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02-06-2009, 06:08 AM   #1
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Help needed on shooting a ZOO

Hi all

I have been given acess to all areas (public and restricted) for next Sunday to do all kind of shooting on the ZOO.

How should I prepare and how should I take the most out of this oportunity ?

(I only have from 15 to 18h, meaning 3 hours to shoot and have to take into consideration the weather and light available.)

Zoo Map in case anyone wants to see.

All advices and hints are welcome.

Thanks in advance

------------- AF Lens available are ----------------

- Tamron 70-300
- FA 77
- FA 50
- DFA 100
- Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
- kit lens II
(also tamron mc4 teleconverter)


Last edited by netuser; 02-06-2009 at 06:13 AM.
02-06-2009, 07:28 AM   #2
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I would ask if there are any scheduled feedings during that time. Your behind the scenes access may provide you a shot that other might not be able to get.

Tim
02-07-2009, 12:33 AM   #3
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If behind the scenes opportunities are available take them early or if later take them on the east side with the light. Giraffes and Tigers can be spectacular within the last hours of the day. Otherwise I would move CCW from the entrance with the light as much as possible. Everything you have beats the kit lens. If you have a warming filter, put it on the 70-300 and use it for the less approachable ubjects. With proper focus and attention to dof you can make a chain link fence disappear. Your fastest lens at a moderate distance, aperture wide open should accomplish this. Best of Luck !

Last edited by 71Matador250; 02-07-2009 at 09:03 AM.
02-07-2009, 01:58 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by 71Matador250 Quote
With proper focus and attention to dof you can make a chain link fence disappear.
Yeah, here is a shot taken of a Blue-Winged Kookaburra at the Australia Zoo, Beerburrum.


Taken hard up against 2"/50mm meshing which is narrower than the front lens diameter (55mm). K20D. A70-200/F4 @ 200mm FL & F6.7. ISO 200. 1/125s. OOF mesh in the background too.
F4 might have worked better here to blur the rear mesh more. It depends on how close the rear mesh is to the subject.




02-07-2009, 09:50 AM   #5
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I think you have enough lenses. may be your tamron 70-300 will attach to your cam body most of the time.

What body do you have? Bring along extra body if any
02-07-2009, 09:52 AM   #6
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k20D

(also have k200d but can't bring it since my wife needs it )
02-13-2009, 10:57 AM   #7
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It was always raning. terrible day and got canceled.

will try again, maybe next friday

02-13-2009, 11:53 AM   #8
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Can you bring a lackey? Even if they can't get in everywhere? (ie, a friend. ) If it's like a lot of zoos, it might not be a bad day to pack a little heavy, but you still want mobility. Someone to schlep a bit of camera support and something long, maybe a bit of flash, might be very welcome for you.
02-13-2009, 12:21 PM   #9
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[Meanwhile my tammy 70-200 f2.8 and DA 12-24 arrived ]

Eager to take some photos.
03-19-2009, 11:12 AM   #10
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Got a chance last Monday.
Free acess to birds this time. Got some good "portrait" pictures etc.

Then I went into a problem. They managed to give me a great opportunity: training an Eagle to make 4/5 flights between 2 handlers (one of them 1 meter on my left shoulder and the other 50 to 70 meters away) so I could try a flying shoot. Never got a good shoot due to slow autofocus Only out of focus etc

I was using tamron 70-200 f2.8 with k20d.

Since I'm not leaving Pentax , and since I believe there must be a way to shoot a flying eagle with the setup mentioned, I stand here looking for answers.

Care to educate please ?


(YES, I will have a second change as soon I manage to find a way to shoot eheh)
03-19-2009, 11:21 AM   #11
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Moved to General Photography where it's a better fit.
03-19-2009, 12:26 PM   #12
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1) Use a monopod if zoo authority allows it.

2) You really can not make AF work faster. But you can try this combination - higher ISO and continuous focus AF-C, hoping that fast shutter speed will capture some in focus shots.

Also, panning is a good technique to be used for in focus capture.

Just my 2 cents and hope it helps.

p.s. post some shots.
03-19-2009, 01:24 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by kibipod Quote
1) Use a monopod if zoo authority allows it.

2) You really can not make AF work faster. But you can try this combination - higher ISO and continuous focus AF-C, hoping that fast shutter speed will capture some in focus shots.

Also, panning is a good technique to be used for in focus capture.

Just my 2 cents and hope it helps.

p.s. post some shots.
Hi

Monopod is not going to be possible.
Panning seems a good idea but I'm still a very new pentax slr newbie and I don't master panning as good as I like.
High iso + AF-c was what I have used ... hmmmm, seems I must try again with the same tools.

Meanwhile, someone told me about "trap in focus".. Can I use it in this situation ? how ?

Damn, that eagle really fly fast. "Terrible" feeling seeing her passing so near, so fast, to the handler on my left.

Thanks for the input

p.s. - still have photos in card (I still shoot raw ) but will try to take care of them soon and after PPG (decline them) I will post some here
03-19-2009, 05:59 PM   #14
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One thing you can do is set it to Manuel focus and set the focus distance on a point where the Eagle will (probably) pass. Than as he get close fire on continuos.
I've used this technique for fast animals and its worked for me. It's really only productive if you can predict where the animal will pass.
In this case with the Eagle flying to a handler it might work for you.
03-21-2009, 10:34 PM   #15
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Try to shoot head-on or going away if possible.

Steve
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