First light for my Canon MP-E65 mm lens

I met my students from the "Communicating Science Through Photography" seminar at Sharon Woods yesterday morning. It was a cold and blustery Autumn morning with temperatures in the 40's (°F for my non-American readers), and rain and sleet coming down at various intervals. The wind made it challenging for macro photography, but I had something in mind that wouldn't matter if the wind was shaking the subject around.  Steve gave me an early birthday present - a Canon MP-E65 mm lens! This is an extreme macro lens that goes from life size (1X) to five times that magnification (5X). I already had the Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX flash system, which is a must have for this lens, and so I decided to give the new lens first light on a patch of lichen that was growing at the base of a large oak tree.


I thought I was just going to be doing some texture/geometry photos, but I actually saw something I've never seen before - a tiny bark mushroom (Mycena corticola), peeking out from behind a lichen. So, here's one of the first images from the new lens. It's a real challenge to use, as most people who have tried it will agree. First of all, you focus this lens by moving it into position - no autofocus, no manual focus ring - just move into place until the subject is in focus. Easier said than done, and my first images could be much better if I had been using a tripod and focusing rail. That will be the next steps. I think I'm going to love the challenge of exploring the microscopic world, though.

Bark mushroom (Mycena corticola) - Photo by Andi Wolfe ©2014. Please do not use this image without my permission.