EF 135 L USM or EF 100 L Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
the 135mm f2L is slightly sharper.
but it is not really noticeable , maybe only at lab level test , you will be able to discern that resolution difference at wider aperture.
so consider if you need IS or f2 , your focal length preference , and of course , if you need weather sealing or macro or both.
if you do need macro capable optics , then you should get the 100L or even better the Sigma 150,which is actually sharper than both the 100L and the 135mmL.
if you do not need macro , then you need weather sealing and IS , if not go for the 135mm L.
I had both and kept the 135mm f2L and added the Sigma 180mm macro and use my Nikon 200mmf4 Micro Nikkor via an adapter.
but having said all above , I much prefer my 85mmf1.2Lmk2 lens over all those 100-180 range primes.
and if you are ok with only mf lens , you should also consider the Zeiss 135mm f2APO, it is outstanding , maybe even better than the Leica 125mm f2.5 macro in S mount.
Joshua said:
the 135mm f2L is slightly sharper.
but it is not really noticeable , maybe only at lab level test , you will be able to discern that resolution difference at wider aperture.
so consider if you need IS or f2 , your focal length preference , and of course , if you need weather sealing or macro or both.
if you do need macro capable optics , then you should get the 100L or even better the Sigma 150,which is actually sharper than both the 100L and the 135mmL.
if you do not need macro , then you need weather sealing and IS , if not go for the 135mm L.
I had both and kept the 135mm f2L and added the Sigma 180mm macro and use my Nikon 200mmf4 Micro Nikkor via an adapter.
but having said all above , I much prefer my 85mmf1.2Lmk2 lens over all those 100-180 range primes.
and if you are ok with only mf lens , you should also consider the Zeiss 135mm f2APO, it is outstanding , maybe even better than the Leica 125mm f2.5 macro in S mount.
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
I think the slight difference in real-world sharpness is secondary to the difference in closest focusing distance. Remember the 135mm doesn't let you get closer than 3 feet from your subject, which, IMO, really makes it a more specialized lens--portraits, some street photography, landscape panoramas...
I wouldn't sell either my ef 100mm 2.8 macro (non-L) or my 135 because they are so very different. I always bring the macro on a nature hike, but I never use it for portraits. I love the colors, contrast, and bokeh of the 135mm too much.
If you are doing events, remember you can't easily get good detail shots (without lots of cropping) with the 135. In fact, for weddings, presentations, etc, the 135mm is often limited to set-up type shots, because you have a fixed focal length and have to remain at least 3 feet from your subjects. With something like a 70-200mm, you have about the same MFD, but more options with focal length.
If you really love portraits, the 135mm may be Canon's very best value. It is very sharp at f/2, and so sharp at f/2.8 and up that pores and little problems with makeup become a real issue in Photoshop.
I think the slight difference in real-world sharpness is secondary to the difference in closest focusing distance. Remember the 135mm doesn't let you get closer than 3 feet from your subject, which, IMO, really makes it a more specialized lens--portraits, some street photography, landscape panoramas...
I wouldn't sell either my ef 100mm 2.8 macro (non-L) or my 135 because they are so very different. I always bring the macro on a nature hike, but I never use it for portraits. I love the colors, contrast, and bokeh of the 135mm too much.
If you are doing events, remember you can't easily get good detail shots (without lots of cropping) with the 135. In fact, for weddings, presentations, etc, the 135mm is often limited to set-up type shots, because you have a fixed focal length and have to remain at least 3 feet from your subjects. With something like a 70-200mm, you have about the same MFD, but more options with focal length.
If you really love portraits, the 135mm may be Canon's very best value. It is very sharp at f/2, and so sharp at f/2.8 and up that pores and little problems with makeup become a real issue in Photoshop.
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
I was told this so many times before when I got my Sigma 30/1.4 or my EF 50/1.4 and you know what? Both are soft like jelly at maximum aperture.
The only thing that can cure my trauma caused by this soft lenses is a razor-sharp lens, the sharpest one. No compromises no more. And when I say sharp I mean sharp not only at small apertures but of course at maximum aperture. Until now I only heard about sharp lenses but never saw them. Just another myth on forums?
noncho said:
I was told this so many times before when I got my Sigma 30/1.4 or my EF 50/1.4 and you know what? Both are soft like jelly at maximum aperture.
The only thing that can cure my trauma caused by this soft lenses is a razor-sharp lens, the sharpest one. No compromises no more. And when I say sharp I mean sharp not only at small apertures but of course at maximum aperture. Until now I only heard about sharp lenses but never saw them. Just another myth on forums?
