Midlands Chester Zoo

Dave Semmens

Dave Semmens

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,213
Name
Dave
Edit My Images
Yes
OK - so I am off to Chester Zoo mid August.

Going in a small group but wondering what would be the best lens to take.

Two of us will have cameras - probably both crop sensor Nikons. We will be sharing the lenses I take.

Choice of lenses I have are:
500 F4
300 F4
70-200 F4
24-70 F2.8
17-35 F2.8
85 F1.4

I also have a 1.4 TC

Is it worth taking the 500 of just sticking with the 70-200 and 300mm for both of us?

Any thoughts from people who have been before appreciated :)

Thanks

Dave.
 
•


The most common problem in zoos is that you
control nothing! Light and space are given and
not to be altered.

The solution is flexibility! So I would recommend
70~200 ƒ4 + TC… but crank up your ISO in low
lights situations!
 
Thanks Kodiak - I have been to several Zoos before but was hoping someone would know what lens would suit the layout of the cages and enclosures.

My thoughts are the same as yours for flexibility. I may swap out the D500 for the D810 if light will be a problem.

I may just take both the 300 and 70-200 + TC. I will use the 300 on the D810 and let me daughter use the 70-200 on the Crop.

The TC can be interchanged if required - as can the lenses I suppose :)
 
Take a look through the various Chester Zoo threads and see what they are using. Personally, I think the Orangs could do with 500mm, but saying that I have seen plenty of pics with 70-300 on a crop camera, just NOT from mine :D Many of the viewing points can be crowded as it is not as open as the likes of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, so a group of photographers swapping lenses could be irritating ;)
 
Last edited:
Worth having the 85 f/1.4 handy for indoors, plus you can play with DOF to blur out some of the more obvious 'captivity' giveaways. The 70-200mm will probably get the most use and for sure 300mm gives some nice options (I used to take a Sigma 300mm f/2.8). If you're going by car, you could always leave to 500mm in the trunk and go get it if you feel the need.

I usually take a 100-400mm with a 15-85mm in my pocket. This covers pretty much everything.

This was full frame with the 300mm
 
Agree with your lens choice
I go there very often I mostly use my 300 2.8
and also 70_200 f4
Have fun it's a brilliant zoo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top