EF 100mm Macro. Can you use it for sports?

I was just wondering. I have a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM macro lens. I don't have any other prime lenses about this focal length. Can this be used for sports? Are there any disadvantages? Thanks, Hank

You can but I think this lens is somewhat less sharp at infinity and non-macro distances. I attempted to play with this lens a few times at races instead of my 70-200L and just wasn't as happy with the results. The AF is quick but perhaps not "sports" action quick. I restrict this lens for macro and portrait type work over sports use.

Of course you can But it's not ideal.

AF is slower for macro lens due to its nature. Also f2.8 might not be fast enough.

Have a look into 70-200mkII for flexibility or 135f2 for speed.

the AF is really fast, you just have to use the FOCUS RANGE LIMITER!!!!


and the 135L isn't the end all of end alls.

pyrojim wrote in post #13396126
the AF is really fast, you just have to use the FOCUS RANGE LIMITER!!!!


and the 135L isn't the end all of end alls.

'Really fast' is subjective. Are you telling me the 100 macro can match the AF speed of the 135L??

I have both 100L macro and 135L, the AF speed on the macro might not be fast enough for action sports. That's all i am saying.

kin2son wrote in post #13396135
'Really fast' is subjective. Are you telling me the 100 macro can match the AF speed of the 135L??

I have both 100L macro and 135L, the AF speed on the macro might not be fast enough for action sports. That's all i am saying.

I only specified really fast, I have not used a 135L, I know that the 70-200 IS2 is awfully quick.

I would think that the focus range limiter would do the trick.

pyrojim wrote in post #13396143
I would think that the focus range limiter would do the trick.

The focus range limiter definitely helps. Not too sure about fast action sports that's all.

I only use my 100L for macro shots and portrait.

Optically a superb lens but for sports very little chance of anything but frustration.

Depends on the type of sports. I have used it for shooting gymnastics - beam shots

Depends upon the sporting event being photographed... If it's something that's not too fast moving or that you can pre-focus on a spot and wait for the subject to come to that point and then snap the photo when the subject arrives, that would be fine.

Otherwise, the macro will likely lag a little bit. 85/1.8, 100/2, 135/2 or any of the 70-200 zooms would be quicker acquiring focus and better maintaining it on moving subjects.

Focus is slower with any macro lens. Though actually the 100 USM and 100L are among the best for focus speed... thanks in part to USM, in part to their focus limiter, and partially due to their Internal Focus design.

It's just that macro lenses are designed with "long throw focus"m with the emphasis on precision rather than speed, and they have to move focusing elements a long way to cover the range all the way from infinity to 1:1.

There should be no problem with the lens' sharpness and overall image quality out at infinity. The image below is a bit abstract, but it's the sun reflecting off the corner of a building, taken at a distance somewhere near infinity I'm sure....

I am going to a dog show next weekend. I am going to bring my 70-200 but I think I will pack my 100 2.8L just to prove it works fine.

Hank E wrote in post #13396060
I was just wondering. I have a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM macro lens. I don't have any other prime lenses about this focal length. Can this be used for sports? Are there any disadvantages? Thanks, Hank

I've used mine for volleyball and basketball indoors with superb results. I do use the focus limiter switch.

Tom

Since you already own the lens, why not just give it a go? Set the focus limiter for non-macro, camera in AI-Servo and have fun.

I suspect it will do very well.

kin2son wrote in post #13396229
reported

By quoting it, too, you just doubled their exposure and link. I'd just report it next time.

Yes, you can use it for sports. I suppose it depends on the sport.