www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Much to my surprise SWMBO has agreed to give me something like a Canon EOS 7D DSLR for Christmas.
The question is - is this the best for butterfly purposes ? (I am presently using a Canon Power Shot with a 20x zoom) which leads me to the main part of these questions. What lenses? Macro, and what sort for those damn insects that sit 30ft out-of-reach? What make and what sizes?
I haven't used an SLR since those days when I had a passion for slides, about 40 years ago, so I am completely ignorant about the development in lenses.

John

If I promise to obey her too, will she buy me one as well .... Please?...

Trev

Hope you're not planning to take that Christmas present to Kuwait

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4786

Jack

Hi John,
I've been using the EOS 7D since about August this year - it's a very nice camera and you can get some great butterfly shots with it. Personally although I normally look through the viewfinder - I've found that I get better shots of butterflies using the 'live view' mode. This is also good for using for butterflies that are sitting on branches above your head (i.e. Hairstreaks etc). I use a 100 mm canon macro, but I also use an EF 12 extension tube which means the butterfly will be larger for the photograph. It's not essential though, especially if you like using a 'lot of space' around the butterfly.

You will probably find it'll take a while to get used to all the options, but don't worry. I would suggest using the AV (Aperture Value) setting when taking shots of butterflies.

The 7D also has a video option which I haven't used yet, but that might be worth trying.

Thanks

Michael

Hi John, The 7D is a great camera, perfect for macro work. Any macro lens will do the job, I personally prefer a longer lens, 150 -180mm, which gives a greater working distance from the subject.
For those damn insects that sit 30ft out-of-reach, I would look at either the Canon 100-400 IS, or the Canon 300 F4 IS.

Regards Gruditch

John
Gary is bang on (as usual).
I have 180 Macro and 100-400 zoom (plus small extension tube).
Not much gets away fom that combo.

It's great having a generous SWMBO isn't it. Mine bought me an MP-E 65mm for my birthday a few years back (after a few hints from a top mate - cheers Gary)

I just asked the ladies of the house what SWMBO meant.

Imagine the gloating going on in my house

Cheers

Lee

I was hopping that mine would buy me an MP-E 65mm for my birthday, but see bought a 7D for herself instead.

Regards Gruditch

I am coming to realise that I may not have got the best end of this deal - I should have bought the camera and asked SWMBO for the lenses. Still one must be grateful for small mercies even if its a lens-less camera, which will need another memory card, a spare battery and I wonder what else I can hit her credit card with?

I won't get a new lens until after Christmas. It's a replacement for a 72 year old one that has given very reasonable service up to now but has lost quite a bit of resolution and contrast recently. Butterflying should be easier next season.

In case you haven't guessed it's cataract operation.

jack

Jack Harrison wrote:I won't get a new lens until after Christmas.

I hope that the NHS give you the same choice of lenses as we can get for cameras. A nice macro in one eye and a wide angle in the other?

I have to use a camera for most of my butterfly recognition. It is either because my eye-sight isn't what it was or the brain can't absorb all the details. I find it easier to photograph the lot and then spend the evening admiring them on the computer.

JohnR: I hope that the NHS give you the same choice of lenses as we can get for cameras. A nice macro in one eye and a wide angle in the other?

Sounds good but doesn’t quite work like that. Because of my problem, my left eye is now short sighted and the short sight is getting worse quite quickly (I am reassured that this is normal with some cataracts). My right eye is long sighted and with not many other problems with that eye I won’t need new hardware for some time. You would think that the combination of one eyed short sight (macro) and the other long could be advantageous. Sadly, that's not the case.

However, (technical this) the difference in glasses prescription required is such that when the bad eye worsens beyond a certain point, my brain won’t be able to cope with the confusing image sizes from the eyes. Result - I will get double vision sooner rather than later. I suppose that might mean seeing two Grizzled Skippers or two Swallowtails or two of everything. Trouble is, I wouldn’t be able to drive anywhere to go and see them. So new hardware being installed in January and things should have settled in time for the new butterfly season.

We all live too long nowadays (I’m not of course complaining!). In the old days, you would have keeled over long before problems like this showed up. I liken modern medicine as being akin to keeping that old Moggy Minor on the road.

Jack

Can anyone suggest a good, cheap all round lens for the about to be delivered Canon so that I can pretend to be interested in taking photos of other things apart from butterflies?

how cheap?

take a look at canon 18-55 is - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-can ... s/p1021794
the 7d does warrant a decent quality lens though, would need to shell out £300 odd
this focal range good for landscapes /general photos

phil

Hi John, good, cheap all round lens, not sure that there is such a thing. There are plenty of all round lenses out there, Sigma offer the 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM, 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC, 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS, and the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, all relatively cheap, but none of these have sigma's EX glass, so the quality isn't going to be mind blowing, I've owned a 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC in the past, hated it. Tamron and Tokina no doubt offer similar spec lenses at around the same price. Canon only produce the one all round ( wide angle & telephoto zoom ) lens, the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

But IMHO, you should be arrested if you attach any of the above lenses onto a 7D.

Regards Gruditch

I've gone for the Canon 18-55 because I ordered the 180mm macro with the camera and as soon as I have recovered from this December spending fest I shall get the suggested Canon 100-400 IS. I've ordered through the grey market (the 18-55 was quoted at £85) and if it works out I'll post the details. If it doesn't, I'll rant and rave and curse and swear and still post the details.
Next thing is to remember to book my place on the 2011 Photography Workshop and to remember to turn up for it, except I need a really good reason to be so near the Itchen and not fishing it, and I don't know that photographing butterflies is good enough.

You can't put that 18-55 on a 7D, someone call the police.

What 180 did you get

Regards Gruditch

take a look at canon 18-55 is - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-can ... s/p1021794

Gruditch wrote:You can't put that 18-55 on a 7D, someone call the police.

What 180 did you get
Regards Gruditch

Now if the moderators could have indicated possibly misleading postings it would be helpful - remember I also can't tell the difference between an Essex and and a Small Skipper. It's either their accents or their perfume, I can never remember which.

And no, I am not prepared to add to your mirth by telling you which 180 I ordered. It's a Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro

And a photographer actually wants my old 2¼ twin lens reflex in exchange for a lesson on the Canon - there is one born every minute - it's over 40 years old and was made in Japan.

You can't put that 18-55 on a 7D, someone call the police.

Gary,
Are you sure about this?
The 7D does have the APSC CMOS sensor with the 1.6x "crop" doesn't it?
Thus it will take ef-s lenses........
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product ... px?specs=1

Or am I missing something?

I still wouldnt go for that lens though - a bit like buying a Ferrari and using the wheels and tyres off your auntie's Morris 1000.

That said - it does seem to get some very good reviews if you Google it..................

The 180 Macro is an excellent choice though - although I hear that it is rumoured to be out of production with an IS version waiting in the wings.........

Cheers

Rogerdodge wrote:Gary,
Are you sure about this?
The 7D does have the APSC CMOS sensor with the 1.6x "crop" doesn't it?
Thus it will take ef-s lenses........

It will fit, but it hardly worthy of being fitted to John's new 7D.

JohnR wrote:And no, I am not prepared to add to your mirth by telling you which 180 I ordered. It's a Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro

Now that's a top lens. When you compare the build quality of the 180, to that of the 18-55, John you will see what I mean.

Regards Gruditch