Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L I love Canon. Although there were times when I shot with Nikons (D700, D300) and were pretty impressed with the result, I always came back to Canon. This is the first is macro lens for Canon and they got it right. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L I have used the 60mm, 100mm, & 180mm macro before and by far this is the best! Now, if you already own a 100mm macro you should try it before upgrading because the IQ of the lens are identical. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L I usually use this lens for portraits (yes, I know the 85mm & 135mm is a better portrait lens.) of my daughter and the IS is awesome. Hand holding 1/40 I can still get a sharp picture.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L The thing that I really hated about the non-IS 100mm macro was the distribution of weight - it was the most awkward thing to shoot with. This lens feels lighter because of the even distribution of weight and size (gradual taper) and it includes a deep hood.
I know $1K is a hefty sum of cash, but considering what you get and how long it can last you - I don't know why you would settle for the non-IS.
I wasn't certain this lens would be a good value or choice for an APS-C camera. Having recently purchased a 7D, I felt the focal length might be too long, but didn't want the EF-S 60mm macro, when I expect to purchase a body with a full-frame sensor in a couple years. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L For anyone considering a 100mm Macro, I'm 6x6" tall, and was able to squeeze in an 8x11" sheet of paper on the floor, while standing with my 20D.
I evaluated the EF 100mm Macro and this lens side-by-side. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L The older 100mm Macro has a great reputation. From the specifications, you'll see that the new lens is slightly longer, and weighs more. The build quality is excellent and consistent with an L lens. Optics are precise. Color and Bokeh are outstanding, as review samples attest.
Auto focus and manual focus are smooth and deliberate. As with other Macros, the focus is precise, but moves slower than a standard telephoto lens of the same focal length. It takes approximately 2.5 seconds to focus from infinity to .3m. It takes approximately 3.0 seconds to focus from .3m to infinity, as the mechanism delays .5 seconds when autofocus is initiated.
The focusing limiter selector switch functions well, eliminating the time to focus, if you know your subject will be between .3m to .5m, or .5m to infinity. The ranges offer a good compromise between focusing element travel and practical subject distances. .3m to .5m represents a 180 degree turn of the focusing ring, and .5m to infinity represents about a 150 degree turn of the focusing ring.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L
I purchased this lens over the older 100mm Macro for the image stabilization. The image stabilization allows the hand held use of the lens under brighter lighting conditions. The image stabilization certainly behaves differently from other L lenses at 100mm. Telephoto IS may allow you to pan, this lens does not. Better shots will be obtained with IS on while tracking a moving subject; however, IS on this lens is no substitute for a telephoto with panning IS ability. The new IS technology does seem better suited for macro shots than earlier IS techonlogy. The subject seems to "stick" on this lens, as compared with images that seem to "float" with other IS lenses.
IS compensates for movement quite well, but I will shoot low-light subjects on a tripod. With IS on and and shooting at 2.8, the depth of field is extremely shallow. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Any movement toward or away from the subject will result in an out-of-focus image. My 1.6 sensor certainly exacerbates the problem. If you need to obtain a more adequate depth of field, you must shoot at 8.0 or above, which will require longer shutter times under low lighting.
Outdoors, this lens will provide unique opportunities in allowing one to complete hand-held shots of bright-lit subjects, especially if you have a full-frame sensor. I'm writing this review as a hobbyist rather than professional photographer (that is, that sells photographs for a living). Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L In my opinion, I would say this lens deserves a spot in your kit if you're looking to jump into the world of macro, but would also like the lens to do double duty for other types of shooting you do. As a relatively new photographer, I have primarily shooting portraits at social get-togethers. I found the Canon 135mm f/2.0L to be the cream-of-the-crop, but had two slight drawbacks - it was a bit long indoors depending on location and without IS (image stabilization) it was tough to get focused shots at such a long focal length. The general rule of 1/focal length meant shooting at 1/160, which can be tough in low light to get a properly exposed picture.
The 100mm nicely fit with a shorter focal length and Canon's new Hybrid-IS system. The IS system is audible in more quiet environments, but is by no means loud enough to get in the way of taking your pictures. The IS also enables you to handhold shots indoors, which was great for me to take pictures in the evening or night time where indoor lighting is poor. I found the 100mm to still be an excellent portrait lens - nice and sharp, although I would still choose my 135mm if I had enough room and enough light. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Other reviews show the 100mm to be sharp even wide-open on a full-frame (and a drool-worthy MTF chart to go along with it). It's nice to know it's there when you need it, although I find that in most of my portrait shots, the corners are part of a blurred background.
And for the bread-and-better of macro, I found the 100mm is a great focal length that allows you to get close to the tiny subjects you'd like to photograph. Although the IS does help with handholding shots, I found it's be less helpful on the macro end. As a new macro photographer, I also was surprised at how narrow the DOF was at the macro scale. Shooting at f/2.8 means part of an ant's head may be in-focus, but parts of its antennae might be out-of-focus. Shooting at more narrow apertures help expand the DOF, but that also means having to compensate with better lighting or a longer shutter. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L For the latter, the IS does help, but I'd imagine would be even better just to shoot with a tripod (which I've yet to purchase and try out). However, shooting slightly larger subjects, like flowers, is definitely in this lens' sweet spot even handheld. I've posted some examples in the sample images.
