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Macro Photography is getting easy or easier with the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 with just one lens you can get from 1x to 5x life size with just a turn on the lens. This lens will let you get really close to bugs, plants and the world around you with no accessories but you will be helped with a sturdy tripos or a dedicated flash.

Yellow Papaver

The above photo is captures hand-held with the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 with the Canon MT-24EX Twin Lite Flash. The image is about 2x magnifications.

The MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro lens is specifically designed for macro photography and is a specialized lens from Canon capable of capturing images of up to 5 times magnification.

Five times magnification means the lens is capable of generating full frame images on the sensor up to five times the size of the subject. The Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro lens at 1x Magnification:

Canon MP-E 65mm

This is exciting but it important to be aware that the lens exhibits an extremely low depth of field (dof). For example the depth of field range from a maximum of 2.24mm at f/16 at 1x magnification, and a minimum of 0.048mm at f/2.8 at 5x magnification. Further it is very sensitive to even faint vibrations, with slight breezes or small movements having a big effects on image focus. Before buying this lens it also important to think about how close you have to be to the subject – only few insects or spiders will let you get this close but for detailed images of flowers and other non moving things is perfect.

Working with the Canon MP-E 65mm I would recommended to use a solid tripod, but hand held photography with this lens can also produce images with good focus when a dedicated macro flash like the Canon MT-24EX Twin Lite Flash is used. The MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro lens with the Canon MT-24EX Twin Lite Flash:

Canon 65mm

Working hand-held with this magnification if really difficult because the depth of field is very narrow and it hard to keep the camera in focus. The bug will move, the leaf and branches will move and lastly you will move a bit a well – so beside the skill of macro photography you depend on a bit of luck to get the image before the bug runs away from the flash!

Read more on this review: Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8.

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