topic Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 12:55:34 GMT

Good morning from the North of England

I was warned that Macro photography would take me to weird and wonderful places - and it has. My front garden has provided a great, but predictable source of flowers etc. But now my lavendar bushes are in full bloom and attracting lots of bees.

So, serious question: how to get close to bees wings and take great photos. I have an EOS90D + an EFS 24MM, a nifty fifty and an EF 25 extension which I've been mainly using for my macro photographs. So far, my biggest problem has been getting things in focus, particularly when they move - but the bees wings are at another level of difficulty.

As a keen learner, any advice on technique and settings will be gratefully received.

Best

Ramsden

Re: Bees wings

Waddizzle — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 12:27:40 GMT

“ So, serious question: how to get close to bees wings and take great photos. I have an EOS90D + an EFS 24MM, a nifty fifty and an EF 25 extension which I've been mainly using for my macro photographs. So far, my biggest problem has been getting things in focus, “

I suspect you’re using an extension ring that is too long for your focal lengths. A general rule of thumb says to use an extension ring(s) that measures 25-40% of the focal length of the lens you’re using.

The effect can vary from one lens to the next. Shorter than 25%, and the effect may not be very noticeable. Longer than 40!%, and you run the risk of bringing the maximum focusing distance so close that it is inside the lens barrel!

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

zakslm — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 19:46:52 GMT

Ramsden,

Like you, Macro photography has taken me to wierd and wonderful places. Also like you, I use a 90D and take lots of photos of flowers and bees and other creatures (polinators) that visit them.

With bees it's a matter of luck sometimes. Honey bees aren't too aggressive but here in the SW US, aggressive Africanized Bees are present and it can be a problem. So it's best to observe the bees and listen (for that buzzing noise a swarm makes - like in the movies) first to make sure there isn't an angry swarm of killer bees nearby and it's safe.

Generally my setings are:

High Speed Continuous Shooting
Zone AF (covering the center of the flower or the creature with that zone or placing the zone where you think the creature will be when you take the shot)
AI Servo AF
I also use back button focus (holding it down while composing and shooting) removing that function from the shutter button which only locks exposure and releases the shutter.
Shutter speed of 1/1000th or higher and aperture of f/11 (f/8 minimum) and auto ISO.

Catching bees and other flying creatures in flight and in focus is a combination of quick reflexes, lots of practice, luck and skill. In my case, luck is the most important item in that list. If you have an external speedlite, using it for fill set to High Speed Sync works if the subject isn't directly lit by sunlight.

Since bees travel from flower to flower, they are somewhat more predictable than some other polinators, so predicting their direction of flight might be slightly easier than a hummingbird, etc. but its still challenging. Going through some of my results, my best bee shots seem to be when they are not in flight.

Here are couple of my recent attempts:

EOS 90D, EF-S55-250 IS II, f/8, 1/1000th sec, ISO 640Canon EOS 90D, EF-S60mm f2.8 macro, f/8, 1/800th sec, ISO 1600

Good luck!

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 19:47:51 GMT

Thanks LZ. That's just what I was looking for and it will save me some trial and error work - or perhaps I was just being lazy! Your second shot is excellent and I love the detail in the wings. My neighbours think I'm crazy with my tripod in the garden.

Thanks

Ramsden

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 19:56:29 GMT

I really like your idea of predicting which flower will attract them next. I've got lots of lavender at the moment, so with a bit of luck, I might get one landing.

Thanks again

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

zakslm — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 22:30:20 GMT

Ramsden,

Thank you!

That shot is with an EF-S60mm f2.8 macro - a lens I've had for just over a week. A macro lens makes shots like that easier and macro lenses are sharp lenses that can be used for general photography. Be careful or your macro photography obsession will make you want to get a macro lens! I had an EF 50mm f2.5 Compact Macro and really liked it until the electronics failed and bricked the lens about a year ago. When I filled the void and got the EF-S 60mm macro I became a happy camper again.

I've found that the EF-S24mm f2.8 STM and EF 50mm f1.8 STM and very good for macro type shots as well. Also, I was pleasantly surprised that the EF-S18-55mm IS kit lens is pretty good for close up shots as well. That lens focuses to .25 meters and has IS which really helps. My impression is that the kit lens given proper technique is sharper than you'd think.

Have fun in your garden and don't pay attention to your neighbors.

Regards,

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 14:21:46 GMT

Hi LZ

Just had a great 90minutes in the garden.

I tried 24mm OK but not close enough

50 mm OK - wouldn’t take extension tube - reasonably close but not enough

Took out my 85 mm prime - quite good - then attached the 25mm extension. Great

Ditched the tripod - too slow for bees.

So ended up on my hands and knees in the garden chasing bees.

I’ll send more details later.

Thanks - so helpful and my camera was set just as you suggested.

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 14:22:54 GMT

I should add that these are unedited - but hey!

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 14:24:45 GMT

24 hours ago I had no idea how to do this - so thanks to this community from the UK. Very helpful.

