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I am asking to pick the brains of anybody that has visited the British Wildlife Centre.
I am lucky enough to be going on an ogranised visit in a few weeks, through Wild Arena, to the BWC and as this will be the first time I have visited, I am not sure as to what lens would be best to take.
I am looking at hiring a good piece of glass to put on my D50 for the trip and had thought of a prime 300mm, or possibly a zoom 70-200mm.
Any advice as to how close we can get to the animals, and which would be best would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Phil
if it is an organised trip you will probably be closer to the subjects than a normal visitor.
I wouldn't have thought anything more than the 300 prime was needed for distance or D-O-F
Your 70-200 zoom seems to stand you in good stead anyway
Adrian
Hi Phil
Been to BWC a couple of times and loved it and I am sure you will too, I was actually looking at the same event but it was cancelations only, booo.
First time I was 70-200 & 2 x converter now however upgrade is a 150-500 sigma and it was very rarely too big, only time was on the long side of the small enclosures for the Stoats and that was it!
Only other lens I did use there was a 105 macro as the kestrel has 2 perches next to the netting and for the frogs, grass snakes.
Hope that helps, sure you are taking a tripod too!
Steve
Fair comment by tomcat... if you are in the enclosures which I think for some you are a 70-200 will probably suffice.
Some of the shots are on my portfolio taken with 150-500 on page 1 and further back with the 70-200 & 2 x Conv.
Enjoy the day, if anyone drops out let me know!
Steve
70-200mm +1.4TC has served me very well in the BWC when working behind the cages, though a slightly longer lens would be nice, but 300mm would be plenty enough.
If your going inside the pens then I would think a 70-200mm plus something shorter would be ideal - some of the animals will come very close (watch your fingers 
and have a great time!
On a previous EPZ trip I've managed fine with the Nikon 70-200mm inside the enclosures though could have done with a wee bit more length with the otters and was positively frustrated that it would not focus close enough with the Marsh Frogs.
However, one of the Marsh Frog shots cropped nicely and is on the BWC gallery pages now.
Cheers
Robert
70-200 + 1.4TC will serve you well for the majority of opportunities, eg foxes, otters, red squirrels, water voles, polecats and possibly stoats/weasels if they are indoors; 100 macro for the harvest mice and any other close up opportunities. You would have to be very unlucky to not come away with a few good images.
Enjoy your day
Terry.
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