Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

nomorebs · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

I am about to pull the trigger on the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM.
Are there any big pros & cons that I should be aware of or consider when buying this lens? Or is it generally considered a 'safe buy' as far as build quality, sharpness etc is concerned?

LightRules · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

This is a safe buy. It's "critically" sharp. It will make your 24-105L look bad.

steved110 · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

You can't go wrong, it's the best 100mm macro made, how great that you are a Canon user and can benefit from it. Noinkers have to spend a lot more for less quality ( tho they are about to get a 105mm macro with vibration reduction..)
the only improvements on this would be if you needed 150 or 180mm - but IMHO those extreme lenses are more limited - the 100mm macro also doubles as a great short tele/ portrait lens

CyberDyneSystems · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

Great buy,..

Cons:

Not the fastest USM AF in the world (no macro is that fast though)
Does not take Canon's T-cons

But awesome image quality!

calicokat · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

Great lens, here are a couple shots taken with it. First is a macro shot, second is a tribute to its versatility beyond macro.

Jarrad · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

You really can't go wrong with this lens. Especially if you have an interest in Macro Photography. Even if you don't, it's a very versatile lens. It's every bit as sharp as everyone has been describing.

Examples:

Raj · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

Its an excellent lens, you cant go wrong with it. pros ? already metioned by all, DOF control & bokeh is excellent, can be used as portrait lens too.
Only con that comes to mind is slow AF in macro range & low light, but then the lens has full time internal manual focussing, so its not a issue at all. Outdoors AF is fast enough.

Color saturation, sharpness, contrast, just excellent.
A sample @ f3.5, iso 400, handheld

rohnb · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

I'm very close to ordering the Canon 100mm macro as well, though I do have to admit to some stalling wondering if the Sigma 150 or 180 might be a better choice for not a considerable amount more simply because of the increased working room for insects. I'd love to read (more) comments/opinions, if anyone has any to share

chuckandbob · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

Ah. Thanks Raj - I see that now.

LightRules · 12th of April 2006 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohnb

I'm very close to ordering the Canon 100mm macro as well, though I do have to admit to some stalling wondering if the Sigma 150 or 180 might be a better choice for not a considerable amount more simply because of the increased working room for insects. I'd love to read (more) comments/opinions, if anyone has any to share

Optically they are all very close; you just don't get sharper than dedicated macros (from center to edge). If you need the working distance, then the decision is easy.

Livinthalife · 13th of April 2006 (Thu)

since we are kinda on the subject. I found what I think is a good deal. A 100mm macro 2.8 NON-usm plus a 50mm 2.5 for under $250...would i be able to get allot of use from the non USM? my 50 1.8 isnt USM, and the focus speed doesnt bother me, but my USM kit lens is pretty quick. I really dont notice much of a difference in speed between the 2 in focusing unless close ups, orlow light.

Raj · 13th of April 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livinthalife

since we are kinda on the subject. I found what I think is a good deal. A 100mm macro 2.8 NON-usm plus a 50mm 2.5 for under $250...would i be able to get allot of use from the non USM? my 50 1.8 isnt USM, and the focus speed doesnt bother me, but my USM kit lens is pretty quick. I really dont notice much of a difference in speed between the 2 in focusing unless close ups, orlow light.

USM wont matter much for 100mm macro IMO. I focus manually most of the time anyway. Under $250 is very good price, but I am not so sure about that 50mm 2.5. which lens is this ?

Livinthalife · 13th of April 2006 (Thu)

it says "compact macro" I figured just for the one lens would be worth it. but im sur ei could find a use for another 50mm

Livinthalife · 13th of April 2006 (Thu)

heres the site, its actually a yahoo auction. if want to take a look or bid.

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d60859490

Jesper · 13th of April 2006 (Thu)

The EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro is not a real macro lens. It magnifies up to 1:2, not 1:1 like a real macro lens.

You need the optional Life Size Converter EF with the 50mm f/2.5 to get 1:1 magnification.

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#1
nomorebs Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 182 IMAGE EDITING OK	Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM I am about to pull the trigger on the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM. Are there any big pros & cons that I should be aware of or consider when buying this lens? Or is it generally considered a 'safe buy' as far as build quality, sharpness etc is concerned? __________________ 400D+BG-3E \| 40D 16-35 2.8L II\| 50 1.2L \| 100 2.8 Macro \| What's next? 2 x LowePro Dryzone Rover \| Kata H-14

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#2
LightRules "flat out embarrassing" Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 9,895	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons This is a safe buy. It's "critically" sharp. It will make your 24-105L look bad. Last edited by LightRules : 12th of April 2006 (Wed) at 11:44.

