EF 100 2.8L IS Macro

[petris]

http://bbs.fengniao.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1358640

real or not?

[Collin85]

This needs to go into the Rumors forum!

[wickerprints]

Can anyone translate please? I am guessing at the bottom it's saying 67mm front filter diameter, 77.7 mm width x 123 mm length, and 625 grams. But the rest is a mystery to me. ???

625 grams is not much heavier than the existing 100/2.8 macro, which comes in at 600 g. What gives?

[sebr]

Found this on canonrumors.com:

1) Dual IS(tilt and shift)
2) UD glass for less diffraction
3) 9-piece round shape aperture
4) Internal Focus, ring USM and optimized algorithm achieving fast and quiet focus
5) full time manual focus

weight: 625 gram (excluding accesories)
filter size: 67 mm
size: 77.7 x 123 mm

I am wondering what price this will go for.

[wickerprints]

Well I can't see it selling for less than $600 USD street. It's probably going to come in around $800-1000.

[JWright]

This is the time of year when the new camera and lens rumors go into high gear... There's a lot of speculation that appears in the form of photoshopped images of current cameras and lenses. Every year there are lots of images of cameras and lenses that never happen...

Don't believe that because it appears on the internet, it's really going to happen. Wait until Canon makes the official announcement...

[djharmonix]

exactly like i said almost a month ago!

[wickerprints]

I'm a little skeptical because I am not sure the addition of an entire hybrid IS group (this includes additional glass elements as well as the motors to move them) would only weigh an additional 25 g. On top of that, to make it an L build, the barrel would probably have to be sturdier from the existing non-L macro. So I don't see how it could only weigh 625 g. It should be somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-800 g.

[lonelyjew]

If this is real would they phase out the 100mm f/2.8 macro? I mean, yeah IS would be nice, but seeing as IS doesn't really do much in macro shooting, and the old lens is already considered fantastic, it would be hard to justify spending a good deal more on this lens.

[bsheasby]

but seeing as IS doesn't really do much in macro shooting

Only if you're on a tripod. If you're handholding, it's huge. My friend has the Nikon 105mm Macro with VR (Nikon's IS) and it makes a big difference when handholding. Anyway, based on the all the rumor buzz and Canon's own press releases about the new hybrid IS that will appear on macro lenses before the end of 2009, this is most likely legit... and it will be my next lens.

[rehype]

I dont think its a rumor

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/camera_images_4/Canon/lenses/100mm28L-IS.jpg

[darosk]

What do we reckon about the price?

$800 seems a little close to the $600 100mm non-IS macro. In my opinion.

[msowsun]

One more photo:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/Newer/1_100-28_Macro.jpg

[wimg]

One more photo:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/Newer/1_100-28_Macro.jpg
IMO, the distance scale is way to close for a macro lens. Looks like a WA distance scale.

Kind regards, Wim

[wickerprints]

IMO, the distance scale is way to close for a macro lens. Looks like a WA distance scale.

Kind regards, Wim

That's because it's a macro lens; the distance scale will be biased toward increased precision around the MFD. The existing 100/2.8 macro is the same way.

[wimg]

That's because it's a macro lens; the distance scale will be biased toward increased precision around the MFD. The existing 100/2.8 macro is the same way.
You're right, I just checked. I never noticed until now! :oops: Guess I don't use the distance scale on my macro lenses all that much :D.

Kind regards, Wim

[rehype]

What do we reckon about the price?

$800 seems a little close to the $600 100mm non-IS macro. In my opinion.

I think its going to be priced around $1000

[wimg]

I think its going to be priced around $1000
I think it si going to be more than that.

The current price for the 100 macro is a bit over 500 euros over here. Add H-IS to that, new technology, so add another 500-600 euros, for a total of 1000-1100 euros. Now add L-build quality, and likely SWC-coatings, so another 200 to 400 euros I would think, so anywhere between 1200 and 1500 euros, and considering the relation between euro and dollar prices, probably about 1300 to 1700 dollars, is my guess.

Maybe I am a little pessimistic, but if you look at the price increase for the 14L II over the 14L, the 24L II over the 24L, and the TS-E 24L Mk II over the Mk I, I think the 100 F/2.8L may be rather expensive.

