First play with Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x

Bit of a difference from what I'm used to but here's my first play with the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x.

This lens is specifically designed for macro photography, capable of generating full frame images on the sensor up to five times the size of the subject. It exhibits an extremely low depth of field, a maximum of 2.24mm at f/16 at 1x magnification, and a minimum of 0.048mm at f/2.8 at 5x magnification. It is sensitive to faint vibrations, with slight breezes or imperceptible movements having potentially significant effects on image focus.

Thought I'd swipe that bit rather than try to explain why the dof is so shallow.

Anyway - I found a couple of dead beasties and a few small objects and just quickly photographed them on a bit of white paper. A ringflash is really what's needed and I struggled with slow shutter speeds (without any flash) as you have to work about 1 inch from the object.

On the whole I'd say it's just about impossible to photograph (whole) anything much bigger than a pea.

Here you go - they're all full 'uncropped' images.

Bit of a penny


As much of the match as I could fit in


Newspaper print


A one eyed dead fly


A wasp face

Like the wasps head Phil! Bugs are what I would love to photograph with this lens, but it really is best at studio work.

Nice stuff Phil - looks like a nice lens

I think you're right. There's no way you could use this thing outdoors photographing insects or flowers. Even locked on a tripod the image was moving on the live view screen from the movement of my feet by the tripod. I think you need dead beasties in a studio with the correct lighting. Very specialised I think.

Interesting stuff!

So it's definitely a lens , you need to have a studio set up. As in decent lighting, pet hair free, static subject ,that is small,tripod etc.

Not a lens ,for when you do macro flowers in the garden,then

I do like the dead flies eyes,very cool


Is it heavy??

It is quite heavy (710g) for it's small size - although it does get quite long when it's extended.

Whilst you can use it for bugs and little flowers outside - the reason it's not ideal is that this thing in ONLY a close up macro lens. It can't see anything beyond about 4 inches away if you're shooting 1:1 and can't see anything further away than 41mm away at 5:1 so it makes things a bit tricky unless you stage the subjects yourself.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

It looks like it is good to have a play with, but not a keeper.

Unless, you are going to become bug man!

I think with a little practice it could become quite addictive especially later in the year when there's some flowers and bugs which are a bit fresher than the two I found in a cobweb behind the tumble drier lol.

In terms of owning the lens - it's a lot of dosh for something with such a limited use. I've got it for a few weeks so I'll no doubt enjoy playing about with it but if I was spending my own money on a macro lens I'd get something a little more flexible and no doubt cheaper. That said - I do have an option to buy it.

I am worried about spending too much on a Macro,in case I don't use it enough, but I only want mine for flowers and plants. Not bugs



Enjoy it! and keep posting your experiments

amazing stuff - have fun with it!
How about you post us some 'guess what it is' piccies