Hanover Zoo

You might remember the unboxing video of the Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 lens I made previously. Since then I have tested it a little here a little there, but I have not made a dedicated extensive test run. This weekend I found the time to go to the zoo here in Hanover. It is a very modern zoo with enclosures tailored to the demands of the individual species, not one of those concrete-and-iron-bar-zoos of the past.

My setup was quite heavy:

• Nikon D800
• Meike battery grip
• Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VRII
• Manfrotto MM294C Carbon fibre monopod (attached to the lens foot)
• Blackrapid R-Strap (attached to the battery grip).

I had the camera with the blackrapid around my shoulders for easier carrying. The monopod was attached all the time to the foot of the lens. For shooting I adjusted the length of the monopod as necessary. I know that it is an unusual way to use a monopod when you are not staying stationary, but the extra support made shooting easier and reliefed me of the camera weight when taking pictures. To shift the weight a little I sometimes shouldered camera and lens and got hold of the monopod, like one would carry a shovel for example.

All in all I am very satisfied with the day’s image yield. Although I had to take many images you see in the gallery through glass the sharpness is very pleasing and excites me for more trips to the zoo throughout the year (I bought 12-month pass, so that I can go there taking pictures as often as I want).