Georgiann Loc: La Pine, oregon

I just bought this canon 100mm last weekend but now I have a chance to kick in another $375 and trade it for a 100mm L with IS, I know that this picture isn't that great but it's the first I've taken just wondering if ya all think it's really worth the extra $ to step up to the L, the person I would be buying it from is wanting to step down to what I have because he says he just doesn't use it enough. I will be also doing portraits with it too. I'm confused on if it's more of just a want and not really a need since I already have the 100mm

who knows how long it was dead in the window, it was pretty dusty!

Mulachabu Loc: Sydney Australia

I 'upgraded' to the 100 L and whilst it is a first class lens it is no better in terms of image quality, It is arguable if the IS is really much benefit on this lens, and the auto focus seems to search more before locking in, IMHO that is. In simple terms the L lens is very nice but if you are expecting a noticeable jump in performance then you will be disappointed.

Georgiann Loc: La Pine, oregon

Thank you so much I think I needed that little extra push to walk away, thank you thank you!!

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

I use the 100 L Macro IS USM F2.8 and my friend uses the cheaper 100L,due to cost..he wants to upgrade to mine..The shots he takes in macro are better than mine, he says he would willing swap..Would I? No way its not the lens its me..My shots are improving all the time with the learning process involved..I would say keep the lens you have, the time to change will become evident as you improve.:-) ps as said above the lens you have is little different in quality to the 100 L that I have.

Georgiann Loc: La Pine, oregon

Thank you Robbie7 for that comment I think I do need some more practice on the one I have as the picture I posted showed, hopefully this thread will help me figure that all out :-D

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

Hi :D the picture you've taken is not far off,the macro is there, its just the detail thats out. The friend I mention advised me to use off camera flash with a diffuser. This is not an expensive rig, its amazing how it changes everything. Some basic tips if you need them

1 You dont have to buy expensive kit to get great macro shots
2 Dont become persuaded by others that a closeup blown up to lifesize is a macro
3 Use a tripod with image stablisation turned off
4 Focus on the eyes
5 Expect to get loads of failures, we all do
6 Read more and watch free utube tutorials etc
7 Practice, Practice, Practice

Macro is a facinating area of photography and dont come easy, but if you are interested in it, you will get hours of fun cracking it.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I just purchased a new Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro lens for my Canon 50D. I checked out the non-L lens but decided that it limited what I wanted to do with the lens. The non-L would have to be always on some type of support, either a monopod, or tripod while taking macro photos. I could hand hold the camera while using the "L" model with IS. I will be using the lens in the bayous, and woodlands in Louisiana. It will be exposed to humidity, rain, dust and other elements. The "L" lens is sealed better than the non "L" lens.

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

As I grew older, I started to notice the effects of my heartbeat, breathing, and muscle-tremor in my hand-held field macro-photography.

Last year, I upgraded from a Nikkor 105D (A-F but no VR) to a Nikkor 105G (A-F & VR). With less lens movement, my "keep rate" is now higher, making me a happy photographer, once again.

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

Hi Nikonian :-) In some ways I have found the increasing age a benefit. I now consider a shot more carefully and take more time in considering what it is I want to accomplish. Fortunately my hands havent started shaking yet and my reflexes seem a sharp as ever, my problem is eyesight anyway I do enjoy talking to like minded people like yourself and comparing notes keeps me sharp..regards

tinusbum Loc: east texas

i shoot sigma's and the newest has the OS but i keep it off because i dont like it.i shoot hand held 99% of the time.my keep rate also keeps going up.tom

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

Hi tinus :-) I am assuming OS = Optical Stabelisation or something like that? I also assume from comments you have made in the past that you are younger than most of us here on UHH. What is it that you dont like about OS? and if your keep rate keeps going up let us see more of your keepers, so that we can see if your decision to abandon OS is justified..regards

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

You obviously have NOT done your homework. Tom has many of the BEST insect macro-photography posted to UHH. Take a look here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user_topics_listing.jsp?usernum=12441&page=1

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I'm 51 yrs old, not sure if that's over the hill yet for handheld macro. I use the tokina 100mm No VR or OS on this guy. Up to about 5 wks into macro I was wishing I had the VR version, my ratio of keepers was a poultry 10% and I'm stretching the truth to come up with that percentage, closer to about 5%. Several things happened. I learned how to support my arm at all times when kneeling using one elbow on my knee. I now also lay down and use the ground to rest my elbows on. When I use to lean forward and stretch out with no support the shaking would just start. Now I keep my arms tucked into my mid ribs pulling the camera back against my face applying slight pressure.I use to use natural light a lot before, now I use my flash for 90% of my shots, shutter speed set at 1/200. I use to hold my breath which can cause dizziness if you forget to start breathing again, now I focus to breath easy and not hold my breath. It's all baby steps and we all approach at different rates. If my average had not gone up, about 80% now, I would have bought the VR version, but at about 8 weeks things really started to turn around, But I practice at least 1 hour a day. I think we all have to go thru what works for Us as an individual. I photograph birds also and use a VR lens and shooting at much higher shutter speeds. I will not turn the VR off on my bird lens, but don't have the VR on my macro lens. If money is no issue buy the OS version, if money an issue, give yourself more time and practice. It's not all about the equipment, but better equipment can make life easier on us. After all we are after that next great shot, at least I am.

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

Hello Nikonian 72 With respect: I have done my homework :-) and my opinion is still as was..not only have I done my homework but I have viewed many galleries including yours. And to be honest we all have a long way to go,especially me because I want to improve, words are words,I judge by what I see not what I am told, regards