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Zoo Photography

brandofamilybrandofamily Registered Users Posts: 2,013 Major grins
edited January 2, 2011 in Wildlife
I was thinking of trying my hand at photographing some animals at the Brookfield Zoo, near Chicago, this next week. Can anyone give me some input on lens to use?
I shoot Nikon D3 and have the following to choose from:
  • Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
  • Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8
  • Sigma 2x Teleconverter
  • Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
  • Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3
Would love to spend time in Monkey/Ape House. Not sure what animals would be outside... Polar Bears?

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    rookieshooterrookieshooter Registered Users Posts: 539 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2011
    My suggestion would be bring the longest/fastest lens you have; so that would be the Sigma 120-300.
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    Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2011
    Depending on how much you want to carry...these 2 lenses pretty much cover your entire focal length range.

    Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

    Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8

    if you can carry it..then possibly add the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 as it probably is a bit sharper at the 70mm range than the Tamron 28-75.

    Probably no need for t he tele as all it will dois cut your light gathering ability and seems like most zoos don't have the best indoor lighting.

    The Tamron 28-300mm is redundant and slower than the other lenses. I think speed (light gathering ability) is important in zoo shooting. Often times a flash is not allowed or will cause problems with glass partitions.

    Good luck.
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
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    BlackwoodBlackwood Registered Users Posts: 313 Major grins
    edited January 2, 2011
    Definitely the 120-300. Every time I bring my 24-105 to a zoo, I am annoyed and inevitably shoot at 105 the whole time.
    Marc Blackwood | HYPERcontrast
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