querry in regards the MPE 65 and input appreciated

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Ramon
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I own the 100L macro (macro being my main tography that I love most) and was thinking of swapping to the MPE 65.

Since I cant afford both lenses I have to sell the 100 for the 65.

I do mostly live insects out in the country.

My question

Will I regret selling off the 100 for a totally specialized lens?

I only do macro with the 100 anyway

Will insects the size of mantis will be outta question bring em all in the same pic?

Is it imperative to use the Mpe vis a vie with tripods, railings and other stuff like that which I keep reading about on net? I wanna use it hand held and cant be bothered with tripod and stuff.

Dont wanna do me a jump which I might regret later as I love the 100 but I find it lacking in certain aspects.

Also last question will a combo of 100 + kenko tubes give me the equivalent or close to the mpe?


Thanks for any help
 
As awesome as the MPE is, I don't know a single MPE user that doesn't also use a normal macro lens regularly.

The highest magnification your 100L can go to is where the MPE starts, so if you only ever use the 100L right at it's MFD then you should manage with the MPE-65

The MPE can be handheld, but flash would be essential and a simple support like a monopod would help greatly (just keeping the viewfinder on target at 5:1 is a real challenge). Most users go for the MT-24ex twin flash with diffusers, since it seems to be the easiest way of providing effective, controllable and pleasant light on very close subjects.

The combo of kenko tubes + 100L would bring you to somewhere in the region of 2:1 mag, which is still a fair way off the 5:1 max mag of the MPE.
 
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With your 7D, the largest insect an MP-E can capture (the entire thing) will be no bigger than your sensor. The MP-E starts where your 100L finishes in terms of magnification and Mantids will be out of the question (unless you can find some little ones)

A tripod is not essential but a flash will be required most of the time and something like an MT-24EX is the most useful. Focus rails aren't required but you'll need to polsih up your hand holding technique.

My advice from what you've written is to get some extension tubes or bellows for your 100L.

Bob
 
The MP-E is an insane lens. As Adam and Bob have said, it starts where your 100mm Macro gives up. So it's really not a substitute.

Personally I don't find the MP-E to be hand-holdable. Maybe I need to "polish up my technique" (thanks Bob!) but it really, really isn't easy at all. You have such a minute depth of field, that just moving the lens forwards or backwards a smidgeon can change your focus dramatically.
 
If you are into macro then you really do need a normal macro lens as well as the MP-E, there are a lot of things you will still want to photograph that require a lot less magnification that the 65 starts with.

As Bob says, it is perfectly possible to hand hold the lens (I don't ever use a tripod) but good lighting is essential.
 
I've just been using my MP-E65 tonight to take some sewing needle heads where the thread goes through, and the heads almost fill the screen with my 5D2. As impressive as it is (and it is amazing) it's so dificult to use outdoors in the breeze as with things moving in the wind you can forget getting a picture. Op, if you're anywhere near to Lincoln drop me a PM and arrange a date to come and have a play with it if you want. To be honest, the MP-E isn't going to replace my 100 2.8 L and for me, at the moment, it's a quirky toy to play about with. But, I might in the end give in and trade on because it's not getting enough proper use. It is possible to use it handheld as I have a few times indoors so far, as for outdoors I'll have to wait for better weather. It isn't actually as hard to use as I expected it to be, just needs practice.
 
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