EOS 90D How to photograph bees' wings

[Ramsden]

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

[Ramsden]

Hi again

Now I have to admit that even though I’ve had this camera around 18months, there’s a lot to learn when committed  M and Raw.

So here goes again - I have yet to use the back button focus that you mentioned earlier - in fact my idiots guide book doesn’t seem to mention it. 

If you can spare the time can you run through the process and procedure. I’d really appreciate your help and I can see from AI what its meant to do, but need more detail.

Thanks again 

Ramsden

[Ramsden]

I've found a section with AF button - but your specific advice will still be welcome.

There's a lot to consider and control with a butterfly flipping around. But the woods and rivers beckon!

[March411]

Beautiful images Newton, I don't often see images of Butterflies in flight. The Monarch details are very cool, the claws are only little because she is tiny, if she was your size you would be running.

Thanks for sharing!

Hey Ramsden, 

Sitting out in my yard yesterday I mounted the RF 200-800mm as another example of how Newton use's his long lenses. I am a big fan of shooting using this method/setup. I have a macro but when out wandering fields I normally have a long lens mounted, in the moment swapping to a macro isn't an option.

RF 200-800mm

RF 100-500mm

[Ramsden]

Can you run the back button procedure please. My book covers the Af button but its quite difficult to follow. 

Love the photos - you must be quite pleased with them!

[March411]

Ramsden,

There are several menu changes that require reassigning buttons. I'll leave a link for several and a video specific to the 90D. Follow the video and pause while you are making the changes. 

YouTube query for BBF 

[Waddizzle]

 “.Can you run the back button procedure please. My book covers the Af button but it’s quite difficult to follow.”

Be aware that using BBF does nothing to improve the camera’s AF accuracy.  When combined with strategic AF point and mode selections, many users find it easier to select and acquire subjects for the camera to focus on and track. 

[FloridaDrafter]

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@Ramsden wrote:

Can you run the back button procedure please. My book covers the Af button but its quite difficult to follow. 

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FWIW, all of the images I posted were taken just using the shutter button. For me, it just works by default 🙂

Newton

[Ramsden]

Makes sense to me also. I'm currently practicing on my TV screen with Wimbledon serves!

[zakslm]

Ramsden,

Here's how I have my 90D set up for Back Button Focus (BBF) when I press the "AF-ON" button with my right thumb:

• Select the Button Customization Icon from the back screen:

• Select the Shutter Button.

• Select the * for AE Lock or the middle icon for Metering Start then press "Set/OK".

•  Select the "AF-ON" button.

• Select or confirm that the top left box is highlighted and press "Set/OK".

• Exit the button customization menu and you should be done. 

Now the shutter button no longer starts AF, it set the exposure and releases the shutter only.

If I'm inaccurate or incorrect on any of the above, I am sure one or more of my colleagues will correct me.

Good luck!

LZ  

[Ramsden]

That works! And it seems so easy to use. Thats the first time I've explored that icon as it looked a step too far for my current experience. But I've been determined to master this camera and avoid the lazy auto button. At the moment my learning curve is heading up - and I'm enjoying myself. 

Thanks once more

Ramsde