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

[8 of 8 customers found this review helpful]

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

A bellows/lens combo

"In the specifications Canon give a Maximum Length which should read Minimum Length (3.8" @ 1X) when retracted. The Max Length is actually (9.4" @ 5X) when fully extended. This indicate nothing wrong with the superlative lens. Canon has taken the price/pain out of extension tubes/bellows/lens setup for Macrophotography in one simple elegant step. A rare bargain at the price. Works beautifully with Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite and Canon D-EOS cameras. I am making a study of minerals and crystals + small electronic and other objects.

In two words "Macro Heaven" for 1-5X magnification! Thanks Canon!"

Copper 2X (20D/MP-E 65/MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite)

• Both Macro-photos same
• Made with Product
• Using Product

Copper 5X (20D/MP-E65/MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite)

• Using Product
• Made with Product
• Same frame as 1

[37 of 38 customers found this review helpful]

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

Great Lens, but don't be fooled

"My kit is mainly geared towards macro shooting, and this is an essential part of that kit. The lens is very well built and heavy, something I look for in lenses. It is easily as sturdy feeling as my (recently sold) 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L, which is saying a lot. It "zooms" nice and smoothly and produces good images.



It produces images that look great overall. There is some noticeable sharpness loss at the extreme end on this range (5:1), but it isn't anything to write home about IMO. A little sharpening in post-processing, which all digital shots should have anyway, and you are fine. The other thing is make sure you have a very clean sensor, as this will show it, especially at 4:1 and beyond. If not be prepared to use the healing brush quite a bit, as even the tiniest bit of dust will show up.



Now, I say don't be fooled, and that is because you need to know what you are buying here. This is not a normal macro lens, there is no infinity focus (useless outside of macro work) and it is a manual focus lens. Not to mention that the DOF is VERY small and focus stacking of images is almost required past 3:1. Also once you are close enough to start shooting at 3:1 or above, you MUST have a flash, or be using a tripod with a still subject. Lighting is a huge issue here, especially at higher magnifications and a ring-light helps tremendously (especially because it has focus lamps and at 4:1 and up the viewfinder gets insanely dark without them).



This lens takes a lot of getting used to, and can easily inspire frustration if you are not a) diligent, and/or b) not used to macro photography.



All things considered I love this lens, and would recommend it ..... but only to experienced macro shooters. If you want to try out macro, go for the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, as it is easily the most fun lens to get started with."

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

Great Life size + lens

"Not realy a lens I needed for any aspect of my Photo Biz but One of those great "toys" that I felt I couldn't Live without. Using the lens on a mark 2 canon 5d with a led ring light"

• Using Product

• Using Product

[10 of 10 customers found this review helpful]

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

Opens up a whole new realm

"Was able to get excellent results the first time I used it at 5x with my EOS 5D & MR-14EX macro Ring Lite. Tripod is a must but have gotten decent results hand-held outdoors at 1x with continuous shooting when there is no wind (just shoot lots of photos, be prepared for an extremely shallow depth of field, examine the results closely, and plan to discard most of them!). Note that you must remove any filter(s) before you attach the Ring Lite so take extra precautions not to scratch the lens. The lens extends WAY OUT as you increase it to 5x so also be careful that you don't touch the subject."

[11 of 11 customers found this review helpful]

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

Greatest Macro lens ever invented!

"Greatest Macro lens ever! Can be hand held at 1 to 1.5X; anything more than that and a tripod or monopod is warranted. It takes the honeybees a while to adjust to the photographer's presence when you are shooting them and their food source from a distance of fractions of an inch, but they calm down eventually and pose for the camera."