Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

[lenstrack26]

I was asking myself the same questions about the 100L and nonL. I've had the nonL for years and rented the 100L for a comparison. Here is a side by side test of the 100 and 100L on a tripod, using a 5DIII body. The target was text on the back cover of David Busch's 5DIII manual. Exposures for both: 1/350 at f/2.8. Tight crops. No sharpening other than default settings in the DIII. Shot from a distance of several feet away. The superior clarity of the 100L is obvious.......In addition, I found the IS invaluable for walking around shots. So, from the standpoint of added stability w/o a tripod and sharpness, the L was the winner. I will post the relevant examples.

 

[PhotoAviator]

That's a good question (and one that I have kicked around mentally myself). Of the three, I would probably let the 85mm go first. But here's the thing: I also have the EOS M, and I find the 85 a really compelling option on it, too. Because it is reasonably inexpensive, I'll probably hang onto it. I do grab the 100L for some portrait and event work over the 135L for several reasons. One is focal length (sometimes 100mm is what you want). The second is stabilization. The third is weather sealing (neither the 85 or 135L have it). One final reason I might grab it is for tight framing of faces where I want to get closer than what the 135L allows.

I do find focus on my 85mm f/1.8 perhaps the most inconsistent of all my lenses despite very careful AFMA. It is one of the oldest lenses in my kit (in terms of design...and actual age) and I just don't think it is quite as good. I am accustomed to a very, very high success rate of perfectly sharp images in my work, and I find that I am surprised by a slight ooF hit from my 85 most often. It's not bad at all, but just slightly worse.

Thanks for that answer. I also happen to have the EOS M, but have used it mainly for a compact travel camera with the pancake, so I've never tried out the 85. I'll have to give that a go.

I've often contemplated what I would do if I was to start over building a set of primes. My strong personal preference is 50mm over 35mm, so that's my starting point. From a focal length standpoint, a doubling approach seems logical, so a 24 - 50 - 100 - 200 collection would be very evenly spaced and would provide the added benefit of IS and macro capability at 100. My hangup with that scenario is the 135, though; it's just too good to leave out!

I know the traditional 35 - 85 - 135 collection handles that issue better (although you would still have closely related lengths if you decided to add the 100 for macro), but changing from 50 to 35 as my primary normal focal length just doesn't work for me.

 

[eml58]

I've been considering this lens for years. Or the non-L version. From everything I've read, it seems there are a lot of folks that prefer the non-L because it is as sharp or sharper and the non-L supposedly focuses faster.

Not directed to me, but my view.

I originally owned and used the Non L non IS version of this Lens, keeping in mind 95% of what I use this Lens for is Underwater Macro, when I went from the Non L/Non IS to the current lens, I was amazed at how much work Canon had put into this Lens. The difference in sharpness from the older version to this version I found remarkable in my own Imaging, the Focussing was faster, the IS certainly in my own use was a definite plus. All round I don't think there's any question the 100 f/2.8 L IS version is a few steps ahead of the older non L/non IS version, if your wanting to jump into one of these Lenses, my view would be to definitely go for the newer version.

I'm currently still shooting this Lens on my 5DMK II as I only recently set up a new Housing so I can in future shoot on the 5DMK III, I expect to see even more improvement then from the 5DMK III's much better Focussing system, and the fact that almost all my Canon Lenses respond better on the 1Dx & 5DMK III than they did on the 5DMK II, 1DMK IV & 1Ds MK III.

 

[Mr Bean]

Native grass flower, Kangaroo grass. Not really noticeable, unless you get up close. Most folk see grass as just....grass.
5D3 with 100mm L Macro

 

[serendipidy]

Native grass flower, Kangaroo grass. Not really noticeable, unless you get up close. Most folk see grass as just....grass.
5D3 with 100mm L Macro

Very nice! Never knew grass could be so beautiful.

 

[Mr Bean]

Native grass flower, Kangaroo grass. Not really noticeable, unless you get up close. Most folk see grass as just....grass.
5D3 with 100mm L Macro

Very nice! Never knew grass could be so beautiful.