Kind regards, Wim

[spamster]

Funny rumors. Announcements will be made. Should just wait and not care like me and be surprised when things are released :)

[J_TULLAR]

I think it si going to be more than that.

The current price for the 100 macro is a bit over 500 euros over here. Add H-IS to that, new technology, so add another 500-600 euros, for a total of 1000-1100 euros. Now add L-build quality, and likely SWC-coatings, so another 200 to 400 euros I would think, so anywhere between 1200 and 1500 euros, and considering the relation between euro and dollar prices, probably about 1300 to 1700 dollars, is my guess.

Maybe I am a little pessimistic, but if you look at the price increase for the 14L II over the 14L, the 24L II over the 24L, and the TS-E 24L Mk II over the Mk I, I think the 100 F/2.8L may be rather expensive.

Kind regards, Wim

dude he is talking US prices...which are generally way cheaper than uk prices...1000k-1400k is my guess...USD!

[wernersl]

dude he is talking US prices...which are generally way cheaper than uk prices...1000k-1400k is my guess...USD!
so it will be between 1 mil and 1.4 million bucks? thats a little steep!!! ;)

[District_History_Fan]

Well I can't see it selling for less than $600 USD street. It's probably going to come in around $800-1000.

I bet it won't be a penny under $1200, maybe more. :cry:

[reng2009]

It's an 'L' lens, folks! That means it'll be much more expensive than the non-IS version. At least $1400.

[wickerprints]

I don't know what currencies you guys are talking about, but even the 180/3.5 macro is not $1400. I realize that it doesn't have the newfangled hybrid IS, but it is a large, heavy lens with many elements in its own right.

Canon has two choices if they introduce a 100/2.8L IS macro. They can either offer it alongside the existing 100/2.8 macro, or they can discontinue the existing one.

If they go the former route, then $600 versus $1200 just for hybrid IS and L build is too much. Unless they have redesigned the optics so that the L is noticeably sharper than the non-L (which is already very sharp!), I don't see macro photographers getting all excited about the L lens if it's twice the price without added optical benefit. IS often degrades image quality very slightly from the equivalent non-IS because there is more glass, hence more air-glass surfaces, hence more reflections, and more loss of contrast. Thus I can't see them offering it at more than double the price point unless they've made it optically perform better too. And none of us knows what the lens design is like yet.

On the other hand, if they discontinue the non-L, that would be a huge mistake if the L is priced that high, because then that means there is no affordable 1:1 macro offering. So let's eliminate that possibility right off the bat.

[thatkatmat]

^^^I'm inclined to think the price will be $1400-1600 US, with the build, sealing and 4 stop IS it will be worth it....And.....IS would in fact be fantastic to have on a macro..Not everyone runs around with a tripod in case they come accross a "Macro-opportunity" I've been waiting for an IS macro....Just wish they threw it on the 180mm :)

[Tom W]

I am wondering what price this will go for.

Nikon's 105 mm VR macro is, what, around $900? This, having Canon's new hybrid IS system will probably go for around $1200 initially.

[_aravena]

Either way it's a ridiculous price. For that you could change systems and get a better camera and lens. :lol:

D300 and 105 VR after you sell your camera. What waste especially considering how competitive Sigma is with their 150 macro. So now make the most expensive macro only offering IS over a 100, 150, and two 180s' (Sigma's being cheaper)?

[JustAnEngineer]

Canon has two choices if they introduce a 100/2.8L IS USM macro. They can either offer it alongside the existing 100/2.8 USM macro, or they can discontinue the existing one.... If they discontinue the non-L, that would be a huge mistake if the L is priced that high, because then that means there is no affordable 1:1 macro offering. So let's eliminate that possibility right off the bat. What about the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=11156) for under $400?

Since Nikon charges $900 for their AF-S 105mm f/2.8G Micro VR (http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/micro/af-s_vr_micro-nikkor_105mmf_28_if/index.htm), I would expect the new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM to be priced similarly.

[iwishiwasafish]

i want that lens

[wickerprints]

What about the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=11156) for under $400?

Since Nikon charges $900 for their AF-S 105mm f/2.8G Micro VR (http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/micro/af-s_vr_micro-nikkor_105mmf_28_if/index.htm), I would expect the new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM to be priced similarly.

The EF-S 60/2.8 macro will not mount on EF bodies (5D, 1D, and 1Ds series).

