zoo trip with my new lens

I posted a while back that I was frustrated with the reach of the kit lens during a trip to the zoo. Well, the first warmish weekend came around, so I went back with the Sigma 70-300 to see what it can do.

Seemed like everyone else in Memphis relieved their cabin fever at the zoo that day too, so the new tripod stayed in the car.

Thing I enjoyed most is the ability to obliterate bars/screens/enclosures that separate you from the animals. Thing I enjoyed the least was the autofocus hunting around. So I switched it off for the most part, and I realize now I need to brush up on manual focus skills.



f5.6, 300mm, 1/250sec





f5.6, 300mm, 1/250sec





f4.5, 160mm, 1/250sec


I'm pleased with them, but I'd like to know if anyone sees mistakes that I could correct.

Nothing wrong with your focussing skills that I can see!

All great shots but the rhino really stands out for me, love the framing.

Terrific shots. I agree- doesn't appear to be anything wrong with your focussing skills.

Thanks, well, these are the best of the bunch. Many more that just aren't quite there.

I remember reading in a photography book that professional photographers are no different to amateurs. They take loads of shots that just aren't up to scratch. The secret is, they only show people the good ones. So, no shame in that! It doesn't detract from how great these shots are.

Great shots. Nice and sharp

The Rhino is stunning. Lovely framed!

Super shots, Rhino being best, well done

Excellent shots, the rhino for me, well done.

Why do you suppose it was hunting : Is it a characteristic of the lens you were using : the apertures are relatively large so I would have thought it would snap into focus no problem

I really don't know, it just seemed like it couldn't make up its mind.

Maybe it was only when dealing with the enclosures between me and the animals, and I'm just dealing with an exaggerated memory. Or when the animals were moving, which I guess would be a problem for any tele lens.

Anywho, even though MF wasn't easy, I still found it better than dealing with the AF.
(and can someone tell me what's happening when I manipulate the focus and red dots/squares flash in the viewfinder? what is my camera telling me? [i've misplaced my manual])

Thanks for everyone's comments!

The green hexagon at the bottom of the viewfinder tells you when the camera thinks the subject is in focus, the red dots indicate which of the 11 focus points the camera is taking its reading from.

Basically, wait until you get both the green hexagon and the desired red dot flash up at the same time - the dot should be the one that falls over the part of the picture you actually want to be in focus. As you're focussing back and forward other red dots will flash up as different parts of the scene come into focus - ignore those until you get the one you want.

All three photos are lovely but the rhino one stands out for me too. Very menacing!

Best wishes, Kris.

Each shot is worthy of 10 out of 10

The penguin's eye-makeup matches her shoes, the eagle's features are as sharp as it's claws, and the rhino reminds me of 'The Mother-In-Law', ( same smiling face ) :

Personally, I prefer to use only the centre point for manual focusing, recomposing after focusing if necessary. Then you don't have to worry about the camera selecting different points all the time.

The red square just gives a quick flash to indicate this is your focusing point. The green hexagon will remain lit as long as the subject is in focus, and is in fact the focus confirmation indicator.

Your photos are just lovely, by the way. I had a similar experience last year in Copenhagen Zoo, using the same lens. Only my pictures did not come out as well as yours. (I do have a lions picture in the gallery that I am quite satisfied with).

I have done a bit of zoo photography and I love your shots, especially the Rhino. My only comment is that it could have a little more contrast to give it a little more impact.

Well done, I too use a 70-300 lens for zoos.