I just took delivery of an MP-E 65mm. ... Up to now I've been using the EF-S 60mm macro combined with Closeup lenses and Extension tubes. So I tought I may as well throw myself in at the deep end and try and shoot @ x5 with my new baby...

The best reference I could find for these little guys is they are Red Velvet Mite, Trombidiidae. The first two images are shot x5 and resized to 1024 accross. The last two at about x3, cropped on each side then resized to 1024 high.

Thanks
Dave OS

Another happy MPE user. Looks like you two are getting along famously so far, David. Good shots, man.
Kenny

Dave,

These are great!

How do you like the handling and IQ of the MP-E 65 Vs EF-S 60 + extension tubes?

I use th EF-S + a full set of tubes quite often and a MP-E 65 may be somewhere in my future.

Mike

Great shots of such a small subject! Are these with tripod/monopod?

Thanks for the comments Guys.

Hi Mike
I don't really have enough experience with the MP-E 65 to comment on it's IQ versus the EF-S 60. Maybe one of the more experience members of this forum can help you there. I do know the IQ of the EF-S 60 is excellent. I'll be keeping it for sure. I'd say mostly for up to 1:1 magnification and less.

The handling seems quite similar. Thought the EF-S 60mm is lighter. One definate, obivious advantage of the MP-E 65, is the ability to switch to higher magnification easily. I tend to get quite lazy attaching tubes or vice versa on the EF-S 60. With the MP-E 65 I just feel more empowered...

Hi Igor
These shots were taken handheld. They would practically impossible to take any other way. Those little critters are very busy and never stop moving. I was able to use a variation of Dalantecs ™Knee Pod. I used the OSheas™Finger Pod. The focus distance @ x5 magnification is 44mm (1.6 inches). About the width of two fingers.

Cheers
Dave OS

Thanks david,

I'm able to get from approx. 1x @ infinity to 3X at 1:1 on the 60 EF-s with a full set if tubes. So it sounds like they are fairly similiar in that range, while the MP-E 65 will allow you to go all the way to 5X.

I've been throwing on a 1.4x TC to try to get to 5X, but there is a noticable quality drop-off.

Never tried the fingerpod yet. I use the kneepod and fistpod quite often.

How large would you guess thos mites are?

Mike

Mike Scott wrote:
How large would you guess thos mites are?

Mike

Those first two shots are not cropped. Neither is this quick one @ x5 magnification. The image is approx 3mm top to bottom. So about 1mm wide.

Dave OS

Now I'm even more impressed. The aphids I shot the other day were about 1mm and the detail isn't even close to these.

Mike

Great shots! I think these guys are either Chiggers or Predatory Running Mites. Check
here.

Velvet Mites eyes are out front away from the body as seen here.

When I first got my MPE-65 I ran it all the way out to 5x and wondered if I had bought the wrong lens! You're doing very well

Mike
I had the advantage of a flat surface to rest my camera and hand on. Although these guys moved quite incessantly, focusing became quite easy for a change.

Jody
Thanks for the link. Excellent pic by the way. I've just added that to my favs. Looks like these guys are Predatory Running Mites. I have further indentified them with a google search. Really fast runners. Seems they feed on other Mites, Pollen, other insect larvae and eggs. They are not harmful to plants and not dangerous to those of the human species.

John
Looking at the quality of your images... I find that hard to believe.

Cheers
Dave OS

Excellent shots! very good control of focus.Enjoy your new toy!

Regards,

Remus

Thanks Remus.