www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I'm a slide film fanatic and prefer to shoot most of my stuff with a film SLR. I also have a digital compact ( Nikon 5600 ), but I'm thinking adding an entry-level digital SLR ( shortlist Nikon D50, Olympus E500, Minolta Dynax 5D ) or high-end prosumer ( shortlist Minolta A200, Sony DSC-RI, Fuji S7000, Fuji S9500, Panasonic FZ5 ).

There are a number of questions that are not answered by the manufacturers websites, or in reviews that I've read, but are particularly relevant to butterfly photography, so I'd be very grateful for feedback on the following points regarding the various cameras that people are using for butterfly photography.

EVF viewfinders - are they adequate ( compared to a film SLR ) for focussing and determining depth of field ?

Macro focussing - Do the lenses focus continuously from infinity right down to macro, at all focal lengths, or only at restricted settings such as maximum wide-angle or maximum telephoto ?

Flash - Do the built-in flashguns expose accurately at macro distances ?

Pre-flash - Do the flashguns emit a preflash for flash-metering, and if so, does this tend to scare the butterflies into flight ?

Autofocus - Are the autofocus systems fast and accurate enough for butterflies ( settled on flowers in a light breeze, or basking on foliage etc ) ?

Looking forward to your replies

Adrian Hoskins

no reply yet, feel like it deserves on.

I think I have enough experience to answer these questions :

Viewfinder :
-> yes they are big enough to focus manual although they are smaller than those of an SLR
-> determine DOF is more about experience. DOF is related to magnification. So the smaller an object is, the smaller aperture you can use and still have a smooth background.

Focussing :
-> all dedicated macro lenses are primes, and they focus from 1:1 to infinity. Forget about non-dedicated lenses.

Flash :
Forget the built in flash (actually forget it for every kind of photography, not olny for macro).

Pre-Flash :
Yes, a flash does emit a pre flash to measure the amount needed. It's actually funny how some species are more sensitive to it than others. Most don't react to it but those who react will flip with their wings.

Autofocus :
For butterflies AF is usuable BUT not in the way you use it with a non-macro lens. AF of macro lenses tend to be much slower than those of other lenses. With today's lenses you can focus manually even when the lens is on AF. When the object is already for 90% in focus I use the AF to get it right. Much easier than using AF the whole way (macro lenses do have a tendancy to 'hunt')

My advice on gear :

Canon 20D with 580EX / Sigma 180 macro

Other advice : Learn photoshop

Greetz
Stefan

Hi Adrian,

Like you I've been taking butterfly pics on film for years, but since using digital my success rate has improved enormously, and I reckon it's the best format for these insects. I have been using a Nikon Coolpix 4500 for 3 years now and it has made life very much easier. The 2 halves of the camera rotate so you can easliy view the screen and hold it at arms length so you don't scare the insect away.
I have used the built in flash successfully on occassion when needed but mostly do without.
I have recently invested in a digital slr, a Nikon D70s, which i can thoroughly recommend. It's a lot better than the D50. The auto focus is amazinly fast.
Nikon do not recommend trying to use the built-in flash with macro because it will not light the subject sufficiently, therefore a digital flashgun would be required that is compatible with the camera in use.

Hope this helps,

Chris.

Nothing to do with cameras Adrian, but did you know you can get digital images made into 35mm slides? It's relatively expensive at around £3 a time, but obviously you pick only your best shots. I can recommend from personal experience http://www.digitalslides.co.uk
Dave Tipping

Hi Adrian,

In terms of Focussing, Flash/Preflash and Autofocus the DSLRs are just about identical to Film SLRs.

Personally I use a Canon 300D with a Canon 100mm 2.8 USM Macro lens.

I dont yet have a macro ring flash unit, but the 300D's built in flash is still nice for some extra light and does make a difference.

In my opinion I wouldnt bother with a high end compact, you will want that extra control you get from an SLR, especially with you being an experienced Film user.

Anyhoo, just my 2p