Randy Stout
04-03-2008, 06:51 PM
Good evening all:
Had the day off, so went to Fred Meijers Gardens in Grand Rapids, where they have the largest temporary butterfuly display in the US. These are tropical butterflies from around the world. Usually very crowded (butterflies and people) but so many butterflies that there are lots of opportunities.
I would be curious what peoples favorite lenses would be for this. Working distance from 8 inches to 10 feet or so. Lots of natural light but many shadows, and so many people, that it is very hard to change your position easily. So, flash is essential. I used a SB-800 with the standard diffuser. Tried a Gary Fong lighsphere, but not enough light output in that cavernous space, with almost no reflective surfaces.
One rub is that they won't allow tripods or monopods. In can understand tripods, but not the monopods really. I was knocked over by strollers and wheelchairs as I knelt to take pictures, and can't imagine a monopod would wreak equal havoc. Laura, my wife who was shooting with me, thought perhaps they were trying to control the quality of images you could obtain. They had the warning that no images that were taken could be sold!
So, I would appreciate any lens thoughts, and coments on the monopod issue. I thought about a chest or belt pod, but suspect they might object to that as well, esp. if they want to keep the pros out. I thought about taking a cane with a screw in the top for the camera, but felt they might not find that funny!
Cheers
Randy
Had the day off, so went to Fred Meijers Gardens in Grand Rapids, where they have the largest temporary butterfuly display in the US. These are tropical butterflies from around the world. Usually very crowded (butterflies and people) but so many butterflies that there are lots of opportunities.
I would be curious what peoples favorite lenses would be for this. Working distance from 8 inches to 10 feet or so. Lots of natural light but many shadows, and so many people, that it is very hard to change your position easily. So, flash is essential. I used a SB-800 with the standard diffuser. Tried a Gary Fong lighsphere, but not enough light output in that cavernous space, with almost no reflective surfaces.
One rub is that they won't allow tripods or monopods. In can understand tripods, but not the monopods really. I was knocked over by strollers and wheelchairs as I knelt to take pictures, and can't imagine a monopod would wreak equal havoc. Laura, my wife who was shooting with me, thought perhaps they were trying to control the quality of images you could obtain. They had the warning that no images that were taken could be sold!
So, I would appreciate any lens thoughts, and coments on the monopod issue. I thought about a chest or belt pod, but suspect they might object to that as well, esp. if they want to keep the pros out. I thought about taking a cane with a screw in the top for the camera, but felt they might not find that funny!
Cheers
Randy