Zoo

[erikpottas]

Im going to the zoo this week to take some photos and want to know wich lens would be better? Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Zoom Lens or the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens?

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[edsland]

70-200 would give you a lot more flexibility

 

[Overread]

It somewhat depends on the zoo and what you're going to take photos of. Some zoos are very up close, others have quite deep enclosures where a longer lens helps.

It can also depend what style of photo you want, a long lens even closer up can let you take portraits whilst a wider lens might give you more of a whole body shot or several interacting.


Personally I'd likely take both and put the 70-200mm on the camera first and see how it goes. It's a very good and flexible focal range to work with and you can then always spend a few moments swapping over to the 400 for some enclosures.


Note remember to be patient. Many people rush around the zoo and think they are done in an hour or two. If you spend time at each enclosure you've often far more chance of getting better shots. Though keep an eye on things like keeper talks and feeding events because many animals will often be quite lazy (eg big cats) but when feeding time comes htey can get far more active.

 

[smoke665]

Generally, depending on the size of the enclosure and whether it's wire or glass, a longer focal length will be better. If you move up really close to a chain link fence with a long lens and focus on the subject, the fence will disappear. This is a heavy crop with a 200mm, shot through a chain link fence. It got most of it, but a longer lens would have been much better.

 

[Raw photographer]

I would have to say I would prefer the 400mm