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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> 24-105L vs. 100/2.8 for macro
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Showing posts 1 - 5 of 5, (reverse)
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 11/05/2005 07:20:13 PM · #1
Can anybody give me an idea of:

a) the magnification difference between the two for macro.
b) the sharpness at that range.

I've always wanted a macro lens, but now I see the 24-105L and was thinking about swapping my 17-40L for it. Perhaps I wouldn't need a dedicated macro as much as I thought.
 11/05/2005 07:32:21 PM · #2
B&H lists the magnification at 1:4.3 whereas the the Macro lenses from Canon are (generally) 1:1. I don't think you'll get real great macros from the 24-105 just reading the specs.
 11/05/2005 08:23:36 PM · #3
I own the 100 2.8 USM Macro. It is VERY sharp, and the 1:1 is awesome. The working range is very good. It can tend to hunt at times, but with macro work you may want to do manual focus a bit. Also, there's a focus limiter switch. It works at .33 - infinity, but the limiter goes from .48 and up. I don't use this lens nearly as much as I thought I would, but can't sell it because it's VERY sharp.

Max
 11/05/2005 08:29:52 PM · #4
If you're only going to do macro casually, something like the 24-105 migh work if you added a 500D diopter to it. Otherwise, yo'll get close-ups, but not anything close to macro.
If you're serious about wanting to do macro, get the 100/2.8. It's one seriously versatile lens, it's very well built, and sharper than any zoom. Simply phenomenal. You can also combine the 100 macro with extension tubes, or a reversed 50mm lens, for extreme magnification.
 11/05/2005 08:36:50 PM · #5
Here's an example of the 100 2.8 in non macro, but still very useful work. This was a 10D, 100 2.8. I let ACR convert normally, with 0 sharpen and no post process at all.



And here's a 100% crop. Again, no sharpening, this is the straight RAW file (and I turned sharpen to 0 in ACR).



The shot's may not be excellent, but they do show how sharp this lens is.

Max (I edited to add the image in post)

Message edited by author 2005-11-05 20:39:01.
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