First Time Butterflies

[deeky]

I got to go with my daughter to the local butterfly house the other day and took the camera. All natural light, highly diffused. I have a 17-35mm (f/2.8-4) with minimum focus of about 6 inches and a 70-300 (f/4-5.6) with a minimum focus distance of about 4.5 feet. I shot the long lens as I was afraid that to get the butterflies big enough in the frame with the short lens I would be too close and scare them off. But in the tight quarters, there were times when I couldn't get far enough away to get them in focus. I think my next lens is a 60mm macro, but until then, for those that shoot these situations, any suggestions?

Here are two that turned out the best. Plenty of others that didn't.

1.

IMG_3458a by breckmiller, on Flickr

2.

IMG_3461a by breckmiller, on Flickr

 

[jedirunner]

Those shots are fantastic. Thanks for posting them. Wish I could comment on the butterfly shooting strategy, but I can't.

Kevin

 

[CreationEarth]

Butterflies are always a great subject. But it's very hard to get a great shot of them. You've done a good job.