100mm USM 2.8 macro - focussing.....advice please

Hi Chaps,
Yesterday I received my 100mm f/2.8 macro and quickly started playing around to get to grips with it. Positively impressed by its sharpness and since I'll be using it mostly for macros, it will probably be in manual focus all the time. However,I wanted to test all its functions and that's when the head scratching began. There is a tiny amount of play on the focussing ring and the autofocus does not operate when I try to go from minimum focus distance to infinity [tried both limiter positions] forcing me to overide the system and turn the ring manually close to the desired focus; then auto focus takes over . On the other hand, when trying infinity to min. focus it works, in jerks but with acceptable speed and lock on is accurate.
According to photozone, there were some reported issues with autofocus. Is this something I should worry about [considering that it will be used mostly for macros] or is it a normal characteristic of the lens?
Thanks
Mark

PS - Body is a 40D

I would not worry. Just sit back and enjoy your new and great lens. As you mentioned, MF for macro.

I am also getting this lens as a Christmas gift. I will be using it on my Canon 40D for macro and portrait shots. I would like to see more info from individual personal experience with this lens. All I have read in reviews on the net have been extremely positive.

I find this lens to be extremely sharp. (Not 100% sure if that's a good thing for portraits. :lol

Unless you got a bum copy, I couldn't imagine you being unhappy with the lens.

100% crop of a grain of salt.: 1/250s f/14.0 at 100.0mm iso100

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magal wrote in post #6852478
Hi Chaps,
Yesterday I received my 100mm f/2.8 macro and quickly started playing around to get to grips with it. Positively impressed by its sharpness and since I'll be using it mostly for macros, it will probably be in manual focus all the time. However,I wanted to test all its functions and that's when the head scratching began. There is a tiny amount of play on the focussing ring and the autofocus does not operate when I try to go from minimum focus distance to infinity [tried both limiter positions] forcing me to overide the system and turn the ring manually close to the desired focus; then auto focus takes over . On the other hand, when trying infinity to min. focus it works, in jerks but with acceptable speed and lock on is accurate.
According to photozone, there were some reported issues with autofocus. Is this something I should worry about [considering that it will be used mostly for macros] or is it a normal characteristic of the lens?
Thanks
Mark

PS - Body is a 40D

That play has always irritated me when trying to focus my 100mm macro manually too. I've not noticed any problem with AF though.

May be one more reason I sold my Canon 100/2.8 macro 1 day after getting my Sigma 150/2.8 macro lens.

If there is a problem with the AF I would return it before the exchange period expires. This lens should have no issue focusing either way. It's not the fastest lens in the world, but it should focus smoothly through it's entire range.

It sounds as if you got a bum copy.

Problem solved!!!!
Custom function III - 1...focus search. It was off; turned it on and voila' - focus works a dream.
Thanks everyone for your answers, now I can stop scratching my head and get down to enjoy the lens without worries