100 macro vs. 100 L macro

I have decided I would like to try some macro work and was wondering what the collective thoughts were on the 2 Canon 100 macro lens. Is the L worth the xtra $$$ ? Looking on POTN shows both take great images.

Thanks for any input.

I've got both of them. No detectable IQ difference between them. L "feels" better and has IS. If IS or the build quality is important to you, get it. If not, get the non-L.

You don't need IS for macro photography because you should be using a tripod anyway...

I have the non-L and it provides great results. There are plenty of threads on this exact subject in here, so if you poke around a bit you will find all kinds of opinions (which generally agree with what chinorider and I have posted).

Jim

Jim

If you search, you will find this question beaten to death already.

Rick is right, IMHO.

I actually destroyed a 100L (it fell into a lake!) and replaced it, which is an indication of my preferences. The IS is in my opinion worth it. First, you can use the lens for non-macro purposes, and 100mm on a crop sensor is plenty long enough that IS helps. Second, I disagree with a_roadbiker--there is lots of macro work for which a tripod is impractical. If you are going to do handheld macro work, the hybrid IS in this lens will help somewhat (although not a great deal). However, it probably won't matter if your are doing handheld work with flash, and if you are doing work on a tripod, the IS will be worthless.

I do a lot of macro work with a monopod. The camera moves a fair amount (at least with my unsteady hands), but I have never done an A/B comparison to see whether the IS helps under those circumstances. I'm guessing not, as the motion is nearly perpendicular to the sensor.

Get the Non-L and use the extra cash for something else. The lens is super sharp.

rick_reno wrote in post #12978287
I've got both of them. No detectable IQ difference between them. L "feels" better and has IS. If IS or the build quality is important to you, get it. If not, get the non-L.

Although I don't have the non-L any longer, I would agree with this.

chinorider wrote in post #12978105
I have decided I would like to try some macro work and was wondering what the collective thoughts were on the 2 Canon 100 macro lens. Is the L worth the xtra $$$ ? Looking on POTN shows both take great images.

Thanks for any input.

L has slightly better mico-contrast. It's not a huge deal though.
The L is a bit faster, so instead of f/2.8 it seems more like f/2.5 (not that this matter when using it for macros at all though).
The IS can be nice to have at times. If bugs are moving it doesn't help or if the plant they are on is blowing around even a little it doesn't help but for stationary bugs and flower it can help. I actually got some 1/40th shots at 1:1 by firing 8fps bursts and picking out the good frame.

this was natural light, 1:1 or nearly so and somewhere around 1/40-1/60th (used AI Servo AF and 8fps drive and picked best frame, even with IS, at 1:1, certainly get many blurred frames especially since I am REALLY bad athand-holding):

IMAGE IS A REDIRECT OR MISSING! HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

100% crops

difference is easier to see if you save the images and flip back and forth in image viewer

non-L at f/2.8 and MFD:

IMAGE IS A REDIRECT OR MISSING! HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

IMAGE IS A REDIRECT OR MISSING! HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

Thanks for all the comments. Seems like I (a beginning DSLR amateur with tons of film experience) would be happy with the non L.

I see you are using 7D... An interesting feature with either of these lenses, at macro magnifications set the camera to AI Servo and the AF acts sort of like a form of image stabilization. It's unique to 7D, as far as I know. What it does is use a more frequent sampling mode when certain macro lenses (limited to Canon's own) are attached and focused to macro distances. This helps keep shots in focus, such as when the camera moves slightly closer to or farther from the subject. Unlike IS, it can help with slight subject movement, too, such as when a flower moves a little in a breeze. You can do similar using AI Servo with other Canon models when shooting macro, but the 7D has an enhanced focusing system that can make it more capable for macro shooting.

Also, the 7D's Spot Focus can be very handy for macro work, though it is a little slower than some of the other focus modes.

I just wish the 7D had an articulated LCD screen, for low angle work (I manage with an angle finder, though).

I'm still using the non-L, non-IS 100mm and have no plans to upgrade. Whichever you get, I highly recommend the optional tripod mounting ring. The Canon ring is pretty pricey. You can get nearly identical third party t'pod rings off eBay or elsewhere for much less $.

I need to go look at the 100L again, or maybe rent it for a week. I might be wrong but personally didn't think it's build quality was any better than the earlier model (which seems pretty identical build to the 180/3.5L). The newer lens gets one more aperture blade (9 vs 8 in the USM lens), though I'm not sure it they are curved blades in either lens or if either lens offers better bokeh than the other.

There are some excellent third party alternatives: Tamron 90/2.8, Tokina 100/2.8, SIgma 105/2.8. AFAIK, though, only the Canon are internal focusing (IF), which means they don't change length when focusing (but are larger to start with). Also, AFAIK, none of the other manufacturers' lenses can be fitted with a tripod mounting ring (some of their longer 150mm or 180mm macros come with t'pod rings, though).

Just starting out with macro, eventually you will probably want to try using flash with it. Even with good techniques, tripods, monopods, IS, higher ISO-capable cameras and all, it's always a struggle to balance adequate shutter speed with a small enough aperture, due to the very shallow depth of field common at macro magnifications. There are macro specific flashes (I might recommend a twin light for most macro 2:1 or less magnification, a ring light for 1:1 and greater magnification) but you really don't need to go to this expense initially. Just about any single, standard, eTTL-capable flash can be used... Just get an off camera shoe cord so you can position it near the subject, and perhaps put a layer or two of white gauze bandage over the flash head to reduce it's output a bit. This acts like a "huge softbox in the sky" with tiny subjects. If needed, you can use reflectors for some shadow fill. Try making a small reflector from aluminum foil on a piece of cardboard, or just white cardboard, or perhaps metallic posterboard in gold or silver.

Many thanks Alan...very good info for me to consider.

amfoto1 wrote in post #12979245
I see you are using 7D... An interesting feature with either of these lenses, at macro magnifications set the camera to AI Servo and the AF acts sort of like a form of image stabilization. It's unique to 7D, as far as I know. What it does is use a more frequent sampling mode when certain macro lenses (limited to Canon's own) are attached and focused to macro distances. This helps keep shots in focus, such as when the camera moves slightly closer to or farther from the subject. Unlike IS, it can help with slight subject movement, too, such as when a flower moves a little in a breeze. You can do similar using AI Servo with other Canon models when shooting macro, but the 7D has an enhanced focusing system that can make it more capable for macro shooting.

yeah it goes into hyper 2x speed AF when in that mode on the 7D

Does it really need the ring?
The lens is sooooo light and relatively short. It seems more than fine just camera mounted.

amfoto1 wrote in post #12979245
I just wish the 7D had an articulated LCD screen, for low angle work

There is a very nice solution to that http://dslrcontroller.​com/about.php
You can use Motorola Xoom with USB cable or some Android phones can be the remote liveview screen

wombatHorror wrote in post #12979968
Does it really need the ring?
The lens is sooooo light and relatively short. It seems more than fine just camera mounted.

The ring can be useful for mounting flash brackets depending on the setup.

The 100 2.8 non IS is amazing and you would save %50. I rarely need IS for macro work.