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Shooting butterflies
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Mar 14, 2019 20:57:16   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
Betsy58 wrote:
Thank you to all that responded. All of the reasons you suggested for each lens were the reasons I was considering them. I might have to take both but not sure about changing the lens inside the exhibit. I may have to go twice!


I'm curious; why do you feel you may have problems changing the lens inside the exhibit? Wear a vest or jacket or sweater with a pocket large enough to carry the second lens. Also, why do you feel you may need to change the lens in the exhibit? I'm guessing your 70-300 lens is better than the 55-300 lens. The 70-300 is more than likely the only lens you will need inside the exhibit since photographing butterflies is pretty specific and the subjects are pretty small.

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Mar 15, 2019 06:30:51   #
PCB_smv
 
I always used the 70-300 in that setting. Sometimes you can’t get very close to the butterflies. I almost always had good results.

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Mar 15, 2019 06:30:52   #
PCB_smv
 
I always used the 70-300 in that setting. Sometimes you can’t get very close to the butterflies. I almost always had good results.

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Mar 15, 2019 06:34:12   #
kybob Loc: Versailles, Kentucky
 
I have been to several Butterfly gardens to the point my wife asks when we go on vacation “which Butterfly gardern are we visiting this time?” As to reposnd to the last post many gardens will not allow backpacks, camera bags, hoodies, etc. because you might have a friend hitch a ride out. Also some depending on the location some are in a greenhouse like environment and have very high humidity inside, so I would not recommend popping open my camera and changing lens inside a humid area letting all that moisture inside.
I have been to several where they have hand dryers inside to get the lens of the cameras dry quicker to keep the from fogging over. Then some in more tropical locations just have netting around an area to keep them from flying off.

As to the lens I would take defiantly take the 70-300 butterfly’s move they really do do sit to long and to get close enough to get a tight shot with a wide angle lens would be very difficult for someone who has limited experience with butterfly gardens. I typically take a 70-200 f2.8 so I can get the most light. I just recently started taking a 105 f2.8 macro but some butterfly’s I just could not get close enough too and wish I had my 200mm.

As to taking a flash great idea and have used one when I can, but some butterfly gardens will not allow them because they have other anamals, not just butterflies can be in there, that the flash bothers them. So need to check if you can use one. Also had one tell me that using a flash was “professional” equipment and had to pay a higher fee and started shoving various forms in front of me. I just took the flash back to the car.

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Mar 15, 2019 07:44:03   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
Betsy58 wrote:
I will be going to a butterfly garden next week. I am not sure which one of my lenses I should take. I shoot with a Nikon D7200. I have my kit lens 55-300, a Nikon 70-300, and a Sigma 17-70. Any advice on which lens and shooting butterflies, in general, is much appreciated.


I would use the lens of these two that focuses closest at 300mm. your 55-300 (.28X) or the 70-300 (.22X).
It appears your 55-300 does the best.
Your Sigma 17-70 is .37X magnification which is great but you are only 8.5" away and with the size of the lens you are nearly touching the sublect.
I am fortunate that I have the 100-400MII and it is my go to lens for butterflies.
At 400mm I can easily fill the frame without disturbing the insect, closest focus is about 3' away (.31X).

Shorter lenses become space invasive in order to fill the frame and could scare the butterfly away.
Hope this helps.
So have lots of fun in the garden and post some shots.

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Mar 15, 2019 07:51:04   #
GED Loc: North central Pa
 
Betsy58 wrote:
I will be going to a butterfly garden next week. I am not sure which one of my lenses I should take. I shoot with a Nikon D7200. I have my kit lens 55-300, a Nikon 70-300, and a Sigma 17-70. Any advice on which lens and shooting butterflies, in general, is much appreciated.


I use 200mm to 300mm all the time for butterflies, gives you the working distance you need and shallow depth of field to throw distracting vegetation out of focus. I attached a sample of what you can get using those focal lengths this shot was with 200mm as I recall.


(Download)

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Mar 15, 2019 07:57:56   #
kybob Loc: Versailles, Kentucky
 
GED wrote:
I use 200mm to 300mm all the time for butterflies, gives you the working distance you need and shallow depth of field to throw distracting vegetation out of focus. I attached a sample of what you can get using those focal lengths this shot was with 200mm as I recall.


Great shot!

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Mar 15, 2019 08:00:51   #
GED Loc: North central Pa
 
Thanks very much kybob

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Mar 15, 2019 08:29:16   #
Haydon
 
One final thought that should be noted. Butterflies tend to swarm you if you have perfume on or if a man has cologne applied. That can work for or against you :)

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Mar 15, 2019 08:41:11   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
Here is a Butterfly and moth album of mine.... All taken in the field...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/albums/72157643233208604

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Mar 15, 2019 08:41:28   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
Betsy58 wrote:
I will be going to a butterfly garden next week. I am not sure which one of my lenses I should take. I shoot with a Nikon D7200. I have my kit lens 55-300, a Nikon 70-300, and a Sigma 17-70. Any advice on which lens and shooting butterflies, in general, is much appreciated.


You can probably do it with any one of the lenses. The 55-300 has the best magnification and best zoom range therefore would be my choice. Distance will improve the chances of not disturbing the butterfly.

And as someone mentioned...use a flash.

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Mar 15, 2019 08:42:22   #
Vincejr Loc: Northern Kentucky
 
Try all you have and see for yourself which is what you like better

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Mar 15, 2019 08:46:52   #
sv3noKin51E
 
Betsy, you'll have a great time with your D7200, snapping butterflies, if they don't get rained out:) Don't know which models you have but unless you have macro on one of your lens or can put the camera on a stand, what we do is the ISO, shutter speed and aperture (if you use manual) to get as close into the butterflies sphere of action as possible. We have a Tamron 70-300 with macro which comes in handy if the butterfly decides to sit for a spell, if not then use your spot focus and trust your abilities to keep the butterfly in the frame. We had a swarm over the home last year and it was awesome to watch! Hope this helps a bit, happy shooting.sv

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Mar 15, 2019 09:33:03   #
AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire
 
Betsy58 wrote:
I will be going to a butterfly garden next week. I am not sure which one of my lenses I should take. I shoot with a Nikon D7200. I have my kit lens 55-300, a Nikon 70-300, and a Sigma 17-70. Any advice on which lens and shooting butterflies, in general, is much appreciated.


Taken at the Boston Museum of Science with Fuji's 18-135 lens, then cropped in Elements 15. No flash.



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Mar 15, 2019 09:37:36   #
mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma
 
I’ve been to a couple of butterfly gardens/conservatories and found that having a good zoom was very helpful. You won’t be alone and you’ll most likely have to be on a walkway. For those reasons, I would take one of your two zooms. I used an equivalent of a 28-300 and it was perfect. No tri- or mono-pods we’re permitted. Don’t be surprised if butterflies land on you! Were I you, I’d take the 55-300

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