NYC POTN Meet: Bronx Zoo - Saturday, August 19th

[Calzinger]

NYC POTN Meet: Bronx Zoo
Saturday, August 19th, 2006

Okay guys, we all had an amazingly amazing time at the gardens meet some week ago, even Alex who gained an excuse to by a new amazingly amazing lens. Let's do it all again! And what better place to do it than the z00z0rz!

When and where?
The zoo opens at 10:00 AM so I figure we should get there at the opening. Apparently these animals feel like being nocturnal bastards and sleep during the day. We can catch 'em awake in the morning. The zoo closes at 5:30 PM on Saturday so I guess we'll close the place out. We will meet at the entrance, not sure where else you'd want to meet.

Dollar bills
A general admission ticket for an adult is $12.00, $9.00 for children (2-12) and for seniors (65+). The parking is a lovely $8.00. Don't forget to bring money for Chris since he's amazingly amazing. There are other special exhibits which cost extra, not sure if we're going to those yet. You can get a Pay-One-Price (P.O.P.) pass which gives you access to everything for $25.00. I don't know about that.
Note: Chris is NOT paying for lunch.

What do I need to bring?
I haven't been to this zoo since I was five, which doesn't even count, so I don't remember how far these animals are. I'd assume that there far enough so I have to suggest using a telephoto. As you would expect, I'll be using my 70-200 2.8L, since, well, it's white. I might actually get a 600 f/4L from B&H's rental department. A UWA might be nice to capture the animals in their "environment". I'll be bringing some water bottles, and I suggest ya'll do it too. I'm sure the drinks on site will be pricey. There are places to eat on site.

How do I get there?
If you came to the meet for the gardens, basically take the same directions. The zoo is just south of the gardens. You should have no trouble getting there if you came last week. If you didn't, see "I'ma get lost.".

I'ma get lost.
That's true.

Informational Links
Hours & Rates: http://www.bronxzoo.com/bz-hours_and_rates
General Information: http://bronxzoo.com/bz-about_the_zoo/bzinfo
Map: http://bronxzoo.com/bz-about_the_zoo/bzinfo/253083
Directions: http://bronxzoo.com/bz-directions_to_the_zoo

I'll see ya'll there. If I don't already have your cell number, please PM me and we'll exchange digits.

Happy shootin',
Chris

[Servo'd]

I would also suggest that we wear helmets and full body armor in case of giraffe attack. I hear they're vicious in mating season.

[MDJAK]

Is a suckbag a person who takes better pictures than a Calzingerbag?

[Calzinger]

Originally Posted by Servo'd

I would also suggest that we wear helmets and full body armor in case of giraffe attack. I hear they're vicious in mating season.

Yeah I agree. I think they sell some at the zoo anyway so no worries.

Originally Posted by MDJAK

Is a suckbag a person who takes better pictures than a Calzingerbag?

Well, a Calbag, and yes. Remember Mark? I don't actually know how to take pictures, I just look good when I take them.

[SuzyView]

Oh, I love that place. You guys are doing so much shooting. I'm going to have to plan a few things around here.

[MDJAK]

Hey, Chris, I went to B&H today to return my daughter's waterproof housing.

Funny thing. They looked at me all wierd when I asked them where the rental department was. Said they don't have one, never have and never will.

Yet, I'm sure you mentioned something about renting equipment from them. In fact, I think you said they rent stuff for free.



mark

[MDJAK]

I think this might have to be a prime meet. It's time to shake out the 85L, the 135L.

In addition, I'll need the 100-400.

Make sure you baste your arm in some nice gravy, 'cause I want to be sure to get some nice pics of the lions up real close.

mark

[Calzinger]

Don't quote me now. B&H definitely has a rental department. You just have to use your imagination.

Primes for the zoo eh? The only prime I have is the 50 1.8 II which Andrew gave me. You know what I'll be using.

When do the lions usually start sleeping?

[MDJAK]

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight."

Guess what I got at B&H today? Yep, the hood for my 100mm macro, which it never came with. And when I bought it, a few moons ago, I was under the mistaken impression that if a lens didn't come with a hood, it didn't need one.

thanks for educating me differently, people.

So, who's coming to the zoo? As Simon and Garfunkel said: There's Something Happening at the Zoo. I do believe it, I do believe it's true.

Where is that BottomBracket dude?

Where are the tristate people around here? Let's make this the biggest meet yet. We had nine people last week at the garden. Heck, we even welcomed a film shooter. Yep, it wasn't easy. We had to take a vote to see whether we would allow her to come along. I broke the tie and voted for her to come.

Come, guys and gals, let's get your butts in gear.

mark

[Calzinger]

Welcome to Canon's consumer line, good yet so bad.

There are a few POTN'ers I knew from the meet back in Jan-Feb '06. There was BottomBracket, jwbker, Snafu, and Palladium. I also met peter740 who was a total jerkbag, but I haven't heard from him since.

Pio and James (BB & jwbker) have been inactive for quite some time so we can't really count on them. I PM'ed Andy and John (Snafu and Palladium respectively), but neither of them replied. We need to promote this meet somehow since nobody really shows up here. I'll leave that to you.

I don't think the big zebra can make this one because of his job. There must be more POTN'ers in the area, they just don't visit this part of the forum.

I think we definitely more badasses like this one:


or even badasses like this one:


I've been doing some work on my website and felt the need to make sure the thumbnail/link thing is working. By the way Mark, do you need a setup for a website or do you have one?

[Calzinger]

Here's the group I met for the first ever NYC POTN meet:


from left to right: my dad, James (jwbker), Andy (Snafu), Pio (BottomBracket)

This was also my FIRST shot with my 70-200 f/4L which I opened in the streets of Chinatown.

[MDJAK]

Of course I still need help with a website. What do you think, I became technologically oriented or something?

You know what? We, meaning the small group that's been together for the last shoot, and the smaller group (if you can call the three of us and my daughter a group) that got together for the Birds of Prey day, are so compatible, who really cares if others join us or not.

Yeah, the more the merrier, but we still have a good time.

BTW, if you're reading this: CHRIS BUYS EVERYBODY LUNCH AT EVERY MEET, so come, one and all.

mark

[Calzinger]

Originally Posted by MDJAK

Of course I still need help with a website. What do you think, I became technologically oriented or something?

That's exactly what I thought.

I don't know, to be honest, as much as I enjoy going with a big group to meet all of our fellow POTN'ers, I prefer shooting in smaller groups (ie. me, Andrew, and my friend Alex as we do in the city). Three seems to be the perfect number: everyone can agree and no trouble managing.

Of course we'll have a good time regardless of how many join, but it's always nice to associate a face and personality with a bunch of text that we read every day. We need to represent New York!

[P(-)r0z3n Fyr3]

We doing times square this weekend? I think a 1.4xtc is in order .

I'm in for the zoo but i'd rather have that 100-400 L that Mark has. The 70-200 2.8 with a 2xtc doesn't sound as nice .

[Calzinger]

Yeah Mark, ya still goin' to B&H? We're planning to city this Sunday because city is a verb.

And don't worry about parking. We get free guaranteed parking.

*
Turns out we can't go in on Sunday so we're going today.