Canon which lens for Dragon flys

[gobbiner]

I use my 15-85 but find i need to get closer does anyone use the 100mm macro

[Words]

I use a 100mm macro for dragonflies. Depends on the species but darters tend to cooperate, especially when they can't fly

[bripriuk]

Hi
I use two lenses. First, a 60mm EF-S macro, which I find lighter and easier to hand-hold than the 100mm (I don't carry a tripod), when the subject co-operates (an Azure Damselfly)



And the 300mm f4 L IS, which is great for snap shots, or when you can't get close (Hairy Dragonfly - there was only time for one shot before it flew off)):



Brian Price

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by gobbiner

I use my 15-85 but find i need to get closer does anyone use the 100mm macro

Yes, I use Canon's 100mm macro - not the current 'L' series version but the older model. It's a superb lens and is said by Charlie-Hamilton James (of Halcyon River Diaries fame) to be his favourite lens

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[Kayleigh]

I have the 100mm macro lens and find it a good lens but for reason I can get closer clearer shots with my tamron 70-300mm lens..

I cant say if the dragonflies will come out better as I have not seen any settle to photograph yet and in flight is proving impossible but I took this bee there is camera shake due to the size of the thing and its hard to get insects that move quick with a tripod..imho..



My best macro shots have been with the fugi and an opteka lens fitter that cost me about £25 including P+P..

[Stinky Bob]

What about a Sigma 150, allows a bit more distance, quite fast, reasonable weight. Took these today of a southern hawker.

[jerryh]

I also vote for the 300mm f/4 IS, which is ideal when you can't get very close


I sometimes add a 1.4x extender when distance is even more of a challenge


In addition, I very much like my 180mm f/3.5 macro, which I always use on a tripod for shots where I want to get close and/or the subject is more confiding.


I also use might 25mm of extension to get even closer.

[colincurry]

I have a Sigma 150 which I use with a Kenko 1.4 tele converter.

Perhaps more to the point, when out on a yomp looking for birds in the main and trying to keep the weight down, I also use my 100-400 for dragonflies and insects and have achieved very pleasing results. Often the insects are across a ditch or somewhere where it would not be practicable to use a tripod and a macro lens. Try snapping dragons in flight with your 100-400 - about 1/1600. Most of the insects of mine in the Gallery were taken with the 100-400.

Colin

[Geoff F]

100 mm isn't a lot bigger than 85 mm just regarding size; although the quality will be better.

Probably, you need to consider what else you may wish to photograph.

A 150 mm is a popular macro insect lens but isn't exactly cheap.

I use a 180 mm often plus a 1.4x converter and sometimes need to back off from dragonflies. Then find myself in the thistles and nettles or trapped against the hedge, etc. However, for damsels I often wish I had a little more magnification.

But let's start with your available budget.

[freiston]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I have the 100mm macro lens and find it a good lens but for reason I can get closer clearer shots with my tamron 70-300mm lens..

<snip>

My best macro shots have been with the fugi and an opteka lens fitter that cost me about £25 including P+P..

Hi Kayleigh, does that Tamron have a 'Macro' switch which gives 1:2 'macro'? I have the "Tamron AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2" lens and with a lack of true macro lens in my kit bag, I find it quite useful for the 'long-shot close-up'. These pictures were taken with it:


I realise that I'm going a bit off-topic, but can you give some more details of the fugi/opteka set-up please? That sounds interesting and affordable