mpe doubts

hi all.

i have been hot and cold for the mpe for the past 2 years
i have even ordered it, to only have cancelled the order even
i mean i love macro at these levels, but i guess I am trying to see if i can use the mpe let alone master it.

my doubts stem from the fact that i have yet to master the 100 macro and full set of kenkos...which would put me at 2:1.

If i can't even do that, i reasoned that my use of 3:1-5:1 would be worthless.

can anyone offer any insights. is my statement true - i.e. that if i can't get solid pics from 2:1, then further magnification will be even more disappointing? thanks

I think your reasoning is sound. I certainly made a progression from shooting at 1:1 to shooting at 4:1 (with ext tubes and reversed 50mm lens) before getting the MPE-65.
What is the main problem you are having shooting at 2:1 ?

Brian v.

thanks LordV for your response.
my problems are mostly being physically steady enough to get a usable picture. it may be because of me, it may be because of my chosen subject matter, or, more likely, a mixture of both.
i have reversal rings of all sorts - but as i get a longer barrel, i found that my product was even worse.

i suppose i just need to spend more and more time (a luxury that i don't really have) in practice.

but would you assess that using the mpe at 2:1 is easier in any way than using a 100 mounted on a full set of kenkos?

Are you using full flash for the light ? -
I would say there is not much difference shooting at 2:1 with ext tubes or with the MPE-65.
Brian v.

yes, I am using either bounced flash or direct flash depending on the specific instance.
i have tried, inside shooting, outside shooting, "still life" and "things that go bump in the night"
and i am not pleased with my results so far.

i guess i need more practice.... and time for practice!