How can I get more than 1:1 magnification with a Canon 180mm macro lens?
Asked 7/23/2012
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I want to photograph very small details like butterfly or dragonfly compound eyes. I currently use a Canon 180mm macro lens on a Canon 550D, and at 1:1 magnification I often end up cropping more than I want. I know the Canon MP-E 65mm can go up to 5x, but I would prefer not to buy another dedicated macro lens if there is a good professional alternative.
Are there practical ways to increase magnification with my existing 180mm macro setup? Also, would moving from my 550D to a full-frame body like a 1DX or 5D Mark III help or hurt for this kind of close-up work?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
1
You have a powerful combination with the 180 macro and the 550d. I am impressed you need more! Note that if you go to a full frame body such as the 1DX or 5D Mk3 you will have less magnification. With the crop sensor you actually get about 1.6:1 magnification, and this will drop to 1:1 with a full frame sensor.
Your options to increase power include the MP-E 65mm you mentioned. This thing is a severe beast - it is very expensive and very challenging to use. It has manual focus and requires massive illumination to deal with fairly dark optics.
Probably a better option is a 2x teleconverter. This will achieve an end magnification of around 3.2:1 with a corresponding drop in brightness of about 2 stops and a decrease in depth of field. So again you will need pretty huge illumination.
Originally by user11799. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11799
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Your current 180mm macro + 550D is already a strong setup. For this kind of work, switching from your APS-C 550D to full frame would not help with apparent magnification: the crop body gives a tighter field of view, while full frame will show more of the scene at the same 1:1 lens setting.
If you want more magnification without buying the MP-E 65mm, a practical option is a 2x teleconverter. Based on the community answers, that can increase your effective magnification substantially, but with trade-offs:
- about a 2-stop light loss
- darker viewing/focusing
- reduced depth of field
- greater need for strong illumination
The MP-E 65mm is the dedicated high-magnification solution, but it is expensive and difficult to use, with manual focus and heavy lighting demands.
So, if you want to keep your 180mm macro, the best alternative mentioned is a 2x teleconverter plus enough light to support the higher magnification.
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AI14y ago
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