[Jannie]

Canon 135L is $1000, add new model and Hybrid IS I'm guessing no less than 1,400 to start.

[timnosenzo]

Since Nikon charges $900 for their AF-S 105mm f/2.8G Micro VR (http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/micro/af-s_vr_micro-nikkor_105mmf_28_if/index.htm), I would expect the new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM to be priced similarly.

I'm guessing it will be considerably more. For one thing, it's likely the Canon lens will considerably better than the Nikon. I'd guess it will have a SRP of around $1500.

[DonJuanMair]

I have a bit of a weird question, I have the 100mm f2, I use it for headshots and car pics.
If I were to get this lens that is rumoured what would be the huge differences? Would it still focus the same from a distance or would I still be better with the non macro version

[wickerprints]

I have a bit of a weird question, I have the 100mm f2, I use it for headshots and car pics.
If I were to get this lens that is rumoured what would be the huge differences? Would it still focus the same from a distance or would I still be better with the non macro version

First, your 100/2 gathers twice as much light as the 100/2.8 macro. It's a full stop faster.

The EF macro lenses all have the ability to focus to infinity, so yes, the 100/2.8 macro can focus to any distance your 100/2 can focus to. The difference is that the macro lens can also focus to a much shorter distance as well; this is what enables the 1:1 magnification at the minimum focusing distance.

In terms of sharpness, color, contrast, aberrations, and distortion, it remains to be seen how the 100/2 will compare against the proposed 100/2.8L IS macro. We aren't even sure if this lens exists yet. However, it is likely to have excellent center performance, likely exceeding any other 100mm lens, at all apertures f/2.8 and smaller.

[DonJuanMair]

Thank you!
I rarely use f2 to be honest but I'm thinking of killing 2 birds with one stone if this lens comes out. I could do detailed shots of cars and also do longer shots. That's why I'm hoping this lens is true

[dkspook]

Fake, fakedifakefake. And a poor one.

"1:2.8 L IS USM" does not line up with the first part of the text, nor does it run parallel with the red ring.

The Distance scale looks like something off a fisheye. 1 meter, 3 meters, infinity? My 100mm macro started at 0.45.

The bottom of the "Macro 100mm" does not line up with the bottom of the badge it's written on.


One more photo:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/Newer/1_100-28_Macro.jpg

[PiRho]

I dont think its a rumor


Technically... it is a rumor until it is Officially announced. Thus the press conference that Canon Announced that they would have tomorow is not a rumor, however What they will announce at that time IS a rumor!


^^^I'm inclined to think the price will be $1400-1600 US, with the build, sealing and 4 stop IS it will be worth it....And.....IS would in fact be fantastic to have on a macro..Not everyone runs around with a tripod in case they come accross a "Macro-opportunity" I've been waiting for an IS macro....Just wish they threw it on the 180mm :)

Give them a couple months, and let them announce it! I don't think they would put too much developement into a 'Hybrid IS System' made specifically to help with Macro if they were only going to put it into one lens! I still expect to hear officially about a 180/200 L Macro in the next 6 months.

[Lightstream]

OK.....the interesting bit about this lens.

A number of weeks ago I saw a photog with a very thin black L prime, red ring, and distance scale towards the front of the lens. There was some lettering at the side of the lens where I normally expect the focal length to be (imagine usual place of distance scale, then how many mm). Definitely mounted on a 1-series, Canon logo on the prism and all.

Trying not to be a jerk, I didn't look too closely or pester him about his lens. I assumed it may have been a joke lens with a red ring painted for fun since I know all my black L's, and nothing matches the distance-window-at-the-front yet long and thin. The last one to have that was the 80-200 and this was obviously NOT the size of the 80-200 - MUCH smaller. In fact, it was smaller than my 135L. The spacing of the ribs on the ring was also much closer than normal.

I did a search through Canon's entire EF lens database and found nothing so assumed it was a 3rd party or a gag lens. You know all those 50/1.8's with red rings.

You could say that the Starbucks caramel mac I was drinking was particularly strong that day (like, six shots instead of 3), you could say the 100 is a rumor, you could say the photo is a fake, but the moment I saw the photo my eyes nearly bugged out because that is exactly the lens I saw.

I should have been a jerk, walked up to him and said "Dude, nice lens - what is it?"

