Will Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Take These?

My girlfriend loves Macro photography and I plan on buying her a 100mm lens as a surprise. Being I've never been into it nor shot it, I'm not exactly sure what all is needed to get the shots she wants.

I see photos that I know she likes, but am uncertain if it's just the 100mm taking it, or if they require tubes? Is that the same thing as say the 1.4x extender? Or something else? I'm all new to this side.

Thanks!

Will it take these, lens alone? Or are tubes needed for these?

https://scontent-b-fra.xx.fbcdn.net …045359136_17757​7727_n.png
http://farm4.staticfli​ckr.com …40094454_c32328​e4e1_c.jpg
http://farm6.staticfli​ckr.com …63642025_202df7​14f0_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticfli​ckr.com …34198624_f4a659​1edc_c.jpg

I know this said it was used with 70mm tubes, what exactly are they? 1.4x extender the same? Different?

a 100mm macro with get you to 1:1. A few of these look to be greater than 1:1, in which case tubes are needed. I cant tell if they are heavily cropped, or if tubes were used or a mp-e-60 was used. In no expert on macro, though so I could be way off.

also consider a light source. many, if not all of these a flash is used. I say skip on the L, get the standard Canon 100 and a 430 exII

Yes. However, some additional gear may be needed. Notice the (relatively) large depth of field on some of these. Probably used focus stacking. Anyway, I have this lens and it's soooo much fun to use. It's also my goto portrait lens. I dig the IS for unstaged portraits.

Yeah I was going to buy a flash for myself when ordering this so that won't be a problem for her. The focus stacking definitely makes sense.

What exactly are tubes? That's entirely new to me.

they basically go in between the lens and the body, allowing for greater magnification and closer minimum focusing distance.

So they aren't the same at the say, 1.4x extender? Or is that the same thing and it's just also called tubes? Have a link to any?

Consider the purchase of a ring flash (alternative to Canon brand), a hotshoe mounted flash is not designed to illuminate the subject of macro and will not give you an even layer of light for the purpose.

Hey one of the photos you posted is mine (dragonfly in flight)

And yes I only used the 100L lens with no tubes thanks for asking:p

Have a look at this - http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …o_Extension_Tub​e_Set.html

That's what's most people use. I have a set but it wasn't required in that shot.

Great photo. Just the lens? Or do you use a ring flash as well?

An extension tube allows you to decrease the minimum focus distance of the lens. Getting closer to the subject gets you a more magnification. They are nice in that they don't contain any lenses so image quality and aperture don't change. But, at 1:1 you are already pretty close to the subject. Getting closer might not always be a great idea (skittish subject, lighting issues).
http://www.adorama.com​/CAETEF252.html

An extender contains lenses and effectively changes the focal length of your lens. It also decreases the aperture (1 stop for a 1.4 extender, 2 stops for a 2x extender). One big advantage of an extender is that it will change the effective focal length of any lens that you can fit it on. So a 300mm lens + 1.4 extender becomes a 1 stop slower 420mm lens.
http://www.adorama.com​/CA14XAF3U.html
As you can see, extenders are ALOT more expensive than extension tubes.

Extension tubes have a much larger effect with shorter focal length lenses. A 25mm extension tube on a 50mm lens makes a huge difference. Makes almost no differnce on a 400mm lens (I don't have the formula for it but I'm sure someone around here can explain it).

HailttRedskins wrote in post #16630829
Great photo. Just the lens? Or do you use a ring flash as well?

No flash required for that particular shot as there was plenty of light

Here's some samples using the 100L + tubes + flash -

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kin2son/8957328​431/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kin2son/8654072​233/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kin2son/8600538​314/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kin2son/8583524​603/

Lovely stuff Kinson.

RE: Ring flash. Most macro enthusiasts suggest you stay away from them. A properly diffused off camera flash will do wonders.

The problem with normal flashguns is the means you have to use to attach them to the camera if you're on the go, which can run the gamut from the creative to the cumbersome and frustrating and effectively ineffective in the field. A ring flash such as this one would make it easier to take photographs of skittish insects whilst allowing you to shoot at lower ISOs for best image quality; not to mention that a ring flash fits comfortably on the lens and, aside from possibly preventing the use of a circular polariser, allows for greater mobility and ease of use.

Well maybe I'll hold off on the Flash and just buy the one I need, then see if she'll need one and what not. I would assume so being we like to hike and be in the woods, but maybe I'm wrong.

Great shots too Kinson, love them. I might have to look into Macro after all.

Copidosoma wrote in post #16630841
An extension tube allows you to decrease the minimum focus distance of the lens. Getting closer to the subject gets you a more magnification. They are nice in that they don't contain any lenses so image quality and aperture don't change. But, at 1:1 you are already pretty close to the subject. Getting closer might not always be a great idea (skittish subject, lighting issues).
http://www.adorama.com​/CAETEF252.html

An extender contains lenses and effectively changes the focal length of your lens. It also decreases the aperture (1 stop for a 1.4 extender, 2 stops for a 2x extender). One big advantage of an extender is that it will change the effective focal length of any lens that you can fit it on. So a 300mm lens + 1.4 extender becomes a 1 stop slower 420mm lens.
http://www.adorama.com​/CA14XAF3U.html
As you can see, extenders are ALOT more expensive than extension tubes.

Extension tubes have a much larger effect with shorter focal length lenses. A 25mm extension tube on a 50mm lens makes a huge difference. Makes almost no differnce on a 400mm lens (I don't have the formula for it but I'm sure someone around here can explain it).

Thanks very helpful