What Macro lens for canon 5d mk 2

[britinozz]

im thinking of upgrading my old 100mm canon non is lens for another lens and maybe getting some canon extension tubes i was thinking of the MP-E 65mm and the 100mm 2.8 l lens with some x4 extension tubes what do you think.

[jjphoto]

What's wrong with your existing 100 macro?

JJ

[William W]

Ditto what JJ wrote – what’s wrong with the EF100/2.8M?
I'd buy the Kenko set of three tubes.
The MP-E 65/2.8 is not an "upgrade" from the EF100/2.8M - it is an entirely different beast.

What is a "x4 extension tube?"

WW

[Bennymiata]

+1 for the Kenko tubes.
They work really well and are reasonably priced.

As said before, the MPE is a very specialised lens that can be used for nothing other than close macros.

If you're looking for a bit of a change from your 100mm Macro, have a look at the new Sigma 150mm macro with OS.
I have one and can't believe how good it is.
Being 150mm, you can be a little further away from the subject, so it allows you more lighting options.
The IQ is just amazing, not only for macro, but general photography too.

[britinozz]

Ditto what JJ wrote – what’s wrong with the EF100/2.8M?
I'd buy the Kenko set of three tubes.
The MP-E 65/2.8 is not an "upgrade" from the EF100/2.8M - it is an entirely different beast.

What is a "x4 extension tube?"
sorry its not extension tubes it the canon x4 extension they are not tubes as in kenko.

WW

[William W]

^ OK. Thanks.
But I still don’t know what is a: “canon x4 extension”
Do you have a link to the product, Please?

WW

[strictfunctor]

If you enjoy macro, get the MPE65. Keep the 100. They do different, complementary things.

[britinozz]

^ OK. Thanks.
But I still don’t know what is a: “canon x4 extension”
Do you have a link to the product, Please?

WW


Canon Lens Extension Tube EF 25 II
That's what I'm talking about but the 4 x.

[William W]

Canon Lens Extension Tube EF 25 II
That's what I'm talking about but the 4 x.

Oh OK thanks, so it is an extension tube like the Kenko?

I thought Canon only made two extension tubes: a 12mm tube and a 25mm tube

The present stocks’ Product Codes are:
Extension Tube EF12MkII
Extension Tube EF25MkII

So if you are referring to either of these two products - then I suggested buying the Kenko set of THREE tubes.

Not that it matters to me all that much, but I am still at a loss as what is this "4x" tube, as extension tubes are referenced by their length and not a numerical multiplier.

I am only asking for clarification so I might better respond to your initial question.

WW

[britinozz]

Oh OK thanks, so it is an extension tube like the Kenko?

I thought Canon only made two extension tubes: a 12mm tube and a 25mm tube

The present stocks’ Product Codes are:
Extension Tube EF12MkII
My appolagies i haven't been that clear have i this is what i am referring to Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender for Canon Super Telephoto Lenses
Extension Tube EF25MkII

So if you are referring to either of these two products - then I suggested buying the Kenko set of THREE tubes.

Not that it matters to me all that much, but I am still at a loss as what is this "4x" tube, as extension tubes are referenced by their length and not a numerical multiplier.

I am only asking for clarification so I might better respond to your initial question.

WW

[William W]

My appolagies i haven't been that clear have i this is what i am referring to Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender for Canon Super Telephoto Lenses

OK.
We are discussing the "Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender"
Then in the context of your first post this is now your question:

"im thinking of upgrading my old 100mm canon non is lens for another lens and maybe getting some canon extension tubes i was thinking of the MP-E 65mm and the 100mm 2.8 l lens with the [Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender], what do you think."


My answer to this new question:

It would be silly to buy the EF100F/2.8L IS Macro AND the EF 1.4x III Telephoto Extender to work with the Macro Lens, because, as far as I understand ALL of the four CANON Telephoto Extenders at present available for new sale (x1.4MkII; x1.4MkIII; x2.0MkII and x2.0MkIII) will NOT mount to the EF100F/2.8L IS Macro.

I understand that the only CANON Macro Lens which accepts a CANON Tele Extender is the: EF180F/3.5L Macro.

***

However, it is possible to mount a Canon Tele Extender on either of the EF100F/2.8 Macro or the EF100F/2.8L IS Macro by using an Extension Tube between the Lens and the Tele Extender - as shown here using the 12mm Kenko Tube:

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/13094213-lg.jpg

***

The result:
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/13011936-lg.jpg

***

However the almost identical resultant Shooting Distance and Magnification can be achieved by using all THREE of the Kenko tubes – thus:
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/13094215-lg.jpg

So IMO unless the X1.4MkIII Tele Extender has other uses, it seems a waste of money to purchase it, simply for the macro experience, considering at least one Extension Tube HAS to be purchased, anyway.