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#3
steved110 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Sussex UK Posts: 5,756 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons You can't go wrong, it's the best 100mm macro made, how great that you are a Canon user and can benefit from it. Noinkers have to spend a lot more for less quality ( tho they are about to get a 105mm macro with vibration reduction..) the only improvements on this would be if you needed 150 or 180mm - but IMHO those extreme lenses are more limited - the 100mm macro also doubles as a great short tele/ portrait lens __________________ 20D, Eos 100 Canon EF-S 18-55 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 , Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro CanonEF 17-40 f/4 L and 70-200 f/4 L Speedlite 580EX and some bags'n pods'n stuff

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#4
CyberDyneSystems Wait, all that time and all I get is "Cream of the Damn Crop" ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Providence RI Posts: 37,465 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons Great buy,.. Cons: Not the fastest USM AF in the world (no macro is that fast though) Does not take Canon's T-cons But awesome image quality! __________________ GEAR LIST CDS' HOT LINKS My POTN Share Threads Jake Hegnauer Photography Last edited by CyberDyneSystems : 21st of November 2008 (Fri) at 14:06.

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#6
Jarrad Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: B.C., Canada Posts: 801	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons You really can't go wrong with this lens. Especially if you have an interest in Macro Photography. Even if you don't, it's a very versatile lens. It's every bit as sharp as everyone has been describing. Examples: __________________ .com

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#7
Raj Goldmember Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 2,032 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons Its an excellent lens, you cant go wrong with it. pros ? already metioned by all, DOF control & bokeh is excellent, can be used as portrait lens too. Only con that comes to mind is slow AF in macro range & low light, but then the lens has full time internal manual focussing, so its not a issue at all. Outdoors AF is fast enough. Color saturation, sharpness, contrast, just excellent. A sample @ f3.5, iso 400, handheld __________________ 1DX, 5D, 20D with BG E2, Sigma EX DG 8mm F3.5 Circular Fish Eye, EF 15 mm f2.8 fish eye, EFS 10-22 mm f3.5-4.5, EF 24-70 F2.8 L mark ii, EF 24-105 f4 L IS, EF 16-35 f2.8 L , Sigma 35mm f1.4 A, 50 f1.8 mkII, 50 mm F1.2 L, EF f85mm 1.8, EF 100 f2.8 macro, EF 135 F2 L, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM, EF 70-200 f2.8 L, IS USM mark ii, EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS, Sigma 18-125 f3.5-5.6 DC, APO 1.4x, G3, Cheapy Velbon Sherpa 435, Slick Carbon Fiber, Speedlite 430EX and 580EX with stofen OM-EW

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#8
rohnb Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons I'm very close to ordering the Canon 100mm macro as well, though I do have to admit to some stalling wondering if the Sigma 150 or 180 might be a better choice for not a considerable amount more simply because of the increased working room for insects. I'd love to read (more) comments/opinions, if anyone has any to share

12th of April 2006 (Wed)	#9
chuckandbob Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 186	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons Ah. Thanks Raj - I see that now. __________________ Canon 1D Mark III 16-35 f2.8 L II / 85 f1.2 L / 24-105 f4 L / 70-200 f4 L / 300 f4 L IS

13th of April 2006 (Thu)	#11
Livinthalife Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 5,097 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons since we are kinda on the subject. I found what I think is a good deal. A 100mm macro 2.8 NON-usm plus a 50mm 2.5 for under $250...would i be able to get allot of use from the non USM? my 50 1.8 isnt USM, and the focus speed doesnt bother me, but my USM kit lens is pretty quick. I really dont notice much of a difference in speed between the 2 in focusing unless close ups, orlow light. __________________ -Andy- Canon 5DMKII 85 1.8 Rokinon 8 FE 24-105 F4 IS L 580EX 70-200 2.8 100 2.8 L ...:::My Website:::...

13th of April 2006 (Thu)	#15
Jesper Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,742	Re: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM - pros & cons The EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro is not a real macro lens. It magnifies up to 1:2, not 1:1 like a real macro lens. You need the optional Life Size Converter EF with the 50mm f/2.5 to get 1:1 magnification. __________________ Please visit my gallery! Canon EOS 5D EF 24-105 f/4 L IS, EF 70-200 f/4 L IS, EF 35 f/2, EF 50 f/1.8 II, EF 100 f/2.8 Macro USM Extender EF 1.4x II, Speedlite 550EX

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