The 180mm is a great length for Bee photography. I get maybe one Bee image I am happy with out of 100. The difference is usually shutter release timing, 1/10 to 1/100 of a second too soon or too late is all it takes to miss the great shot you are looking for.

When that great shot does finally happen, the 180mm is hands down my favorite - because it allows me to work in close but from a greater distance, the images are crystal clear and the subject is not disturbed and free to do its work without interruption. You will find that the 180mm allows you to keep the perfect distance for bee and other insect photography.

WARNING - Always be very cautious, respectful and prepared when photographing bees and other stinging insects. If you are allergic, always make certain you are medically prepared just in case you are stung.

NEVER approach a beehive or disturb a beehive. They can and will attack with multiple stings to try and drive you away - and this can cause serious injury or worse.

EF 180MM F/3.5, EOS R5, ISO 100 f/8, 1/250th Sec, Canon Twinlite Macro Flash

This frog was in my front yard on a triple christmas palm tree. he was patient and unafraid of me. He held still the entire time I was setting up and photographing him. This was an early morning picture with the camera facing east.

Note the exquisite detail the 180mm gives on the R5. if you poke around in my photo gallery, you will see that I like photographing frogs and other reptiles.

I like photographing them because they tend to be very detailed physically and mostly patient with me. Most people do not ever get to see the exquisite detail that so many reptiles offer the patient photographer. I do not collect nor handle them, preferring to leave them in their natural settings.

When I am lucky enough to be in photography mode and get a photo like this, I know I am bringing out the beauty in an animal that most people never think about in that way.

EF 180MM F/3.5, EOS R5, ISO 640 f/10, 1/640th No Flash

This little lizard held still just long enough for me to get this great photo of him with the pleasingly blurred fore- and background.

Macro lenses let you hunt for an endless array of subjects in your own yard or neighborhood.

This shot is uncropped and unadjusted. If you are thinking about using this very specialized lens, this is a perfect example of what it can do.

I anxiously await the RF version of this lens - but the EF's advantage on the R series is of course in the conversion mount where you can change from clear to Circular polarizer to VND on a moments notice from behind the lens with the internal filter version of the EF to RF adapter.

EF 180mm f/3.5, EOS R5, ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/2500 Sec.

The Lantana flower here is less than 1/2 inch wide. The red ant was just a couple millimeters and the distance to subject was very close, perhaps an inch or less.

EF 180MM F/3.5, EOS 5D MKIV, ISO 640 f/5.6, 1/200th Canon Twinlite Flash 25mm extension tube.

This photo shows that the EF 180 can hold its own on more distant shots too. I took this at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in 2021 - this combination Statute/Art/Flower Fixture? is a huge feature and each spring it "springs" to life thanks to the hard work of the ABG staff and curators.

EF 180MM F/3.5, EOS 5D MKIV, ISO 500 f/3.5, 1/1600th Sec

This one was also taken at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I was heading from one section to another and these water droplets caught my eye.  If you love, or even have interest in close up imagery, water droplets create endless opportunities from the peaceful to the dramatic.

The EF 180mm will help you make the very best close up images your imagination, skill and opportunity present.

EF 180MM F/3.5, EOS 5D MKIV, ISO 500 f/3.5, 1/1000th Sec