But I didn't.

[lungdoc]

I think this is real given the prior announcements of their IS development for macro. Big dollars though and people forget that many/most of the keen macro shooters use flash instead of tripod (at least for bugs/moving things) and makes IS less important. Hope they continue non-IS version if the price gap is huge.

[dipps]

Only if you're on a tripod. If you're handholding, it's huge.
i'd tend to agree. though i haven't shot with a macro lens that has IS, only my canon 100mm non-IS. handheld can be interesting. spent a lot of time playing with it this past weekend, and found myself wondering how IS could have made some of those shots easier. of course, some of the issues were due to wind (most of my macro work was done during a family camping trip, out in the woods), but standing and trying to take pics with that lens can be tough at times. it's possible, but i have to imagine IS would come in handy (at least on the 100mm). i don't see myself dumping my sub-$500 100mm macro to upgrade though.

[zaathrus]

Fake, fakedifakefake. And a poor one.

"1:2.8 L IS USM" does not line up with the first part of the text, nor does it run parallel with the red ring.

The Distance scale looks like something off a fisheye. 1 meter, 3 meters, infinity? My 100mm macro started at 0.45.

The bottom of the "Macro 100mm" does not line up with the bottom of the badge it's written on.

Not to mention that the red ring looks like it's parts of two rings - merge commencing around the 1:2 lettering. The curvature of the original red ring (& text) is different to the second part of the ring and the "1:2.8 L IS USM" text. Lens might be real (and I hope so - especially with Lightstream's comment) but I'm now agreeing with dkspook - this pic is not the real deal IMO.

[amfoto1]

Interesting, I think it's real, but that leads me to wonder about other things...

First, regarding the distance scale... Turn the one on the current 100/2.8 USM Macro to infinity and you'll see the identical distance marks: 3 and 5 foot, 1 and 3 meters, plus infinity. As with most macros, there's a third scale (in addition to feet & meters) showing magnification ratio, in yellow/orange. You can see something on the lens in the photo, within the window, it looks like it might be "1:5", but that's not entirely clear. The current lens shows the same, when set to that same distance.

What's missing is the "1:" that's found on the current lens, imprinted on the outside of the window, in the upper left hand corner, and the scale within the window only shows the second number of the ratio... without the prefix. The new lens appears to display this differently, with the full ratio (i.e. "1:5") within the window. If anything, this is more proof that this is real. We might conclude this is not just a photo of the distance scale from a current 100/2.8, Photoshopped onto the body of another lens.

The location of the window on the 180/3.5L is similar, out near the front of the lens. And, like the lens pictured it lacks the "1:" imprinted on the outside of the window, displays the entire mag ratio within the window (i.e. "1:5", 1:10" etc.)

Where the 180mm differs is that when set to infinity the scale shows 6 and 15 feet, 2 and 5 meters. With the 180mm, you can see still 1:10 magnification indication when the lens is focused to infinity. So, what's shown on the new lens also is not a Photoshopped scale from a 180mm. Itake that as another clue the pictured lens is likely real. (I don't have 60mm, 65mm or 50mm Canon Macros, but their mag & distance scales are bound to be differrent to work with their respective focal lengths.)

I can see where Canon would want to make the apparent changes to this lens. It would be a chance for thme to accomplish at least two key things... One is competitive, a direct response to Nikon's 105mm VR lens. The other is showcasing the capabilities of their new Hybrid IS, supposedly used on this lens.

I would venture that the new lens will have to use the new Hybrid IS because standard or current IS or VR is of little real use on any macro lens, at macro levels of magnification. Even Nikon has had to admit that with their 105mm. Current (i.e., non-Hybrid) types of IS or VR are useful at non-macro distances, say for portraits or other short to moderate tele work. But for that purpose largely, current IS would add a lot of cost & complexity for relatively little benefit in an already pretty easily handheld focal length.

Now, I am not panning IS! I have been using it on a number of lenses for the eight years I've been shooting with Canon and currently own five IS lenses. I love it and think it's fantastic for lenses 135mm and longer on full frame, about 85mm and longer on crop sensor cameras. The longer the focal length, the more useful IS will be. I'm completely spoiled and wouldn't want to be without it on 200mm, 300mm and longer lenses! It's nice, but less necessary most of the time, on shorter lenses and, of course, when higher shutter speeds are usable or even required for other reasons (i.e., subject movement).

