new Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro

[robiss]

I'm really intrigued by this new Canon EF 100mm F2.8 L IS USM Macro... it sounds like it's just what I've been looking for. I copy old photos in homes & historic spots... I often can't carry, or just don't have the time to set up a tripod, & lighting is often low...so the relatively long focal length, & IS function, looks like a winning combo. Seldom do I shoot anything smaller than postcard-size, so hand-held camera jitter would be my primary concern. Would IS deliver a good hand-held copy of an 8x10 photo, at say, 1/10 second exposure with this 100mm lens..??

A brand new product...except for free shipping, I haven't seen any deals on this one yet... but I'd sure like some input before I drop a thousand bucks on a new lens... the old 100mm seems to be a great lens, too... at half the price..!!

comments are appreciated... Robert

[adam75south]

you should be able to, i can easily handhold my 70-200mm IS @200mm with 1/30s....and 1/15s if i need to.

[jwhite]

From the first page of the dpreview.com review of the lens


Canon makes some quite specific claims for the effectiveness of its new IS system, and it's worth looking at these in detail. The stabilizer is supposed to give a 4 stop advantage at longer focus distances, dropping to 3 stops at 0.5x magnification and 2 stops at full 1x magnification.

[jwhite]

Part of the conclusion...


At 1:1 we found it delivered little more than a stop of stabilization - better than nothing for sure, but it's not going to help with the relatively long exposures often required when shooting macros at F11 or F16.

probably be worthwhile for you to read.

[Csae]

In oder words, it'll help, since hes not using it at 1:1

But a flash would help possibly more then the IS on this lens.

[robiss]

I have used flash on occasion.. a large number of the photos I copy are behind glass; which can be unpredictable...I pretty much decided I want the 100mm macro...I just haven't decided if I want to spend the extra 500 for the IS advantage.

thankx for the input... Rob

[BBPhoto]

I am sort of on the fence about whether or not I would pay the extra $ for this lens. I absolutely love IS but my issue here is that when I am shooting with the 100 2.8 Macro non-IS the problem is almost never with camera movement but mostly with subject movement. IS won't do anything for you if the wind is blowing things around or your subject is otherwise moving. I can see this being helpful in some cases but for many shooters it may not be worth the money. Just my 2 cents....

[Csae]

I'm not sure why a macro lens though, at 100mm on a crop body, this might just be too much indoors for a framed photo or something in a hallway.

Macro is meant mostly for insects, jewelry.

I've been thinking about this lens as well, i was ready to order the 100mm when it was like 500$CA, then it jumped to about 750$ and i couldn't do it.

Now, i'm either thinking of the 100 2.8 + 85 1.8 or the 100 2.8 IS alone.

[Mark_48]

I think before I put out a substantial amount of money for a lens I'd definitely try to make time to carry and use a tripod or even a copy stand, particularly if you're getting paid to do it right.

Then again if you're making illegal copies of art work in galleries and a tripod would be difficult set up and use, then a lens with IS would be the way to go. :D

[Csae]

This is a pretty big lens though, it is gonna attract attention.

Wait, if thats the case i don't wanna help.

[faisal]

Why not just buy a Sigma 50mm. Cheaper, lighter and the shorter focal length translates into the possibility of hand holding it at slower shutter speed...

[robiss]

I ended up getting the 60mm f/2.8 macro for now... the 100mm [especially the new IS] is intriguing... but it's pretty long for shooting larger objects indoors. I can still buy the non-IS 100mm, & BOTH lenses will have cost less than the new 100mm IS alone..!!

thanks for all the input...Robert

[michaelb]

... I absolutely love IS but my issue here is that when I am shooting with the 100 2.8 Macro non-IS the problem is almost never with camera movement but mostly with subject movement....QUOTE]

Definitely true.

But for me, at least on FF, this FL makes a great portrait lens as well as walk-around sometimes. I use my Sigma 105 for many different uses besides just macro. That's where the IS would really shine for me. Plus, most of my macros are shot between 1/50 - 1/200 and IS certainly can't hurt with this.


[QUOTE=robiss;397767]I ended up getting the 60mm f/2.8 macro for now... the 100mm [especially the new IS] is intriguing... but it's pretty long for shooting larger objects indoors. I can still buy the non-IS 100mm, & BOTH lenses will have cost less than the new 100mm IS alone..!!

thanks for all the input...Robert

The 60mm macro is still one of my sharpest lenses - you should love it.