Canon 100mm F2.8L IS
Sep 7, 2015 07:16:00 #
Canon is having a refurbished sale. One of the items that has caught my eye is the 100mm L lens. The fact that it is a 2.8 lens appeals to me for low light applications. I have done a search on this lens, but have not found any useful information that is relatively current. My question is do the folks that own this lens like it? Thanks.
Sep 7, 2015 07:54:31 #
Good light capture, amazingly clear and great for macro. Use a tripod and remote cable release. I once photographed a Poinsettia Exhibition using only that lens. If you would like to see what kind of work it can do, please go to http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-266425-1.html
Sep 7, 2015 08:34:10 #
Fantastic images, Bob. Looks like I should get this lens before they are all gone. Thanks.
Sep 8, 2015 06:37:11 #
I also own that lens and have been very happy with the iq and the low light capability.
Sep 8, 2015 06:56:57 #
Sep 8, 2015 07:14:14 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
Good light capture, amazingly clear and great for macro. Use a tripod and remote cable release. I once photographed a Poinsettia Exhibition using only that lens. If you would like to see what kind of work it can do, please go to http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-266425-1.html
Those are really nice shots. How much would you attribute the quality to the camera and how much to the lens? It being understood that the operator is excellent to begin with. :) Would you personally, with your expertise, expect comparable quality if the lens were on a high end crop sensor? Thanks.
Sep 8, 2015 07:54:14 #
Absolutely love this lens. When I first acquired this lens, it was a month before I used. When I did, I had a difficult time putting it down. GET THIS LENS BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!!!
Sep 8, 2015 07:58:11 #
Sep 8, 2015 10:05:28 #
MikeMcK wrote:
Canon is having a refurbished sale. One of the items that has caught my eye is the 100mm L lens. The fact that it is a 2.8 lens appeals to me for low light applications. I have done a search on this lens, but have not found any useful information that is relatively current. My question is do the folks that own this lens like it? Thanks.
I have it an love it.
Here are a couple of shots with the help if the IS on this lens.
Shot 1
Shot 2
Sep 8, 2015 10:48:19 #
Sep 8, 2015 11:09:10 #
MikeMcK wrote:
Canon is having a refurbished sale. One of the items that has caught my eye is the 100mm L lens. The fact that it is a 2.8 lens appeals to me for low light applications. I have done a search on this lens, but have not found any useful information that is relatively current. My question is do the folks that own this lens like it? Thanks.
Own it! Use it! Love it! Very versatile: macro, portraiture, 100mm telephoto, lightweight, IS. I use it in the winter to shoot birds at the feeders, through double-paned glass. It is a macro lens and the results are great. Very sharp, good AF, lots of applications.
Sep 8, 2015 12:21:45 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
Both the Canon 100/2.8 macro lenses are superb! There is the original "USM" and the newer "L IS USM".
They are both very high quality and among the most full featured macro lenses made by anyone (full 1:1 capable, "IF", durable & well sealed, can be fitted w/optional tripod ring, focus limiter, USM focus drive). In fact, the two Canon 100mm are the only macro lenses around this focal length that can be fitted with a tripod ring, AFAIK.
The only reason one of the Canon 100mm macro isn't an L is because it doesn't require any exotic glass elements to do it's job really well To "qualify" as an L, Canon says a lens must have some sort of exotic elements in it. Otherwise, it is identical build quality and performance as the Canon 180/3.5L lens. The Canon 100/2.8 non-L/IS normally sells for about $300 less than the L/IS version, and if using a monopod or a tripod for macro work anyway, the IS may not be all that important. Decide for yourself if it's worth the additional cost.
However, unless you plan to shoot macro shots, these are not what I'd call "low light" lenses. f2.8 is just not all that special with a prime. Canon also offers a 100/2.0 non-macro, as well as 85/1.2L, 85/1.8, and 135/2.0L... all of which are excellent, at least a full stop faster, and in some cases less expensive.
OTOH, the 100/2.8L has IS, which can be helpful steadying non-macro shots in low light, maybe as much as 3-4 stops worth. IS is less helpful at high macro magnifications, maybe 1 stop or less at full 1:1. Few other macro lenses have IS, and none of them are as effective as the Hybrid-IS Canon. (Tamron makes a VC version of their excellent 90mm f2.8 Macro. It also has faster USD focus drive, which is similar to Canon USM.)
If using a crop sensor camera (Canon Rebel series, 70D, 7D, etc.), there is exactly one macro lens with a larger aperture for low light/portraiture... Tamron SP 60mm f2.0. However, it is a crop-only lens (and doesn't have VC or USD).
