Professionally capturing focus-stacked images of insects becomes faster with the Nikon Z8, according to a seasoned macro photographer.
In the realm of nature photography, capturing insects in flight is a challenging yet rewarding pursuit. Recently, a photographer, who is also a volunteer at his local nature reserve, has been using the Nikon Z8 to document the courtship displays and behavior patterns of butterflies and dragonflies, revealing insights that were previously unseen with the D850.
This dedicated photographer, specialising in capturing nature images in their natural habitats without disturbing the subjects or altering their environment, has developed a serious interest in butterflies and is currently studying their behavior at the reserve. Predicting the flight path is crucial when capturing insects in flight, and using a fast shutter speed, ideally 1/8000 sec, can help freeze the subject's beating wing movements.
The photographer employs various techniques to ensure the nearest point is in focus when capturing the butterfly. Focus Peaking and Focus Shift are among the methods used, along with back-button focus with the Z8's Pre-Release Capture to record images when the shutter button is only half depressed. A sturdy tripod is also a necessity for macro photography.
Insects are more active during the early morning and late evening, and dew often settles on potential subjects during these times, especially if there has been rain overnight. The photographer believes that photographers have an important role in conservation and increasing awareness of nature's beauty.
When it comes to the best cameras for macro photography of insects in flight, recent expert sources recommend the Nikon Z9 with a 70-180mm or 300mm macro lens, the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens combined with a Sony mirrorless camera, the OM System M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III with 60mm f/2.8 macro lens.
| Camera System | Macro Lens | Key Strengths for Insect Flight Macro | Notes | |-----------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Nikon Z9 + 70-180mm or 300mm| Nikon Micro Nikkor lenses | Fast autofocus, high frame rate, long reach | Excellent for butterflies, dragonflies[3] | | Sony Mirrorless + FE 90mm | Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS| Razor-sharp, manual focus clutch, quiet autofocus | Great combo for macro enthusiasts[2] | | OM System Micro Four Thirds | M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO| High magnification, weather-sealed, good autofocus | Expensive, some handling complexity[1] | | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | 60mm f/2.8 Macro | Portable, waterproof, microscopy mode | Lower res, best in bright light[4] |
For those interested in nature photography, here are the best cameras for wildlife and the best cameras for landscapes. Nigel A Ball, a long-time Nikon user and photography educator, who specialises in macro photography and astrophotography, is an example of a photographer who has benefited from the Nikon Z8. He has used Nikon cameras for many years, with the D70 being one of his first DSLRs and the D850 being his last before receiving the Nikon Z8.
One of Ball's most captivating images features a six-spot burnet, a day-flying moth that can be seen on a summer's day, painting the sky with black lines, edged in red. The butterfly in the image is smallish in size and very 'flighty'. It's also known as the hedge brown due to its propensity to frequent hedgerows.
The article was originally published in N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine (issue 154).
[1] https://www.omsystem.com/global/en/products/lens/m-zuiko-digital-ed-90mm-f3-5-macro-is-pro/ [2] https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/lens-camera-accessories/interchangeable-lens-cameras/camera-lenses/sel90mmf28g/specs [3] https://www.nikon.com/en-gb/products/lenses/micro-nikkor-70-180mm-f4-5-5-6e-ed-vr [4] https://www.olympus-europe.com/en/products/product/camera/digital-cameras/om-d-e-m1-mark-iii/
- The Nikon Z8, a camera favored by nature photographers, has been used to capture courtship displays and behavior patterns of butterflies and dragonflies, unveiling previously unseen insights.
- In macro photography, predicting the flight path is crucial for capturing insects in flight, and a fast shutter speed, such as 1/8000 sec, aids in freezing wing movements.
- To ensure the nearest point remains in focus, the photographer uses techniques like Focus Peaking, Focus Shift, and back-button focus with the Z8's Pre-Release Capture.
- A sturdy tripod is indispensable for macro photography, particularly when capturing insects.
- Insects tend to be more active during the early morning and late evening, and dew often settles on potential subjects during these times.
- According to recent expert sources, the Nikon Z9 with a 70-180mm or 300mm macro lens, the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens paired with a Sony mirrorless camera, the OM System M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III with 60mm f/2.8 macro lens are the best cameras for capturing insects in flight.
- The Nikon Z9's key strengths for insect flight macro are fast autofocus, high frame rate, and long reach, making it ideal for butterflies and dragonflies.
- The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens's razor-sharp, manual focus clutch, and quiet autofocus make it a great companion for macro enthusiasts.
- Photographers have a significant role in conservation and increasing awareness of nature's beauty, as demonstrated by this dedicated butterfly photographer.
- Nigel A Ball, a renowned photographer who specializes in macro photography and astrophotography, has benefited from the Nikon Z8, switching from the D850 after many years of using Nikon cameras, including the D70 as his first DSLR.