Ramsden

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

FloridaDrafter — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:30:59 GMT

Hello, Ramsden! It looks like your on your way to getting the hang of it 🙂

My wife and I take a different approach to shooting the insects in our yard. We do use a 100mm macro at times, but generally use our tele zoom lenses. We let our yard go natural many years ago, so it was eventually taken over by many species of native plants that pretty much bloom year round here in Florida. Our porch is about 5 feet higher than the yard, so I have a good perch to stand and watch the insects feeding on the wildflowers, tiny bees to butterflies. Typically, I watch for a pattern in their feeding behavior so I can predict where they will be. I use "One shot" with the fine, one AF point, most of the time but will switch to Servo H1 with "Whole area tracking" if the insect is constantly on the move, like the Eastern Carpenter Bee in the 3rd image. Subject is set to "Animals". I'm not sure if your 90D has these settings, but Servo w/tracking should be available and will work. Just set your Servo Case "Tracking sensitivity" (-2) so it will lock on and "Acel./decel. tracking" (+1 or 2) so it won't get distracted a switch to a leaf or flower petal. I use these settings for these types of shots with either the macro or tele lens. It's tough to get a macro shot of a foraging insect 🙂

All of these have been reduced for posting. Click them to get better res.

Newton

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 21:03:27 GMT

Hi Newton

Thankyou for your reply. I'm on a big learning curve with EOS90D. Your technique really interests me and is probably the route I was going down.

My smallish front garden is semi-wild and I can easily try out your approach tomorrow. I scattered wild flower seeds last year and they are doing well. In addition some wild horseraddish popped up recently - probably from bird droppings!

I'll give your method a trial tomorrow.

Thanks

Ramsden

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

FloridaDrafter — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 01:48:49 GMT

@Ramsden wrote:

Hi Newton

Thank you for your reply. I'm on a big learning curve with EOS90D. Your technique really interests me and is probably the route I was going down.

My smallish front garden is semi-wild and I can easily try out your approach tomorrow. I scattered wild flower seeds last year and they are doing well. In addition some wild horseraddish popped up recently - probably from bird droppings!

I'll give your method a trial tomorrow.

Just another option, as mentioned, getting good macro shots of foraging insects is tough.

Nothing will replace a dedicated macro lens, but you can get decent closeups with Canon telephoto lenses. They increase your working distance so you put the insects at ease, although some don't seem to mind having a lens 3-4 inches away, most will move on, particularly those with no self defense like a sting 🙂 Just be aware of the MFD for the tele/zoom so you won't get too close and, don't be afraid to raise your ISO a bit sou you can raise your shutter speed and adjust your aperture to get a deeper DOF.

Newton

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:56:19 GMT

Thanks, again Newton. Even as a relative old/beginner I was hooked on the clarity of Macro's. The sun is out so I'll soon be setting off with my new procedures to try and avoid being stung!

Ramsden

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:20:01 GMT

Hi Newton

I only had a few minutes to spare last night - failing light etc. Tried your settings with my 70-300 and it was a bit distant, so added my 20mm extension and got closer. I had to stop down to 500 because of the light. The immediate difference is between Zoom and Marco - but we got there. Still learning and avoiding getting stung. The butterflies are now on my hit list - but they move quick.

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:21:18 GMT

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 18:55:45 GMT

Wow I’m carried away with this now. Need to widen my scope to the river that runs through my village. Learning points so far 85mm prime with 20mm extension tube my current preference. But you have to get very close. Switched to monopod. One shot and fine focus points works if you’re patient and lucky. High multi shot and AI servo works best for me.

But this has taken my macro photography to another level, so thanks guys. In the last 48hrs I’ve probably canned 150 decent bee shots - but all on my lavender. Watch this space!

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

FloridaDrafter — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 20:08:21 GMT

Hello, Mark!

Not bad, considering the light and distance. I have that lens (EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM II) and my wife used it on an EOS T7i and for a short time on her EOS R6. I know that lens can do the job, you just need to get a bit closer so you can get more detail, IMO 🙂

Butterflies are indeed tricky to get, particularly in flight. Most of the species that frequent our yard, although they sit in place for a few seconds, never stop fluttering their wings. So I have to use a high shutter speed. Sometimes I like to use their wing blur because it shows motion, but sometimes I like to freeze the action, so I flip between shutter speeds.

Trust me, I understand how tough it can be shooting foraging insects either with a macro or telephoto lens. It took me a while to get a handle on it. I've been doing it for years. I also like to shoot dragonflies.

Here is a screen shot of the settings I typically use.

Just keep at it!

Newton

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

March411 — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 01:51:38 GMT

Love the image Newton, I would love to see a larger version.

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

FloridaDrafter — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 02:48:00 GMT

Thank you, Marc!

This is reduced from an 8x10 print. Giant Swallowtail. Click the previews to get a higher res image 🙂

Crop from an 8x10. Palamedes Swallowtail, this guy is rare to our yard.

Crop from an 8x10. Monarch Butterfly. I like her little claws 🙂

These shots were taken using the same settings I use for BIF. The R5 tracks them pretty well, not perfect, but good enough so that I get a high keeper rate, which makes it tough to cull shots. I usually just keep everything except the obvious wacky stuff 😁

Newton

Re: EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

Ramsden — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:42:09 GMT

Thanks guys. This is turning into an awsome project. I'll keep you posted.

Ramsden