Butterfly Exhibit: Unaccomplished but eager photog visiting a special butterfly exhibit at Botanical Gardens in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Have a D750 and plethora of glass. Nikkor 20mm...

pjalper Loc: San Pedro Ca.

Unaccomplished but eager photog visiting a special butterfly exhibit at Botanical Gardens in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Have a D750 and plethora of glass. Nikkor 20mm, 50mm, 24-70mm, 28 -105mm, 70-300mm et al. Do not wish to schlep questionable lenes. Would greatly appreciate
being pointed in the right direction vis-a-vis f-stop/d/o/f/ etc. T.I.A. Humble Peter.......

Craigdca Loc: California

Take a look at my recent post at the Glendora Gardens Nursery (link below).

I used only an 80-400mm on a crop sensor T2i and was very happy to have the zoom power. I only occasionally had to back up a little to get focus or fit something into the frame.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-693338-1.html

tsca Loc: USA

pjalper wrote:

Unaccomplished but eager photog visiting a special butterfly exhibit at Botanical Gardens in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Have a D750 and plethora of glass. Nikkor 20mm, 50mm, 24-70mm, 28 -105mm, 70-300mm et al. Do not wish to schlep questionable lenes. Would greatly appreciate
being pointed in the right direction vis-a-vis f-stop/d/o/f/ etc. T.I.A. Humble Peter.......

Your 24-70mm lens should cover it.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

tsca wrote:

Your 24-70mm lens should cover it.

I’d want something longer. You can’t always get close enough to butterflies with 70mm.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Most butterfly enclosures are stifling hot and humid. You don't want to be doing any lens changing in there. I would go with the 70 to 300 and maybe a thin extension tube if you have one.

ELNikkor

The 28-105 would be maxed to 105 all the time, and would often be too short for those butterflies. I've gone in to butterfly gardens with only a 70-300, and never wanted shorter than 70, but happy for the 300 reach.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

pjalper wrote:

Unaccomplished but eager photog visiting a special butterfly exhibit at Botanical Gardens in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Have a D750 and plethora of glass. Nikkor 20mm, 50mm, 24-70mm, 28 -105mm, 70-300mm et al. Do not wish to schlep questionable lenes. Would greatly appreciate
being pointed in the right direction vis-a-vis f-stop/d/o/f/ etc. T.I.A. Humble Peter.......

Take your longest lens that focuses the closest, either the 28-105 or the 70-300. Butterfly exhibits can go one of two ways (or both), they're hard to find and distant, or extremely tame and easy to get very close. Your lens that offers an ability to cover both is your best option. I have a lot of success in the 100 - 200mm range on full-frame bodies and I remember to bring my 12 & / or 25 extension tubes that let my 'long' lens focus closer than otherwise.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

pjalper I've had excellent results with the DX D7100 and the AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G VR DX Nikkor. This provides an effective field of view of 450mm which still can be a tad short.

I also found using a very light touch of on camera fill flash to be a fabulous adjunct to my efforts... The DX AF-P 70-300mm has such a small diameter that it doesn't vignette with the on camera flash.

Note: I discovered that my best locales are "Butterfly" bushes i.e. Buddleias in my neighborhood. Their wonderfully sweet aroma attracts butterflies all summer long. And their color harmonies of lavender against this beautiful plant's greenery makes for a stellar background.

Food for thought... your local Buddleias may be far safer place to practice social distancing than an exhibit at a Botanical Gardens. Sadly we are not out of the woods yet although if you have already received both your vaccine injections the CDC says you can likely enjoy the exhibit at a much reduced risk.

Hope this helps pjalper

pjalper Loc: San Pedro Ca.

Many, many Thanks to all of you responding to my call for "direction". Will load the 70-300, and pocket my 24-70. Love those vests!! Peter.

Craigdca Loc: California

I want to add that, when using my lens at 400mm, I use a fast shutter speed of around 1/2000 to compensate for the camera shake. Take some practice shots of birds from 50 ft. to see if that gets you the sharpness you want. As you fill the frame you’ll have to crop less to see your subject.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Have you been to this butterfly exhibit before? Do you have any idea of the layout and how close you can get to the insects? There is a butterfly exhibit here in Seattle that I try to get in at least once a year. Not last year though. I know I can get within inches of many butterflies. While a reasonably long lens like a 70x300 will probably work fine for you, I like to take my 180mm macro lens on my full frame body for close-ups. You can find my last effort here should you care to take a look at what you can do with a macro lens at a butterfly exhibit. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-575631-1.html

tsca Loc: USA

tsca wrote:

Your 24-70mm lens should cover it.

I apologize, the 24-70 is too short! I just looked at the photos from my only visit to a butterfly house 3 years ago on a cruise ship stop. I remembered it being more cramped, but most of my shots were at 70mm. They would've been much better with a longer lens, preferably a macro.

https://www.keywestbutterfly.com/

george19

pjalper wrote:

Unaccomplished but eager photog visiting a special butterfly exhibit at Botanical Gardens in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca. Have a D750 and plethora of glass. Nikkor 20mm, 50mm, 24-70mm, 28 -105mm, 70-300mm et al. Do not wish to schlep questionable lenes. Would greatly appreciate
being pointed in the right direction vis-a-vis f-stop/d/o/f/ etc. T.I.A. Humble Peter.......

There’s a butterfly insectarium about 75 miles from me and I try to visit every year or so. It’s a fun exercise in patience and framing.

I’ve used my Nikkor 24-85 macro on both a D200 and D810 with good results. I also took my old school 105 f/4 micro for a day of old school frustrations.

I’d say either the 24-70 or 28-105. If the image quality with the latter usually satisfies you, stick with that. Otherwise the former...should be just fine. Wide angle and tele will just be boat anchors, and the 50 won’t let you get close enough.

1/250 should be fine, and I’d pick f/8 or smaller aperture, ISO to avoid noise.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

I have a couple wall hangars taken at the Butterfly House in DisneyWorld a few years ago, with my D7100, 18-140mm zoom. Used my SB800 flash on some.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

You will want a zoom but don’t go too, too long because you’ll find that the butterflies will be closer than you anticipate. Fast shutter speed is essential.