Thanks serendipidy. We are just finishing orchid season (down here in Australia) and now the native grasses make their appearance (kangaroo grass, wallaby grasses, etc). They are a little different to the garden variety grasses, as they can stand 50-100cm tall. But spectacular up close

 

[Maximilian]

I've been considering this lens for years. Or the non-L version. From everything I've read, it seems there are a lot of folks that prefer the non-L because it is as sharp or sharper and the non-L supposedly focuses faster. What are your thoughts Dustin? I assume you are using this on the 6D. I realize some bodies focus better/faster with some lens over others. Do you find yourself waiting to focus this lens? Does the IS make that big of a different during walk around? (I realize IS is useless on a tripod when one would be doing actual macro work.) I typically prefer L lenses over standard EF but the EF lenses I do have I love. The 28 f/1.8 USM and the 15mm f/2.8 FishEye are prime (lol) examples of this. Thanks!!

Hi Rusty!

I have used both 100mm macros on FF, but I didn't make any (pseudo) resolution tests.

When I bought the L version I was a little bit disappointed, that the increase of image quality wasn't that obvious. But I could recognize it, as you also can do in the pictures of lenstrack26
So I do only see the price advantage of the non L at almost the same quality.

And I definitely can confirm a much faster AF, especially when using the focus limiter properly.

So with the higher price of the of the L you get

• L mechanical quality
• dust protection
• focus limiter and faster AF
• little bit better image quality
• and of course the HIS stabilizer – very important when you don't have a tripod
• not to forget a red ring

Now its up to you, if you need that and if it's worth the price.

Yours,
Maximilian

 

[Vossie]

An image of a spider i captured some weeks ago

Awesome shot!

 

[serendipidy]

Some recent ones from San Francisco Golden Gate Park. Handheld, ambient light.


C69A1210-dpp by EricJ777, on Flickr


C69A1217-dpp-c by EricJ777, on Flickr


C69A1208-dpp-c-c by EricJ777, on Flickr


C69A1209-dpp-c-c by EricJ777, on Flickr

 

[Eldar]

Does this well also, very versatile Lens.

Shot Komodo National Park Indonesia

If the diving season were a bit longer up here, and I were a few years younger, I think I´d start diving. Beautiful fish and incredible colors!

 

[Click]

Beautiful flowers, great colors. 8) Well done Serendipidy.

 

[serendipidy]

Beautiful flowers, great colors. 8) Well done Serendipidy.

Thanks, Click.

 

[serendipidy]

Does this well also, very versatile Lens.

Shot Komodo National Park Indonesia

If the diving season were a bit longer up here, and I were a few years younger, I think I´d start diving. Beautiful fish and incredible colors!

+1...love your underwater photos, eml58. Hope to see more.

 

[eml58]

The Giant Frogfish is about the size of a Soccer Ball, so to shoot this with the 100f/2.8 L IS Macro, i had to get some distance back from the Face, drag the strobes forward but keep them out of the picture, so no longer a True Macro Image, but the versatility of this Lens, and it's sharpness, is amazing.

Giant Frogfish, Alor Indonesia.

5DMK II

 

[eml58]

Raja Ampat Papua Indonesia 2011

5DMK II 100f/2.8 L IS, f/22

 

[eml58]

Komodo National Park, Near Rinja Indonesia

5DMK II 100f/2.8L IS f/22

 

[Eldar]

Komodo National Park, Near Rinja Indonesia

5DMK II 100f/2.8L IS f/22

As always, great image Edward!

 

[eml58]

As always, great image Edward!

Thanks Eldar, it's always a difficult decision for me, Safari ?? or Dive Trip ??

Still, not a bad quandary to have.

 

[serendipidy]

Edward,

Wow! Whether above or below water, your photos are always amazing. 8)

 

[eml58]

Edward,

Wow! Whether above or below water, your photos are always amazing. 8)

Thanks Serendipidy, appreciated.