Mega Macro, Maybe?

[Tzetsin]

I've been lamenting the fact that I didn't get the Canon 65mm MP-E 1x-5x lens like I'd wanted too. After reading a lot of reviews on the lens, I decided that it was just too much hassle for me (I'm traveling with my kit more than I'm home with it). Also, the need for a focusing rail and ring flash, along with having to focus stack 5x shots just kinda turned me off. I'm just not "that" into macro photography.

I'd decided to get the 100-400mmL lens instead, it was a bit more money, but more in line with the kind of work I end up shooting. Couple that lens with my 2x teleconverter v3.0 and the lens kicks serious booty.

Now heres something I thought of just before I had to go to work, so I only had a chance to fire off a few handheld shots...

Canon's TC only works on specific lenses because it has a little bitty tube or something that slides into the host lens. Only certain lenses can accommodate that stupid tube thing, so using the tc on normal lenses is out.

I've got a 100mm 2.8 1x macro lens, it works pretty good. putting my Kenko extention tubes on there gives me about 2x macro. I was playing around with these two today when it dawned on me that the Kenko extention tubes are HOLLOW. Hollow means that stupid tube thing on the TC should slip nicely into it, and it does.

1 Canon 100mm 2.8 macro + 1 full set of kenko extention tubes, + 1 2x TC MKIII = A whole lot of massive macro fun. I think.... Like I said, I didnt get much of a chance to try it out. it did work though, and I did get some shots. They were a bit blurry, but I was shooting handheld in a hotel bathroom (the only place in the room with enough light)

I'll try it agian when I get off work later today.

Anyone else try something like this?

Incidentally, using the smallest ring on the kenko extention tube allows me to use the teleconverter on any lens as well. Not sure how useful that'll be, but it gives you options. (and retains AF if the lens is reasonably fast) and allows you to focus closer. Not sure how that'll work out with infinity though.

[BigFuzzy]

Sounds like a nice workaround and of great interest to someone into Macro.. would love to see some with/without TC shots to see both the difference in macro but also quality (if any).

Thanks for sharing!

[Tzetsin]

I actually did it up, it really works. You get about 4x. I'll post some shots when I get home tonight. Till then, look at your finger print on your index finger. Find the very center swirl. You can get that in about half the frame.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Tzetsin

I actually did it up, it really works. You get about 4x. I'll post some shots when I get home tonight. Till then, look at your finger print on your index finger. Find the very center swirl. You can get that in about half the frame.

That's pretty impressive! Although I'm not a Canon shooter good job using what you have. Can't wait to see the results!

[Tzetsin]

These first three shots are crap, just for magnification purposes as the ISO is like 12500 or something, just to get enough light to take the shot. The last shot is with a flash and proper ISO so you can see the IQ

100MM 2.8 MACRO @ 1X1
_MG_9161-740.jpg

100MM + Full set of Kenko tubes @ 2x1
_MG_9164-740.jpg

100mm + Full set of Kenko tubes + 2x TCmkIII and 5DmkII
_MG_9182-740.jpg

All the above with the 60D 1.6x crop factor. (I understand the crop thing, but it does have a higher pixle density at the same image crop.)
_MG_0578-740.jpg

[BigFuzzy]

wow.. very cool. It's been ages since I've looked at finger prints in this way. fascinating!
Thanks!

[Tzetsin]

I'm going to get my peepee smacked for all these pictures soon, but this is a real world example of the 100mm 2.8 by itself and with the whole schebang. Two things that I've noticed:

my sensor is REALLY fricken dirty.

My 100mm 2.8 macro lens really isn't very sharp.

Adding the TC as far as i can see hasn't caused much for image quality degridation, but it has amplified the non sharpness of the original lens. This setup all together gives about 4x magnification, but in realworld, in the interest of keeping image sharpness I think focusing on the far end of the lens, though effectivly reducing your magnification by 1x would also increase your apperent sharpness. So this whole setup I'd say would be most effective at 3X magnification vs its capable 4x. Though its definitely doable at 4x, the amount of detail in a bug is so high that unless I'm doing something wrong, gives about the same IQ as a cheap lens would.

_MG_0604-740.jpg

_MG_0602-740.jpg

P.S. the black thinger the moth is sitting on in the first picture is the back cap to my lens. Just to give a good indicator of scale.

[Vincent_G]

I uploaded your prints to the FBI data base, they want to have a word with you .. apparently you've been involved in a few shootings.

[Tzetsin]

Originally Posted by Vincent_G

I uploaded your prints to the FBI data base, they want to have a word with you .. apparently you've been involved in a few shootings.

Bwahahahaha, Let em come find me. If i cant find me, they never will either n I have no idea where I am!

[oneidapj]

Very timely thread, Tzetsin. I have been doing some reading about Kenko tubes and how it would help out my 100mm 2.8. Wow and then to learn the 2x TC will screw onto the ext. tubes!!! I also read about stacking shots from a 5x lense and also got abit turned off by it all, especially since I'm not into editing my shots much.

Thanks for shareing that info and the examples of what it all stacked up can do.