Underwaterant

I'm seriously considering buying it instead
of extension tubes, screw ons or 100mm et cetera macro.
Has anyone had fantastic results and
thoughts.
And dad experiences, please.

Thanks a bunch.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

NO, the 65mm macro is really for stamp collecting etc as it is too close to the subject for wildlife, you need 100mm or more for nature

Have you googled "what macro lens"

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/best-macro-lenses.htm

Underwaterant

Thanks. I'll look.
I thought it'd be great for insects, et cetera.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

No, too close longer mm means further away

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

I have this lens. I bought it second-hand from e-Bay. It is a really difficult lens to use, but it depends on what sort of photography you do. If you want to get big close-ups of very small subjects eg insects, it will do a marvellous job, but you really have to have a ring light or similar on your camera (and maybe an off camera flash as well) as you have to get so close to the subject that the lens will cast a shadow and block any other light. You will certainly need a good tripod (it is quite a heavy lens) and any movement either in the camera or by the subject will immediately ruin the photo, as the d-o-f is miniscule. It isn't generally a lens you can take out and about (although there is someone on this site who does that, I believe). You would be better off with a Canon 100mm macro if you want to go walks in the woods with a macro. But if you have time to spare to set up the 65mm lens and the lighting, and a subject that will stay still, you can get amazing shots. I'm attaching a photo, one of the earliest I took, of a quarter-inch bluebottle. You can see that the focus falls off really quickly, even on its' head. I used a ring=flash and an off camera flash to get the light on this fly. I have not as yet mastered the lens, because it does take up a lot of time. It is a great lens, but I would say, fairly specialist. Wonderful if really big close-ups of tiny things is what you are into.

Bluebottle

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

You say you have "this" lens, what lens

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

The lens that the question was asked about: the "Canon 65 mm Macro" . Canon only has one 65 mm macro lens, I believe, properly called the MP-E 65mm Macro.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Couldn't see " MP-E 65mm Macro" in your reply

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

JR, let's not get picky or hi-jack the OP's question. I didn't need to quote the correct name for the lens because Canon only has the one 65mm lens. What other lens could he/she have been asking about?

Underwaterant

Thanks very much. I appreciate all your
insight for "that" lens.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

What sort of photography are you into, Underwaterant? Do you think this is going to be the lens for you? It's expensive, so you need to learn how to use it to make it worthwhile. I'm beginning to follow my own advice here, and making time to practice with it. One day, I'll have some great shots...... (maybe!) :o)

Underwaterant

I want to photograph insects very close and
flowers, et cetera.
But I think, with the 65mm, I'll need macro
flashes or a flash ring.
I've heard the insecst seen photographed
are dead and therefore still to be in
focus. Because the 65mm can go out
of focus easily if slight movement away
from a staged environment.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Several guys over on the Macro Forum use this Lens. I assure you the insects are live and well. Learning how to approach your subject is also part of Macro Photography, along with using flash. Check over here on the forum if you need hands on advice using this lens as well as Macro photography. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

I have the EF 100mm 2.8L USM macro (so there is no confusion). It is a fantastic lens. If I encounter a brave and patient bug I can get a wonderful shot but I really need to get close. A couple of feet away. There aren't too many bugs that will pose nicely under those conditions. So.....like everyone is saying, longer is better. The extra $500 for the 180 (EF 180mm 3.5L macro USM) was more than I wanted to spend though.
The 100 is such an amazing lens overall (not just for macro) that I use it when ever that focal length work.
Unless you will be trying to photography the eyeballs of live insects.....you will be very happy with the 100.
If you DO want to get those eyeball shots you might go for a reverse mounted 50 and a great deal of patience.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I can't speak for the Canon version...but I use the Nikon 60mm macro lens allot...one of my favorites however it does take special effort to get in close.