Again, I'm just pointing out that in it's current form (non-Hybrid), IS is largely ineffective at macro shooting distances. Over the years I've used several IS lenses with extension tubes for macro and near macro work, and would still strongly recommend using a tripod and/or monopod and/or macro flash, which can freeze all types of movement (subject and camera shake). The longer the macro lens' focal length and the higher the level of magnification, the less useful the current version of IS becomes. Nikon has had to admit it with their VR lens.

Now, it could well be an entirely different story with Hybrid IS... At least Canon thinks so according to their press releases about it.

Add in that higher ISO cameras are to some degree off-setting the need for IS. Heck, I started using IS lenses with 50 and 100 ISO film, as compared to realistically usable ISO 800, 1600, even 3200 and 6400 on my current DSLRs! Of course, you can also argue that higher ISO-capable cameras are extending the capabilities of IS even farther.

If this lens is real, let's just hope they haven't messed with the IQ too much. It's hard for me to imagine much improvement on what the current lens is capable of producing. If real, it's got to have a new optical formula: First to add a group to handle IS functions, second some exotic elements must have been used for it to qualify (under Canon's own definitions) as an L-series lens and get that snazy red stripe. The current lens just didn't need any exotic glass to achieve very high levels of image quality, so it wasn't an L and merely has a gold stripe (which - somehow - never bothered me at all ;)).

As to build quality, well the current lens is already pretty much L-series quality. The only thing it lacks is the rubber 0-ring seal on the bayonet mount (if you really, really wanted an o-ring on it, perhaps you could have it replaced with a bayonet from some other L-series lens? However, note that the 180/3.5L also doesn't have the o-ring... at least my five or six year old one doesn't).

I'm not wild about the fact that the lens appears, once again, to not include the tripod mounting ring. So, add another $160 on top of the cost for serious macro shooting (unless you trust one of the far cheaper, knock-off tripod rings found on eBay).

A 67mm filter is both a little odd sized for Canon lenses, and indicates the lens is larger in diameter. For me, it would mean adding two or three more filters to the three sizes I already carry (58mm, 72mm and 77mm). At some point I hope Canon figures out how to reduce the size and weight of some of their stuff, rather than just continuing to make it larger and larger each generation. I wonder how many of their designers and engineers have spent a 12 hour day carrying around and shooting with a 1-series and, say, a 70-200/2.8 or 100-400. Hey, we're not getting any younger. Note: At one point Canon "got" this. Back in the day they designed the FD-N lenses and that era's cameras to be considerably more compact. Imagine 50/1.2, 85/1.8 and more that used 52mm filters!

Larger diameter lens will also mean a larger diameter lens hood. Geez, the current one is already so massive for a lens like this. It's actually deeped than the one for the 180mm and can get in the way for high magnification shooting (I sometime use a more sensibly sized, generic screw-in hood with the current 100mm, but of course it can't be stored reversed on the lens, which is inconvenient). One good thing, if Canon follows their usual path, an L-series should include the hood in the price, where it's a $35 or $40 accessory that's not included with the current lens.

My guess, the lens is real and will be priced initially slightly higher than Nikon's 105mm VR. Let's just hope it's not ridiculously higher priced, the way the 200/2 IS is compared to the 200/2 VR, for example. If it is, to justify that, the Hybrid IS had better be damned good at all magnifications and the lens had better have a "order me a latte from Starbucks" button.

I wonder, too, if Canon will continue to offer a non-IS version alongside the Hybrid IS version, the way some other non-IS and IS lenses co-exist.

At least this is a more intriguing lens than the other two, mostly consumer-oriented EF-S IS lenses (yawn) that are supposed to be introduced tomorrow. I wonder if those are Hybrid IS? Doubt it, but I've been surprised before.

We'll see soon enough!

