400mm needed for the zoo???

I'm just curious... has anybody gone to the LA zoo? I recently went with a 70-200 2.8 IS, but found that most exhibits were shaded and I often had to shoot animals in dark corners. I really struggled to get any good shots. Anyways, is there a way to circumvent the fact that some animals are stuck in dark corners?

Funny enough I was kicked out after 30 mins in the zoo... they didn't like the way my lens was white... he he, just kidding, there was actually a brush fire and had to evacuate the zoo due to police orders (there was even a police helicopter shouting an almost indistinguishable order to leave the area through their loudspeaker).

I usually use a 100-400 or 70-200 w/ 2s at the LA Zoo. Great tiger exhibit.

JouerCanon wrote in post #6036749
I'm just curious... has anybody gone to the LA zoo? I recently went with a 70-200 2.8 IS, but found that most exhibits were shaded and I often had to shoot animals in dark corners. I really struggled to get any good shots. Anyways, is there a way to circumvent the fact that some animals are stuck in dark corners?

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i went there last month and don't like it much. I shot with 300 f/2.8IS. Some of the shot here:

http://www.aphanphoto.​com …ry/thumbnails.p​hp?album=8

Go early and it all depend on your luck (when animal is not lazy or hide away from the sun/hotness)