EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (non-USM)???

[Rudi]

Hi everyone!

Has anyone had any experience with this lens? It's the older, micromotor AF version that I am asking about. I know the AF will be slower, but am mainly interested in it for the macro capability and as a portrait lens.

So, how are the optics? How about the general build of the lens? Anything I should watch out for?

Thanks in advance,

[gmitchel]

Rudi wrote:
Hi everyone!

Has anyone had any experience with this lens? It's the older, micromotor AF version that I am asking about. I know the AF will be slower, but am mainly interested in it for the macro capability and as a portrait lens.

So, how are the optics? How about the general build of the lens? Anything I should watch out for?

Thanks in advance,


Rudi:

I have no experience with the lens.

I can tell you that AF has almost zero utility in macro work.

First, AF tends to have have problems finding focus. Second, if you want to maintain a fixed image size, you'll need to keep the lens focus fixed and move the camera with a macro slider.

Have fun!

Cheers,

Mitch

[EA6B]

I have this lens, I bought it used many years ago. It is solidly built. The front element is recessed so you don't need a hood. This lens is "L" quality. It is tack sharp. It actually may be too sharp for portraits!

E

[Rudi]

Yes, I have heard that many times now, through my research about it! Sounds good to me! (I can always soften them up later :D).

I have bought the lens and should have it by the end of the week. I will post samples eventually... :)

To all who replied, thanks for your help. If anyone else has any views or opinions about the lens, I'm still listening... :)

[jd_D60]

Rudi

I have this lens, I considered the USM version but as suggested its nearly always used in manual so I figured the extra £100 wasn't worth it.

The lens in AF can hunt a lot, another good reason to leave it in Manual.

I find it a little too big for portraits, infact my hitherto unused 50mm f1.8 Mk1 has never been used so much, this seems to be an ideal focal length and its cheap.

Get the 100mm Macro lens for Macro work you won't regret it.

regards
John

[rootcausefound]

Hi Rudy,

So you already bought it! Probably you don't need any examples any more but here are my example shots.

http://www.pbase.com/image/7286049/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/7286040/original.jpg
Those are huge. About 1.6MB.

Those are not good examples, but you can see how it performs.

I also use that lens to copy slides and some negatives with D60.

Here are slides copy examples.
http://www.pbase.com/rootcausefound/halebopp
http://www.pbase.com/rootcausefound/67_images

And more realistic examples.
http://www.pbase.com/rootcausefound/from_oregon&page=3
All except last 3 in that page were taken with this lens.

Enjoy your new lens.

Yasu

[Rudi]

Thanks everyone who replied! Much appreciated! :)

The lens arrived today, and I'm just about to start playing with it.... I'll get back to you! :D

[Rudi]

Well, I've had a short play in between work commitments, and here are a couple of shots.

Both of these were shot "quick and dirty", handheld, just to demonstrate the capabilities of the lens. They do not aim to be artistic or anything, and a much better result should be obtainable with a little patience and a tripod... :D They are not crops, but resized originals!

The first one is close-up of my cellular phone. Now, I have one of these tiny new cellulars, so the area captured is about 3/4 of an inch wide, no more:

http://www.users.bigpond.com/ruda/demo/CRW_7308C.jpg

And this second one is a close-up of a pocket watch. Notice the scratches on the little latch!

http://www.users.bigpond.com/ruda/demo/CRW_7309C.jpg