When shooting macro insects, what is the apprx. distance?

[dRebelXT]

from the lens? For example locusts grasshopper lizard bees etc? When use a 180mm
macro lens what is the normal distance between insects and lens for a full frame shot?

Thanks in advance.

 

[raptor84]

I guess it would depend on the min focus distance of your lens?

 

[dRebelXT]

Assuming my lens can get close to 1 meter.

 

[raptor84]

I guess with macro shots the hard part is getting as close as possible to compose the shot and not disturb the insect in the process. I have never tried such shots before though...

 

[LittleWolf]

from the lens? For example locusts grasshopper lizard bees etc? When use a 180mm
macro lens what is the normal distance between insects and lens for a full frame shot?
.

The answer depends on how big the insect is and what the frame size of your camera is.

For 1:1 magnification and a thin lens, the distance between the film/sensor and the object is 4 times the focal length. Real lenses are not "thin", so that distance may vary from that, but it still should give you an idea of what the working distance is like.

 

[Hein]

The answer depends on how big the insect is and what the frame size of your camera is.

For 1:1 magnification and a thin lens, the distance between the film/sensor and the object is 4 times the focal length. Real lenses are not "thin", so that distance may vary from that, but it still should give you an idea of what the working distance is like.

To add to that...... The longer the focal length, the further you can be from the insect to get the same magnification...... If you use a 50mm macro lens, you will have to be REAL close to the insect to get the pic..... Changing to a 100mm lens will close to double that distance....

Some lens can allow you to get close to few cm to the object...

 

[ortega]

some numbers for you
my 105 macro min focusing distance is
0.314m

that is the closest you can go
but as mentioned above, it depends on your framing/subject/composition

 

[ericpooi]

from the lens? For example locusts grasshopper lizard bees etc? When use a 180mm
macro lens what is the normal distance between insects and lens for a full frame shot?

Thanks in advance.

Easiest rule, no technical talk...

Look through your viewfinder, go to min focusing distance that your lens allow, adjust from there for your full frame shot. Normally for insect, it is not easy (or impossible) to fill up the frame at 1:1 such as bees.

If you really want to fill it up to full frame, then you will need to move to slightly advance level such as using specialised lens, say from Canon MPE 65mm (up to 5:1 or 5x) or add extension tubes, still with that, just look through the viewfinder, no technical data required....

Another way to put it is that there is no fixed rule at all, simply because your grasshoppers, lizards, bees, etc varies in size. For example, the distance for full frame shot for grasshopper will not be the same for bees..........

Hope the above helps... Just 2 cents worth.