100mm Macro

Good day POTN...

Ive been shooting with the canon 100mm f2.8 macro for several months now, shooting mainly my reef tank where i stop the pump, slow the exposure and grab super detailed shots of my corals... however, occassionally i find myself trying to do the same with just fast shutter (obviously not the same results)

time to sell the lens and upgrade to the 100mm macro L?

thanks. find my self using it more n more handheld...

IMO, when it comes to macro work, nothing beats a tripod. It allows you to frame and focus precisely while allowing you to take longer exposures when needed. While the IS will help with handheld shots, it would still be a step down from using a tripod IMO (assuming that the use of a tripod is possible....which isn't always the case). If you're mainly shooting corals in your reef tank, I would think it would be very easy and beneficial to simply use a tripod. That said, if you desire to upgrade go for it....although I think using the money to expand your kit differently may be more worth while. Just my take

A tripod is good for flowers and other stationary stuff but it won't work for live insects. I don't shoot dead bugs. Anyway, I have the 100L and it has been worth the extra money. I also use it quite a bit for portrait work. So yes it costs more, but it's a very versatile lens.

i think a tripod would work better for what you described...doesn't sound like you're shooting anything moving...

i think using a flash is more important than anything else for macro work...

If I'm trying to take a close up with the 100L (Macro) I turn off the AF and the IS and use the tripod. I also get a good bit of use from that lens as simply an f2.8 100mm with those features turned on and the camera hand held. Totally depends on what I am trying to accomplish/capture.

Dave

Thanks everyone.

@jra: I would consider only adding the sigma 30 1.4. Just sold my canon 50 1.4, was too long as my prime. Everything I shoot needs wide & fast, other than the 24-105 of course lol...

But for the macro I hear I'll increase a tad but of IQ from regular 100mm to L 100mm...

May just go for it

I'm not certain I understand. Are you asking whether it would be worth upgrading to the L because of the hybrid IS?

If so, the answer is 'it depends'. I have the L, and it is a great lens, but I am not sure it will solve your problem. In my experience, the hybrid IS is good for 1.5 stops, possibly 2, at closest focusing. At distance, it acts like a regular IS and will give you more benefit. If you are shooting very close, will 1.5 stops be enough?

Personally, when I shoot macro shots of something that doesn't move, I generally use a tripod. If the subject is moving, I often use a (very cheap) monopod. For static things like corals, I would probably go for a tripod before the L lens.

I don't think you'll get any sort of significant - or even noticeable - increase in IQ in going from the non-L to the L. As everyone else has said, a good tripod will probably be your best choice.

SouthFlorida_Tron wrote in post #13829107
Good day POTN...

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Ive been shooting with the canon 100mm f2.8 macro for several months now, shooting mainly my reef tank where i stop the pump, slow the exposure and grab super detailed shots of my corals... however, occassionally i find myself trying to do the same with just fast shutter (obviously not the same results)

time to sell the lens and upgrade to the 100mm macro L?

thanks. find my self using it more n more handheld...

What do you think of the 135mm f2?

I haven't find I have encounter any situation that demand IS for my 100mm macro! Especially the 100mm non L macro is exceptional sharp with very decent build quality already, I don't think it is necessary to upgrade the the L, at least for me!

I've had both the 100mm and 100mm L - still have the L. No IQ difference in them that I can, the L feels a little better. IS is nice to have, but mine is usually off.

SouthFlorida_Tron wrote in post #13829107
Good day POTN...

Ive been shooting with the canon 100mm f2.8 macro for several months now, shooting mainly my reef tank where i stop the pump, slow the exposure and grab super detailed shots of my corals... however, occassionally i find myself trying to do the same with just fast shutter (obviously not the same results)

time to sell the lens and upgrade to the 100mm macro L?

thanks. find my self using it more n more handheld...

The L lens is not going to help you get better results with a fast shutter speed (although quite why you are not getting the same results for static subjects with a fast shutter speed as with a slow one eludes me).

The only thing in your post that suggests that the L may be beneficial is the mention of "hand held". To decide whether that is a sufficient justification, you need to consider the shots that were impossible to achieve with the lens that you have, that could have been possible with IS, and figure out whether plugging that gap is worth the cost increment.

I just ordered the 100L Macro...got it for free because we had a ton of frequent flyer miles. Can't beat that deal!!!!

Lol true....


USA or IMPORTED? Difference? USA made on sale...

SouthFlorida_Tron wrote in post #13831814
Lol true....


USA or IMPORTED? Difference? USA made on sale...

None are made in the USA; all are imported.