Photographing butterflies

[plloydie]

Advice please for a newbie.
If weather is poor tomorrow I'd like to go to a butterfly zoo and take some shots but I really don't know what to expect from these places, it's obviously indoors with plenty of natural light but what lens should I take to put on my D90 I have a Nikon 50mm f1.8 and a Sigma 105mm macro would I need an additional flash or built in would suffice

 

[Nod]

The Macro lens will let you get a lot closer then the 50mm but TBH, the built in flash won't help a lot - a specialised macro would though.

Anpther problem could be that buterfly houses are often very hot and humid, so taking a cold cmera and lens in can result in condensation clouding the issue - there are sometimes hand driers near the entrance to help warm the kit up to help avoid this.

 

[Marc]

The Sigma 105 would be ideal as you will need to get close. If you're using a macro lens though, the depth of field will be shallow so you will need an aperture of f8 or smaller so a flash would be a real benefit. You'll get results from the onboard but an external flash is always better.

 

[plloydie]

Thanks for the reply, i had not really thought about the condensation issue but that is a good point may try and find a way of warming the camera en route to the zoo, maybe the car heater.
I could always take the flash just in case.

 

[Marc]

Thanks for the reply, i had not really thought about the condensation issue but that is a good point may try and find a way of warming the camera en route to the zoo, maybe the car heater.

TBH, it doesn't tend to be that much of an issue. Take the lens cap off when you get in, wait for about 10 minutes then, if necessary, give the lens a wipe and you're good to go.

 

[Greywolf]

I know some people reckon that putting the kit in a zip bag while the temperatures equalize helps to reduce condensation, but I've never tried it.