Best camera / flash settings for rainforest close-ups

[whyone]

I am fortunate to be travelling to Costa Rica in a few weeks time and will be spending 7 days (and nights) in a remote lodge situated in primary rainforest. Wildlife should be prolific and I can hardly wait.

However, I would really appreciate some advice on camera and flash settings for use when taking close-up pictures of relatively small things! - I hope to see a wide variety of tree frogs (as well as other reptiles and amphibians), many of which are nocternal.

I will be using a Canon 5D 3, a 430 EX II Speedlight, and most likely a 24-105L lens (I'll also have a 100-400L and 17-40L with me).

I am anxious not to blitz the pictures with too much light, and am well aware that some trial and error before I head out is essential, but I would really appreciate a few pointers on both camera and flash settings just to get me heading in the right direction.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Richard King]

- very small - macro lens and ring flash type set up
- Lenser P7 torch bloody useful - small, focussable and very bright
- 5 in one reflector super useful, as they can diffuse, reflect, or just become a background as needed
- think heath robinson - small reflective things (like takeaway lids) are mega useful, so is tape, pins and blutack
- a tripod is pretty essential

From a lens POV, you could do with a macro/micro lens, but additionally, a zoom that does macro (lets you work at a distance)

You need to understand how to make things work remotely, and manually, and get good images (practice, practice, practice)

 

[Craikeybaby]

I was there earlier this year, but didn't really see much in the way of frogs etc.

I'd echo the comment above, if you're aiming for close up shots a macro lens would be best. Also consider using the flash off camera.