dumb question - mp-e 65

1st , I want one .
2 nd , does anyone use as a portrait lens ? I have a relative that uses the EFS 60 .
It took me 2 days to get to camera store - call me when you get an ugly one that is cheap - They did = 500 plus tax , gone when I got there .

You cannot use it as a portrait lens. It's MAXIMUM focus distance is 4 inches. You'd need a very small head

If you get the subject in cryogenic stasis, you may be able to take a gigapixel headshot.

In seriousness, though, if you want a lens that you can use for "regular shooting" as well, you might want to look at also getting an EF-S 60mm macro or one of the EF 100mm macro models.

You could take multiple shots and stitch. might actually be fun!

It wouldn't work as a portrait lens. The only way to focus the lens is by moving the camera closer or further to your subject, and like schlagle said, your MAXIMUM working distance is around 4 inches. Anything further away will be out of focus. If you would like a macro lens that can dual purpose as a portait lens, you'll need to pick up a 100 2.8. Unfortunately, it doesn't get you the extreme 5x magnification. Only 1 to 1.

You can always add extension tubes to the 100mm though, or a 1.4x tele converter.

The MP-E is not for beginners. A very specialized lens. Macro only. Usually tripod only as well.

Thanks
I do want the lens for playing with macro . Since I know the EFS 60 . EF 100 , 100 IS ,the 90's AND 105's will do portraits was wondering about the MP-E 65 . I have a few macro zoom that say macro - but that just means closer focusing
Oh well , can't add can be used for portraits to reason for getting .
Btw , my 180 macro would not AF at about 10 feet - but light was low .
Thanks again for quick response .

You do not need to buy a (usually expensive) macro lens to do macro. Get yourself a good tele prime lens, (I cannot believe that you do not have one already!) and just add an ext. tube. Gene

Thanks , I have what I consider the best - the 70-200 mk II and add the 2X III once in a while and crop .
Click on gear list - not everything is there .
Anyway I seldom use the 180 macro anymore [Unless around house] it just takes up to much room in bag .
I do have a set of kenko tubes [ef] extender from 1.4 to 3 x , reversing rings and diopter [B & W 1-5]
Anyone reading this - I found the easiest to use is the 180 macro . Then would be the quantaray 70-300 macro - both are cheap if you can find one but need light

r.morales wrote in post #15848625
Thanks , I have what I consider the best - the 70-200 mk II and add the 2X III once in a while and crop .
Click on gear list - not everything is there .
Anyway I seldom use the 180 macro anymore [Unless around house] it just takes up to much room in bag .
I do have a set of kenko tubes [ef] extender from 1.4 to 3 x , reversing rings and diopter [B & W 1-5]
Anyone reading this - I found the easiest to use is the 180 macro . Then would be the quantaray 70-300 macro - both are cheap if you can find one but need light

what 180mm macro are you using that's cheap?

I'd just get a 100mm macro USM...you've got extension tubes, and extenders, so you should be able to achieve 3X life size magnification...

you could always rent the mpe 60mm from borrow lenses.com, and pick it up locally...that's what I've been thinking of doing lately

Both the Sigma and tammy are cheap if you can find them . [180 and 105 - older versions - I have seen 2 105's with fungus tho]
They both want a lot of light , but newer cameras , just bump up ISO .
This shot was taken years ago with the 70-300 Quantaray macro lens hand held [Should have exif data] and kind of windy .[look at spider web]
Another lens that is easy to find is the 28-135 macro - I don't like it for macro or walk around - not wide enough or long enough . It does have IS and I use mainly as a fill in between 55 - 70 mm .
It [the shot posted] was on the / taken with XTI . I have learned quite a bit since then and mostly use the 70-200 or the 17-55 and crop hard . The 70-200 mk II has IS and the AF and IS work with the 2X III .
Today the shot would be at ISO 1200 and probably around 1/1000 or 1/1250

Someone please find a way to preserve this pix as an example of what a Contrary (sp?) lens can do.

sigma 150 2.8 macro

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/22575206@N02/2​175316791/

Such a great lens as the Sigma 150 deserves a much, much better pix to be posted.

i can't tell if that quantaray shot is supposed to be an example of a good shot with it...or if you're showing us a bad shot, and why you want to upgrade to something else...

if you're not using a flash bracket with a macro lens, you should really start now