What gear for the zoo?

[hsmoscout]

I'll be heading to the zoo tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to bring. I would love to have a good zoom lens, but I don't have the funds to have that happen anytime soon, so I'm stuck with what's in my signature. I have room for 3 lenses or 2 lenses and my flash, but since I'll be walking all day I would prefer to pack as little as possible. I was thinking of taking just my 100mm and 75-300mm, but I've never done this, so I'm not sure if I need more. Also, I'd like to minimize the number of lens changes, so what lens should be my main lens? I would just use the 75-300mm, but since it's IQ is obviously not that great and the 100mm is so sharp I'm torn at how to handle everything. Any additional tips are greatly appreciated.

[sam walker]

You got the same kit Rebel as I did with the 18-55. My stuff is birds I needed a telephoto for 40 yards I found a 1980s vintage 100-300 aurofocus for $80 It is an old ARC motor F5.6. Kind of slow ond noisy. It dpoes work Not the easiest tele to work with. Patience pays off. No one wants these old timers so they go cheap.
Sam

[mdd770]

I'm going also tomorrow. I'm thinking 75-300 for most stuff, and possibly a monopod if they let me. and that nifty fifty for some others if they are close enough!

[Overread]

We had a previous thread that you might find good to read though here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=846749
and I just replied on another similar thread here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=857385

To extend I would say take the flash and the 100mmL as well as the 70-300mm as well as a cheap tripod if you happen to have one. The cheap (and light) tripods will be good for the 70-300mm and helping to get sharper shots at the 300mm lens whilst the flash is good on both dull and sunny days to help with the lighting. Either adding light to get good fast exposurs in dimmer lighting or used for fill on bright days so that highlights can be protected without having overly dark shadowed areas.
The 100mm L might see some specific use (and heck you might see a bug or two whilst you are out) but in my experience you might find that often as not the zoom is far more convenient to use and the long range something that you need more in a zoo.

[egpulido89]

75-300 is probably all you'll need. i used my 55-250 the whole time at the zoo. I brought my nifty 50 and didnt use it once.

[OregonRebel]

75 - 300 & crank up your ISO to avoid shake with no IS.

[mckinleypics]

the only time I put my fifty on at the zoo was in the butterfly tent

take the 75-300 and lean it on the railing when you take pics

this pic taken with an XS (and a 70-200)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3759691300_0fb0fb569a_b.jpg

[jmcder53]

on a crop camera how good would one of the 70-200 lenses work? thinking of renting one, memphis zoo is having a contest and best pictures in categories can be in 2011 calendar. not sure about my 75-300, it is the non USM version.

[Overread]

I have found a 70-200mm f2.8 IS plus a 1.4 teleconverter works very well in a zoo environment. Zoom really is a bonus in a zoo where you will inevitably be alternating from the long and short ends as animals range in size and distance so much. If you are renting you might also consider a 100-400mm or even (if they have one) a new sigma 50-500mm OS - more reach is always a bonus and can let you get a nice close portrait frame shot without "zoo" distractions getting in the way.

[jmcder53]

There is a contest for calendar photos, wouldn't a zoo calendar want some of the "zoo" in the photos?

[markol]

You can always rent a lens for the weekend if you need something long. We typically use about 300-400mm at the San Francisco zoo, but have seen people there with 600mm O_o

[Paulyester]

I love my 70-300 for zoo shots. Editing later makes me think I'm on safari ;)