While constantly fantasizing about both the DA 55-300mm WR and the various (but mainly Sigma)70-200mm f/2.8s I can't help but realize I'd shot very few animals. So to at least see which hindered me the most in that area(lack of reach or speed) I took myself, the K-3 & my trusty DA 50-200 WR to the zoo today to find out. This is what I learned:
I could use both more reach and more speed, but I think more speed would be a bit more useful for me.
While shooting animals in their outdoor enclosures left me wanting to get "just a little bit closer" more than a few times, trying to shot animals in indoor spaces was downright infuriating at times. A lot of times at f/4 AF just simply would not lock on the subject and I still had a time with MF. Taking way too much time to move along with a swarm of children.
For now I'll just keep shooting and in the future I plan to focus on only two or three animal species a trip, to get better compositions. I may even try fast prime lenses indoors on the next trip.
I know I was only using a kit lens but, f/4 is f/4 no matter what lens right?
I know I'm not a great photographer and still my PP is worse, but these are a few photos I can live with.