Merry Christmas Everybody - thanks for your thoughts on focal length. The Sigma 150mm becomes 240mm on my Canon D-SLR; minimum focus is 38cm compared with the 30cm minimum focus of the Canon 100mm (being my other option/choice - I had the Nikon equivalent) which becomes 160mm. There were occasions w...

Many thanks to those who responded to my question regarding the advantages of IS/VR/OS on macro lenses. I would appreciate your thoughts on which focal length macro is the more practical for butterfly photography - i.e. 100mm f2.8 or 150mm f2.8 (APS-C camera); handheld or tripod mounted. Thanks

Thanks to everybody who has responded to my question. Clearly, IS (I currently use Canon) is intended to help reduce camera shake when shooting handheld. From practice, from what I have read and from discussions with fellow butterfly enthusiasts that IS not essential. Even the slightest breeze can c...

Is IS/OS/VR of any help or of any value when taking photographs of butterflies 'handheld'?