Conclusion... I tend to think this lens is real, but am unlikely to run out to replace my current 100mm Macro, especially at a higher price. I'll be following the new lens to learn more about the effectiveness of Hybrid IS, though more with respect to other anticipated uses of it.

p.s. Just noticed one thing in the photo that leads me to have some slight doubts... It's a little hard to tell but there doesn't appear to be any "mounting slot" for the Ringlite and Twinlite flashes, adjacent to the hood bayonet mounting slot. However, this doesn't necessarily mean "fake" either. The 180mm lens, with it's larger 72mm diameter filter threads, doesn't use the clip-on attachment for those flashes, so there's no "slot" on that lens either. Maybe the same is true of the new 100mm IS Macro, since reportedly it uses 67mm filters. (Note: If the lens is real, it will mean that Ringlite or Twinlite users will need to buy yet another adapter. Unless they use some other means of attaching those flashes... For examply, I use the Twinlite with a Lepp/Stroboframe dual flash bracket.)

[PiRho]

Interesting, I think it's real, but that leads me to wonder about other things...
{SNIP}
p.s. Just noticed one thing in the photo that leads me to have some slight doubts... It's a little hard to tell but there doesn't appear to be any "mounting slot" for the Ringlite and Twinlite flashes, adjacent to the hood bayonet mounting slot. However, this doesn't necessarily mean "fake" either. The 180mm lens, with it's larger 72mm diameter filter threads, doesn't use the clip-on attachment for those flashes, so there's no "slot" on that lens either. Maybe the same is true of the new 100mm IS Macro, since reportedly it uses 67mm filters. (Note: If the lens is real, it will mean that Ringlite or Twinlite users will need to buy yet another adapter. Unless they use some other means of attaching those flashes... For examply, I use the Twinlite with a Lepp/Stroboframe dual flash bracket.)

Wow! quite the analysis there! thanks. I have a ceiling price in my mind, if it comes out lower or equal to it then I'll get in line to buy it tomorow evening as soon as I get off work. otherwise I'll wait and snag someones'Old' one.

I strongly believe that the lens is legit, however, if the images of said lens are is another can of worms alltogether :)

[BscPhoto]

All I know is I would buy it. The picture shows the new body style of Canons black L's. But a 200 L macro with IS would be sick too and more $$$

[petris]

Official:

Lake Success, N.Y., September 1, 2009 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, continues its advancement of EOS lens technology with the introduction of three new EF and EF-S lenses – EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, lenses. The new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS lens is the world's first camera lens featuring Canon's new Hybrid Image Stabilization (Hybrid IS) technology*, compensating for both angle camera shake and shift camera shake, up to four shutter speed steps. The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is compatible with all EOS cameras, while the EF-S 15-85mm and EF-S 18-135mm zoom lenses are designed specifically for Canon digital cameras that are compatible with EF-S lenses.**
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens
The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens could very well be the essential multipurpose lens for every camera bag due to its ability to capture sharp close-up images of small objects as well as beautiful portrait-length telephoto shots. The incorporation of Canon's new Hybrid IS in this L-series macro lens allows it to compensate more effectively for camera shake during close-up shooting and marks a significant improvement for professionals and advanced amateurs utilizing macro photography for portrait, nature or wedding shoots.

New Hybrid IS Technology: Designed Especially for Macro Photography
The world's first* optical image stabilizer for SLR cameras was introduced in the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM in 1995. Since then, Canon has made continual advancements in IS systems to enhance panning capability and improve compensation for camera shake. Now, in a move aimed at extending image stabilization to the macro realm, Canon introduces its Hybrid IS in the new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM – another first for Canon and the world.

Conventional image stabilization technology is useful for reducing the effects of camera shake in non-macro shooting situations. When shooting handheld close-ups at 1x, however, camera shake makes it difficult to achieve acceptable results even with lenses incorporating conventional image stabilizers. Now, thanks to the Hybrid IS found in the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, Canon extends IS technology to the macro realm, making it easy to obtain clear handheld close-ups – a world first* and a definite advantage in environments where use of a tripod is not an option.

In order to combat the effects of camera shake in a macro lens, the IS system must be able to compensate for both angular camera shake and shift camera shake – problems that become more apparent as magnification increases. The effects of shift camera shake are rarely noticeable when shooting outside the macro realm, such as in landscape photography. But when shooting extreme close-ups, even the slightest amount of camera shake, either of the angular or shift variety, can adversely affect image quality.

In macro photography, shift camera shake and angular camera shake affect both the image formed on the sensor and the image shown in the viewfinder. This is especially relevant to handheld shooting at 1x, since the inability to properly compose and focus due to a shaky image in the viewfinder makes it extremely difficult to record sharp images.

