What gear should I take to Melbourne Zoo and Aquarium?

[johnd]

Hi all you Melboune members. I'm going to be in Melbourne this coming weekend and am planning going to the Melbourne Zoo and Aquarium to do a bit of the tourist thing with my wife. Maybe also Victoria Market. Also going to St Kilda V Brisbane game on Saturday night at Telstra Dome, but not planning to take my camera (lenses a bit short).

What gear should I take for Zoo, Aquarium, market? I'll be packing my d70, 50mm f1.4, 18-70 kit lens and 35-135 lens. I have only got on board flash,no SB800 yet.

Should I take my tri-pod? Will they let me into Zoo, Aquarium, Market with tri-pod?


Your advice would be appreciated.

[genji]

john,

i was at the aquarium a months back, great place. on weekends lots of kiddies about, so the tripod will get in their way

although with zoo its ok, with Vic market it will get in my way! (i go there often, walking distance from my place, if you go in the morning, recommended)

have fun!

[johnd]

Thanks genji.

About the market, why the recomendation for the morning? Less people?

[genji]

Thanks genji.

About the market, why the recomendation for the morning? Less people?

hehe, no the opposite, more ppl go in the morning, its noisey and chaotic. alot of ppl have breakfast at vic market.

if you like bratwurst, theres a shop that has the best in town, its in the deli section, 2nd shop from the entrance.

if you dont like being elbow to elbow with ppl than its best to avoid the morning.

[christiand]

Yummy !!!

That Bratwurst place is great.
You can have it with Sauerkraut.
(The Bratwurst isn't a true traditional Bratwurst, it is more like a Kransky but very nice with Sauerkraut and mustard)

Cheers,
CD

[Alex]

Yummy !!!

That Bratwurst place is great.

Cheers,
CD

I second that! We always have it when we are there.

Alex

[mudder]

G'day,
Rats, didn't know. I went to the zoo this morning just for a couple of hours to see the cats. Better off with a monopod if you can. They don't attract as much attention and are quick to move around without getting in people's way and you can prop against things on angles...

If you're after some portrait type shots you'll need more length (don't we all ) but the snow leopards would be good at that length...

Oh, and the earlier the better for light and less people

Cheers.

[Jamie]

Ill be at the zoo this coming Saturday......i might see you there!

[mudder]

Ill be at the zoo this coming Saturday......i might see you there!

This week-end's going to be a big work week-end for me (major product upgrade going in over the week-end) but if I can get out and play for a few hours on Saturday morning, I'll give you a hoi

Cheers.

[johnd]

Thanks Jamie and Andrew. Look out for me Jamie as we're probably going on Saturday morning. I'll be the one with the d70 (and the small lens). I'm bidding on ebay for a used 80-200, but even if I won I probably wouldn't have it in time. 135 mm is going to have to do.

[redline]

theres a forum member selling a 80-200 why not give them a buzz?

[johnd]

Thanks for the heads up Redline. I knew MCWB had a 80 200 f2.8 but that was sold. And Oneputt had a 80 200 f4.5-5.6. I'm after the 80 200 f2.8. Was there someone else you were thinking of?

I'll put a wanted post up anyway.

[redline]

didn't realise it got sold.
you can get one about 600$ at camera exchange in melbourne

[johnd]

Thanks Redline, I'll check out Camera Exchange on the weekend.

[redline]

no problem

[kipper]

John, here is my take. Not sure how good it is, but I'd be using the 35-130mm at the zoo. If the light is quite poor, switch over to the 50MM 1.4. The 35-130mm should give you fairly good coverage if there is any bigcat enclosures that use perspex. However I think most of them are open, Mudder and Nicole might be able to tell you more about them.

For the aquarium, the 50mm 1.4 should stay permanently attached. Don't use flash, it just reflects off the glass. Plus all of the aquariums I've been too don't allow flash. I took some using my 1.4 in France and they came up pretty sharp considering.

[johnd]

Thanks all.

Darryl, 50/1.4 it is for the aquarium, no flash. I reckon I'll get some interesting dof effects with it opened right up.

35-135 for the Zoo. Maybe