65mm Macro

[KENNYSREEF]

Has anyone used the Canon 65mm MACRO?

looking for some sample pictures

 

[AZMSGT]

The MP-E 65 is a very specialized lens. It’s capable of extreme close ups. However, it’s all manual. To get as close an image as possible and centered it helps to have focus rails to fine tune the shot as well as a tripod. Also Focus stacking with this lens is needed when trying to get allot of an item in focus. This lens requires skills that the average photographer needs to fine tune.
Aperture range of f2.8-16
I find that you need to get extremely close to the subject and this would make it unsuitable for reef work.

I own one and have used it for micro images. I personally haven't tried it on reef photography.

Look at the reviews on Canons website To see what others have to say.

MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo

Focal Length: 65mm Maximum Aperture: 1:2.8 Dedicated to high-quality manual focus macro photography from 1~5x Supports AE metering with EOS-1N and other EOS cameras Compatible with Macro Ring Lite ML-3 Removable tripod collar revolves smoothly and locks securely

shop.usa.canon.com

Also read reviews here:

Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Lens

Buy Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Lens featuring EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format, Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/16, One Ultra-Low Dispersion Lens Element, Super Spectra Coating, 1:1 to 5:1 Magnification, 9.4" Min Focus, Manual Focus Operation, Three-Group Floating Element System...

www.bhphotovideo.com

Here is a sample picture. It's an Aphid atop a flowerbud and the lens is only at the 4X setting. The aphid was moving allot so I couldn't get a great shot of it due to the depth of field range of the lens.

Here's a 1X picture

Here's a 4X

 

[AZMSGT]

I had some wrong info above. I corrected my error. It's been a long time since I used the lens and honestly forgot some of what it could do.

 

[gray808]

I don't think OP was talking about the MPE-65, merely the EF or EF-S 65mm Macro.

The MPE-65 might work with some things fairly close to the glass, at the lowest macro-zoom (1x), but I can't see you being able to get close enough to get a good shot at higher macro settings, short of having a waterproof DSLR housing, and having the camera literally in the tank. And at that macro range, you would need a focus rail, ring light, and tripod or some sort of stabilization.

I love to see some shots taken that way. Close-ups of the polyps... fish eyes, scales, etc.

The MPE-65 can fill the image screen with a single grain of rice. At full macro, if you take a picture of magazine text, you will maybe get 1-2 letters in the frame. Combine it with a full-frame body, and you'd have some amazing images.

ETA: Ah, I mispoke. I thought for sure there was an EF/EF-S 65mm macro, looks like it's the MPE-65 or the EF-S 60mm.

--Gray

 

[gray808]

I had some wrong info above. I corrected my error. It's been a long time since I used the lens and honestly forgot some of what it could do.

It's one of my dream lenses.

I'd planned on getting the 24-70 f/2.8 L II as my first pro lens, then following up with the MPE-65. But I broke down and ordered the 100mm macro yesterday.

Once I get fish and corals, I might rent the MPE-65, and a waterproof housing, just to see what it's limitations are with tank photography.

--Gray

 

[KENNYSREEF]

It's one of my dream lenses.

I'd planned on getting the 24-70 f/2.8 L II as my first pro lens, then following up with the MPE-65. But I broke down and ordered the 100mm macro yesterday.

Once I get fish and corals, I might rent the MPE-65, and a waterproof housing, just to see what it's limitations are with tank photography.

--Gray

For some reason I thought there was a 60MM! My apologies @AZMSGT.

How about 35MM MACRO? Has anyone use that?

 

[gray808]

35mm is pretty wide-angle, you won't be getting much close-up shots.

100mm, from everything I've read, seems to be the sweet spot.

--Gray