Help me choose a lense, please

I have a 60D. I would like to get a macro and fast lens for shallow DOF portraits.

Well, shallow DOF in general I guess.

It's between the Canon 100mm2.8 L and the EF-S 60mm 2.8L

I have a 55-250 kit lens for more reach.

I'm wondering if the crop factor would make the 100 less suitable for portraits.

It's my understanding the 60 on a crop makes it more like a 100 with FOV.

I can deal with the macro part. But the portrait part has me stumped.

Also is the 100L worth twice the 100 not L?

Thanks for any advice and Happy New Year.

bpiper7 wrote in post #19175072
I have a 60D. I would like to get a macro and fast lens for shallow DOF portraits.

Well, shallow DOF in general I guess.

It's between the Canon 100mm2.8 L and the EF-S 60mm 2.8L

I have a 55-250 kit lens for more reach.

I'm wondering if the crop factor would make the 100 less suitable for portraits.

It's my understanding the 60 on a crop makes it more like a 100 with FOV.

I can deal with the macro part. But the portrait part has me stumped.

Also is the 100L worth twice the 100 not L?

Thanks for any advice and Happy New Year.

I have the 100mm f/2.8 L Macro but do not have enough experience with it to advise. These are very highly regarded lenses. I also considered the 60mm f/2.8 Macro but went with the 100mm.

Don't forget to check out the "Refurbished" category on the Canon site. I saved hundreds by getting my 100mm off that site (indistinguishable from new).

Dan

bpiper7 wrote in post #19175072
.
I would like to get a macro and fast lens for shallow DOF portraits.

It's between the Canon 100mm2.8 L and the EF-S 60mm 2.8L
.

.
There's also the 105mm Sigma Macro f2.8

This should be especially helpful to you:

https://www.youtube.co​m …ahkIMcvw&featur​e=emb_logo


Also:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1095806

https://fstoppers.com …m-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-540395


And:

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …W9zrvhbneEHBoCJ​B4QAvD_BwE

In choosing 100mm vs 60mm...

1. Yes, using [60mm on your APS-C camera] is like using [100mm on FF camera]
   same framing, same shooting distance with either combination, such as in shooting portraits.
   You would have back up farther with 100mm on your camera, to frame the same head & shoulders shot, which could be a problem in shooting portraits in a home.
   
2. For macro work, the 60mm FL will have a shorter 'working distance' than using 100mm FL to achieve the same magnification, e.g. 0.5x (assuming both lenses used on same body)
   

What kind of “macro” subjects do you anticipate? Will you need the extra distance provided by the 100 over the 60?

Is a 100 mm lens on a 60D too long for portraits?

I use both lenses on my 7D Mk II and you'll find the EF-S 60 is very sharp and the EF 100 L is damned sharp! Both exceptional pieces of glass and I use them both.

Since depth of field seems to be a concern ("Well, shallow DOF in general I guess”), one thing you might want to do is input the parameters of the various suggestions into an online Depth of Field Calculator to see the impact. One that I have frequently used is DOFMaster at https://www.dofmaster.​com/dofjs.html. Once there, the calculation routine seems to work properly but there are some images that are missing. Speculation on my part is this may be due to the Windows 10 version and even more likely the removal of Adobe Flash, which has been recommended lately.

Another DOF calculator can be found at https://www.photopills​.com/calculators/dof. It basically only performs the calculations or https://www.cambridgei​ncolour.com/tutorials/​dof-calculator.htm.

Thanks everyone. Most helpful.

I am leaning to the 100. I have a 50 for portraits. I'll take the longer macro and IS.

Now I just have to dig up the cheddar.

thanks to you all.

bpiper7 wrote in post #19175547
I am leaning to the 100. I have a 50 for portraits. I'll take the longer macro and IS.

Now I just have to dig up the cheddar.

thanks to you all.

There is a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro normally $969 but on sale on Sigma's website @ $569. See https://www.sigmaphoto​.com/105mm-f2-8-ex-dg-os-hsm-macro. The one caveat is it is not dock compatible should you have the need to tweak things,

Years back I was considering a Macro Lens as part of my Continuing Education curriculum. At that time I was using a 7D.
Canon had the 100 Macro, the EF-S 60 and a recently introduced 100 Macro L IS. Image Stabilization proved valuable time and time again when a tripod was not available or allowed. Worth its weight.

I did a lot of research when I bought my macro lens many years ago. And when I say "research," not only reviews and comparisons, but opinions of folks who's work I admired.
Ended up going with the Canon 100mm 2.8L IS. Awesome lens! Very nice for portraits as well, but I'm using a full-frame.
If it's mainly for small bugs, get some extension tubes as well, and a way to light your subjects.

But back to the lens; you won't regret getting that one; it's a peach.

The Tammy SP 90mm Macro lens is really sharp and is less money than the 100L... I know it wasn't on the list as you mentioned only first party lenses...

YMMV

I'd recommend the EF 100 2.8L over the 60. It will provide more room to work with if you find insects an interest.

bpiper7 wrote in post #19175547
Thanks everyone. Most helpful.

I am leaning to the 100. I have a 50 for portraits. I'll take the longer macro and IS.

Now I just have to dig up the cheddar.

thanks to you all.

Good choice. I think that you will likely see the shallower DOF that you are looking for. As a bonus, the lens can be with you forever should you change cameras, while the S series will only be useful on some cameras.

+1 for the 100mm f2.8L. It’s the sharpest lens I have. The background may be a little tight for portraits on a crop but it will still look very good. I use it on both full frame and crop and it is really nice to use on a crop as it’s a pretty good zoom at 160mm equivalent. I can still get a pretty shallow depth of field on a crop with this lens as well. On a full frame the d.o.f. is measured in mm’s.