Life-size converter

[SwingBopper]

I've read that Canon's life size converter can be used on the 100 mm 2.8 macro lens. I'm just wondering what issues might arise using it. Do you lose infinity focus, how much working distance do you gain for a given magnification, how much magnification do you gain, how much loss of f-stop?
Any gotchas or pointers would be appreciated.

[LordV]

I've read that Canon's life size converter can be used on the 100 mm 2.8 macro lens. I'm just wondering what issues might arise using it. Do you lose infinity focus, how much working distance do you gain for a given magnification, how much magnification do you gain, how much loss of f-stop?
Any gotchas or pointers would be appreciated.

From what I've read the LSC is a combination ext tube and and Tcon so you will lose infinity focus - guessing slightly but suspect you will end up with a mag max of around 1.7:1 with it. Again guessing around 1 stop light loss.
Brian V.

[Dennis_Hammer]

From what I have read the life-size can only be used on the 50mm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=12311&is=USA#features

Read the features on this.

[LordV]

From what I have read the life-size can only be used on the 50mm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=12311&is=USA#features

Read the features on this.
Not true- it will actually fit any EF lens -see tcon sticky in lens section.
Brian V.

[Lester Wareham]

Yes exactly, it seems to be a lowish TC with extension, so infinity focus is lost.

Canon state it is for the 50mm CM, but it is well known to fit any other lens. Having said that I expect it is "matched" optically to the 50mm CM.

The TC part must be an unusual design, TC are normally designed for for lenses of 70mm or more.

I know a lot of folks like the LSC, but it seems to me you can get the same sort of effect with a 1.4X and 12mm tube.

Another thought is the only reason the 50mm CM needs a TC component to the LSC is working distance would get very small otherwise. IQ wise with the 100mm I think plain tubes would be best.

For information I have not found adding TCs to the 100mm the best idea both for closeup (http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/LensTests/Macro/index.htm) or at normal distances with the Kenko 1.4X (http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/LensTests/Kenko%201.4X%20TC/EF%20100mm%20f2.8%20Macro%20USM/index.htm), something for extremis only IMHO.

[jraggio]

Yes exactly, it seems to be a lowish TC with extension, so infinity focus is lost.

Canon state it is for the 50mm CM, but it is well known to fit any other lens. Having said that I expect it is "matched" optically to the 50mm CM.

The TC part must be an unusual design, TC are normally designed for for lenses of 70mm or more.

I know a lot of folks like the LSC, but it seems to me you can get the same sort of effect with a 1.4X and 12mm tube.

Another thought is the only reason the 50mm CM needs a TC component to the LSC is working distance would get very small otherwise. IQ wise with the 100mm I think plain tubes would be best.

For information I have not found adding TCs to the 100mm the best idea both for closeup (http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/LensTests/Macro/index.htm) or at normal distances with the Kenko 1.4X (http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/LensTests/Kenko%201.4X%20TC/EF%20100mm%20f2.8%20Macro%20USM/index.htm), something for extremis only IMHO.


What does "infinity is lost" mean? I've seen that a lot and can take a guess, but wanted to know for sure? Does i tmean that you can only do close up work? I ask as I am thinking of tryin to reverse mount my nifty onto my kit lens. I think that I read that I'd lose infinity with that, right? Does that mean that one can't move back in case the subject fills too much of the frame?

Thanks,
John

[LordV]

What does "infinity is lost" mean? I've seen that a lot and can take a guess, but wanted to know for sure? Does i tmean that you can only do close up work? I ask as I am thinking of tryin to reverse mount my nifty onto my kit lens. I think that I read that I'd lose infinity with that, right? Does that mean that one can't move back in case the subject fills too much of the frame?

Thanks,
John
Yes loss of infinity focus means you can't focus on distant objects, only on ones fairly close. You lose it with extension tubes and reversed lenses of any discription.
Brian V.

[jraggio]

Yes loss of infinity focus means you can't focus on distant objects, only on ones fairly close. You lose it with extension tubes and reversed lenses of any discription.
Brian V.

Thanks Brian. What would you say the limits of "fairly close" are? If there is a range, does that mean that one could "zoom out" if the subject fills too much of the frame? That's actually something that confuses me with macro stuff in general.

Aside from this question, I have some other cheapskate macro questions, but don't want to hijack this thread further. I'll post a link in this thread so hopefully you can help answer my questions in the new thread.

Thanks,
John

[jraggio]

I created the other thread with some cheapo macro questions. I appreciate your taking the time to help answer them.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=7059497#post7059497

John