Over the week end I was in a bueatiful mountian area.However I missed about every shot I could have.I went to take pictures of birds and hawks, that part was ok, I set up on a cliff with tripod and 300mm and 1.4.I had all my lenses in backpack,the problem was when hicking threw the forrest I never had the right lens or the camera was in the backpack, I missed so many great pics of small animals.When I did have camera out I had the wrong lens, my lenses I have are 60mm, 300mm, 24-85mm. Also under those trees there didnt seem to be enough light to handhold even smaller lenses.I had no chance of setting up tripod and setting op focus on chipmunk without them running away.
Would the 70-200 vr be a better choice for me, for shooting wildlife and more?

Hmm ... does not sound like a lens problem to me .... I have worked a little bit with chipmunks and birds but never wanted anything less then the 200 mm I have ... can't see why you would want the 60 mm or 24 - 85 mm in most cases.

Back packs are great for landscape photography since mountains don't move but looking for wildlife you need to think in advance ... have the camera ready ... lens selected ... and decide meter mode and exposure mode way ahead of time....a vest may be better but have not tried one.

When I work with chipmunks I use lot of stalking and waiting .. once you get into there area they will tend to cover the same ground over and over again ... stalk and wait ... be very quiet ... no talking and careful deliberate movements and be careful with direct eye contact. I need to work hard with my 80 - 200 2.8 focal length to get close enough ... patience a big key ... even at 300 you need to work hard to get close ... more like 400 - 600 would make life easier.

I can't see how the 70 - 200 Vr is going to make a difference with small animals... under trees is tuff for light ... and forest make travel noisy no doubt ... Under tress I'm glad I have a 2.8 for sure at leat at ISO 200 even ISO 400.....

Hope something here of helps .... hey the first time I shot chipmunks I got 4 - 6 shots out of 2-3 rolls of film ?? Save the money on the lens do some more shooting . Use the tripod.

Good Day ...

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