Bugs Beware.... Kerso has delivered :)

[Dr MAD]

Notice to all flies and creepy crawlies

WATCH OUT!

Have just taken delivery of MPE-65 lens courtesy of Kerso (Ian Kerr... PH Member and supplier of lovely things!)

Just have to learn how to drive it and hopefully one day take some pics as good as 4Hero's!

Dan

PS Kerso's service is excellent. Thouroughly recommend

[crmcatee]

I've been debating getting one of these for a while.. I feel January may be the month...

[john185k]

Well done mate, Neil (4hero) loves his!

[CivicMan]

For the benefit of those, like myself, who are wondering what it is, a quick Google produces:

[SamHH]

Have you got a macro flash to go with it of will you use a normal flashgun?

[flat-planedCrank]

I'm not really a macro-boffin... but my understanding was that if you wanted to use a flash then you need some sort of macro / ring setup due to the very close focusing nature of the MP-E 65.
( afaik you'll get a shadow from the lens itself cast onto the subject if you use a normal flashgun )

I'm sure 4hero will be along shortly



Cheers.

[SamHH]

flat-planedCrank said:

I'm not really a macro-boffin... but my understanding was that if you wanted to use a flash then you need some sort of macro / ring setup due to the very close focusing nature of the MP-E 65.
( afaik you'll get a shadow from the lens itself cast onto the subject if you use a normal flashgun )

I'm sure 4hero will be along shortly



Cheers.

You can use a normal flashgun with a macro lens if you mount it on a bracket near the front of the lens or just hold it in the position you need. This is what I do when I'm doing macro photography, I was just wondering what Dr MAD's solution was going to be.

[Dr MAD]

I opted for the twin flash jobby as in the piccy above but still haven't had a chance to play!!! Work keeps getting in the way

Will post as soon as I have something worthy to grace these hallowed pages...

[4hero]

Good stuff Dr Mad, it's an amazing lens (if not a bit limited)

Here's mine.



You do realise that it's not so good without a decent macro flash? I've got the diffusers in the shot CivicMan posted, they are Gary Fong popups in case you are looking for them ; The MT-24ex and this lens is the perfect combo, love it

edited to say, just saw your last post, nice choice with the mt-24

Edited by 4hero on Tuesday 9th December 22:13

[Dr MAD]

Finally managed to get 20 mins to play. Where are all the bugs when you want one eh? Have to trawl around the office until I found a semi conscious fly! Firstly this is a tricky little beasty and will require A LOT more practice. Very difficult to even get your subject in frame!

First effort, like many I expect, was just to see how close you can get By no means a good photo but the possibilities are endless. Can't wait to explore the unseen world a bit more when I get the time.

Neil, do you have any useful tips?

Dan

[4hero]

f11, 1/200 or 250, ISO100 and adjust flash to suit. Nice effort though, it definitely is not a lens you get used to in 5 minutes.

Edited by 4hero on Thursday 11th December 00:11

[stigmundfreud]

I think towards the end of next year I might try to pick up a 2nd hand one. Dont do macro so would be hard to justify but I want to get some stunning macro pics on my walls and I have a rule about only using stuff I take.

Now she doesnt know about the 5dmk2 so if I can keep that hush for long enough the macro kit might make it under radar too

[4hero]

stigmundfreud said:

I think towards the end of next year I might try to pick up a 2nd hand one. Dont do macro so would be hard to justify but I want to get some stunning macro pics on my walls and I have a rule about only using stuff I take.

Now she doesnt know about the 5dmk2 so if I can keep that hush for long enough the macro kit might make it under radar too

My wife still thinks I only have my 350D and kit lens, 2 bodies and 9 lenses later

[Dr MAD]

4hero said:

f11, 1/200 or 250, ISO100 and adjust flash to suit. Nice effort though, it definitely is not a lens you get used to in 5 minutes.

Edited by 4hero on Thursday 11th December 00:11

Thanks Neil... will give it a try. I wasn't far out with my guess. I tried f16 to start with. I found that by using the lamps on the flash gave me a fighting chance of seeing the subject through the viewfinder but without them everything is too dark. Is there any way of setting the lamps to stay on longer? They seem to switch off after about 10 seconds and I can't see anything about them in the instructions.

I have to say that this combo sneaked in under the radar although I don't think it will be long before I hear those words "Is that new? I hope my Christmas present costs as much as that...". Yeah right!