Canon 20D options

["Umm fish?"]

Hi! I have a Canon 20D with a 100mm macro lens. I'm happy with the combo, but I'm not getting close enough. (I just got a Mesoscope, so I'm hungry for closer photos! ) Can you all help me with options and pros/cons?

BTW, I'm in the process of upgrading the tripod and I want to get a focusing rail for the new setup.

My tank is 24" deep, so I guess I would like to be able to focus to at least around 20". From what I can tell (?) this would take the MP-E65 right out of the running. From what I can tell, this lens can only focus to about 5" total. True?

I could wait for the Mesoscope SLR adapter, but that puts me into doing everything completely manually. I wouldn't mind doing this, too, but I'm really new at this and that would throw me right off the deep end. So, I guess I'm also looking for other options that can still offer me some of the auto functions of my camera (I can certainly focus for my own self, though, thank you very much. )

What about extenders/bellows? I don't know that the 1.4 will get me as close as I want, but I've heard some bad things about the 2x converter.

Thanks for any help you can offer me!

Andy

 

[gregr]

You can do some good things with a 1.4x converter and extension tubes- and if you want to you can add a 500D [Canon] close-up filter into the mix... makes for an unwieldy set-up but it's a lot of fun. The 2x converter does lose some quality- it's fairly noticeable although you can still get very decent results.
The MP-E65 will focus as far as 24cm which like you thought, ain't much. The 180mm macro lens is a really beautiful lens (probably on my Xmas list ) and gives some working room- you might want to consider that.
Greg

 

["Umm fish?"]

Thanks, Greg! Hopefully I can approach your league someday. The sharpness across the (large for macro) depth of field that you get is really just amazing.

 

[gregr]

Thanks

 

[perpetual98]

[Stupid question]

Is the 1.4 converter for telephoto lenses the same one that you're talking about here?

I'd like to get one to get some more length on my new Sigma 100-300mm and it would be a bonus if it could benefit my 100mm macro too.

Thanks!
Eric

[/stupid question]

 

["Umm fish?"]

I believe this is the one gregr was talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6WL/ref=pd_cp_p_title/104-9948310-9229555?ie=UTF8

True?

 

[gregr]

Yep- that's the one. Watch Amazon though... they ain't what they used to be

 

["Umm fish?"]

It's true, but....

We signed up for their 2nd day air free shipping. I then ordered a 150lb. drill press that was delivered to my porch, 2nd day air, free shipping, and no questions asked. Heck, if I'd bought it at the local store I'd still have had to lug the thing home. As it was, I could uncrate it on the porch and I didn't even have to line up any help to move the box.

Now, if they only sold 600gal. aquariums....