I have tried one but decided it wasn't for me at the moment. It would be hard to use on all but the most static of subjects; fine if you are a plant photographer but it may prove taxing with insects. In summary I decide to leave it at the moment but please I do own a 180mm so can get down to 1:1.
T
Posted by Andy Astbury on January 22, 2008 at 8:02 PM
I too tried one very briefly Joanne, but either it didn't suit me, or I it - I haven't the patience to be honest and find the Sig 180 suits me better.
As Tom says though, if you are imaging flora and static subjects it might well be a worthy consideration.
It isn't an easy lens to use and to be quite frank You are much better getting a 180 or 150 macro you can increase the mag with converters or ext tubes and they will both be easier to use.
We use them extensively in macro studio shooting, but for shooting in the field the other options are preferable (the 100/2.8 macro is also a great choice and works well with extension tubes if your subject will tolerate a close approach, which is the other big problem with the MP-E)
I have the lens and like it very much I use it with the Canon twin light. I use it mainly hand held and when you get the hang of it its great
I use it on a full frame camera so it starts at life size if its being used on a cropped sensor you may be starting at 1.6 or 1.3 life size. I use mine stopped down to F16 and have no problems up to about 3x life size any smaller and it will need opening up a bit because of diffraction.
If I am doing very small things like moth eggs etc I tend to shoot them smaller and crop in a bit so helping with this and depth of field.
If small is your thing I don't think you will be disappointed.
Andy
Posted by Joanne Mead on January 23, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Thanks guys.
I photograph things in the natural world (more flowers than bugs) but I also do scientific photography in the lab from time to time and it should be a boon. I haven't got the MR-24 EX, but I do have the MR-14EX. When I need to I put the camera on a tripod and hold the ringflash to get better lighting of the subject. I suspect I shall do that until finances recover sufficiently to upgrade to the twin flash.
I also have the 100mm macro and bellows, but I don't get up to 5x with that combo, though I have taken some very interesting shots.
Jo
Posted by Joanne Mead on January 25, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Got my new lens yesterday, and to my surprise, hubby treated me to the twin-flash MR-24 EX. First results are amazing, just playing with odd objects. It's going to be a very interesting weekend. If you guys who are fans of this lens have any tips - I'd love to hear them.
Discussion
6 repliesAfter a brief hands-on encounter, I find it very tempting.
Jo
T
As Tom says though, if you are imaging flora and static subjects it might well be a worthy consideration.
It isn't an easy lens to use and to be quite frank You are much better getting a 180 or 150 macro you can increase the mag with converters or ext tubes and they will both be easier to use.
We use them extensively in macro studio shooting, but for shooting in the field the other options are preferable (the 100/2.8 macro is also a great choice and works well with extension tubes if your subject will tolerate a close approach, which is the other big problem with the MP-E)
HTH
Phil
I use it on a full frame camera so it starts at life size if its being used on a cropped sensor you may be starting at 1.6 or 1.3 life size. I use mine stopped down to F16 and have no problems up to about 3x life size any smaller and it will need opening up a bit because of diffraction.
If I am doing very small things like moth eggs etc I tend to shoot them smaller and crop in a bit so helping with this and depth of field.
If small is your thing I don't think you will be disappointed.
Andy
I photograph things in the natural world (more flowers than bugs) but I also do scientific photography in the lab from time to time and it should be a boon. I haven't got the MR-24 EX, but I do have the MR-14EX. When I need to I put the camera on a tripod and hold the ringflash to get better lighting of the subject. I suspect I shall do that until finances recover sufficiently to upgrade to the twin flash.
I also have the 100mm macro and bellows, but I don't get up to 5x with that combo, though I have taken some very interesting shots.
Jo
Jo