Help needed for lens choice to photo Dragonflies/damselflies

Masked Bandit

Masked Bandit

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Philip
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Hi All,

I have recently renewed an interest in Dragonflies, and would now like to take some images of both Dragonflies and Damselflies....and Butterflies. However, before I trade in my much loved Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II, I would like some advice as a beginner to this type of photography.
I went out yesterday with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and the above lens, and found the set up wanting. Basically I could not focus close enough to get a decent image. The damselflies I was trying to photograph were approximately 2 metres away.

I don't want head/eye shots specifically, but want to be able to get a reasonably good image which wont need the hell cropped out of it. at standoff distances of up to 2 metres or much closer (if I'm very stealthy).

Do I go ...macro (100mm) and try to get closer....150 or 180mm macro...longer lens....longer lens with extension tube...or indeed another method.
If possible would a Canon 70-300 do the job...will it work with an extention tube/ring.?

Your help would be appreciated before I spend money on something that wont do the job.

Thank you,

Philip
 
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You don't really need a macro lens for the majority of dragonflys, any decent lens with a "quasi" macro mode or decent close focus abilities would do the job nicely. The Canon EF300mm f4 prime is another good lens for this type of shot. When you say 70-300mm do you mean the "L" version? as that has a macro mode and the image quality is very good. If you need to get closer then add an extension ring (or two) or even something like a Raynox DR250.

As a side note, I am looking for a 70-200mm MKII and have a 70-300mm L if you were interested in some sort of trade.
 
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try it with what you have Phil, you maybe surprise at the images - just needs a little practice
 
I have managed some decent dragonfly photos with a Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS, admittedly that was on a crop sensor 7D
 
You could try an extension ring with the 70-200 or a 1.4 converter. That's what I've been using. Close focusing is 1.5 metres I think. Not got mine to hand to check. 100 mm macro is a fine lens both canons and the sigma 105 is supposed to be excellent. I dont think I'd be in a hurry to sell the 70-200 for any of the others until I'd put the time into some practice with it. I know the first couple of times I used mine I came away disatisfied but I've got the hang of it a bit better now.
 
Get the right tool for the job, they make macro lenses for a reason and yes i know you can do this that and the other with other lenses to get "close ups" but IMHO the results are mixed.
Obviously this will also depend on how high your quality standards are.
Try a used 100mm macro with a 1.4 on it, if you don't get on with it then just sell it.
 
That 70 200 lens has a minimum focus distance of 1.2m- are you sure you didn't have the focus limiter on?
 
Neil B said:
Get the right tool for the job, they make macro lenses for a reason and yes i know you can do this that and the other with other lenses to get "close ups" but IMHO the results are mixed.
Obviously this will also depend on how high your quality standards are.
Try a used 100mm macro with a 1.4 on it, if you don't get on with it then just sell it.
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Do you use an extension ring with your converter Neil on the 100 mm or do non canon converters fit straight on.
 
Gaz J said:
You could try an extension ring with the 70-200 or a 1.4 converter. That's what I've been using. Close focusing is 1.5 metres I think. Not got mine to hand to check. 100 mm macro is a fine lens both canons and the sigma 105 is supposed to be excellent. I dont think I'd be in a hurry to sell the 70-200 for any of the others until I'd put the time into some practice with it. I know the first couple of times I used mine I came away disatisfied but I've got the hang of it a bit better now.
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Hi Gary, I may go down the extension tube route as I am reluctant to get rid of my 70-200
 
Personally, I've not found a macro lens much use for Dragonflies! If you're patient you can get close to butterflies and and Damselflies but I've never really gotten to close to a Dragonfly with my 100mm.


200mm from 2 meters away probably won't give you much though... I use 560mm from 2 meters away and that's alright but I could do with a bit more lol.
 
Gaz J said:
Do you use an extension ring with your converter Neil on the 100 mm or do non canon converters fit straight on.
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I stick with Sigma these days, 105 and 1.4 x converter, gives that little bit of room for not spooking the subject but still close enough to get plenty of detail.
One plus side with this set up is that it's light and easy to handle, anything heavier would soon get tiresome after a hour or two.
 
OK thanks. I never realised before I bought my 100 f2.8 L that a Canon converter wouldn't fit without the extension tube.
 
Gaz J said:
OK thanks. I never realised before I bought my 100 f2.8 L that a Canon converter wouldn't fit without the extension tube.
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It does work fine with a Kenko 1.4x or 2x though. :)
 
Masked Bandit said:
After much thought, I have bought a Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro....hope I don't live to regret it.

Philip
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Will probably the sharpest lens you've ever seen but 100mm only gets you so far so you'll need to start getting sneaky/creative :D hehe
 
Masked Bandit said:
I can but try :(
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It's all part of the fun :)

Personally I've only ever gotten to minimum focus distance twice with a Dragonfly but this is the first year I've really tried to. Once was on a freshly hatched/transformed one that had just come out of it's larvae body or whatever it's called . The other was just a freakishly friendly Dragonfly and it even landed on my hands a few times and on my head once because I had suddenly become the highest perching point in the area lol.
 
Masked Bandit said:
After much thought, I have bought a Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro....hope I don't live to regret it.

Philip
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It is lovely glass, however I feel that dragonflies won't be on the menu very often... I hope you enjoy it though,,,
 
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