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=674&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=807&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
Very funny! Is this sharper (especially at full aperture as OP asked)?MLfan3 said:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=674&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=807&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
I bought the 200 f2 L, that's closest in focal to the 135 and it's so sharp at f2 that it can't be compared even slightly to anything but the 300 and 400. And even then they only let half the light in. And you get IS and weather sealing that you don't from the 135.
The most incredible lens, for me and a few others, in every aspect from Canon ever.
Joshua said:noncho said:
I was told this so many times before when I got my Sigma 30/1.4 or my EF 50/1.4 and you know what? Both are soft like jelly at maximum aperture.
The only thing that can cure my trauma caused by this soft lenses is a razor-sharp lens, the sharpest one. No compromises no more. And when I say sharp I mean sharp not only at small apertures but of course at maximum aperture. Until now I only heard about sharp lenses but never saw them. Just another myth on forums?
I bought the 200 f2 L, that's closest in focal to the 135 and it's so sharp at f2 that it can't be compared even slightly to anything but the 300 and 400. And even then they only let half the light in. And you get IS and weather sealing that you don't from the 135.
The most incredible lens, for me and a few others, in every aspect from Canon ever.
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
One thing that hasn't been mentioned about the 100L macro is the fact it has IS...this alone will deliver sharper hand-held images at lower shutter speeds than the 135L.
Both totally brilliant lenses, but the 100 will deliver a higher percentage of keepers.
-pw
Good call.Joshua said:
One thing that hasn't been mentioned about the 100L macro is the fact it has IS...this alone will deliver sharper hand-held images at lower shutter speeds than the 135L.
Both totally brilliant lenses, but the 100 will deliver a higher percentage of keepers.
-pw
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
With canon rebates and bestbuy pricing, you might just be able to get one at around $800.
Joshua said:
With canon rebates and bestbuy pricing, you might just be able to get one at around $800.
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
If you want "a razor sharp lens, the sharpest one", it is likely to be the 200/2L or the 24/3.5L TS-E. But I agree with the advice to pick the lens most suitable for your needs.
Joshua said:noncho said:
I was told this so many times before when I got my Sigma 30/1.4 or my EF 50/1.4 and you know what? Both are soft like jelly at maximum aperture.
The only thing that can cure my trauma caused by this soft lenses is a razor-sharp lens, the sharpest one. No compromises no more. And when I say sharp I mean sharp not only at small apertures but of course at maximum aperture. Until now I only heard about sharp lenses but never saw them. Just another myth on forums?
If you want "a razor sharp lens, the sharpest one", it is likely to be the 200/2L or the 24/3.5L TS-E. But I agree with the advice to pick the lens most suitable for your needs.
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
Damn, this TS-E 24 seems to be a really freaking piece of monster glass, the filter is 82 mm compared to "only" 72 mm on the EF 85/1.2L which itself is already a big chunk of glass!
But unfortunately it is only an E without the F and I rely very often on autofocus.
The mentioned 200/2 L is without IS too long on APS-C to be used hand-held at availabe light in twilights or at nights imho.
zlatko said:
Damn, this TS-E 24 seems to be a really freaking piece of monster glass, the filter is 82 mm compared to "only" 72 mm on the EF 85/1.2L which itself is already a big chunk of glass!
But unfortunately it is only an E without the F and I rely very often on autofocus.
The mentioned 200/2 L is without IS too long on APS-C to be used hand-held at availabe light in twilights or at nights imho.
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surapon
80% BY HEART, 15% BY LENSES AND ONLY 5% BY CAMERA
Joshua said:
Dear Joshua.
Here is the MTF. Charts from Canon Manufacture, and Most of our friends can Read/ Understand and Help us by Explain to us too.
In my Limited Knowledge of MTF. chart reading, I understand that EF 100 L is sharper than EF 135 L, Which I have both of them---Yes, May be I am total wrong--Yes, We need our friend help us.
Good Luck
Surapon
PS, Sorry, I Type the Wrong letter , Not EFG, Should be EF 135 F/2 L in the Photo.
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Re: EF 135 USM L or EF 100 Macro IS USM - which one is sharper?
The 200mm f2 has IS, it has the four stop version. The 200 f2.8 does not.
Joshua said:
The 200mm f2 has IS, it has the four stop version. The 200 f2.8 does not.
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