Post by USM on Nov 1, 2010 17:17:07 GMT 8
For serious macro shooters, this is a must have lens in the bag. I like this lens a lot due to its focal length which is the optimal in macrophotography. It is also very light and compact. Best of all, the barrel of the lens will not protrude out during focusing. This is very important when you are shooting macro. Why? This is because the chances of the barrel hittng the subject is quite relatively high if it protrudes out. The distance bewteen the front element of the lens is very close to the subject when you are shooting close-up.
Specifications :
This macro lens is capable of focusing to life-size (1X) without attachments. Although it replaces the EF 100mm f2.8 Macro lens marketed in 1991, it is a completely new design. It incorporates a ring type USM giving quiet, high-speed autofocus. The full-time mechanical manual focus gives very smooth manual focusing. For the first time in a 1X focusing telephoto macro lens, inner focusing is used. The lens length remains constant and a long working distance of 149mm makes worrying about getting too close to the subject unnecessary. Also, during focusing the front ring does not rotate making use of front-mounting accessories like macro ring lites simple and effective.
" Three-group floating" focusing construction uses three independently moving groups, which holds focusing-related changes of aberrations to a minimum giving excellent image quality all the way from infinity to life size.
There are a few variations of macro lenses in the market. I shall list them down accordingly. All macro allows you to shoot 1:1 magnification except the EF 50mm f2.5 (1:2) and MP-E 65mm (5:1).
In my opinion, 50mm and 60mm macro lenses are too short to work out in the field. They are more suitable for close-up work in a confined environment such as in a studio. As for the MP-E65mm lens, despite that it can go up to 5x times the size of the subject, it is a fully manual lens which makes it quite hard to use as far as I am concerned. Next is the EF 180mm f3.5L USM macro, it is the heaviest macro lens. This means that prolong hand holding of this lens is not advisable, and use of a monopod or tripod is required. This lens has the advantage of allowing you to shoot the subject at a further distance, i.e. the working distance is much longer compared to the rest of the macro lenses. However, the drawback are its weight (1,090g) and price ($1,900). Unless you are shooting dangerous subjects or the subjects are too shy to be approached, then the EF 180mm f3.5L macro USM will come into the picture.
Moth
EOS 30D, EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
1/125 sec, f20, ISO 1000
Caterpillar
EOS 30D, EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
1/125 sec, f22, ISO 200
The IQ of this lens is exellent. Once again, Canon has spoiled us by coming with the IS and L version Macro lens - EF 100mm f2.8L IS Macro USM. However, if you do not need the IS, then I would strongly recommend you to get the EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM at almost half of the price at $830 .
Specifications :
| Marketed | March 2000 |
| Lens Construction (group) | 8 |
| Lens Construction (element) | 12 |
| No. of Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
| Minimum Aperture | 32 |
| Closest Focusing Distance (m) | 0.31 |
| Maximum Magnifcation (x) | 1.0 |
| Filter Diameter (mm) | 58 |
| Maximum Diameter x Length (mm) | 79 x 119 |
| Weight (g) | 600 |
This macro lens is capable of focusing to life-size (1X) without attachments. Although it replaces the EF 100mm f2.8 Macro lens marketed in 1991, it is a completely new design. It incorporates a ring type USM giving quiet, high-speed autofocus. The full-time mechanical manual focus gives very smooth manual focusing. For the first time in a 1X focusing telephoto macro lens, inner focusing is used. The lens length remains constant and a long working distance of 149mm makes worrying about getting too close to the subject unnecessary. Also, during focusing the front ring does not rotate making use of front-mounting accessories like macro ring lites simple and effective.
" Three-group floating" focusing construction uses three independently moving groups, which holds focusing-related changes of aberrations to a minimum giving excellent image quality all the way from infinity to life size.
There are a few variations of macro lenses in the market. I shall list them down accordingly. All macro allows you to shoot 1:1 magnification except the EF 50mm f2.5 (1:2) and MP-E 65mm (5:1).
| Model | Availability |
| EF 50mm f2.5 Macro | Yes |
| EF-S 60mm f2.8 Macro | Yes |
| MP-E65mm f2.8 Macro | Yes |
| EF 100mm f2.8 Macro | Discontinued |
| EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM | Yes |
| EF 100mm f2.8L IS Macro USM | Yes |
| EF 180mm f3.5L USM | Yes |
In my opinion, 50mm and 60mm macro lenses are too short to work out in the field. They are more suitable for close-up work in a confined environment such as in a studio. As for the MP-E65mm lens, despite that it can go up to 5x times the size of the subject, it is a fully manual lens which makes it quite hard to use as far as I am concerned. Next is the EF 180mm f3.5L USM macro, it is the heaviest macro lens. This means that prolong hand holding of this lens is not advisable, and use of a monopod or tripod is required. This lens has the advantage of allowing you to shoot the subject at a further distance, i.e. the working distance is much longer compared to the rest of the macro lenses. However, the drawback are its weight (1,090g) and price ($1,900). Unless you are shooting dangerous subjects or the subjects are too shy to be approached, then the EF 180mm f3.5L macro USM will come into the picture.
Moth
EOS 30D, EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
1/125 sec, f20, ISO 1000
Caterpillar
EOS 30D, EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
1/125 sec, f22, ISO 200
The IQ of this lens is exellent. Once again, Canon has spoiled us by coming with the IS and L version Macro lens - EF 100mm f2.8L IS Macro USM. However, if you do not need the IS, then I would strongly recommend you to get the EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM at almost half of the price at $830 .