Lens for FW Zoo?

[JohnT]

I might be chaperoning my son's photography class to the FW Zoo next week and doing some shooting while I'm there. Will my 70-200 f/2.8L + 1.4x TC on a 30D suffice, or should I rent a 100-400?

[Jake]

Your 70-200 + 1.4 TC should be great. I've got great shots using 200mm. But I've got better shots using a 300mm + 1.4TC.
A longer lens never hurts, but I wouldn't say it's needed for the FW Zoo.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by thejakestir

Your 70-200 + 1.4 TC should be great. I've got great shots using 200mm. But I've got better shots using a 300mm + 1.4TC.
A longer lens never hurts, but I wouldn't say it's needed for the FW Zoo.

Thanks, Jake.

[CaptainTom]

John
All the zoo animals at http://www.pbase.com/fotopro
were shot with a 20D and a 70-200 lens.

[Wes]

Never had a problem with the 70-200 alone.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

John
All the zoo animals at http://www.pbase.com/fotopro
were shot with a 20D and a 70-200 lens.

Those look great, Tom. Thanks.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Wes

Never had a problem with the 70-200 alone.

Thanks, Wes. Sounds like I'll be good to go. Will probably carry the 1.4x just in case.

[CaptainTom]

A monopod is really helpful, especially at 200mm and up.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

A monopod is really helpful, especially at 200mm and up.

Definitely. Got that covered, especially since I don't have IS.

[Roy]

I've had good luck with the 70-200. Depends on where you are and how close you want to zoom in. There's some places the 1.4 TC would help like the apes and lions, tigers etc. There's other places where you can get by with even less than the 70-200. Overall though, it a good lens to use if your going to use just one. Also depends on where you are with light. There's a few spots that get a little dark depending on the cloud cover and time of day. I'm getting picky here though. Your 70-200 will do great, just take the TC along just in case. Have fun! Sounds like a fun thing to do.

Wonder what a 400 would be like there?
Heavy, I'm sure.......

[brad]

And the shots I posted in the first post of this thread:

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=58135

were all shot with a 5D on 70-200 (non crop factor)... however, the last two (the parakeet and flower/grasshopper) added macro tubes to the mix.

You should be fine with that lens combo.