50mm macro vs 100mm macro

Does the 100 give larger magnification?
Is the only advantage of 100 over 50 that you can be further away from the subject?

The Canon 50mm f/2.5 macro goes only to 1:2 magnification. To get to 1:1, you need the optional life size converter for that lens. So, strictly speaking, the 50mm macro is not a real macro lens....

The Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro does go to 1:1 magnification by itself.

Both

The 100mm does life size (1:1) magnification but the 50mm only goes up to half life size (1:2), and as it's a longer lens you don't have to get as close to your subjects.

I took this of a fly with the Canon 100mm Macro USM

100% crop

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That's one UGLY fly, man !
Scary crop, really. I think I won't sleep tonight ...

I see that fly has a couple dozen stuck pixels.

Nice shot!

http://photonotes.org …ner-faq/lenses.html#macro