Conventional image stabilizers of the type found in Canon IS lenses incorporate an angular velocity sensor (vibration gyro) to compensate for angular camera shake. Based on the amount of camera shake detected by the sensor, the IS system calculates the amount of blur on the image plane, after which lens elements in the IS are positioned to compensate for the shake. However, this type of image stabilizer can neither detect nor correct shift camera shake common to handheld macro photography.

The Hybrid IS includes an acceleration sensor in addition to the conventional angular velocity sensor (vibration gyro). Based on the amount of camera shake detected by the two sensors, a newly developed algorithm calculates the amount of blur on the image plane, after which lens elements in the IS are positioned to compensate for the two types of shake – a first in an interchangeable lens for SLR cameras and an excellent way to solve the problem of camera shake in macro photography.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lenses are scheduled to be available at the end of September and sell at estimated retail prices of $1,049.00 and $499.99, respectivelyi. The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 USM is scheduled to be available in late October and sell at an estimated retail price of $799.99ii



http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20090901_ef_lens.html

[krepta]

Fake, fakedifakefake. And a poor one.Do you still think it's fake, now? :)

[wickerprints]

OH YEAH, WHO CALLED IT!
:p :p :p

What did I say? Read it and weep! I told you all that it wouldn't be $1200. I called $800-1000, and yes it's on the high end of that range, but no way could it have come in at $1200.

[tornadochaser]

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-2-8L-Macro-Digital/dp/B002NEGTSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1251782059&sr=1-1

[krepta]

The original, non-L, 100mm macro is still listed on Canon USA's product page, a good sign that it will not be discontinued in spite of the new L one.

The new 100 L macro sounds astounding. I may need to get one.

[wickerprints]

Pre-ordered! Finally a real macro lens! :D

[Lightstream]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090102canon100mmmacro.asp

Fake, right?

I knew it wasn't the coffee I was drinking ;)

[DonJuanMair]

i am getting this badboy!

[iwishiwasafish]

^ me too

[PiRho]

it's already on my wish list. I have to wait a little bit before I get in line so that I know I can pay for it... but this one is almost paid for.

[lungdoc]

Pre-ordered! Finally a real macro lens! :D

If you didn't think the existing 100mm macro lens, or essentially ALL existing macro lenses were real macro lenses then you are...clearly mistaken. The IS may well be helpful but all the existing macro lenses are superbly sharp; the IS won't help with subject movement and macro flash is still likely necessary for living subjects. I'd spend the money on old 100mm macro + macro flash setup before the new lens any day of the week.

[wickerprints]

If you didn't think the existing 100mm macro lens, or essentially ALL existing macro lenses were real macro lenses then you are...clearly mistaken. The IS may well be helpful but all the existing macro lenses are superbly sharp; the IS won't help with subject movement and macro flash is still likely necessary for living subjects. I'd spend the money on old 100mm macro + macro flash setup before the new lens any day of the week.

You misunderstand me. It is my first "real" macro lens. I've never owned a lens capable of 1:1; the closest thing I got right now is the 24-105/4L IS which has a maximum magnification of 0.23x. I would have purchased the EF 100/2.8 macro but after hearing the hybrid IS announcement and then rumors of an EF 100/2.8L IS, I decided to hold off until the announcement. Since the lens was reasonably priced, I went for it. An extra $400 is not that bad.

[lungdoc]

Ahh, got it now. It does look like a great lens, 100mm on FF should be a good general purpose short tele/portrait prime as well.

[dkspook]

Fake, fakedifakefake. And a poor one.

"1:2.8 L IS USM" does not line up with the first part of the text, nor does it run parallel with the red ring.

The Distance scale looks like something off a fisheye. 1 meter, 3 meters, infinity? My 100mm macro started at 0.45.

The bottom of the "Macro 100mm" does not line up with the bottom of the badge it's written on.

DO NOT LISTEN TO ME!!!

I've never been so happy to be so wrong before tho...

[dkspook]

Do you still think it's fake, now? :)

You can't prove anything, no one saw me type it. Besides, I was drunk off my ass.

[zaathrus]

Hmmm. Where's it gone?

I know it was around here somewhere.


Ahhhhh.

[shadowcat]

If I keep my 5DmkII I will trade my old 100 macro in for this one.