If you do wish to use the x1.4MkIII Tele Extender in conjunction with either Canon 100mm Macro lens – I would still suggest you buy the Kenko set of three Extension Tubes, rather than either one or both of the Canon Tubes.

WW

[britinozz]

OK.
We are discussing the "Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender"
Then in the context of your first post this is now your question:

"im thinking of upgrading my old 100mm canon non is lens for another lens and maybe getting some canon extension tubes i was thinking of the MP-E 65mm and the 100mm 2.8 l lens with the [Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender], what do you think."


My answer to this new question:

It would be silly to buy the EF100F/2.8L IS Macro AND the EF 1.4x III Telephoto Extender to work with the Macro Lens, because, as far as I understand ALL of the four CANON Telephoto Extenders at present available for new sale (x1.4MkII; x1.4MkIII; x2.0MkII and x2.0MkIII) will NOT mount to the EF100F/2.8L IS Macro.

I understand that the only CANON Macro Lens which accepts a CANON Tele Extender is the: EF180F/3.5L Macro.

***

However, it is possible to mount a Canon Tele Extender on either of the EF100F/2.8 Macro or the EF100F/2.8L IS Macro by using an Extension Tube between the Lens and the Tele Extender - as shown here using the 12mm Kenko Tube:

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/13094213-lg.jpg

***

The result:
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/13011936-lg.jpg

***

However the almost identical resultant Shooting Distance and Magnification can be achieved by using all THREE of the Kenko tubes – thus:
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/13094215-lg.jpg

So IMO unless the X1.4MkIII Tele Extender has other uses, it seems a waste of money to purchase it, simply for the macro experience, considering at least one Extension Tube HAS to be purchased, anyway.


If you do wish to use the x1.4MkIII Tele Extender in conjunction with either Canon 100mm Macro lens – I would still suggest you buy the Kenko set of three Extension Tubes, rather than either one or both of the Canon Tubes.
Well explained lol i knew i would get there in the end ,i was thinking of getting the canon 70-200 mk 2 and using the x1.4MkIII Tele Extender and was hoping to make use of it with the macro lens but you have clarified that one with the macro. I was told that i would loose some quality with a full frame camera using my 100mm macro lens thats why i was thinking of the upgrade so therefore i think i will invest in the 70-200 mk2 lens and get the x1.4MkIII Tele Extender any way for that use, thanks for your time in explaining things to me .

WW

[Tricky]

Buying an MPE 65mm AND an 100L with extension tubes seems a bit illogical to me. The MPE 65mm will go to 5x, a higher degree of magnification than you can get with the 100L plus even all three Kenko tubes, and the MPE's picture quality at these magnifications will be better.

My suggestions would be either:

- buy Kenko tubes to use with your existing 100mm macro lens (it's very good; the 100L is only a tiny fraction better). Using the Kenko tubes, decide if high magnification (ie 1x to 3x) macro shooting is for you (ie shooting macro with manual focus, very shallow DOF etc). Definitely buy the Kenko tubes over the Canon ones - as they say, Kenko thin air is as good as Canon thin air! (ie no glass in a tube).

- if you decide you like high magnification macro, then go the next step and buy the MPE 65mm. You won't regret it - the best macro lens there is.

- don't bother upgrading the 100mm macro lens to the 100L macro lens. Use the cash saved to buy a macro flash (if you don't already have one). Your ability to use the MPE with natural light is limited - you pretty much HAVE to have a macro flash available for many/most shots. The MT-24 twin lite is the way to go.

EDIT: just spotted in your signature that you've already got an MT-24 flash... good man!

[Tricky]

As an adjunct to my post above...

The MPE 65 and 100mm macro lens (without tubes) are a great combination... one for high magnification macros (ideally quite still ones) and the 100mm macro for subjects that are moving and are best captured using auto-focus. Really up to you whether you want to shell out a few hundred bucks extra to turn the 100mm into 100L... I've made my choice!

[britinozz]

As an adjunct to my post above...

The MPE 65 and 100mm macro lens (without tubes) are a great combination... one for high magnification macros (ideally quite still ones) and the 100mm macro for subjects that are moving and are best captured using auto-focus. Really up to you whether you want to shell out a few hundred bucks extra to turn the 100mm into 100L... I've made my choice!
thanks Tricky mmm food for thought.

[fabian628]

Imo you should save the money of buying the 100L and keep your old 100mm and add mpe65mm.

[britinozz]

Imo you should save the money of buying the 100L and keep your old 100mm and add mpe65mm.
yes im looking at the MP65 i think its going to be better for me than the 100mm for macro as i dont get as close as i would like with the 100mm.

[fabian628]

yes im looking at the MP65 i think its going to be better for me than the 100mm for macro as i dont get as close as i would like with the 100mm.

if this is the case, the mpe 65 is the lens for you :)