100mm f2.8 IS macro - due for replacement?

[GuyF]

I sold my Tamron 90mm macro some months ago with the intention of getting the Canon next time there was a cash-back deal. There's now a £75 cash-back here in the UK so I could get one for £544 (plus I'm off work this coming week so I'd have a new toy to play with whilst waiting on a 1DX2 or 5D4 ).

So the question is, as I don't shoot a huge amount of macro stuff but like having one available, should I get one now or is the lens likely to get updated anytime soon? It was introduced back in 2009 and is clearly a great lens but is a greater lens not too far away? I know many also use it for portraits but I've a Sigma 85mm f1.4 for that. Hmmm, sell the Sigma too and just use the Canon for portraits and macro?

Decisions, decisions. Help!!!

 

[brad-man]

I have this lens and it might be cliche, but I really can't see much room for improvement. I'd expect a refresh of the 180 macro (inclusion of IS) before the 100L.

 

[Random Orbits]

If there is, the new one won't be selling at £544!

In all seriousness, I agree with brad-man. There are many lenses that should be updated before the 100L.

 

[slclick]

It's fine.

 

[rs]

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with the current lens.

If you're going to the Photography Show, typically there's double cashback on Canon products there.

 

[ahsanford]

The current 100L is modern design with proper USM, IS, internal focusing, weather sealing, etc. and with the flip of one switch it becomes a very serviceable tool for portraiture. It's a peach of a lens. You could ask the serious macro shooters about any working distance / focus breathing limitations, and I'm sure the 50 MP camp want everything redesigned for the high resolution future :, but I honestly don't put a 100L macro replacement on even a third-tier priority for Canon right now.

I think we'll see a 180L Macro II (or other 'longer' working distance tool) before we see a new 100L.

- A

 

[Mr Bean]

I have this lens and it might be cliche, but I really can't see much room for improvement. I'd expect a refresh of the 180 macro (inclusion of IS) before the 100L.

+1. Love this lens. Razor sharp. It was introduced in 2009, so, a reasonably "recent" lens. Can't see much room for improvement at the moment

 

[Drum]

No there will be an announcement imminently.... I just bought one today!! (just like Sigma announced their 150-600's the day after I bought the Tamron!!)

 

[JohanCruyff]

I have this lens and it might be cliche, but I really can't see much room for improvement. I'd expect a refresh of the 180 macro (inclusion of IS) before the 100L.

+1. Love this lens.

+1

 

[NancyP]

The 100L IS macro doesn't need updating.
The 180mm f/3.5L no-IS macro DOES need updating if Canon wants to capture the people now opting for the Sigma 180 f/2.8 IS 1:1 macro, which is said to be an outstanding lens. Admittedly, this is a small market. Twenty years ago, the 180L was a leader, now it is trailing.

 

[dolina]

Perhaps by 2026?

 

[ahsanford]

The 100L IS macro doesn't need updating.
The 180mm f/3.5L no-IS macro DOES need updating if Canon wants to capture the people now opting for the Sigma 180 f/2.8 IS 1:1 macro, which is said to be an outstanding lens. Admittedly, this is a small market. Twenty years ago, the 180L was a leader, now it is trailing.

I'm curious what photographers that shoot macro more than, say, 25% of their work would say about the 100L vs. the Canon 5x vs. the plethora of other macro options out there.

For the focus-stacking / rail-sliding macro aficianados (i.e. not me) -- you know, product, flora/fauna, jewelry folks -- what can't today's macro lenses do that you want?

Something longer with more working distance?
Something something with greater than 1:1 capabilities?
Something that better integrates macro speedlites?
Some nutty hybrid of macro's magnification with some sort of tilt-shift functionality?
A completely batsh-- idea, but perhaps a macro lens with integrated speedlites built-in to the lens design?

And again for the more regular macro shooters: all-things-considered, what is your current first choice for a macro lens?

- A

 

[privatebydesign]

Bearing in mind the normal lifespan/shelf life of macro lenses and given the fact that it is Canon's newest one and the only one with Hybrid IS, I'd be shocked to see it replaced/upgraded in the next ten years.

 

[scyrene]

The 100L IS macro doesn't need updating.
The 180mm f/3.5L no-IS macro DOES need updating if Canon wants to capture the people now opting for the Sigma 180 f/2.8 IS 1:1 macro, which is said to be an outstanding lens. Admittedly, this is a small market. Twenty years ago, the 180L was a leader, now it is trailing.

I'm curious what photographers that shoot macro more than, say, 25% of their work would say about the 100L vs. the Canon 5x vs. the plethora of other macro options out there.

For the focus-stacking / rail-sliding macro aficianados (i.e. not me) -- you know, product, flora/fauna, jewelry folks -- what can't today's macro lenses do that you want?

Something longer with more working distance?
Something something with greater than 1:1 capabilities?
Something that better integrates macro speedlites?
Some nutty hybrid of macro's magnification with some sort of tilt-shift functionality?
A completely batsh-- idea, but perhaps a macro lens with integrated speedlites built-in to the lens design?

And again for the more regular macro shooters: all-things-considered, what is your current first choice for a macro lens?

- A

I have the 100L macro and the MP-E, and hope to get the Sigma 180 2.8 this year. My go-to lens would be the 100L, as it's versatile and an excellent all-sounder. The MP-E is stunning but obviously limited to pure macro work. My impression is it's sharper, but much trickier to use. I want a 180 macro for insects especially, giving me a bit more room without spooking them.

An MP-E with IS would be great, but I don't see it happening.

 

[ahsanford]

Bearing in mind the normal lifespan/shelf life of macro lenses and given the fact that it is Canon's newest one and the only one with Hybrid IS, I'd be shocked to see it replaced/upgraded in the next ten years.

