Amateur Photographer - UK (2020-07-04)

15

Macro lens

YOUWILLneedtoachieveahigh
levelofmagnificationtotake
eye-catchingclose-upsoftheinsects
residinginyourgarden.Many
telezoomshaveashortminimum
focusingdistanceandthusprovidea
decentlevelofmagnification–close
enoughforbiggerinsects,like
dragonfliesandlargergarden
butterflies,likepaintedladiesandred
admirals.However,forsmallerinsects,
likebeetlesandbees,youwillneedto
focuscloser.
Thebudgetoptionistobuyanauto
extensiontubeorclose-upfilter–
takealookatNiSi’sNCclose-up
filter,whichisgreatforgardeninsects.
However,thedownsidetoclose-up
attachmentsisthatyouhavetoget
closetoachieveahighlevelof
magnification.Ideally,when
photographingtimid,flightysubjects
likeinsects,youwanttogeneratea
practicalworkingdistance.Thelarger
thecamera-to-subjectdistance,the
lessyourisksubjectsflyingor
scurryingaway.Adedicatedmacro
lenswillnotonlyallowyouto
achievelife-sizemagnification,but
longerfocallengthsprovidea
sensibleworkingdistance.Amacro
lenswithafocallengthupwardsof
100mmistheperfectchoicefor
backyardminibeasts.

ESSENTIAL KIT

‘A macro lens with a

focal length upwards

of 100mm is the

perfect choice for

backyard mini beasts’