Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Lens (Pre-owned)

While this item is pre owned, it is in excellent condition. It has no blemishes on the exterior or interior. The glass is very clean and clear.

Key Features and Specifications:

1. Magnification Range:

   • 1x to 5x Life-Size Magnification: The standout feature of the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 is its ability to capture macro images with magnifications from 1x (life-size) to 5x (five times life-size). This allows for stunningly detailed shots of very small subjects, ideal for extreme macro photography such as insects, textures, and scientific photography.
   • Fixed 65mm Focal Length: The lens does not offer traditional focusing at infinity, and is exclusively designed for macro photography. Its 65mm focal length provides a working distance suitable for close-up shots without disturbing the subject.

2. Aperture:

   • f/2.8 Maximum Aperture: The wide f/2.8 aperture offers good low-light performance and allows for creative control over depth of field. However, due to the extreme magnifications, depth of field can become very shallow, so stopping down the aperture is often necessary for increased sharpness across the subject.
   • Manual Aperture Control: At extreme magnifications, depth of field is very narrow, and controlling the aperture manually allows for more precise focus control, which is critical in macro photography.

3. Optical Performance:

   • High-Quality Optics: The lens features a 10-element, 8-group optical design to minimize aberrations and distortions, ensuring sharp and clear images with accurate color reproduction. The high-quality glass delivers excellent resolution and contrast, even at high magnifications.
   • Super Spectra Coating: Canon's Super Spectra coatings help reduce ghosting and flare, ensuring optimal light transmission and vivid color fidelity, especially when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

4. Manual Focusing:

   • Manual Focus Only: Given the nature of extreme macro photography, the lens is manual focus only, as precise control is essential for capturing small subjects at high magnification. The focusing ring is smooth and precise, allowing for minute adjustments, which are crucial when working at high magnification levels.

5. Built-In Tripod Collar:

   • Stabilization for High Magnifications: A detachable tripod collar is included to provide better balance when mounted on a tripod. At extreme magnifications, even small movements can cause image blur, so a tripod and steady shooting platform are often necessary.

6. Lens Construction:

   • 10 Elements in 8 Groups: The lens's optical construction is designed to deliver high image quality across the frame, even at extreme magnifications, while keeping aberrations and distortions to a minimum.
   • Floating Lens System: The lens employs a floating system that helps maintain image quality across the entire magnification range, ensuring consistent sharpness at both 1x and 5x.

7. Minimum Focusing Distance:

   • Working Distance: At 1x magnification, the lens has a working distance of about 100mm (4 inches), but as magnification increases to 5x, the working distance reduces to about 40mm (1.6 inches). Photographers need to be very close to their subjects at high magnifications, which requires careful lighting and positioning.

8. Lighting Considerations:

   • Ring Lite or Macro Lite Compatibility: Due to the close working distances involved, additional lighting is often needed to properly illuminate the subject. The lens is compatible with Canon’s MR-14EX or MT-24EX macro flashes, which mount directly to the front of the lens to provide even and controlled lighting.

9. Build and Design:

   • Sturdy Build: The lens is built to Canon’s professional standards, offering durability and reliability in demanding shooting conditions. While not weather-sealed, it has a robust construction to withstand heavy use in fieldwork.
   • Compact and Lightweight for a Macro Lens: Weighing approximately 710g (1.56 lbs), the MP-E 65mm is relatively lightweight for a high-magnification macro lens, making it easy to handle for handheld shooting in certain conditions, though a tripod is usually recommended.

10. Filter Compatibility:

    • 58mm Filter Thread: The lens accepts 58mm filters, allowing for the use of UV, polarizers, or other specialty filters, though it is primarily used with macro ring lights or twin lights for illumination.