All macro lenses are slower focusing, too. So don't plan to shoot any "action" with them. This is just the nature of macro lenses. They need to move their focus group a long, long way to go all the way from infinity to 1:1. Also, most are "long throw" focus designs, emphasizing precision over speed, in order to deal well with ultra shallow depth of field effects that happen at high magnifications. Now, both the Canon 100mm have faster USM and focus limiters, which help with focus speed. But they still aren't as fast focusing or good at tracking movement as most non-macro lenses.
If you are looking for a high performance macro lens, the 100L IS is excellent (and so is the 100/2.8 USM non-L/IS, too).
If you are looking for a fast telephoto for non-macro purposes, there are better choices: faster focusing and/or larger aperture.
They are both very high quality and among the most full featured macro lenses made by anyone (full 1:1 capable, "IF", durable & well sealed, can be fitted w/optional tripod ring, focus limiter, USM focus drive). In fact, the two Canon 100mm are the only macro lenses around this focal length that can be fitted with a tripod ring, AFAIK.
The only reason one of the Canon 100mm macro isn't an L is because it doesn't require any exotic glass elements to do it's job really well To "qualify" as an L, Canon says a lens must have some sort of exotic elements in it. Otherwise, it is identical build quality and performance as the Canon 180/3.5L lens. The Canon 100/2.8 non-L/IS normally sells for about $300 less than the L/IS version, and if using a monopod or a tripod for macro work anyway, the IS may not be all that important. Decide for yourself if it's worth the additional cost.
However, unless you plan to shoot macro shots, these are not what I'd call "low light" lenses. f2.8 is just not all that special with a prime. Canon also offers a 100/2.0 non-macro, as well as 85/1.2L, 85/1.8, and 135/2.0L... all of which are excellent, at least a full stop faster, and in some cases less expensive.
OTOH, the 100/2.8L has IS, which can be helpful steadying non-macro shots in low light, maybe as much as 3-4 stops worth. IS is less helpful at high macro magnifications, maybe 1 stop or less at full 1:1. Few other macro lenses have IS, and none of them are as effective as the Hybrid-IS Canon. (Tamron makes a VC version of their excellent 90mm f2.8 Macro. It also has faster USD focus drive, which is similar to Canon USM.)
If using a crop sensor camera (Canon Rebel series, 70D, 7D, etc.), there is exactly one macro lens with a larger aperture for low light/portraiture... Tamron SP 60mm f2.0. However, it is a crop-only lens (and doesn't have VC or USD).
All macro lenses are slower focusing, too. So don't plan to shoot any "action" with them. This is just the nature of macro lenses. They need to move their focus group a long, long way to go all the way from infinity to 1:1. Also, most are "long throw" focus designs, emphasizing precision over speed, in order to deal well with ultra shallow depth of field effects that happen at high magnifications. Now, both the Canon 100mm have faster USM and focus limiters, which help with focus speed. But they still aren't as fast focusing or good at tracking movement as most non-macro lenses.
If you are looking for a high performance macro lens, the 100L IS is excellent (and so is the 100/2.8 USM non-L/IS, too).
If you are looking for a fast telephoto for non-macro purposes, there are better choices: faster focusing and/or larger aperture.
Sep 8, 2015 13:37:00 #
[quote=amfoto1]Both the Canon 100/2.8 macro lenses are superb! There is the original "USM" and the newer "L IS USM".
The IS version is incredibly fast focusing for me on a 7D. The IS is multi directional and really helps.
Also there is a third 100mm f2.8 non-USM EF Canon macro.
If budget is a concern it is considerably cheaper than the USM versions and is still incredibly sharp. It is a bit slower focusing with the arc drive type of motor. So if sports or fast action are covered it would not be a good choice. But for portraits, landscapes and macro work it is superb. I bought one and then gave it to my daughter later.
The IS version is incredibly fast focusing for me on a 7D. The IS is multi directional and really helps.
Also there is a third 100mm f2.8 non-USM EF Canon macro.
If budget is a concern it is considerably cheaper than the USM versions and is still incredibly sharp. It is a bit slower focusing with the arc drive type of motor. So if sports or fast action are covered it would not be a good choice. But for portraits, landscapes and macro work it is superb. I bought one and then gave it to my daughter later.
Sep 8, 2015 17:38:22 #
I have it and it's a lovely bit of kit, the macro section is where you'll find oodles of shots taken with it, a few of examples for you, all handheld,with flash.............very rarely use a tripod
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