Is the Canon MP-E 65mm the best Canon-mount lens for extreme macro, or should I choose a 100mm macro instead?
Asked 8/9/2012
3 views
2 answers
0
I’m buying my first macro lens for a full-frame Canon body and I’m comparing options like the Canon 100mm f/2.8L, Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar, and Canon MP-E 65mm. I’m especially interested in image quality and magnification, but I’ve read the MP-E 65mm can be difficult to use. Is there a better Canon-mount option than the MP-E 65mm, or is it only the best choice for a very specific kind of macro work?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
9
The MP-E 65mm is not a normal macro lens, it's a special lens for extreme macro only.
If you need 5x magnification the MP-E 65mm is the only option on the market - so it's obviously better than the other options (well, you can potentially get 5x with extension rings or reversed lenses but the MP-E is the only lens that is designed to work at those extreme circumstances).
However, if you want a lens that can also be used as a general purpose lens the MP-E is useless - it only does macro.
The MP-E 65mm is designed for one specific task only (macro at extreme magnification), if that's what you want to do than it's absolutely the best option, but it's completely useless for everything else.
By the way, if you want to shoot handheld macro than the Canon 100mm f/2.8L has a new image stabilization system that works for macro, and I believe that right now this is the only lens in existence that has that system, it's also the only lens out of the 3 you mentioned that has auto-focus (and the 100mm, unlike the MP-E, can also double as a great portrait or general purpose lens).
The Zeis is probably great optically but it doesn't have auto-focus or IS like the Canon 100mm (that's not a big deal for macro but does limit it's usability for other situations) and it doesn't have the extreme magnification of the MP-E.
So, there isn't really such a thing as "better", each of the lenses you mentioned is significantly better than the others at some aspects and worse at others.
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It depends on what you mean by “better.” The Canon MP-E 65mm is a very specialized lens: it’s designed for extreme macro and can reach up to 5x magnification, which makes it unique among Canon-mount options. If your goal is extreme close-up work at very high magnification, it’s effectively the best tool for that job.
But it is not a general-purpose macro lens. It’s only useful for macro, and it’s known for being harder to use than a conventional macro lens.
If you want a more versatile lens for everyday macro, a 100mm macro is usually the better choice. The Canon 100mm f/2.8L is especially appealing for handheld macro because it has image stabilization. The Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar is also well regarded for image quality.
So: for extreme macro, the MP-E 65mm stands out. For a more flexible lens that can handle macro and other shooting, a 100mm macro is the better fit.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Does the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 have image stabilization, and is it practical handheld?
Can the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens be used on a Canon Rebel T3?
Is the Zeiss 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar ZF.2 a good choice on a Nikon D800 for portraits and close-up work?
Do extension tubes or Raynox close-up lenses reduce image quality compared with a dedicated macro lens?
Are any Zeiss photo lenses still made in Germany, and does country of manufacture matter?