Butterflies and lens test

[AndrewWG]

Well, with the depressing snowy cold outdoors of late, I decided to take my DW and DD10 to the local (2.5 hr drive) butterfly house today. I was hoping that this would cheer us all up a bit and give us the "feel" of the warm outdoors, despite it being February in New England.

Ok, before you think "what a great guy" (which I am) I had my own agenda for the day. I wanted to see the difference between using a Sigma 30mm f1.4 and a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 with a 13mm extension tube attached. Since these were the only two lenses I brought, this was my test. I know, strange test right? Well, I thought that cropped photos of 30mm shots would look worse than the 70-200 + 13mm tubes full shots. Therefore I took much more with the 70-200 when all was said and done but here a few of my results...

30mm shots:

ISO 200, 30mm, f2.8 handheld + heavily cropped

ISO 200, 30mm, f2.8 handheld + heavily cropped

ISO 200, 30mm, f4 handheld + heavily cropped

70-200mm shots:

ISO 100, 85mm+tube, f2.8 handheld + lightly cropped

ISO 100, 70mm+tube, f5.6 handheld + lightly cropped

ISO 100, 70mm+tube, f5.6 (1/10 sec) handheld + lightly cropped

ISO 100, 90mm+tube, f5.6 handheld + moderately cropped

ISO 100, 85mm+tube, f4 handheld + lightly cropped

My conclusions (as non-scientific as they are):

The Sigma 30mm, even heavily cropped, seems to me to be MORE than acceptable for this type of shot. The sharpness of the shots is very good and totally acceptable to me.

The 70-200mm with 13mm extension tube setup provides a great photo, IF all parts of the subject are completely on the same plane. The DOF is reduced to darned near 0 with the tube attached at apertures such as those I was using. Had the place allowed the use of a tripod, I could have gone up to f16 or more and possibly achieved better photos as a result. I say possibly because these are living things that move. Any movement at the shutter speeds I would have had at f16 would have caused blur for sure.

So, what did I decide? Absolutely nothing, really. I like both setups in different ways. The 30mm is much easier to use. The 70-200 with tube is harder to use but fills the frame nicely. In a pinch, I would grab the 30mm without hesitation but if I had the time to set up shots and think about the situation a bit more, I would use the 70-200 with tube (and a tripod).

 

[Icemann]

Those are some very nice shots the focus,color and DOF look good to me. As for a tripod or monopod good luck trying to use one their.I have gone to a few butterfly house's down here and they won't let you use one.Tripping hazard,liability and afraid you might damage something.Just have to save up and buy some fast glass

 

[AndrewWG]

Those are some very nice shots the focus,color and DOF look good to me. As for a tripod or monopod good luck trying to use one their.I have gone to a few butterfly house's down here and they won't let you use one.Tripping hazard,liability and afraid you might damage something.Just have to save up and buy some fast glass

Yeah, I know. That is their story here too. I am going to try to get a group together who are interested and go before "public" hours. You can go one or two hours beforehand and use all the tripods you want until the official opening for the day. Costs more, but probably worth it.

 

[emmabelle]

I liked seeing the comparison. Where was the butterfly house?

 

[Scottwdw]

Both sets are very good. The bokeh of the 70-200 w/tube is much nicer but as you said trickier focusing.

 

[AndrewWG]

I liked seeing the comparison. Where was the butterfly house?

It is called Magic Wings in Deerfield, MA. It is a nice place to go get some warmth and trick yourself into thinking it is warm outside.

Magic Wings

 

[NauroraJbelle]

Great pictures. I wanted to visit there when we went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art last year.

Jeanne

 

[AndrewWG]

Great pictures. I wanted to visit there when we went to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art last year.

Jeanne

Thanks Jeanne. Yeah, that is right near the Eric Carle museum. Too bad you couldn't make it. It is a lot of fun.