A day at the Denver Zoo - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon

10/03/2005 01:05:32 AM · #1

Hi guys, I've been lucky enough to be sent to Denver on business for a month and I've gotta say, it's a beautiful city. I went to the Denver Zoo today and thought I'd share a few of the photos I took. I was impressed how close they let you get to some of the animals. Many people from Denver on here?

I took quite a few, but I've chosen ten or so below. All were handheld at around 300mm, therefore ISO was increased with a few resulting in a bit of noise, most are ok though. Any comments are welcome.

And finally... I'm not even sure what this guy is, but he sure gave me an interesting look when I poked my lens at him!

Thanks,
Ben

Marc923

10/03/2005 01:18:45 AM · #2

Yeah, Denver Zoo is a good place to test the camera. I'm always heading down there.

Oh, I left a comment on the funny bird face. I don't know what it is either.

Message edited by author 2005-10-03 02:04:11.

alien2thisworld

Nikon D70s

10/03/2005 02:02:02 AM · #3

Hey there,

Cool shots you got. I actually live about 10 mins south of the Denver Zoo. I especially like the polar bears and their play toys in the pools. That final shot, the bird giving you the eye :) is an East African Crowned Crane. I love their colors and fuzzy crown. Did you get any shots of the snakes? It is always too dark in there and my shots turn out blurry.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/03/2005 09:40:16 AM · #4

Originally posted by alien2thisworld:

Cool shots you got. I actually live about 10 mins south of the Denver Zoo. I especially like the polar bears and their play toys in the pools. That final shot, the bird giving you the eye :) is an East African Crowned Crane. I love their colors and fuzzy crown. Did you get any shots of the snakes? It is always too dark in there and my shots turn out blurry.

I went into the reptile section, but sadly didn't get any shots of the snakes or dragons (the komodo dragon looked awesome though), it was a bit too dark even for ISO 3200 and couldn't really use a flash. Thanks for the tip on the species of bird!

Ben

faidoi

Pentax K10D

10/03/2005 03:19:47 PM · #5

Nice sharp images. What lens did you use?

Brenb

Canon EOS-60D

10/03/2005 03:37:27 PM · #6

You got some great shots. Those will make some great prints.

chnkymlk

Nikon D60

10/03/2005 03:49:46 PM · #7

i think it might be an emu. not sure tho!

TeeQ

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM

10/03/2005 04:08:12 PM · #8

I agree, the Denver Zoo is absolutely amazing!!!! I was there in January (brrrrr!) 1993 and went crazy shooting photos, but I ran out of film (this was pre-digital for me) and was sooo sad that I couldn't take photos of EVERY animal there... especially the polar bears, I thought they were awesome!!!

Last summer I went to the Toronto Zoo and took my digital Rebel and had a total blast!!! There was no running out of film that day!!!

Great photos Ben!!! TFS

Brent_Ward

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

10/03/2005 04:11:40 PM · #9

Originally posted by chnkymlk:

i think it might be an emu. not sure tho!

nope. a crowned crane. I have a profile of one in my portflio page under nature. It's #10
click nature, then wait and mousover #10

Cutter

Nikon D700

10/03/2005 04:43:01 PM · #10

All my animal pictures that aren't in nature, are from the Denver Zoo. I find it relaxing and accessible. Here are a few examples:

10/03/2005 06:00:26 PM · #11

Originally posted by faidoi:

Nice sharp images. What lens did you use?

Just the Sigma 55-200mm DC, very basic kit, but it seems to work quite well. That said, the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 looks nice!

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon

10/03/2005 06:03:15 PM · #12

Originally posted by Cutter:

All my animal pictures that aren't in nature, are from the Denver Zoo. I find it relaxing and accessible. Here are a few examples:

Some of those shots are awesome, I particularly like the one of the lion with the jaw open.

UNTITLED

Canon EOS-20D

10/03/2005 06:06:56 PM · #13

Originally posted by b_harris:

Originally posted by faidoi:
Nice sharp images. What lens did you use?

Just the Sigma 55-200mm DC, very basic kit, but it seems to work quite well. That said, the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 looks nice!

Just wondering, you said you handheld at 300mm at the top of the thread.
Typo?

coraanne

Canon PowerShot S2 IS

10/03/2005 06:08:37 PM · #14

I have a family pass to the Denver zoo. That is by far my favorite place to take pictures. I would also suggest that you try out the butterfly pavilian.

Message edited by author 2005-10-03 18:11:04.

debitipton

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II

10/03/2005 07:31:57 PM · #15

Maybe it's time for a DPC get together at the Denver Zoo? We all seem to love the place.

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

10/03/2005 07:40:24 PM · #16

What a great set of shots from a superb location. I love zoos, we have a small one here in Chiba/Japan i visit every week with my daughter because she likes to see the giraffe even though she is scared of it.

donniev

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/03/2005 07:40:49 PM · #17

Originally posted by debitipton:

Maybe it's time for a DPC get together at the Denver Zoo? We all seem to love the place.

I'm game. (Aurora, here)

Brent_Ward

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

10/03/2005 07:43:38 PM · #18

arvada.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

10/03/2005 08:29:12 PM · #19

Originally posted by pekesty:

Originally posted by b_harris:

Originally posted by faidoi:
Nice sharp images. What lens did you use?

Just the Sigma 55-200mm DC, very basic kit, but it seems to work quite well. That said, the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 looks nice!

Just wondering, you said you handheld at 300mm at the top of the thread.
Typo?

I was wondering the same. 55-200 plus the crop factor I guess. I assume you may have used a tele-convertor also.

10/03/2005 09:55:16 PM · #20

Originally posted by pekesty:

Sorry, I meant they were taken at 300mm equiv in 35mm terms on the *ist DS... they were definately only taken at 200mm.

MWitt

Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8 ATX Pro-SV for Canon EOS

10/03/2005 10:58:43 PM · #21

Originally posted by b_harris:

Very nice, Ben!
Excellent details and I love the facial expressions of the Cheetah and the Crowned Crane! Priceless!

I love going to the Denver Zoo too! I definitely think a zoo get together is needed before it gets too chilly.

Denver Zoo Portraits

alien2thisworld

Nikon D70s

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon

10/03/2005 11:55:38 PM · #22

I'm also down for a zoo get together. Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays are the best days for me, anytime. How about the rest of you?

Brent_Ward