Canon MP-E 65/2.8 Macro

Gary Sun · Issue 71, Mar/Apr 2013 · pp. 35–37

Products mentioned: Canon MP-E 65/2.8 Macro, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Nauticam housing, Inon Z-240

The Canon MP-E 65/2.8 Macro lens was introduced in September 1999. It is a manual focus lens, dedicated to macro photography with EF lens mount for Canon EOS series SLR. The magnification ratio is between 1:1 and 5:1. As it is MF only, there is no built-in drive motor. The MF feels very smooth. When the magnification is 1:1, the length is the shortest at 98mm; and when the magnification ratio is 5:1, the length is the longest at 228mm. The change in length is 130mm! The first three internal lens elements incorporate a floating design. UD glass lens is used to eliminate the dispersion that is prone to large magnification in macro photography. At 5:1 reproduction, the magnification is particularly large and it is not easy to use this lens. There are also strict requirements for the tripod. The image may be blurry if the tripod vibrates a little so it is better to use a high-speed shutter t…