Believe it or not, they are somewhat 'due' for a new FF macro lens:
(EF macro lenses per Northlight)

1987: 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro (1:2)
1996: 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
1990: 100mm f/2.8 Macro (1:1)
1999: 65mm f/2.8 Macro (5:1)
2000: 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (1:1)
2008: 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (1:1)

On the budget-ish side, Canon values getting people into macro photography, so a solid 'starter' macro lens in the $250-500 range is needed. I've heard the non-L 100mm is a good sharpness-per-dollar lens, but the starter 50mm compact macro seems to have been left behind. Perhaps that's for a reason, but perhaps a refresh is coming?

On the pricey side, as stated before, the 100L is great as is. So an update to the 5x (an unbelievably specialized piece of gear) or -- more likely -- an update to the longer 180L (or something in the 150-200 neighborhood) might be warranted. I seem to recall the 180L lacking fast focusing, IS or weather-sealing -- we can debate if those are musts for what is a more dedicated macro lens, but certainly the lens could be improved.

- A

 

[jebrady03]

Bearing in mind the normal lifespan/shelf life of macro lenses and given the fact that it is Canon's newest one and the only one with Hybrid IS, I'd be shocked to see it replaced/upgraded in the next ten years.

"Shocked" is the EXACT word I was going to use in my reply and it's perfectly descriptive. There's absolutely no reason to update this lens and I'd expect to see a dozen or two lenses, probably more, before we see this one updated. So OP, if you're worried about buying it and a replacement being announced shortly thereafter, don't. If Canon did that, it would be SO outside the realm of things that make sense.

As for uses, I shot a LOT more macro a few years ago when I was using crop sensor + the 60mm macro and because of that usage, I bought the 100L thinking I'd continue. But the purchase roughly coincided with me exiting the other hobby that was garnering 100% of my macro shooting so I don't really do it anymore. However, I still use the 100L relatively frequently for lower light, indoor portraits on my 6D. It truly is fantastic for that purpose. We're talking counting eyelashes in shots. Additionally, the macro, the IS is GREAT for handheld macro and the AF works surprisingly well too! Especially when one makes use of the focus limiter switch.

Portrait of my daughter with the 100L, shot wide open with my 6D.

Took this shot yesterday with my 70D (would have used the 6D but I just sent it to Canon for a clean/check). I actually cropped in a little but had I used my 6D, I wouldn't have (sounds backward, I know - but the crop as-is didn't work for me with the 70D because I wanted wider, but then saw this closer crop and decided to go with it). This was basically at MFD. I used AF for this shot.

So... GO FOR IT! Great lens. Incredibly versatile. EXTREMELY doubtful it'll get updated any time soon.

 

[privatebydesign]

Bearing in mind the normal lifespan/shelf life of macro lenses and given the fact that it is Canon's newest one and the only one with Hybrid IS, I'd be shocked to see it replaced/upgraded in the next ten years.

Believe it or not, they are somewhat 'due' for a new FF macro lens..........

Nonsense, where has lens technology moved on to since the 100 L Macro came out? Blue goo and coatings, neither of which are enough to warrant the 100 L getting upgraded.

The 180 is well overdue for a remodel and there is plenty of newer stuff to put in it, weather sealing, Hybrid IS, Blue goo, coatings, light weight build (engineering plastic) etc etc.

The 50mm Macro isn't even a true macro lens, it is only a 1:2 life size that needs a dedicated tube with glass to get it from 1:2 to 1:1, Noah used one on the ark to document the smaller animals. This could be upgraded with good specs and remain reasonably priced, that it hasn't speaks volumes for the sales numbers and projections. Who would use a 1:2 "macro" lens over the TS-E45 with a tube? About half a dozen people who photograph flat field reproductions, and Noah's great great great grandkids.

The EF-s 60 Macro, again, what would you put in it that meant it wasn't an L and Canon won't make EF-s L lenses.

The MP-E 65, I doubt if that will ever get upgraded, it has no real competition so why bother? It won the competition in the field of one! IS probably wouldn't be any use in it because it's effectiveness is reduced as magnification increases, it isn't a heavy lens, it doesn't need Blue goo so no upgrade.

I think Canon are happy to sit on their laurels with regards macro, just look at the half arsed unenthusiastic "upgrade" to the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II, a new LCD and interface, they gave it the RT interface with no RT!

 

[pwp]

Bearing in mind the normal lifespan/shelf life of macro lenses and given the fact that it is Canon's newest one and the only one with Hybrid IS, I'd be shocked to see it replaced/upgraded in the next ten years.

+1 what's to improve? It's a perfect lens that will be around for for at least the rest of this decade, then more.

-pw

 

[TommyLee]

the 100L is the same optical delivery as the 100 USM just before it..
they are fine ...either one..

we DO need a 150-200 macro I.S. for sure...
I dont use a tripod... so shoot me...
that explains ...things.. for everyone.......

my first lens on 20D was 100 macro...

I would spend my whole day with a 200mm macro I.S. .....
forget to eat...

lets have a new 150-200 macro...woo hoo


I guess these were the 100L I.S. lens..?...
I nust have sold the 100macro USM by then
....

a 150mm to 200mm I s. lens would help track bees... ok the last 5 or 6 bees ...

 

[Antono Refa]

The 100L IS macro doesn't need updating.
The 180mm f/3.5L no-IS macro DOES need updating if Canon wants to capture the people now opting for the Sigma 180 f/2.8 IS 1:1 macro, which is said to be an outstanding lens. Admittedly, this is a small market. Twenty years ago, the 180L was a leader, now it is trailing.

My thoughts exactly.