Overall, a great lens to start experimenting with macro, and that also does double-duty as a great portrait lens with IS that helps with lower light conditions. If you don't need the IS or the L designation, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras can be had for just similar image quality (from what I've read online) for about half the price, which may be a better starting point.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L The thing that I really hated about the non-IS 100mm macro was the distribution of weight - it was the most awkward thing to shoot with. This lens feels lighter because of the even distribution of weight and size (gradual taper) and it includes a deep hood.
I know $1K is a hefty sum of cash, but considering what you get and how long it can last you - I don't know why you would settle for the non-IS.
I wasn't certain this lens would be a good value or choice for an APS-C camera. Having recently purchased a 7D, I felt the focal length might be too long, but didn't want the EF-S 60mm macro, when I expect to purchase a body with a full-frame sensor in a couple years. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L For anyone considering a 100mm Macro, I'm 6x6" tall, and was able to squeeze in an 8x11" sheet of paper on the floor, while standing with my 20D.
I evaluated the EF 100mm Macro and this lens side-by-side. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L The older 100mm Macro has a great reputation. From the specifications, you'll see that the new lens is slightly longer, and weighs more. The build quality is excellent and consistent with an L lens. Optics are precise. Color and Bokeh are outstanding, as review samples attest.
Auto focus and manual focus are smooth and deliberate. As with other Macros, the focus is precise, but moves slower than a standard telephoto lens of the same focal length. It takes approximately 2.5 seconds to focus from infinity to .3m. It takes approximately 3.0 seconds to focus from .3m to infinity, as the mechanism delays .5 seconds when autofocus is initiated.
The focusing limiter selector switch functions well, eliminating the time to focus, if you know your subject will be between .3m to .5m, or .5m to infinity. The ranges offer a good compromise between focusing element travel and practical subject distances. .3m to .5m represents a 180 degree turn of the focusing ring, and .5m to infinity represents about a 150 degree turn of the focusing ring.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L
I purchased this lens over the older 100mm Macro for the image stabilization. The image stabilization allows the hand held use of the lens under brighter lighting conditions. The image stabilization certainly behaves differently from other L lenses at 100mm. Telephoto IS may allow you to pan, this lens does not. Better shots will be obtained with IS on while tracking a moving subject; however, IS on this lens is no substitute for a telephoto with panning IS ability. The new IS technology does seem better suited for macro shots than earlier IS techonlogy. The subject seems to "stick" on this lens, as compared with images that seem to "float" with other IS lenses.
IS compensates for movement quite well, but I will shoot low-light subjects on a tripod. With IS on and and shooting at 2.8, the depth of field is extremely shallow. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Any movement toward or away from the subject will result in an out-of-focus image. My 1.6 sensor certainly exacerbates the problem. If you need to obtain a more adequate depth of field, you must shoot at 8.0 or above, which will require longer shutter times under low lighting.
Outdoors, this lens will provide unique opportunities in allowing one to complete hand-held shots of bright-lit subjects, especially if you have a full-frame sensor. I'm writing this review as a hobbyist rather than professional photographer (that is, that sells photographs for a living). Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L In my opinion, I would say this lens deserves a spot in your kit if you're looking to jump into the world of macro, but would also like the lens to do double duty for other types of shooting you do. As a relatively new photographer, I have primarily shooting portraits at social get-togethers. I found the Canon 135mm f/2.0L to be the cream-of-the-crop, but had two slight drawbacks - it was a bit long indoors depending on location and without IS (image stabilization) it was tough to get focused shots at such a long focal length. The general rule of 1/focal length meant shooting at 1/160, which can be tough in low light to get a properly exposed picture.
The 100mm nicely fit with a shorter focal length and Canon's new Hybrid-IS system. The IS system is audible in more quiet environments, but is by no means loud enough to get in the way of taking your pictures. The IS also enables you to handhold shots indoors, which was great for me to take pictures in the evening or night time where indoor lighting is poor. I found the 100mm to still be an excellent portrait lens - nice and sharp, although I would still choose my 135mm if I had enough room and enough light. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Other reviews show the 100mm to be sharp even wide-open on a full-frame (and a drool-worthy MTF chart to go along with it). It's nice to know it's there when you need it, although I find that in most of my portrait shots, the corners are part of a blurred background.
And for the bread-and-better of macro, I found the 100mm is a great focal length that allows you to get close to the tiny subjects you'd like to photograph. Although the IS does help with handholding shots, I found it's be less helpful on the macro end. As a new macro photographer, I also was surprised at how narrow the DOF was at the macro scale. Shooting at f/2.8 means part of an ant's head may be in-focus, but parts of its antennae might be out-of-focus. Shooting at more narrow apertures help expand the DOF, but that also means having to compensate with better lighting or a longer shutter. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L For the latter, the IS does help, but I'd imagine would be even better just to shoot with a tripod (which I've yet to purchase and try out). However, shooting slightly larger subjects, like flowers, is definitely in this lens' sweet spot even handheld. I've posted some examples in the sample images.
Overall, a great lens to start experimenting with macro, and that also does double-duty as a great portrait lens with IS that helps with lower light conditions. If you don't need the IS or the L designation, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras can be had for just similar image quality (from what I've read online) for about half the price, which may be a better starting point.
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