MP-E 65mm Macro - choosing body.

[dancook]

I did pose this same question on an american forum, so sorry if you frequent there.

I'm interested in people's opinions and reasons for body choices with the MP-E 65mm.

With my interests being Macro, Nature, Landscapes, Posed Portraits and I have strong desire for the best IQ I can afford - I feel the 5d Mark II is the camera for me.

IQ coupled with the FF, it feels like I've had my mind made up for me. However I don't want to go into it blindly

 

[IGADIZ]

Hi Dancook.
I am going to guess your question relates as to going full frame or crop factor. (notice choice of word here).
For the MP-E 65 your aim is to get as much depth of field as possible, this you will achieve by one of two means.
1.- Closing down your aperture, in which case, your main concern is going to be diffraction blur.
2.- Focus stack, in which case, your main concern is going to be subject movement.
If you choose the former, a camera with big pixel pitch is a must. The 5DMKII has a pixel pitch of 6.4µm square. Diffraction blur will be noticeable at f/8 and beyond.
Obviously crop factor cameras have smaller sensors and, in consequence, smaller pixels. The smaller the pixel the earlier Diffraction blur will occur. (in some camera as early as f/5.6)
(More on Diffraction here.)
I have owned the MP-E 65 for several years and have used it with several bodies. So, If you are not going to print any larger than A3, my camera recommendation (based in my own experiences) for the MP-E 65mm will be the original 5D.

Edit:
For a good analysis of the MP-E 65mm performance attached to a 1Ds MKIII and it's diffraction blur Look Here

 

[dancook]

Thanks

I've read before, and I've found another quote to the same affect, that "Cameras like the 5D MkII begin diffraction at f/13."

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=1720.0

Is this different for Macro due to the magnification/aperture calculation?

My macros this far on a 105mm Sigma + Raynox + Tubes as always been hand held, often chasing subjects. Finding a subject to focus stack sounds tough.

Why the 5Dc over the 5D Mk ii then?

 

[IGADIZ]

Thanks

I've read before, and I've found another quote to the same affect, that "Cameras like the 5D MkII begin diffraction at f/13."

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=1720.0

Is this different for Macro due to the magnification/aperture calculation?

Yes

My macros this far on a 105mm Sigma + Raynox + Tubes as always been hand held, often chasing subjects. Finding a subject to focus stack sounds tough.

If your chosen subject is moving, focus stack is almost impossible.

Why the 5Dc over the 5D Mk ii then?

The Pixel pitch (size) of the original 5D allows for smaller apertures to be used before diffraction sets in. The MP-E 65mm at maximum magnification has very narrow DOF. To get decent DOF you will need all the help you can get and them some. The original 5D will produce better DOF, Hence my choice.

 

[squishy]

Yes

If your chosen subject is moving, focus stack is almost impossible.


The Pixel pitch (size) of the original 5D allows for smaller apertures to be used before diffraction sets in. The MP-E 65mm at maximum magnification has very narrow DOF. To get decent DOF you will need all the help you can get and them some. The original 5D will produce better DOF, Hence my choice.

This doesn't add up, the higher pixel density of the 5DII means diffraction can be visible at larger apertures, but that doesn't mean it'll produce softer pictures than the 5Dc, just that past a point the extra pixels won't be resolving any extra detail.

Personally I'd want the 5DII more for features like live view and the better screen.

 

[dancook]

Personally I'd want the 5DII more for features like live view and the better screen.

I just found that out too, live view missing from 5Dc - I use live view a lot on my A580 when macro'ing. Especially useful when you don't want to get your face close to a wasp.

 

[IGADIZ]

This doesn't add up, the higher pixel density of the 5DII means diffraction can be visible at larger apertures, but that doesn't mean it'll produce softer pictures than the 5Dc, just that past a point the extra pixels won't be resolving any extra detail.

Once Diffraction blur sets in, it can't be resolved with sharpening and no amount of mega pixels is going to help your there. When it comes to DOF, Pixel size in relation to aperture is king So, I beg to differ from your opinion.

Personally I'd want the 5DII more for features like live view and the better screen.

At 5X magnification and, unless you are shooting tripod and micro railed mounted, live view is useless.
Camera shake becomes areal issue at high magnification and you will want every anchor point possible when shooting hand held.

Still, it all depends of what you are going to shoot. For my chosen subjects, my MP-E 65mm performed best attached to my 5Dc.
Your millage may vary.