Hi Guys I've decided to order a Canon MP-E 65mm, but i'm unsure what i should use to light my subject with.
I currently have a 580 EX, and was wondering if this would be a good option if I can find a way of getting the flash positioned over the end of the lens. I know there are brackets out there but I am unsure which would give me enough adjustment to get the flash in a suitable position.
The other option is the MT-24EX but that is much more expensive and seeing as I will be new to the lens I figured I may as well try and learn with my existing flash.
Any advice is greatly appreciated as I'm a little lost at the mo.
Phil: while I do have Nikon's equivalent of the MT-24EX, the R1C1 wireless flash, I made a bracket using the tripod collar of my Sigma 150 lens. I'm using a Nikon SB-800 and the rig looks like this when set up. I'm quite happy with the light I'm getting. I can rotate the light on the left side all the way underneath the camera and on the right to about the 1:30 position.
Unless I'm greatly mistaken, the MP-E comes with a tripod collar that you might utilize in similar fashion. Something to consider.
I got the MP-E and the MT-24 at the same time. I think that you will be happiest with that combination. One thing that is not mentioned often is how much the length of the MP-E changes as its magnification is increased. This makes a hot shoe mounted flash difficult to use effectively when you change magnifications.
My recommendations get the MT-24 too, but use the 580 as fill for the background.
Phil, it occurred to me that while my Sigma 150 focuses internally down to 1:1, the MP-E 'trombones' out to 5X, i.e., the front of the lens moves in relation to the lens collar. I'd thought of using a slotted hole to fasten the bracket to the collar and it will probably be imperative in the case of the MP-E. Hope this helps. PM me if you have questions.
Also, as John (Dalantech) mentioned, Brian Valentine (LordV) gets pretty darned good results with a homemade bracket and standard off-camera flash.
The bracket I use with my MPE-65 is similar to a Hakuba LH-1 ballhead bracket (ebay) but replace the ballhead with a larger generic one with a male 1/4" fitting rather than a flash clamp. As the lens extends you simply pull the flash head which straightens the flash and rotates the ball head. See pic below RHS.
My bracket is an old vidcam lamp bracket I already had with a Jessops ballhead attached.
Brian V.
Thats a valid point brian, I suppose your set up would be quicker and probably cheaper.
Goldenorfe can I ask you where you bought that from, It looks as though it would do the job nicely. Do you have any macro shots taken with this set up?
Also Brian do you use the Canon MT-24 or do you just use the set up in you photo?
Thanks guys you're really helping me here. Probably gonna save me a small fortune.
Guys I think I'm leaning towards the bracket and ball head option. But can I ask what are the main advantages of using the MT-24EX over a flash and bracket, and are they enough to warrant spending a small fortune on it?
redmonkee wrote:
Guys I think I'm leaning towards the bracket and ball head option. But can I ask what are the main advantages of using the MT-24EX over a flash and bracket, and are they enough to warrant spending a small fortune on it?
You don't need to move the flash every time you adjust magnification.
You have two light sources you can use for composition.
You have IR control over a slave to use as background fill.
The lens isn't in the way of the flash.
On a side note, do you already have an off camera flash cord?
What camera are you using?
I'll add one more to Jim's excellent list: Balance. With the MT-24EX all of the weight is centered and back by you on the hot shoe. With a standard camera flash all of the weight is off balanced (on one side or the other) and out toward the end of the lens. How many people are there who use a standard flash and are getting carpel tunnel syndrome or other wrist injurries?...
Jim I haven't got an off camera flash cord yet, I was going to wait until I made my mind up in the flash system to use.
I'm shooting with a Canon 5D, and Dalantech has made a great point about balance and possibility of wrist injuries... I just can't help but think of the bank balance
Can't argue with a thing Jim says: all valid arguments in favor of the MT-24EX. That said, however, if you already own the 580EX and are buying the MP-E and are moderately 'handy', all you need is a sync cord and a piece of flatbar to have a serviceable DIY bracket. I use the Nikon R1C1 twin flash and enjoy it immensely. I also like my DIY and I think the lighting is equally as good. Different maybe, but just as good.
There is no 'only way' or 'right way' where gear is concerned; what matters is the final image and how you get there is up to you.
I'm reading all these replies and trying to take them all in. I rented the MT-24 and saw how useful that flash was (redmonkee, that might be an option for you as well), but likewise, I don't want to shell out that chunk of change if I can make a workable solution myself since I also have a 580ex and 580exII.
Brian and others do get great shots with their home-made brackets and diffusers, and I admit I want to try that to see if I can get something usable without resorting to the expense of the MT-24. I got lucky on my MP-E 65 and saw a used one online for $100 below regular cost, and it's been fantastic so far. I just have to learn to use it.
There are several online rental places you can use. I know the company I've used (lensrentals.com) has been fantastic, and I highly recommend them. They recently added the MR-14ex so you could even compare the 14 and 24 flashes. This way you can try before you decide whether or not to buy.
If you do decide to make something, let us know what you put together!
I have recently got an MPE-65 as well, and am doing reasonably well with a 430EX gun on a home-made bracket similar to Phil's, although I have put two ball heads one ot top of the other to introduce a second flexible joint. It works very well, but as has been said it introduces not inconsiderable extra weight to one side of the camera. In the hands of somebody like Dalantech the MT-24 undoubtedly gives superb results but it is very expensive, if you already have a 580EX I would stick with that for a while. I also have a Sigma ringflash (broadly equivalent to the Canon MR-14) which I like to use on my 105mm macro lens, but on the MPE-65 I find it tends to bump into things too much due to the closer working distances, so I would suggest avoiding a conventional ringflash.
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