Canon MP-E 65mm Durability

gjl711 wrote in post #19070398
That's completely a different lens. The MPE is more or less a bellows in a tube shape.

A lot easier than using a bellows in the undergrowth, bellows are very fragile and easily punctured by bramble thorns etc (the photographer at least self repairs).

davholla wrote in post #19070685
Ok I would like a lens that does 1-5 Mag and has auto focus! Surely it must be possible in theory. If 10% of the population wanted this I think it would exist.

I think the focus time would be about a fortnight.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #19070841
A lot easier than using a bellows in the undergrowth, bellows are very fragile and easily punctured by bramble thorns etc (the photographer at least self repairs).

No doubt, that's why the MPE is such a nice lens.

Dalantech wrote in post #19070767
Physics says "no"

Einstein said in 1934 that nuclear energy would be impossible.

This is also a known issue (ribbon) with the 100mm F/2.8. Mine is a non L, not sure if this is also an attribute of the L version. I love that lens but just can't seem to get around to sending it for repair. I have several lenses, reversing rings, extension tubes, bellows, etc.. that I've been able to work around not having it.

I've often thought of the MP-E, but I am seldom "in the field" at that magnification. Still want it though!

Lester Wareham wrote in post #19070840
Oh bad luck, I guess if the MP-E is a near 100% usage it is worth blowing cash on a second one.

How long are you getting between repairs (time and/or shots taken)?

I want to say about 3 or 4 years. I made enough money off of my images last year to justify buying a new one and sending the old one in for repair, and that's what I'm going to do. The new one is on its way, and I'll send the old one back to Canon in the box that the new one comes in.

davholla wrote in post #19070922
Einstein said in 1934 that nuclear energy would be impossible.

Physics still says no

Pigpen101 wrote in post #19070939
This is also a known issue (ribbon) with the 100mm F/2.8. Mine is a non L, not sure if this is also an attribute of the L version. I love that lens but just can't seem to get around to sending it for repair. I have several lenses, reversing rings, extension tubes, bellows, etc.. that I've been able to work around not having it.

I've often thought of the MP-E, but I am seldom "in the field" at that magnification. Still want it though!

I only used the non L version of the 100mm macro for a year before I realized that it was a poor choice for what I wanted to do and bought the MP-E. So I never experienced this problem with any other lens.

Most of the people who bought the 100mm L never use it at 1x. Sad.

Pigpen101 wrote in post #19070939
This is also a known issue (ribbon) with the 100mm F/2.8. Mine is a non L, not sure if this is also an attribute of the L version. I love that lens but just can't seem to get around to sending it for repair. I have several lenses, reversing rings, extension tubes, bellows, etc.. that I've been able to work around not having it.

I've often thought of the MP-E, but I am seldom "in the field" at that magnification. Still want it though!

When I took my MP-E for repair I was told that there is another lens which has the same problem but AFAIK it was not the 100m - I thought it was something else.

There might be another one, but 3 years ago when mine broke (yes, it has been on the shelf that long:oops I did some looking into it and found a couple different sources that had mentioned this problem. It might not be as well known for some reason, maybe because many people (as mentioned by Delantech) did not use it for macro but portraits & the lens never got a heavy workout. ?

Bacoli? Not far from "my" town.

Pigpen101 wrote in post #19071153
Bacoli? Not far from "my" town.

I live about one block from Piscina Mirabilis in Bacoli, Italy. Where are you?

There are a couple of reasons why I want to stay with the MP-E.

I have 13 years of experience shooting single frames with the lens. Lens familiarity is HUGE. I'm a firm believer that one of the reasons why some people don't improve as photographers is because they have too many lenses. They never seem to get enough experience with any of them, and sometimes having too many choices is a bad thing.

After 13 years I can look at a scene and know what mag to set the MP-E to so I can get the framing than I want. One of the benefits of the magnification markers on the lens barrel. For a lot of the critters I shoot I don't have time to take a shot and then make adjustments and everything has to be set cause there's no second chance, and once I get close I can't back off without spooking the subject. The MP-E has me spoiled, so the new one is in the mail..

I am in Pittsburgh, but we just did the whole "family tree" thing & we discovered a small town or province or something not far from you that bares our name. It's not a very popular last name in Italy or the US. When I looked at Bacoli on the map I noticed it was not that far from you, near Abruzzo N.P. We (the family) have begun the opening stages of making a trip. I just fear I may not want to leave.

I agree, know the gear you own. Still not a cure for GAS.