So I went to London Zoo the other day, the first proper time i've gotten to use my latest lens, the 55-200mm f/4-5.6. I think together, myself and my friend managed to snap over 1000 shots. After a bit of editing, i've chosen 62 great ones, and i'll be uploading the best of that lot up here.

Lets see what I learnt then:
1) Never bother carrying a wide angle around all day
2) Autofocus is 100% essential (my friend's 60mm macro doesn't AF on our D40's)
3) To shoot through grills you need to jam your lens right up against them to let the light Diffract
4) ISO 1600 is necessary. Perhaps ISO 3200 would be even better in some cases.
5) VR is necessary
6) 200mm as the longest focal length isnt always long enough


A load of these photos i'll be uploading WILL also be uploaded by and thats cool, because our cameras were used interchangeably, so don't report us.

On another note, I don't mean to be petty with the Nikon Vs Canon thing, but Canon has lost 10% of their marketshare in the last 3 years, while Nikon gained another 4% to add to their lead... so err, Nikon WIN!


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Photography Roadmap

Entry Level DSLR:
Completed Mid 2008, Nikon D40

52mm Polarising Filter:
Completed Late 2008, Camlink 52mm Polariser

Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens:
Completed Jan 2009, Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5

77mm UV Filter:
Completed Jan 2009, Jessops 77mm Skylight Filter

77mm 0.9 ND Filter:
Completed Feb 2009, Tiffen 0.9 ND Filter

Prime Normal f/1.4 or f/1.8 Lens:
Completed July 2009, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8

52mm UV Filter:
Completed July 2009, Jessops 52mm UV Filter

DX Format Telephoto Lens:
Completed August 2009, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR

52mm UV Filter:
Completed August 2009, Optex 52mm UV Filter

77mm Polarising Filter:
Not Complete

77mm Warming Filter:
Not Complete

77mm Gradient Filter:
Not Complete

77mm IR Filter:
Not Complete

3rd Party Battery Grip for D40:
Not Complete

External Flash (probably Nikon SB-600):
Not Complete

Wide-Telephoto Zoom Lens (at least from 18-200mm)
Not Complete

A Better Tripod (cos mine is crap):
Not Complete

Upgrade DSLR (midrange or prosumer model DX Sensor, perhaps a D90):
Not Complete

Second Telephoto Zoom Lens (70-300mm ideally):
Not Complete

Dedicated 105mm Prime Macro Lens:
Not Complete

Third Telephoto Zoom Lens (150-500mm perhaps):
Not Complete

Ultimate Goal: 70-200mm f/2.8:
Not Complete

Friends:


Clubs: