Scotland! Midges on camera?

T

The Matt

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Serious question, as stupid as it may sound.

I'm going to Scotland on Saturday. One of my most persistant memories or the Highlands are the all-pervasive, never resting midges. I know they like to settle on all kinds of things. do they tent to be a problem all over your lens? I would imagine they'll absolutely devestate your image quality :lol:
I've got all the usual anti-bug stuff to smear myself in but I'm a bit reluctant to dip my lenses in it... ;)
 
Unless they're the size of a small cat or several hundred all descend on your front element at once I'd doubt you'd see them in the pic at all.
 
Several hundred to a couple of square cm was pretty much par for the course on Skye, last time I was up there :D
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Unless they're the size of a small cat or several hundred all descend on your front element at once I'd doubt you'd see them in the pic at all.
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Sorry but I have to disagree, if you are shooting into the sun where there is a dark background involved, such as this image they will defiantly show up!
 
Aah...the Midgie....we breed them up here to keep the English away :p

Seriously, if the midgies are out, you'll be running for cover before they even reach your lens. I've seen grown men cry because of the little buggers.

And as a matter of fact....it's only the female midge that bites....typical :runaway:
 
The Matt said:
Serious question, as stupid as it may sound.

I'm going to Scotland on Saturday. One of my most persistant memories or the Highlands are the all-pervasive, never resting midges. I know they like to settle on all kinds of things. do they tent to be a problem all over your lens? I would imagine they'll absolutely devestate your image quality :lol:
I've got all the usual anti-bug stuff to smear myself in but I'm a bit reluctant to dip my lenses in it... ;)
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Make no mistake. They are not interested in your kit - it's you they want.

If you don;t want to use messy repellant then Avon Skin so Soft works (also makes you smell like a nancy boy).
 
i found it most annoying, only when using flash.
I wondered what all the glitter was in a few of my shots from scotland, only to realise they must have been midges catching the light.
Best use a tripod and the cam on a timer, set up the shot, walk way and attract the midges to you, away from the cam.
 
arclight said:
Make no mistake. They are not interested in your kit - it's you they want.

If you don;t want to use messy repellant then Avon Skin so Soft works (also makes you smell like a nancy boy).
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I already have bottles of the stuff, just in case! If it's that or bitey death, the nancy boy thing doesn't relly bother me so much.

idigitize said:
Best use a tripod and the cam on a timer, set up the shot, walk way and attract the midges to you, away from the cam.
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Self sacrifice! If I'm to do that properly, I guess I'll want to avoid the repellant just to make sure I get them all :D
I'm not sure I can bring myself to go that far, even if it's for the shot of a lifetime.

chewyuk said:
Go in February, as I do, none around then ;)
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I wish I could:)

TheBigYin said:
the DEET based midge repellants seriously degrade plastics so I wouldn't tbh.
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Phew, I'm glad I asked! Cheers
 
what month's of year are they about - just summer?

up there in sept/oct this year
 
buckas said:
what month's of year are they about - just summer?

up there in sept/oct this year
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They should be gone by then, but its not always the case. I go 2 weeks on friday so right in the middle of the season.

Andy
 
Just pack a macro lens and "go with the flow", I say :D!
 
Another vote for Avon Skin So Soft, I use it all year round too (and I'm Hetero ;) but I smell nice and the midges stay away from me).
 
I find beer is a good repellent. Might make your shots a bit lop-sided after a while though :)
 
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