light, but can carry the backpack ( by carrying the backpack I mean
my 12yo nephew )

So basically, what do you guys take with you and does one lens get the the most usage ?

 

[tirediron]

Out of that I'd go with the 70-200 & 24-105. I don't see a macro or UWA getting too much use.

 

[dxqcanada2]

It depends on what your zoo has.
You already know what there is ... so make a judgment call.

My local zoo ... I have used all my lenses, from long focal, to wide, to macro, to low light ... so I carry it all, including a monopod.

 

[Overread17 5]

I'd probably take the 70-200mm and 1.4TC and be happy with that for the full day - a 24-105mm would be a good lens to have in the bag though as a good support for the rest of the range. The other lenses I'd not be much after unless I had very specific plans to use them for the day and when and where I'd be using them (eg if the place had an indoor butterfly farm setup for example I'd certainly take the macro).

 

[Stolarczyk]

Definitely the 70-200. Most of the time you can to be able to zoom in, and crop in camera to eliminate as much hint of "zoo" as you can, so you can have a photograph that looks more natural. With most animal photography, you almost never can seem to get too close .

 

[reaper7534]

They do have a butterfly farm, but us being remodeled. My favorite part is the aviary, I could use a macro there for the flowers. Not sure if its worth carrying for that.

 

[Overread17 5]

An extension tube on the 70-200mm or the 24-105mm would be more than capable of getting a good shot of a flower in full bloom.

 

[reaper7534]

Would it be best to use one shot or servo mode for relatively still animals ? Ill need to figure out metering too

 

[reaper7534]

An extension tube on the 70-200mm or the 24-105mm would be more than capable of getting a good shot of a flower in full bloom.

Good idea, I can borrow my buddies extension tubes

 

[CaptainNapalm]

Take the one with the longest reach

 

[David8]

The last time I went to the zoo I had the 70-300 on all day. Except when we fed the elephants. Was able to get nice and close for that. Otherwise, the biggest lens you own.

 

[Overread17 5]

Would it be best to use one shot or servo mode for relatively still animals ? Ill need to figure out metering too

I tend to live in AI servo for wildlife since it can move without much if any warning. That said I also combine it with backbutton AF control so that I can press and hold the backbutton for as long as I need AF to run and when I don't need it running any longer I just take my finger off the backbutton and the focus remains locked where the AF set it. I can then use the shutter button as normal and the AF won't engage when I get to a half press and then a full press because its no longer triggered by a half-press of the shutter button.

I've you've not used it before it can take a little getting used to, but its a great mode once you get used to it and really frees you up (esp when you use it with USM/all the time manual focusing lenses which means you can shift from AF to manual focusing without having to fiddle with finding the switch on the side of the lens).

 

[David8]

Oh. I meant to add. I'm considering renting a 150-500mm the next time I go to a zoo.

 

[Steve5D]

The last time I went to the zoo, I used only the 70-200mm f/2.8L. Prior to opting for that, I used the Sigma 50-500mm.

The 70-200mm f.2.8L seems to give me enough reach, and it's lighter...

 

[reaper7534]

Would it be best to use one shot or servo mode for relatively still animals ? Ill need to figure out metering too

I tend to live in AI servo for wildlife since it can move without much if any warning. That said I also combine it with backbutton AF control so that I can press and hold the backbutton for as long as I need AF to run and when I don't need it running any longer I just take my finger off the backbutton and the focus remains locked where the AF set it. I can then use the shutter button as normal and the AF won't engage when I get to a half press and then a full press because its no longer triggered by a half-press of the shutter button.

I've you've not used it before it can take a little getting used to, but its a great mode once you get used to it and really frees you up (esp when you use it with USM/all the time manual focusing lenses which means you can shift from AF to manual focusing without having to fiddle with finding the switch on the side of the lens).

I use BBF all the time, thumb is finally trained. Shutter button half press is for metering, just didnt know if tree was one advantage over the other.