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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon Macro
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11/30/2006 10:46:00 AM · #1
I have the Canon 28-135IS lens. It says macro on it, and I can get closeups using the macro settings. I assume (but don't know for certain) that I can get better macro shots with the Canon 100 2.8 macro lens. Before I buy it, could someone reassure me that this is true. Do you think I should wait for a Canon macro with IS? Also, does anyone have the MR-14EX Ringlight?
11/30/2006 10:59:00 AM · #2
Prime lenses will produce far sharper images. I don't think IS would help you in most macro situations. I don't use the ringlight though. I use a studio ringflash and strobes for macro work so I can't help you there.
11/30/2006 11:12:27 AM · #3
the Canon 100mm 2.8 is far superior to the 28-135 in sharpness plus it has shallower depth of field and closer focusing distance
11/30/2006 11:49:47 AM · #4
The 100mm macro is true macro at 1:1, I believe. I have both lenses and the 100mm is capable of good close up work (and excellent portrait and other work too). The 100mm is good value for money.
11/30/2006 11:52:30 AM · #5
On adorama.com it lists the 28-135 lens as having a maximum mangnification of 1:5.26, which is a far cry from the 1:1 magnification you get from the 100mm 2.8.

Message edited by author 2006-11-30 11:53:02.
11/30/2006 12:12:20 PM · #6
Just for the record, to correct a misconception, at any given reproduction ratio the focal length of the lens has no bearing on the DOF. The only thing that matters is the actual, physical size of the aperture. That is to say, a 50mm macro lens and a 100mm macro lens have the exact same DOF at 1:1 reproduction, assuming the 50mm is at (say) f/8 and the 100mm is at f/16: both would then have a physical aperture of 6.25mm....

This, incidentally, is why shorter macro lenses are easier to work with hand-held; at a given shutter speed you get more DOF, or at a given DOF you get a faster shutter speed.

R.
11/30/2006 12:14:19 PM · #7
I use the 28-135 as my everyday walk-around lens, and am pleased with it, but a couple of weeks ago I bought the 100mm macro, and I am blown away by the difference! The quality is superb, not just for macros, but also as a straight 100mm prime. As far as IS goes, you would usually use a tripod for macro work, for which you would not use IS even if it was available.
11/30/2006 12:29:33 PM · #8
Thank You all for your replies. I couldn't help but to notice that Nikon's macro comes with IS. I think it is probably not worth the cost. I can use a tripod. Anyone have the ring flash?
11/30/2006 12:37:04 PM · #9
I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about Canon's 50mm f/2.8 macro. I have a set of extension tubes to bring it in closer if I need, and i do a lot of nature stuff, in nature. So using a tripod isn't always so easy.

I'm kinda torn between the 50mm or 100mm. I'm kinda leaning towards the 100mm, since my other lens is the 17-85 IS, and I'd like the advantage of the longer telephoto also. OK, enough rambling, what do you think?
11/30/2006 12:46:32 PM · #10
Originally posted by shanelighter:

I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about Canon's 50mm f/2.8 macro. I have a set of extension tubes to bring it in closer if I need, and i do a lot of nature stuff, in nature. So using a tripod isn't always so easy.

I'm kinda torn between the 50mm or 100mm. I'm kinda leaning towards the 100mm, since my other lens is the 17-85 IS, and I'd like the advantage of the longer telephoto also. OK, enough rambling, what do you think?


I haven't used the 50mm, but it has a reputation as being a noisy, slow focusing lens. Sharpness is supposed to be good. Adding the 1:1 converter doubles the cost of the lens, though. An alternative is the 60mm EF-S macro lens, which is very sweet and substantially less expensive than the 100mm.

R.
11/30/2006 12:49:16 PM · #11
Originally posted by shanelighter:

I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about Canon's 50mm f/2.8 macro. I have a set of extension tubes to bring it in closer if I need, and i do a lot of nature stuff, in nature. So using a tripod isn't always so easy.

I'm kinda torn between the 50mm or 100mm. I'm kinda leaning towards the 100mm, since my other lens is the 17-85 IS, and I'd like the advantage of the longer telephoto also. OK, enough rambling, what do you think?


Buy the 100mm 2.8, a 50mm 1.8, and combine the 2 for extreme closeups. The 50mm is cheap and is an amazing value for the quality of the lens.
11/30/2006 12:52:37 PM · #12
i can't wait to someday have a dedicated macro lens, but for now, extension tubes do the same thing and are much cheaper.

canon 28-135 at about 60mm with a 20mm extension tube

11/30/2006 01:38:44 PM · #13
Originally posted by shanelighter:

I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about Canon's 50mm f/2.8 macro. I have a set of extension tubes to bring it in closer if I need, and i do a lot of nature stuff, in nature. So using a tripod isn't always so easy.

I'm kinda torn between the 50mm or 100mm. I'm kinda leaning towards the 100mm, since my other lens is the 17-85 IS, and I'd like the advantage of the longer telephoto also. OK, enough rambling, what do you think?


You'll be able to have a larger working distance (front of the lens to subject) with the 100mm, compared to the 50mm - for the same amount of magnification/same final image size.

This is nice, particularly when working with subjects that might get spooked/ fly away/ attack you.

The 100mm also doubles as a great portrait lens, though it might be considered a bit too sharp for that in some cases. It might also be a bit tight for portraits on a 1.6x crop at an effective focal length of 160mm.

Message edited by author 2006-11-30 13:40:13.
11/30/2006 04:54:10 PM · #14
Thanks again for the replies. Anyone at dpc have that ringflash??
11/30/2006 07:03:50 PM · #15
last bump
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