Canon macro 100/2.8 and MP-E 65mm

[krzkrzkrz]

Hello all,

With my Canon macro 100/2.8, I am finding that the lens would be 1-2 inches away from the subject to obtain a 1:1 magnification. I believe that the MP-E 65mm macro lens has to stay the same distance from the subject to obtain a 5:1 magnification.

Is this correct?

Its not too difficult to take shots at 1:3 - 1:5 with the 100/2.8, as the focusing becomes easier, and the distance to the subject is further from the lens.

Its hard enough with the Canon 100/2.8 macro at 1:1, is it much harder using the MP-E 65mm?

If it takes the same effort at 1:1 with the Canon 100/2.8 and the MP-E 65mm at 3:1 -5:1, I think I'd rather own the MP-E 65mm for the extra magnification.

What are your thoughts on this?

Any MP-E owners here?

[AdamW]

The 100mm can't focus any closer than 0.31m (1 foot.) So, it gives you 1:1 at 12 inches.

From everything I've heard, the MP-E 65mm macro is very difficult to use.

[nqjudo]

krz - Adam is right. The MP-E 65 is a tough tool to use. I borrowed one for a few weeks before I purchased the 100 2.8. First, it's manual focus only. Forget it when you are trying to shoot a moving critter. I was successful with subjects like ants. I would set up, focus and wait for one to wonder into the frame but other than that, I ended up shooting a lot of interesting but very stationary things. A tripod is an absolute must too. I really appreciate being able to hand hold shots so I passed it over. It's a very neat lens indeed but definitely not for everyone.

Adam is also right about the MFD. It is .3 meters or about 1 foot but this is from the film plane to subject. That means that the lens to subject minimum distance is about 6 inches. It does not take a very big subject to fill up the frame at 1x. I usually find that I get a more comfortable working distance than that with most subjects. Can I ask though, if you are dissatisfied with the focusing distance or the results that you are getting with the 100? If you need more distance form your subject, I think that an extension tube would work well though I have never tried one.

[krzkrzkrz]

Thanks for the comments. Its not really the distance from the lens (canon macro 100/2.8) and the subject for a 1:1 magnification. Its more about the magnification that I am after.

But that clears it up. If the MP-E is "a lot" more difficult to use at a similar distance, then Im glad I bought the 100/2.8. The 100/2.8 can be a pain-stake some times, but I love the sharpness, and magnification it can render at 1:1.

If the MP-E 65mm can obtain a 5:1 magnification, but is a "killer" to use, I rather opt out for the practical option, being the 100/2.8 :)

[drama]

Put your macro at the 1:1 magnification setting,get an approx idea about what distance the focus is, set an aperture of f11 & higher use the onboard flash & set at max sync speed

Set the lens in Manual focus now gently rock your body to & fro, take multiple shots, dont try the sharply in focus, conventional approach

Takes some practise, you can now handhold & get shots
Using a tripod is fine for stationary objects but most bugs are far too jittery, unless you plan to refrigerate them

This is frustrating but fun, when you get it right

[krzkrzkrz]

Hey drama, thanks for the tip. What do you mean by max sync speed?

You set your aperture to f/11 for wider DOF?

[griptape]

The max sync speed on your XTi is 200 (the highest shutter speed you can set while using a flash).

[JTL]

The max sync speed on your XTi is 200 (the highest shutter speed you can set while using a flash).I hate to sound like a broken record, but this isn't EXACTLY true. You can use a Canon EX flash at ANY shutter speed when it's set to High Speed Sync mode. The speed of the camera's curtain does remain the same, but the flash pulses very quickly in this mode simulating a constant light source. The flash also doesn't operate at full power in this mode...but ETTL compensates for this. I and others here have shot this way with great results. So, while it's true that the sync speed is 1/200, that is not the highest SHUTTER SPEED at which you can use a flash. :)

Good info on the subject here:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

[nqjudo]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but this isn't EXACTLY true. You can use a Canon EX flash at ANY shutter speed when it's set to High Speed Sync mode. The speed of the camera's curtain does remain the same, but the flash pulses very quickly in this mode simulating a constant light source. The flash also doesn't operate at full power in this mode...but ETTL compensates for this. I and others here have shot this way with great results. So, while it's true that the sync speed is 1/200, that is not the highest SHUTTER SPEED at which you can use a flash. :)

Good info on the subject here:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

JTL - I believe that the 1/200 max speed comment was made in reference to the on-board flash and not an external unit.

[JTL]

JTL - I believe that the 1/200 max speed comment was made in reference to the on-board flash and not an external unit.I was clarifying what grippy said. His quote specifically stated "...while using a flash". When he made that statement, he did not specify on-board or external. While true for onboard, it's not true for external. We have to be specific, lest we confuse people. Surely you agree with that...:)

[nqjudo]

krz - I was having a conversation last night with a friend and this thread came to mind. He uses his 100 2.8 macro with extension tubes and is also able to use the 1.4x or 2x TC by stacking a 12mm extension tube in the mix. Some of his results are very interesting. He gets about 2:1 magnification with 50 - 60 mm of extension tubes. I've ordered some tubes for myself so I'll let you know what my experience is.

BTW, the new kenko tubes are now compatible with EF-S lenses if anyone was waiting on that.