Does a Canon MP-E 65 give more depth of field than a reversed lens at the same magnification?
Asked 3/31/2017
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I shoot handheld insect macro outdoors using a reversed Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens stopped down to around f/16. Focus stacking usually isn’t practical because the subjects move and setting up takes too long.
I’m considering a Canon MP-E 65 and wondering whether, at the same magnification, it can provide noticeably more depth of field than my reversed lens setup, or whether examples that seem to show deeper focus are likely due to other factors such as stacking.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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Can the MP-E 65 achieve a greater depth of field at the same magnification than a stopped down reversed lens?
Probably not much in the center of the frame. Where the big advantage of the purpose built macro lens would be noticeable at the same magnification compared to some reversed lenses would be out near the edges and corners of the frame. Any minor improvement the MP-E 65mm would show over your reversed EF-S 18-55mm would be due to the better center sharpness of the macro lens.
Some reversed lenses tend to soften up and demonstrate really weird geometric distortion on the edges and in the corners. Macro lenses are generally designed to provide the flattest field of focus at macro distances. Most other lenses tend to be optimized for flattest field of focus at longer focus distances. Where you tend to see the most noticeable weird effects of reversing a lens are with prime lenses that aren't that well corrected for field curvature. Based on your two examples using the reversed EF-S 18-55mm the corners are so out of focus it probably wouldn't make much difference.
The other big advantage of the MP-E 65mm is the range of magnifications, all at 1:1 or larger, that are available and the ease of use at which magnifications and aperture settings can be changed. That comes at a price, though. For each magnification there is only one useable focus distance. What we would call the MFD (minimum focus distance) at each magnification on most lenses is the OFD (only focus distance) with the MP-E 65mm. As the magnification increases the DoF decreases, just as with any other conventional lens.
Are the examples I see focus stacked?
Since we can't see those examples it is impossible for us to say.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
9y ago
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At the same magnification, probably not by much. Depth of field in macro work is driven mainly by magnification and aperture, so an MP-E 65 is unlikely to give a dramatic depth-of-field advantage over a reversed lens when both are used similarly.
Where the MP-E 65 should perform better is image quality, especially away from the center. A purpose-built macro lens is designed for close-focus work, with a flatter field of focus and better sharpness across the frame. Reversed non-macro lenses can look softer and show odd distortion toward the edges and corners.
So if images made with the MP-E 65 appear to have more in focus, that may be due more to better sharpness and field flatness than to genuinely greater depth of field. In some cases, examples you’ve seen could also be focus stacked.
In short: don’t expect a major DOF increase at the same magnification, but do expect better optical performance for macro shooting.
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