photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

Does anybody have one of these lenses? I bought one on impulse on e-Bay, because nobody else seemed to be bidding on it, and it was way under RRP. It's not grey import, is genuine, and had never been used (was an insurance replacement). It is immaculate, but it didn't come with an instruction book, which I have now downloaded . But I just cannot work out how to focus it. I see there are two methods of doing so, but cannot make either one work for me. If you have this lens, could you please give me any tips or advice. I love macro photography and thought I could take wonderful photos with this lens, but so far all I have managed is a rather silly picture of some pencils: not what I really want to take.

Macro pencils in bas-relief

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Ask over at the Macro Forum
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html
A couple of the guys use this lens

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

We have two macro-photographers currently using Canon MP-E 65-mm lens, and several talking about going over to the dark side (Canon), just to use this lens. Illumination is one of the biggest hurdles in high magnification photography.

One Set-up: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-4.html#1800430

A few results:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-100351-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-96996-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-90061-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-90060-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-107923-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-108046-1.html

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

To learn about macro-photography in general, please read http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html , and the FAQs within the Intro thread.

In the True Macro-Photography Forum, we will gladly discuss macro techniques and equipment.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Another MP-E 65-mm photographer: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-3.html#1316539

CanonGeezer Loc: Rush, NY

I have one...... Set it to the power you want & move it to & from your subject until it is in focus.... I have mine on a rail.... Also remember the higher the power the shallower the DOF.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Macrophotogrphy is a tough genre to learn with a lot of working distance. You bought , in my opinion, the most difficult macro lens to learn. Close working distance, iffy lighting. Very sharp learning curve. Keep at it, a LOT..

Tough to get good lighting at least with our a ring light.
Keep at it and follow Nikonian 72 advise.

Patience patience patience

hope you got a great deal on it

mikemilton

I have one as well. There actually are not 2 ways to focus it. As mentioned above, one sets the magnification and then adjusts the distance until the subject is in focus.

For some objects it can be easier to move the subject (think table top shooting).

This lens is actually just as easy to use as others at the same magnification levels (with the exception of the 100F2.8lIS which actually does autofocus and has some level of IS at macro - I also have that and prefer it at 1x). The real issue is that macro is an undertaking to be worked at. It isn't magic but does need a bit of learning and experience

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

Thank you to all who have replied. I have looked at the various links, and am in awe at some of the photos, especially eframgoldberg's bugs. Yes, I can see it is going to be a steep learning curve, but will keep the old brain active and might end up with some half way decent photos. First find your bug.....!

Some of the home-made equipment to go with the lens is mind-boggling! I'm not very technically minded, will probably have to muddle along.

I did get a very good deal on the lens, it was an insurance replacement and then the owner suddenly found that his wife was expecting their first baby and so photography is going to have to take a back seat for a while.

I will continue to have a look at the Macro site. This is such a useful forum for information, am so grateful :o) Sarah