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FL - St. Augustine Alligator Farm
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Apr 5, 2018 07:52:28   #
Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV
 
headed to Roberft O'toole's workshop there on Mon; bringing my D500 and both Sigma 150-600 and Tamron 100-400; do I really need both? trying to lighten
my load ( am also bringing my Lumix G85 with 100-300 M Zuiko; O'Toole says to bring them both, but I would rather shed the 5+ pounds of the Sigma if I can;
if the consensus of responses is to bring it, also, I will

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Apr 5, 2018 07:58:03   #
Camlane Loc: North Carolina
 
If O’Toole says to take both, take both. He must have some reason. If you don’t have that much faith in him, I wouldn’t go to his workshop.

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Apr 5, 2018 08:06:01   #
Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA
 
Never been to an alligator farm but looking at their trail map I'd imagine there won't be much the Tamron won't be able to handle. Possibly for the bird rookery but ask Robert if it will be needed.

http://www.alligatorfarm.com/SAAF_ParkMap.pdf

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Apr 5, 2018 08:16:24   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
Do you expect better advice than from the person who gives the workshop, or are you just looking for someone to agree with what you have already decided? I'm sure someone who has never been there will give the best advice.

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Apr 5, 2018 08:17:25   #
Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV
 
well said

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Apr 5, 2018 08:24:57   #
roxiemarty Loc: Florida
 
I would say that it is mostly for the bird rookery this time of year. The Birding and Photo Fest will be going on in a couple of weeks. I have plans to shoot there in about 2 weeks with a friend. You will be able to get wonderful shots right in the nests with the various species of waterbirds that nest there every year. I would bring what they recommend. All I have is 70-300, and got great shots there a few years back. Enjoy your photo class!

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Apr 5, 2018 08:36:24   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
BTW-unless things have changed, if you ask when you get there they will let a group stay well beyond closing time. They get a worker to volunteer to stay late. It is customary for everyone to give this person a 5-10 dollar tip. Your guide may have also arranged for early entry. You might get some low light shooting opportunities.

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Apr 5, 2018 09:09:24   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
What? No murder in St Augustine to report?

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Apr 5, 2018 09:41:29   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
We have a member named Swamp Gator who used to post great gator pics. He did go out in a boat, but he'd basically use a 300mm f4. I do think he used a crop camera.

Here is a link to his personal website where you can view ALL of his photos, including gators.

https://phillanoue.com

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Apr 5, 2018 09:48:44   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
Ed Chu wrote:
headed to Roberft O'toole's workshop there on Mon; bringing my D500 and both Sigma 150-600 and Tamron 100-400; do I really need both? trying to lighten
my load ( am also bringing my Lumix G85 with 100-300 M Zuiko; O'Toole says to bring them both, but I would rather shed the 5+ pounds of the Sigma if I can;
if the consensus of responses is to bring it, also, I will

The 150-600 (225-900 full frame equivalent) would be overkill.

My favorite shots there have been with a 300mm full frame prime lens and that only calls for a 200mm focal length on your camera.

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Apr 5, 2018 14:09:28   #
Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV
 
wwe have to purchase a photo pass ( good for the year, I believe ) that lets us in at 7, and stay for an hour (?) after sunset; $109.95, under "members"

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Apr 6, 2018 07:01:13   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Ed Chu wrote:
headed to Roberft O'toole's workshop there on Mon; bringing my D500 and both Sigma 150-600 and Tamron 100-400; do I really need both? trying to lighten
my load ( am also bringing my Lumix G85 with 100-300 M Zuiko; O'Toole says to bring them both, but I would rather shed the 5+ pounds of the Sigma if I can;
if the consensus of responses is to bring it, also, I will


If the instructor said the bring both, and you show up without both, you're getting off to a bad start.

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Apr 6, 2018 07:24:51   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
jerryc41 wrote:
If the instructor said the bring both, and you show up without both, you're getting off to a bad start.

Don't worry about that, students always know better than the instructors...

That is why they always stay students.

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Apr 6, 2018 08:11:19   #
selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
 
jerryc41 wrote:
If the instructor said the bring both, and you show up without both, you're getting off to a bad start.
Rongnongno wrote:
Don't worry about that, students always know better than the instructors...

That is why they always stay students.

I guess that neither of you has ever been there during breeding season.

Lugging an extra 5 pounds in a carry-on is a valid concern.

The boardwalk gets you within as little as 5 feet from some of the nests. It's not a steady platform.

The biggest challenge is navigating between the other photographers.

Here's a quick grab shot as was leaving:


(Download)

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Apr 6, 2018 08:37:49   #
SafariGuy
 
Ed Chu wrote:
headed to Roberft O'toole's workshop there on Mon; bringing my D500 and both Sigma 150-600 and Tamron 100-400; do I really need both? trying to lighten l


I’ve been to the St Augustine Alligator Farm to shoot birds in the rookery...I can’t quite imagine needing a 600mm lens from the vantage point we shot from but if the instructor suggests bring it all you might regret not doing so

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