To complete this project, I used the Sony Alpha 6400 and Alpha 7 III with a combination of Sony’s 30mm Macro, 90mm f/2.8 Macro G, and 100-400mm G Master lenses. Subjects were all found locally, most in my own gardens and hives.

The 90mm f/2.8 Macro G is my go-to lens that is nearly always on a camera. It’s sharp and has great depth for capturing the tiniest details.

Photo by Hannah Mather. Sony α6400. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/800-sec., f/7.1, ISO 1250

When I want to get really close, practically bumping my subjects, the Alpha 6400 with the 30mm macro lens can’t be beat. I have so much fun experimenting with the incredibly short minimum focal distance this combination allows, and I use this the most for in-hive action.

Photo by Hannah Mather. Sony α6400. Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro. 1/400-sec., f/5.6, ISO 400

Using the Alpha 7 III along with the 100-400mm G Master lens is the perfect combination to capture larger, flightier insects such as adult butterflies. Most butterflies will fly away the moment they see a shadow cast near them, and the longer range from this setup allows me to photograph them from a comfortable distance.

Photo by Hannah Mather. Sony α7 III. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/1600-sec., f/7.1, ISO 1250

When shooting macro, manual focus is the way to go. I’ll make a judgment about how far I expect to be from a subject and lock the focus at a certain distance (say on a nearby flower). I’ll then use my body to support the camera while making small movements until the focus is sharp.

The timelapse videos were both created using the Alpha 7 III with the 90mm Macro G lens on a tripod, in a lighted enclosure turned studio. This was the first time I’ve attempted a timelapse of this kind, but the built in intervalometer on the Alpha 7 III, along with these Alpha Universe timelapse tips gave me the confidence to try it out.

There wasn’t a lot of room for trial and error given the limitations of working on nature’s timeline, but I still had so much fun capturing such precious moments in detail, and I can’t wait to hone in these new skills.