Canon MP-E 65mm help

[philthejuggler]

Hi all,

I've been offered an MP-E 65 in 'as-new' condition from a local camera shop at what I think is a reasonable price (£550). I have it on loan tonight to try and will need to give an answer tomorrow.

I'd be delighted if you could help me with some answers to questions!!

1) I've tried it with my MR-14ex and it seems ok, although it has a tendency to under-expose at higher magnifications.

I can buy a bracket for my 580Ex that will fire it at the subject - is this a better bet? (Has the added advantage I can flog the MR-14ex to help fund the MP-E)

2) I'm a fanatical filter user - I know some will disagree with filter use but are they more problematic or more necessary with this type of lens?

I can see them being problematic as they are closer to the plane of focuse, but I can see them as desirable as you are so close it must be easy to accidentally touch the subject, or scratch the lens getting to an insect in a bush.

3) A couple of shots I've taken at 5x (at f8) show quite a few dust spots - why am I seeing these only at this setting?

Many thanks in advance,

Phil

 

[dinners]

Quite like to know about the dust too.

I've got the same lens just now and seem to spend a lot of time cloning.

 

[Canon Bob]

1) I've tried it with my MR-14ex and it seems ok, although it has a tendency to under-expose at higher magnifications.

The extension of the lens effectively means that the aperture value becomes a little false. At 5x magnification the effective aperture value is close to f/16....very similar to the light loss you'd be seeing with a stack of tubes behind a lens. Anything beyond 2.5-3x is best shot in manual with flash.

2) I'm a fanatical filter user - I know some will disagree with filter use but are they more problematic or more necessary with this type of lens?

I can see them being problematic as they are closer to the plane of focus, but I can see them as desirable as you are so close it must be easy to accidentally touch the subject, or scratch the lens getting to an insect in a bush.

Personally, I've never used one and never had a problem. I use my forefinger and thumb to span between the end of the barrel and the surface containing the subject and then approach until focus is achieved...no chance of lens contact this way (although I did manage to dip the flash head in a pond whilst chasing nymphs :shake

I can buy a bracket for my 580Ex that will fire it at the subject - is this a better bet? (Has the added advantage I can flog the MR-14ex to help fund the MP-E)

The MT-24 is really the way forwards as you can top light at high power whilst using the second head on lower power to fill in where required. One head (and the MR-14 tends to give a very flat appearance to the image IMHO

3) A couple of shots I've taken at 5x (at f8) show quite a few dust spots - why am I seeing these only at this setting?

Nothing, I repeat nothing will highlight sensor dust like the MP-E and the effective aperture at 5x (as above) is exactly how you'd want to shoot if trying to detect sensor dust

Hope that all makes sense Phil.

Personal opinion is that you should aim to get an MT-24...it really is part and parcel of this setup.....I'll even confess to having a spare incase the first one lets me down :shake:
I'd also point out that it's very specialised and I suspect that you'll miss your Sigma 150. Good as the MP-E is, 1x and higher can get a little restrictive.

Bob

 

[philthejuggler]

Hi Bob,

Many many thanks for your comprehensive reply.

Flash - I was concerned that the MR-14ex was underexposing as it couldn't angle the light in tight enough for the 5x end.

I think the MT-24ex is certainly the ideal - I wonder whether I can get away with two flashguns on brackets - might be a bit heavy & would miss the light to help illuminate the subject before taking (although I could perhaps improvise with an LED on a bendy stick thingy!).

Thanks for you advice on the sensor dust and the Sigma 150. I can't say I do much Macro and I can always put tubes on the 135L if want to get close-ish without going to extremes. The logic of potentially getting the MP-E is that it may increase my interest in macro exactly because it is extreme.

Phil