| Author | Thread |
|
|
06/27/2004 01:18:36 PM · #1 |
I'm might be planning to take a trip to the zoo to take some photos. My longest lens however is 105mm. Is that long enough to get decent shots? How far away do they keep the animals from you? Has anyone taken a trip to the zoo recently that could share some advice?
|
|
|
|
06/27/2004 01:23:38 PM · #2 |
The one close to me is old and has small enclosures. keeps the animals close, but then they are behind glass or in cages.
there is a zoo not much further, however, that is supposed to have more open exhibits. I imagine they will be further away because of that.
I am not familiar with the toronto zoo. .. but I think you should be able to get decent shots with that lens.
Message edited by author 2004-06-27 13:24:38. |
|
|
|
06/27/2004 01:45:16 PM · #3 |
If you go to any of the shows go early get the front seats w/105mm.
This was taken last weekend at the san diego zoo with my pro1 x7 (200mm equivalent) at full zoom, I was half way up in the stands.
The animals in enclosures are quite close...we were about 20' from the pandas. The panda in my portfolio here was last weekend as well, full zoom. My wife's x3 zoom got less than half as close. All the animals seemed pretty close except the herding ones (antelopes etc) and the polar bears. The aviaries seemed quite dark when I went so if you got a light tripod don't forget that.
As Karen stated some are behind glass and could enter many dark areas so don't forget your flash.
Message edited by author 2004-06-27 13:45:34. |
|
|
|
06/27/2004 02:18:22 PM · #4 |
I just went to the zoo yesterday and there are several "open air" exibits. I used the 28-135 IS lens the whole time. The zoom was long enough for most of the shots, but I found that a lot of the shots were also taken at the max (135mm) which gave me just enough zoom. There are some shots that I wish I had the 70-200 2.8 for or ever a 300 2.8 prime. But unfortunately I can't afford either of those lenses at this time.
There are several indoor shots (monkeys and penguins) that were fairly dark and I had to use ISO 1600 and 3200 to get the shots. I also had to use manual focus in several situations where the auto focus would lock on water droplets on the exhibit glass or fencing instead of the animals.
I didn't think about it until I was already at the zoo, but a polarizer would also be helpful to minimize reflections from the exhibit glass.
I'm sure you already know this, but don't use flash at a head on angle in dark exhibits with a glass barrier. There were so many people with regular slr cameras in the bat and reptile house (very dark indoor area with glass barriers) that were using flash head on for all their photos. I accidentally laughed out loud and a few people were looking at me like I was crazy. They'll see what I was laughing about when they get their photos developed.
|
|
|
|
06/27/2004 02:30:24 PM · #5 |
| Thanks for all the tips so far. I was planning on bringing my polarizer down. Don't have a flash unit yet either, so wondering how that will work out. Hopefully, I'll get to go there next weekend. |
|
|
|
06/27/2004 02:51:32 PM · #6 |
I'm sure you've already looked at this rough map of the TZ. Many of the plains/savannah require much space and may not be close enough for the 105mm, although zoos in general make accessibility for viewing a priority. My experience there is that it's mostly luck with those types of animals. Otherwise, the usual advice (already given in this thread) applies.
If the day is sunny and clear, the larger animals are likely to be lounging in a distant shade (or even inside). Early morning or late evening might be better. Overcast (but not quite rainy) days are good too.
You might also consider a trip to the African Lion Safari which is likely to offer excellent viewing/photo opportunities this time of year. You could also do as others have done and organize a field trip for people in the area (SE ON, upper/NW NY). |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 12/22/2025 12:46:50 AM EST.
