The MPE-65 is an amazing lens and is capable of between 1:1 and 5:1 reproduction. For those unfamiliar with such terms, 1:1 reproduction means the image is reproduced life size on the camera's sensor (or film), so a 1cm subject would fill 1cm of the sensor. Macro lenses, such as my Sigma 150mm, will only magnify as far as 1:1 and can only go beyond this with the help of extension tubes. But even 68mm of extension tubes will only enable the Sigma 150 to magnify up to 1.45:1. Instead, the MPE-65 basically contains a large, extendable extension tube and so can zoom from 1:1 to 5:1. It is not, however, an easy lens to use. At 1:1 reproduction the working distance (the distance between the lens and the subject) is only 4 inches, but at 5:1 it is only 1.6 inches. In addition, it is generally necessary to light images by flash in order to choose a small aperture and maximise depth of field (DOF). However, at high levels of magnification diffraction becomes an issue and images become noticeably soft if too small an aperture is used. As a result, the minimum aperture that can be used at each level of magnification appears to be approximately as follows:

1:1 magnification - f16 or f14
2:1 magnification - f14 or f11
3:1 magnification - f11 or f8
4:1 magnification - f8 or f5.6
5:1 magnificaton - f7.1 or f5.6


Click here to see what these levels of magnification actually look like.

In order to attain the minimum apertures shown above, I light my images entirely by flash. My standard settings are 1/160 sec, ISO 100 and the aperture shown above for the level of magnification that I'm shooting at. Without flash, these settings would provide an entirely black image so the images are exposed by the flash alone. The extremely short duration of electronic flash is equivalent to shooting at a very fast shutter speed thereby removing motion blur. Images can therefore be taken handheld which increases the photographic opportunities enormously since it is not often easy to set up a tripod inches away from an insect. I use a Canon Speedlight 580EXII flash gun with a home-made diffuser made out of Coke cans with kitchen roll over the end (thanks to Brian Valentine aka LordV for the design :-)). The trick is to get the flashgun as close to the subject as possible. For this I use a Hakuba L-H1 flash bracket, available from Ebay, which has a ball-head and hence allows me to angle the flashgun. The ball-head is a bit flimsy but it does the job. I generally set my flash exposure compensation to + 1/3 FEC, although for very pale subjects I sometimes increase this to +1 or more and for very dark subjects will sometimes go to -1/3.

Since the MPE-65 has no autofocus or manual focusing ring, focusing is achieved simply by moving backwards and forwards slightly until the appropriate part of the insect is in focus, usually the eye. When working at magnifications beyond 2x it is often necessary to find some means of support e.g. a fencepost, a knee, a tree etc. Failing that a monopod could be used. Steady hands are required when working beyond 2x.

Here is a photo of my camera set-up, showing my 30D, the MPE-65, the Speedlight 580EXII on a side bracket and the home-made diffuser.