MPE-65

I'm just curious.

If one were to invest into a MPE-65 lens would you also have to use the lens in conjunction with focusing rails?

I've never used one of these lenses and was wondering how deep the rabbit hole would go towards bleeding my pocket dry with all of the necessary accessories that would have to be acquired and used with the MPE-65 lens.

Thanks.

focusing rails will be useful for this lens (though not many people have them), at high magnifications its like focusing light at the end of the tunnel. And the amazingly shallow depth of field may require a few photos stacked. It is THE hardest lens to use IMO, the focusing is very difficult (at first).

Also, you'll need either the twin flash, or the ring flash, or... a normal canon EX flash with some type of bracket. The lens extends very far and the flash can not reach the front element. For the off camera flash, you'll need an off shoe cord. I am sure many others in the macro forum can help too.

Doug,

I've got the MP-E and can offer some insight into usability.

People can, and do, hand hold this lens...especially on the lower magnifications (1-3x). A focus rail can be useful (I've got one) but not essential and they're not too expensive for basic versions.
I also have an MR-14 and MT-24 for use indoors and at higher mag's but it's not required outdoors if the light is on the brighter side.

There is quite a learning curve and I wouldn't advise having it at the start of a macro "career"....something around 100mm and some extension tubes would be a better starting option. If you're seriously into macro though and want to get 2:1 or greater then it's a "must have".

In a nutshell....time and patience is all you need.

Bob

Naturalist wrote in post #5024278
I'm just curious.

If one were to invest into a MPE-65 lens would you also have to use the lens in conjunction with focusing rails?

I've never used one of these lenses and was wondering how deep the rabbit hole would go towards bleeding my pocket dry with all of the necessary accessories that would have to be acquired and used with the MPE-65 lens.

Thanks.

Essential if working with a tripod, make sure to get one with a greaed drive. However I hardly ever use mine on a tripod.

But most people use this lens with insects and so handheld or perhaps a monopod (more to support weight); flash is of course essential handheld, I use the MT 24EX.

Yep all you need is flash. Check the "Show me your Macro Rig" thread in the macro forum. Most use a speedlite and a bracket. But I'd love to have that MT-24EX!

Thanks for all the comments, it is much appreciated.

I currently use the EF-S 60 Macro and was pondering the move to the MPE. I think I'll be gaining more experience on the 60 for a while before continuing on.

Thanks again everyone!

As other have said you will need the macro flash, i personally use the 24 ( i forget the model name).
Remember this is essentially what will freeze the motion.
Unless you live on a binary solar system in the height of summer you aint gonna get a decent shutter speed with a decent aperture (8-11) remember the effective aperture increases as does magnification which means things get darker still.

with the mt-24 ex ( is that the name?) you can easily select the shutter speed you desire and use flash to control 100% of the illumination.

I may be wrong on this but im pretty sure the flash duration is 1.4 ms, so effectively you will be able to easily hand hold and get great pics.

You may of course want to use this tripod based but i can retty much recommend against that if you are intending to shoot insects/arachnids etc I think using a tripod with non static subjects will get very tedious VERY quickly.

All in all though the mp-e 65 is a fantastic lens, i've been using it pretty much all the time since i bought it 4 years ago.

Oh another point, i ouldn't worry about getting used to the efs 60mm macro before "upgrading" they are so different that frankly you may aswell dive into the mpe.

If you have any other questions about the mpe please dont hesitate to PM or messenger me

Hi,

Im not sure but the MPE-65 have no autofocus.Maybe it's important for you.

Try first with your 18-55, reverse it. It's not so sharp like MPE-65 but very cheap.

Here some examples:
First shot 55mm = 1x
Second shot 18mm = 6x and this is just Sugar.

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lepreghaun wrote in post #5038150
Hi,

Im not sure but the MPE-65 have no autofocus.Maybe it's important for you.

Try first with your 18-55, reverse it. It's not so sharp like MPE-65 but very cheap.

Here some examples:
First shot 55mm = 1x
Second shot 18mm = 6x and this is just Sugar.

technically the mpe-65 doesn't even have manual focus! You select your magnification ratio and then move then lens closer to the subject (either by hand or perhaps a macro rail)

To be honest though i have NEVER really heard of any fellow macro shooters using or indeed wishing for autofocus, it's just not needed IMO

Using focusing rails for moving subjects is just not practical IMO. I usually handhold the lens. If the situation allows, I would use a monopod to gain more stabalization. However, if you are photographing steady subject, you probably should at least use a tripod. Again, just my 2 cents