Review - Canon EF 100 f/2.8L IS Macro

[JVLphoto]

While I appreciate the reviews, it seems like this is an absolute no brainer.
Everyone knows this lens is awesome... It's basically a fact at this point.
Looking forward to some more less obvious reviews in the future

We're working on producing reviews of new lenses, but also filling in the gaps on older ones too, nobody says you need to read the ones that are a foregone conclusion to you, since not everyone knows everything about every lens... or maybe some people do. I'm looking forward to getting at some lenses I've never used, while I still have to write reviews on others I'm not particularly interested in.

 

[JVLphoto]

It makes me laugh when reviewers of the newer lenses state that they feel plasticy compared to older lenses. Canon have recently started using Aluminium in their casing designs and once coated, this metal doesn't feel cold to touch like the older metal formulas employed. So most people think that the casing for this lens is made from engineering plastic, when it's mostly made from a far better material. The same is true for sections of the new 24-70IIL and 8-16L fisheye.

I'm with you, actually, I'm fine with the coating and appreciate the lessened weight - but I know if I DON'T mention it, someone will call me out on it.

 

[rpt]

+1 - it's wickedly sharp.

How did you do this one? Macro tubes? Could you describe it?

Thanks.

 

[JVLphoto]

I love quotes taken out of context. :

Welcome to my life.

 

[Loswr]

+1 - it's wickedly sharp.

How did you do this one? Macro tubes? Could you describe it?

That was a 100% crop of this image:


EOS 7D, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, 1/60 s, f/8, ISO 400, 430EX II on Manfrotto 233B flash bracket via OC-E3

No tubes, just the bare lens on a 7D. With the flash bracket, the flash head was right at the end of the lens hood (with a StoFen on the flash). I was just walking along a trail, and the fly was sitting there on a bush. I pointed, I clicked...

 

[rpt]

+1 - it's wickedly sharp.

How did you do this one? Macro tubes? Could you describe it?

That was a 100% crop of this image:

EOS 7D, EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, 1/60 s, f/8, ISO 400, 430EX II on Manfrotto 233B flash bracket via OC-E3

No tubes, just the bare lens on a 7D. With the flash bracket, the flash head was right at the end of the lens hood (with a StoFen on the flash). I was just walking along a trail, and the fly was sitting there on a bush. I pointed, I clicked...

Ah! 7D! I was wondering if that was taken with your 1DX. Thanks for the explanation. I do not get to see the eyes in such detail with my 5D3 and the 100L Macro. I think I will get some macro tubes...

 

[Marsu42]

"Hybrid is every bit as useful as conventional IS in a myriad of circumstances, possibly even slightly better, but additionally it is useful at 1:1 or near 1:1 focusing distances, where conventional IS loses about half to 3/4 of its effectiveness".

Even correctly quoted I would definitely dispute the last part - I've got the 100mm non-L and L with IS and feel safe enough to make the statement that nearing 1:1 the effect of IS rapidly degrades to nearly non-existent.

This has been discussed n-times before and I don't want to repeat it here, but I'd invite everyone who chooses the 100L because of the IS for macro and over other macro lenses: See for yourself, do the same handheld shots with and without IS a couple of times and compare - even just looking through the viewfinder it is instantly obvious that the nearer the object is, the less stabilizing effect IS has (but it makes a reassuring sound ). The 100L is a great macro lens, but the IS works best (or at all) for distances of 10-15cm+ (end of lens to object) or dual use as a portrait lens.

 

[rpt]

"Hybrid is every bit as useful as conventional IS in a myriad of circumstances, possibly even slightly better, but additionally it is useful at 1:1 or near 1:1 focusing distances, where conventional IS loses about half to 3/4 of its effectiveness".

Even correctly quoted I would definitely dispute the last part - I've got the 100mm non-L and L with IS and feel safe enough to make the statement that nearing 1:1 the effect of IS rapidly degrades to nearly non-existent.

This has been discussed n-times before and I don't want to repeat it here, but I'd invite everyone who chooses the 100L because of the IS for macro and over other macro lenses: See for yourself, do the same handheld shots with and without IS a couple of times and compare - even just looking through the viewfinder it is instantly obvious that the nearer the object is, the less stabilizing effect IS has (but it makes a reassuring sound ). The 100L is a great macro lens, but the IS works best (or at all) for distances of 10-15cm+ (end of lens to object) or dual use as a portrait lens.

So that is what it is! I thought I was to blame. You see, my hands tremble more now than they used to. I will check this out.

 

[JVLphoto]

"Hybrid is every bit as useful as conventional IS in a myriad of circumstances, possibly even slightly better, but additionally it is useful at 1:1 or near 1:1 focusing distances, where conventional IS loses about half to 3/4 of its effectiveness".

Even correctly quoted I would definitely dispute the last part - I've got the 100mm non-L and L with IS and feel safe enough to make the statement that nearing 1:1 the effect of IS rapidly degrades to nearly non-existent.

