Hi John, your review was very useful. I also shoot macro, but not exclusively.
Hi Sean, thanks for taking the time to read it.
I found your review comments and descriptions helpful because I was wondering about the Canon ultra macro (if that is the right term) and I only know one person who used the Canon 1:1 - 1:5 and he didn't mention the reality that if it is purchased, one will likely have to get the specialized light to accompany it.
The Canon MPE-65 is essentially a paperweight ... unless you purchase macro rails and/or a flash.
I prefer the less-expensive option of macro rails and have been able to get shots
like this with natural light:
You must keep in mind this is a camouflaged creature, that holds perfectly still, and that this is an 8-shot stack taken from a tripod/macro rail combo.
There is no way I could hand-hold and get this kind of shot ...
unless I had a flash.
Moreover, with a flash on this lens, you can't just use it the way it came out of the box either.
Worse, while there are some cheapo diffusers you can buy for it, none of them really work.
Instead, you will have to make some sort of
customized macro rig to get the most out of this lens. (Scroll all the way down, because there are some pretty nice ones.)
Sometimes I like to shoot very close up shots of plant and/or insect materials to get unusual colours and textures and your review has given me more to think about. Also appreciated your discussion of the weights of the lenses.
Sean
Thank you, I appreciate yours also.
From 1:1 - 2:1, I can put a set of extension tubes on the end of the Sigma 180 and equal anything out of the MPE 65, and be able to do so from a more comfortable distance away.
However, beyond that, the MPE 65 is the way to go. While there are wonderful reverse-mount + prime combinations that can achieve greater-than-1:1 magnification, nothing allows you the smooth transition from 1:1 to 5:1 than going with the MPE 65.
If you spend a lot of time within that range, and once you tweak your accessories to perfection, you will take mind-boggling macros that cannot be achieved with any other commercial lens.
People are always amazed by such images, because they simply can't see small objects
that close with their eyes.
Jack