Choosing Canon 60mm or 100mm for Macro?...

[mypoppy31]

I don't know the difference between the Canon 60mm 2.8 Macro lens or the Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro lens. I suspect that the 100mm would be a bit better that the 60mm.

I'm not into shooting insects, but I enjoy shooting the flowers. Is there much difference between these two lenses?..

I'm enclosing the very first Macro shots I took with my Canon Rebel XT (350D) a few days ago. The lens I used was a Canon 50mm 1.4 and I did have some difficulty focusing which brought me to believe that I should really get a Macro lens. I suspect that the 100m would be the way to go, but I'm simply not sure. Hopefully, a Macro lens would allow me better focusing?....

And, I'd probably buy the Macro lens from Amazon.com. But, if anyone's got a better idea whom to buy from, please let me know.

I'd appreciate any information.

Thanks....

[T.D.]

I have both lenses.

I find the 100 too long for the crop bodies (40D currently). I use the 60 on it. I love the 100 on the 5D. Both are excellent lenses. It just depends how much reach you want.

Remember, if you think you'll ever switch to full frame, the 60 is out. It's an ef-s lens.

[Molnies]

I've never used the 60mm so I can't comment on that, but I love the 100mm. It's a great lens, super sharp and fast AF. With the 100 you get more working distance than you get with the 60, but that's more important when it comes to insects and such.

Not sure what you mean that you have a hard time focusing, if you mean the auto focus is hunting then you might want to know that most macro photographers shoot in manual focus since it's often easier. If you mean that the depth of field is to narrow then that's just macro photography, the 100 will have much shallower depth of field. So depending on the problem, a macro lens might not solve the focusing issue.

Oh and to T.D.'s comment, I don't find the 100 too long on a crop body, I think it works perfectly, but that's personal preferences.

[macro junkie]

60 lens is better.for me any way....i never got on with the 105mm.

[Kabbalah]

I think they all have their place, but i personaly have the 60mm as well as the 65mm MPE. That being said i would still love to have a 100mm lens. Particularly for the water droplet shots i've seen on here, would be nice to have a little more working distance to the water.

My two cents.

ps. I bought my gear thru www.17photo.com and they were great. No grey market no refurbished gear, comes with full warranty.

Good luck with what ever you do get...


Kabbalah