This has been discussed n-times before and I don't want to repeat it here, but I'd invite everyone who chooses the 100L because of the IS for macro and over other macro lenses: See for yourself, do the same handheld shots with and without IS a couple of times and compare - even just looking through the viewfinder it is instantly obvious that the nearer the object is, the less stabilizing effect IS has (but it makes a reassuring sound ). The 100L is a great macro lens, but the IS works best (or at all) for distances of 10-15cm+ (end of lens to object) or dual use as a portrait lens.

Totally agree - the IS is helpful to a point, but anyone doing macro work will still need a sturdy tripod.

 

[Jesse]

Something that doesn't get mentioned enough around here in reviews of this lens - it also happens to be one of the BEST lenses for video.

 

[phixional ninja]

Gah! I can't express how much I love this lens. I still desperately need to get some sort of bracket to put my flash in a useful position for macro work, but being able to get something like this:



at 1/60s handheld in natural light still blows my mind.

Another favorite, because I can't not share photos from this lens:

 

[Loswr]

I still desperately need to get some sort of bracket to put my flash in a useful position for macro work,

Great shots!

A reasonable budget option is one I have, a Manfrotto 233B with a Giottos MH1004 mini ballhead on the end (and you may want an OC-E3 or 3rd party equivalent, although you could trigger with the onboard flash).

I also have an RRS flash bracket (B91-QR with FAQREX-2 extender), and a couple of Wimberley F-2 brackets - those are, respectively, expensive and moderately expensive options, but very good quality.

 

[Dylan777]

Gah! I can't express how much I love this lens. I still desperately need to get some sort of bracket to put my flash in a useful position for macro work, but being able to get something like this:



at 1/60s handheld in natural light still blows my mind.

Another favorite, because I can't not share photos from this lens:

you guys need to stop showing your beatiful photos. I'm already broke after 5D III + 24-70 II purchase this year ;D ;D ;D

 

[rpt]

I'm already broke after 5D III + 24-70 II purchase this year ;D ;D ;D

So? If you are motivated enough, go rob a bank!

 

[Dylan777]

I'm already broke after 5D III + 24-70 II purchase this year ;D ;D ;D

So? If you are motivated enough, go rob a bank!

Sounds like a good idea...."give me the $$$ or I'll shoot you with my 5D III + 24-70" ;D ;D ;D

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I was using mine today and was struck by a couple of practical thoughts that I don't think were covered by the review. Regarding the ET-73 lens hood that is included:

1) It has a great matte finish that matches the lens body, and unlike the lens hood of so many of my "L" lens that I have owned, seems highly resistant to marking. I hate trying to sell a lens where the body is flawless but the hood looks like worms have been tunneling over it.

2) The hood, when reversed, fits tightly around the lens body with a maximum of about a 1/4" clearance. That means that it takes up far less bag space than some lens whose hoods add so much width. It is a reasonably long lens, but because of the narrow hood takes us less width than either my 135L or 24-105L.

Little things that add up in the end.

 

[Loswr]

It has a great matte finish that matches the lens body, and unlike the lens hood of so many of my "L" lens that I have owned, seems highly resistant to marking.

That's Canon's new hood finish - the 70-200 II has it, etc. The 70-200 II also added the locking hood design that the 24-70 II uses, too. Both are great features, IMO.

 

[phixional ninja]

I still desperately need to get some sort of bracket to put my flash in a useful position for macro work,

Great shots!

A reasonable budget option is one I have, a Manfrotto 233B with a Giottos MH1004 mini ballhead on the end (and you may want an OC-E3 or 3rd party equivalent, although you could trigger with the onboard flash).

I also have an RRS flash bracket (B91-QR with FAQREX-2 extender), and a couple of Wimberley F-2 brackets - those are, respectively, expensive and moderately expensive options, but very good quality.

Thanks!

The Wimberley F-2 is what I've had my eye on. I like how low profile it is, I think I'd feel self conscious wandering around the forest or nature preserve with the Manfrotto (I know, the line between small flash bracket and big flash bracket is probably not the line beyond which people start looking at me funny, that line is certainly behind me).

Now I just need to find some money, and convince myself to finally go for the bracket instead of putting it towards perhaps upgrading my 70-200 f4L to the 70-300L...

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Took this yesterday and was reminded of just how awesome this lens is. Detail is fantastic! A little "camera porn" called "Kodak Moment".


Kodak Moment by Thousand Word Images by Dustin Abbott, on Flickr

 

[rpt]

I'm already broke after 5D III + 24-70 II purchase this year ;D ;D ;D

So? If you are motivated enough, go rob a bank!

Sounds like a good idea...."give me the $$$ or I'll shoot you with my 5D III + 24-70" ;D ;D ;D

There you go! That's the positive attitude to show! Now all you need is an accomplice who will hold a boombox playing the Boney M song "Ma Baker" (listening to it as I post)...