which telephoto lens?

[mrng_31]

Hello everyone,
So I have a rebel Xsi and am planning to go to the san diego zoo at the end of May. I'm hoping to get some practice with my photography and would like to get some nice shots in. However, I do not have a telephoto lens that I can use. I've been looking around and I've been thinking about some lenses

1) canon 70-200 f4 L

I know some people think this is not long enough for a zoo, but will the 1.6 crop factor compensate for that?

2) canon 70-300 is.

This one has a longer range but should I just get the sharper L lens?

I'm also open to any 3rd party lenses (as long as theyre in the same price range). I know renting is also possible but I'd rather buy because I need the longer range and like to take pictures of animals at parks around my neighborhood.

Any advice/suggestions/comments would be great. Thanks!

[Jim Bryant]

the 70-200 f4L would be a great lens with that 1.6x factor. It would give you a 320mm at f4.
instead of the other lens which is a f4/5.6.

[inkista]

Personally, I think the 100-400L is probably the ideal lens for the SD Zoo, but both of the lenses you've listed will do you just fine. If you're really budget limited, you may also want to consider the 55-250 IS. And not all of the enclosures require a telephoto. Some, like the hummingbird aviary or the insect house may make a walkaround zoom more comfortable.

The two main lenses that I use at the Zoo are a 400mm prime for headshots,



and a 135mm prime for body shots.



I use primes because they're what I already own. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it---I run backwards a lot. I do tend to use my 135 more, not so much for the focal length, but for the max. aperture (f/2) and lower-light capability.



It depends on which enclosures you want to photograph. The ones out in the direct sunlight (say, the elephants and rhinos on Hoof Mesa or one of the gazillion meerkat exhibits), no problemo. But the underwater and indoor ones, like the reptile house, polar bear, hippo, or otter exhibits are low-light caves, and with the glass in the way, flash can be problematic. And the big cats tend only to come down to the front when the sun goes down. So if you get the non-IS 70-200, a monopod might be a good addition--particularly if the night-time Zoo stuff is happening.

[sk66]

Hmm, very tough call. The 70-200 f4 is "ok". You could consider a Tokina 80-200 f/2.8 AT-X pro for less, and possibly a 1.4/2x converter for the extra reach if needed. It would make it an f/5 140-400mm with a 2x. The extra speed would be useful for indoors/poor light.

I'm still fond of my Sigma 50-500mm even though I've recently acquired a 500mm f/4.5 prime. It's a bit slower at 500mm (f/6.3) but a very good and versatile lens for good light.

I would not recommend a prime.