Best Macro Lens

I've been eyeing the 100mm 2.8 macro as the best lens for all occasions but want to know what everybody thinks is the best to have if you only have one.

Thats the lens that i have and i love it.

Do you mean you wouldn't have any other lens?? If that's what you mean, then no way! It is way too slow. However, if you are talking about getting an additional lens as the only macro lens, then I say, yes, it is good, although you can also get some great shots with extension tubes on your nifty fifty.

D

I have one also and truly appreciate the image quality.

Too slow for auto focus or just to slow in general? I see that it is very slow on auto focus but that is fine because all my shots are completely manual. I did get some interesting noise for the first time today but I think it is not the lens because the last shoot that I did with a different lens and the same conditions I ended up with the samething.

You can see that I totally misunderstood your question. To use all the time, this lens is pretty slow at autofocus. It is a wonderful lens, though, and if you intend to use it mostly for macro work, using manual, I highly recommend it. It was my first macro lens, and I'm very pleased with it.

The 100mm is a very good lens, but all macro lenses are usually very sharp. If you want to use it for general purpose photography (non macro) it'll also perform very well. Autofocus will be slower than other non macro lenses because of the way most modern macro lenses are designed - there's not much you can do about this.

Dave

Think you need to clarify the question- do you mean as the best general purpose walk around lens or the best macro lens for most macro subjects ?
If I assume it's the latter and money is no problem then the canon 100mm F 2.8 is a good buy. Optically though it is probably no better than a sigma 105mm, canon 60mm EF-s, Tamron 90mm.
If it's the former then it certainly would not be the best general purpose walk around lens. You have others in your collection that would be much better.
Brian V.

What I really mean is I have other lenses so I don't think I'll depend on a macro lens for general shots. What is the best macro lens specifically for macro work?

Already answered in my original reply- you may also need to think about a set of Kenko ext tubes as well so you get higher mags, then there is all the other bits you might need- flash bracket, external ettl flash and off camera flash cord.
Brian V.

The best? May well be the Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo ...

http://www.fredmiranda​.com …ct=46&sort=7&ca​t=2&page=3

P.

The 100mm Canon + a set of tubes is a very good idea. It can double as a general purpose lens as well (just with not very good AF).

Dave