Should I Just Jump to the MP-E?

Right now, I use a 50mm 1.8, with Kenko tubes, and I keep it at the closest focusing distance at all times and move my body in and out to focus. That being said, I know that the MP-e is the same way in terms of focusing. A lot of people are telling me to stray away and get the 100m 2.8L to start, but I really don't want to spend $900 on a 100mm, if I'm just going to resell it for the MP-e in a few months. Just looking to get some insight on the best route, and what you guys did on your progression to acquiring new macro gear. Thanks!

Why not start with the non-L macro lens from Canon? Still and excellent and sharp lens, but not as expensive.

adam 91 wrote in post #16056544
Why not start with the non-L macro lens from Canon? Still and excellent and sharp lens, but not as expensive.

Because I know that I'll honestly get bored of the non-L in like a week, and I've been saving for a few months so I can afford the L finally :P

The L lens wont really offer a great deal more in terms of macro IMO, and gives you no greater magnification like you are after.

I started with the *Canon EF-S 60mm f2.8 USM Macro, quickly progressed to the *Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro (still have it). I used the 100mm with a full set of Kenko tubes for a few years. Then the longing for higher mag overcame me and I bought the Canon MP-E65 f/2.8 1-5 x Macro, MT-24EX combo.
I would have skipped the lesser 2 lenses if I had known how addictive macro photography would be.

It's also worth noting that you might find it useful to still have a standard macro lens alongside the MPE for the times when you want to be close in, but not quite at 1:1 for the purposes of composition/framing.

I have both the Canon 100mm (non-L) macro lens and the MPE-65, with a 5DII and MT-24.

I find that the 100mm lens is essential for larger bugs, and it's also useful for other things such as highly detailed portraits and landscapes. Even with a FF camera, it's easy to need less than 1:1 magnification (large butterflies, larger hawk moths, etc, etc). The increased working distance provided by the 100mm lens is also helpful in many situations. Often, I will add a couple of extension tubes to the 100mm lens and thus I can use it somewhat beyond 1X magnification. However, with tubes it will still focus to roughly 0.25X mag, so it is still very useful for large bugs.

But I very much love my MPE-65 for its very quick adjustment of magnification.

I've been considering adding the 100mm L lens to my collection because of its IS feature, which would be useful for non-macro applications, but the cost is a consideration - I would probably get more out of other lenses for non-macro purposes. Also, the detail provided by these two lenses is similar as best I can discern from others' posts - no substantial macro advantage that I am aware of.

I wish the MPE-65 had a magnification range with my FF camera from about 0.5x to about 4x. Then it would never leave my camera during macro season.

Just my opinion: Get the 100L. You've got the tubes, which will give you about 2:1 on that lens, add a 1.4X TC to get about 3:1. No, it's not the same as an MP-E, but you can also use the lens for more than just macro. And as stated, it's great for larger bugs when 1:1 is too much.

Also, more and more, I've been using AF for macro with the 100L (and always IS), and it works great. I used to think you had to use MF, but that's not necessarily the case.

I usually shoot small / medium spiders, arthropods, jumpers etc. I also have the 70-200 2.8L and it works really well for landscapes, etc. I'm still on the fence... Ugh >:[Has anyone had the 100L and regretted it for not getting the MP-E?

edit: I really appreciate all of the comments that everyone has left so far.

My advice in getting the mp-e only AFTER your used to shooting at more then 1:1.

you will also need proper light (flash + bracket + diffuser or ring flash)

Well, I bought the MP-E. It comes today :P

Megapixel123 wrote in post #16073204
Well, I bought the MP-E. It comes today :P

I predict that you'll like it very much, and that it will only take a few days to a few weeks to get basically used to its small DOF.

I remember very clearly my first few days with my MPE - I couldn't believe any lens had such a small DOF as this one at 3-5X. Fortunately, I stuck with it and soon learned that one simply has to adapt one's 1X skills to a more demanding set of circumstances. Once you obtain your first enjoyable high mag bug photos, you'll never want to be limited to 1X or so again.

In any event, the MPE opens up a whole new world of macro photography, with very quick adjustment of its magnification. It's delightful to photograph really small things, from spider mites to an ant's eye. I would really hate to be without mine even though I still regularly use my 100mm lens, depending mostly on my mood and what type of bugs are around. Fortunately with my FF camera, I can drop back to 1X mag with the MPE and this is *usually* enough at the low end.

Good luck with your new acquisition - keep us posted.

Congrats on the MP-E.

Start with a standard 100mm macro, you will need it anyway for larger subjects even when you have an MP-E.