Setup for Butterfly Photography?

[ahbian]

Hi people,

Have always been interested in Macro photography, would like to seek advice on the necessary setup for taking shots of insects and butterflies.

My targeted setup would be 350D, Canon 100mm and a flash (undecided, most likely 430Ex).

My question would be: do any of you feel that an off-camera shoe cord is necessary?

I have posted this question with another photography group specialising in the niche area of butterfly photography, but decided to put it here also because of the higher traffic.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ortega]

good to have but not a must

 

[ahbian]

Thanks for replying ortega. Your macro shots are among those that really wowed me.

The more I read about it, it seems that sometimes buying one accessory could lead to another, flash, off-camera shoe cord, bracket etc...

I think I will get the flash first and consider the rest of the add-ons after trying pictures with camera mount.

 

[zac08]

I tried that at first when I had the chance to loan one (for my Nikon system) and while it afforded me more flexibility in lighting the subject at different angles, it was a difficult process to hold both the flash and camera steady. (Note that I was shooting caterpillas and other less mobile creatures with a monopod to stabilise)

Those who wanted to use the off-shoe flash cord often would get a flash bracket, but this limits the direction of your flash too.

These days, I use the flash directly on the hotshoe only. Easier and faster for me to move.

 

[giantcanopy]

I am not a Canon user but u can see if u can try to control the 430EX flash wirelessly and handhold it instead.

The mount can be convenient but also weighs down the setup, and i find adjusting it not as quick as my hand for hurried shots

Ryan

 

[ortega]

Thanks for replying ortega. Your macro shots are among those that really wowed me.

The more I read about it, it seems that sometimes buying one accessory could lead to another, flash, off-camera shoe cord, bracket etc...

I think I will get the flash first and consider the rest of the add-ons after trying pictures with camera mount.

most of my older work are shot with just the pop up flash of the D70 and a 105 macro lens
best is to know how to use the equipment you already have.

 

[ahbian]

thanks for the advices guys, currently sticking to just the 430EX. Hope to have something good to post up eventually.

 

[megaweb]

It is not easy to take butterfly shots esp they are sensiive and active. A longer focal length macro lens like 180mm will be easier to approach them. For 100mm macro, you need to take put more effort to get near them.


Off-camera shoe cord is necessary?
It depend on what kind of lighting effect you want to achieve. For fill-in flash, I find it not necessary. But adding a diffuser like Omni-bounce onto the flash does a pretty good job.