Any opinions on this butterfly?

[HokkaidoStu]

Hi. Pretty new to this forum and even newer to macro photography.

Any opinions on these pictures would be gratefully received. They've been cropped and been mildly photoshopped (some light USM mainly).

The shots were taken with the 400D and the Sigma 70-300 non APO. I realise it's a cheap nasty lens. As you probably already know the lens has a (kind of) 'macro' switch which can be used from 200-300mm . These were on AV mode at F10 with the aforementioned macro function.

I'm a birder but as birding is pretty quiet at this time of year I've turned my attention to insects. Dunno what type of butterfly this is but there's loads of them around at the moment. I wish the Swallowtails were as accommodating as this species. Does anyone know what it is?

I have to admit I'm a complete novice about macro matters. Why, for example, are parts of the subject always out of focus? Is that normal or is just my lousy technique coupled with a cheap lens? I've tried taking shots of moths and spiders that would have been great if some parts of the body weren't so blurry......

[rrdjserv@earthlink.net]

Welcome to the site. I believe the butterfly is a skipper. I also started out with that lens years ago and ended up giving it away. The photos aren't bad. To get better dof, try shooting straight on, ie no perspective. Also, use a smaller aperture setting, f/11 - f/16 usually works depending on distancce from the subject, focal length, etc. Hope to see more from you. --Rick

[HokkaidoStu]

Thanks for the advice Rick.

I'll try a smaller aperture next time (but watching my shutter speed at 200mm). Might be a tad difficult to shoot straight on as it would involve me prostrating myself on the sidewalk in town. I get enough stares as a foreigner in Japan already.............I think that would send the locals over the edge.

Edited to add-did I understand 'straight on' correctly? You meant me getting down to the same level as the subject?

[LordV]

Good shots :)
The DOF actually looks very good in these. Nothing to do with you- just the physics of macro lenses.
Rick means shooting the butterflies side-on will get most of the butterfly in focus.
brian V.

[HokkaidoStu]

Good shots :)
The DOF actually looks very good in these. Nothing to do with you- just the physics of macro lenses.
Rick means shooting the butterflies side-on will get most of the butterfly in focus.
brian V.

Thanks for that Brian.

[Attic]

Nice shots and welcome to the forum.

[Bill Pham]

nice butterfly shot and welcome to the forum also


Bill

[LindaB]

They are both very good shots but #1 is the better one.

As mentioned above, it is indeed a Skipper :-)

May I also say welcome to the forum.

Linda

[lcpete]

Hi Stu very nice shots
pete

[eccles]

It's a large skipper Ochlodes sylvanus which is quite common in the UK so it's interesting that they traverse Europe and Asia to reach Japan! I don't agree about the focus thing - it's worth sacrificing the last bit of edge sharpness to get an interesting shot so long as you get the eyes right, and I think these are pretty good.

[hidden forms]

nice shots you got there, well done

[dreamline]

Those are very good shots. Although a specialist lens will help you get close ups, it's the photographer that makes the shot.

Well done and welcome.

[HokkaidoStu]

It's a large skipper Ochlodes sylvanus which is quite common in the UK so it's interesting that they traverse Europe and Asia to reach Japan! I don't agree about the focus thing - it's worth sacrificing the last bit of edge sharpness to get an interesting shot so long as you get the eyes right, and I think these are pretty good.

I thought it looked familiar. Actually many species in Hokkaido (where I live) are the same as in western Europe...........including the species in your avatar.

Thanks for everyone's kind comments.