Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Photo - Magic Mole

AtomHeart wrote in post #12942055
Hard to take a picture of a frog with an MP-E 65mm. The largest object I can photograph is a postage stamp.

My other lenses both have a maximum magnification of .21...so there's a big gap in my lenses from .21x to 1x. The MP-E takes care of 1x - 5x...but there's still nothing for .21 - 1 for things like flowers, and dragonflies, small frogs, and portraits of prairie dogs.

As I said, you will need a standard macro also, one of the 100mm would be a good choice.

The problem I have is that I currently have a 70-200 f4 IS. What I really want is a 100L macro and a 300L f4 IS. For now I'll have to make do with the 70-200 at "pseudo macro" magnification. I'll upgrade to the other two lenses in time. The $70 off the 100L is enticing, but doing without the macro flash isn't really a worthwhile option I don't think. For now the 100mm zone of my kit will have to settle for the 70-200 at lower magnification.

or you can get tubes and throw them on your 70-200mm for about $150...

Probably an excellent stop-gap.

As such, I just purchased a set of kenko tubes to hold me off from needing the 100mmL and also grabbed a 1.4 extender to hold me off from needing the 300mmL. I can then use these accessories on the other lenses when I get them, so it's not just a stop-gap, but an investment. Woot! Next Tuesday I can now order my MP-E and MT-24.

Although the MT-24EXis excellent and I now use it, it's by no means essential with the MP-E65. Several people use a 430EX on an adjustable macro bracket for illumination.

Here's an example arrangement (the flash would have a homemade diffuser fitted in use).

Yeah, my first shots were taken with a 430EX on a modified flash bracket that I picked up for next to nothing on ebay. Worked great for what I needed back then, but being able to control 2 light sources with bugs really helps the mood of the shot, I'll say that.

Great! That's the plan. Tuesday I'll order the lens and the Kirk flash bracket, then a month later I can get the MT-24 EX.

Madweasel - where did you get your bracket from and how much was it?

What are the recommended flash brackets for the 430EX for macro work? I've seen some c-shape brackets on ebay that look pretty good for the money.

I've seen lots of bracket solutions, including some homemade efforts. I got the Kirk macro flash bracket from Warehouse Express for about £50. Not cheap, but the best I found.

Here's a link: http://www.warehouseex​press.com …-4-tripod-socket/p1006405

I must say though, the quality and flexibility of the MT-24EX are worth it if you can run to the high cost.

Thanks. That's a bit more than I wanted to spend as I do plan to get the MT-24EX fairly soon (ish), and just wanted something to get me by until then.

I was thinking this C-Shape Bracket

I guess in its "macro" arrangement it wouldn't be too bad, but it's not so adjustable. Have a look in the macro forum and do a search on brackets - I should think there are lots of examples there. I know several people have had a go at making their own from bits and pieces. I'm afraid to say I was a bit too lazy for that.

I'm going ahead with the Kirk bracket from B&H ($69 US) since I can continue to use it for my other lenses on extension tubes once I get the MT-24 EX for the MP-E 65mm.

AtomHeart wrote in post #12958676
I'm going ahead with the Kirk bracket from B&H ($69 US) since I can continue to use it for my other lenses on extension tubes once I get the MT-24 EX for the MP-E 65mm.

If you want to use the macro flash on non-macro lenses all you need is the correct microlight adaptor ring, this screews in the end of the lens to provide the flash mount.

I did it!! I placed the order!! It will be here tomorrow. I'm so excited I think I peed my pants a little bit! Wooot!

I will start posting pics to this thread ASAP. Now it's time to start saving for the macro flash.