A dedicated macro lens is not always a necessity. Sometimes any old tele lens with a TC or perhaps some extension might do the trick.
These are not life size (1:1), but the reproduction ratio is about 1:3.5 which usually is sufficient to fill the frame with butterflies and dragonflies and such. I shot the pics today with 400/2.8VR + TC-17E II at minimum focusing distance. I didn't blow the pollen away from the petals as I liked the bright contrast.
20180516-_P3F5134b by foppa2011, on Flickr
20180516-_P3F5132b by foppa2011, on Flickr
These are not life size (1:1), but the reproduction ratio is about 1:3.5 which usually is sufficient to fill the frame with butterflies and dragonflies and such. I shot the pics today with 400/2.8VR + TC-17E II at minimum focusing distance. I didn't blow the pollen away from the petals as I liked the bright contrast.
20180516-_P3F5134b by foppa2011, on Flickr
20180516-_P3F5132b by foppa2011, on Flickr