Butterfly Exhibit (Page 2): I used 70-200, 2.8 and had to constantly back up. Nect time-24-70.

JimGrog Loc: Wash DC Area

tsca wrote:

Your 24-70mm lens should cover it.

I used 70-200, 2.8 and had to constantly back up. Nect time-24-70.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

The Butterfly Garden at the University of Florida in Gainesville is huge and beautiful. (At least it was before the Covid mess)
I found my 18-140 worked the best. It was set at 18 the most with forays to 40 or 50 and occasionally to the full 140. Had camera set to fire as rapidly as it would in bursts of 5 to 10.
Was very sore from spinning around and moving so much as the butterflies were moving a lot.
Sitting still on a bench worked well also.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Orphoto wrote:

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.

70-300 all the way ....+ small extension tube - assuming these are LIVE butterflys,
f10 or smaller...
.

72mgb Loc: Pennsylvania

I currently work at the butterfly atrium at the Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA. I can tell you that a 100mm macro, 180mm macro, or any combo up to 200mm, works very well. I always carry my Sony cyber shot rx-100, as I am able to get within inches of the butterflies. Our butterflies are very active in the mid morning.

pjalper Loc: San Pedro Ca.

Thanks for the "heads up". I always accept tips from Pros. Taking my 70-300 Sigma with macro.
Don't know if the presentation is in /outdoors. Will attemp to post pix when finished. Peter

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

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.......

The 70-300..... And it might be too short. Depends on the time of day and how high up they are. Best time is just after sunrise when it starts to warm up. Until then they won't move or fly much, and all you will get is a bunch of huddled up butterflies. The will huddled to stay warm at night and cool times.

https://www.instructables.com/Butterfly-Photography/

72mgb Loc: Pennsylvania

One additional comment. If the exhibit is indoors and the outside temperature is cold or very cool. Make sure you keep you camera and len(s) warm as you will get condensation on the len and camera viewfinder and from what I have seen, it usually take a good 20 minutes or longer for your gear to warm up. Also suggest you bring a small cloth to wipe off your gear if needed.

pjalper Loc: San Pedro Ca.

Had a colossal BALL at the Butterfly Exhibit in Palos Verdes. Brought my 70-300 and 24-70.The 24-70 never made it out of my vest. Got lots of (too many) shots of the critters.Too bad I couldn't focus sharply. My fault for (first time) rushing into the shoot "raring to go). Got a few acceptables, and am hooked on this macro "stuff".

Craigdca Loc: California

pjalper wrote:

Had a colossal BALL at the Butterfly Exhibit in Palos Verdes. Brought my 70-300 and 24-70.The 24-70 never made it out of my vest. Got lots of (too many) shots of the critters.Too bad I couldn't focus sharply. My fault for (first time) rushing into the shoot "raring to go). Got a few acceptables, and am hooked on this macro "stuff".

Woohoo!!! Great to hear! Feel free to post the good and the bad if you'd like more tips for next time!

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

pjalper wrote:

Had a colossal BALL at the Butterfly Exhibit in Palos Verdes. Brought my 70-300 and 24-70.The 24-70 never made it out of my vest. Got lots of (too many) shots of the critters.Too bad I couldn't focus sharply. My fault for (first time) rushing into the shoot "raring to go). Got a few acceptables, and am hooked on this macro "stuff".

I used to do that a lot sometimes (get in a hurry from excitement causing photo to be blurry). I had to learn to store down, take a deep breath and relax. They are still times when something comes up and I still have to turn, shoot with the current settings, and hope it turns out. Most of the time it does not.

We're you using a manual lens, focusing manually, or just to excited? Looking forward to some photos.