Canon 100mm/2.8 macro AF questions

01/11/2011 05:49:55 PM · #1

Right now I'm sitting with the 18-55 kit lens that came with my Canon 550D/T2i. I routinely bump up against the 55mm to such an extent that it's obvious I need a longer lens.

My first upgrade will probably by a fast prime. I've been looking hard at the 100/2.8 macro (non-L) and just cant bite the bullet. I want it for the macro, but I also want it as a longer outdoors portrait lens for my dogs. However, there seems to be a lot of conflicting info online about whether this lens is good (read: fast) enough for anything beyond macro and maybe static portraits.

Can anyone vouch for this lens with regards to autofocus speed in non-macro situations with moving subject? I dont need it to track a speeding train, but can it track moving people/animals okay?

My other option, I realize, is the faster (ever so slightly) 85mm/1.8, but that would require me to buy a macro on top of that...which financially isnt going to happen for a while.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/11/2011 05:59:45 PM · #2

I have this lens and it is a real beauty. But the auto focus is a bit slow so if you are going to do a lot of action shots you may want something else.

01/11/2011 06:04:23 PM · #3

Originally posted by jminso:

I have this lens and it is a real beauty. But the auto focus is a bit slow so if you are going to do a lot of action shots you may want something else.

Even in full light?

dd1989

Fujifilm x100

01/11/2011 06:06:50 PM · #4

Macro lenses are typically (on any system) fairly rubbish with AF, both in terms of hunting around and the speed at which it reaches focus, primarily because most serious macro work is supposedly done with manual focus.

There's a 100mm f/2.0 USM, but I don't know how much it costs.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/11/2011 06:08:09 PM · #5

It may be that I have just been spoiled with the 2.8 70-200 but it just seems to be slow to lock on and it loses it fast. I would get other peoples thoughts though as I only used it for non macro shots a few times. It does do quite well as a normal portrait lens but I still favor the 70-200 for that. I am debating selling my 100 2.8 for the 85 1.8 since I do so few macro shots and many more portraits.

Dennisheckman

01/11/2011 06:32:23 PM · #6

I have the Canon 100 2.8 and I also notice is very slow auto focus. It is designed for macro and some still photography. I almost never use the AF anyway with macro, like to get the focus right where I want it, not the camera. I would imagine it is also good for some distant landscape shots although I have never really used it for that. I was practicing with some self portrait shots and I found it is pretty good with that too. This lens would not be good for tracking a fast moving object. For whatever reason the motor just isnt that fast.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

01/11/2011 06:44:28 PM · #7

I've used the 100/2.8 Macro for quite a bit of non-macro work, and I agree that it does focus slower than most lenses, particularly compared to a speed demon like the 70-200/2.8. I find it imminently usable for everything but tracking fast-moving subjects. It does have a focus limiter that improves performance by increasing the minimum focus distance.
FWIW, the reason this and most other macro lenses focus slowly is that they have a very large focus travel, meaning the motor needs to move the elements long distances, yet maintain fine control. Something has to give, and it's speed of focus.

01/11/2011 07:13:12 PM · #8

Hmmmm, seems as though maybe the 85mm/1.8 may be a smarter bet. Perhaps I'll pick that up instead and pick up a cheaper macro as funds allow.

FireBird

01/11/2011 07:23:17 PM · #9

Originally posted by gcoulson:

My other option, I realize, is the faster (ever so slightly) 85mm/1.8, but that would require me to buy a macro on top of that...which financially isnt going to happen for a while.

I looked at your portfolio to see what you usually shot and discovered I should say; "Welcome to DPC!"
Macro is a world of it's own. Most macro lenses will not "multi-task" well. That being said I've shot a
Nikkor 60 macro with the high-speed motor(eq: to Canon USM) and it was a remarkable portrait lens that
focused very quickly. The Nikkor 100mm is pretty good too as a portrait lens. I know this doesn't help
you with Canon. I once owned a Sigma 180mm macro HSM. Was supposed to have a high speed motor but it
was useless for anything except macro, unless you had plenty of sun.

But true macro isn't the realm of auto-focus anyway. I found this out the hard way. I ended up shooting off
a tripod all the time and only used manual-focus. It's the only way to place the very tiny range of sharp
focus where you want in the frame.

An option you might want to try is the 85mm/1.8 you want with a inexpensive set of macro tubes. Then you can
save your money for a dedicated Canon macro later, while still dipping yer toes into the macro world.

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

01/11/2011 09:36:48 PM · #10

Do you or anyone else have any experience with extension tubes? Can I get 1:1, or close?

slickchik

Olympus OM-D E-M1

01/11/2011 10:44:20 PM · #11

Don't miss out on this fine deal :-)

canon 100mm f/2.8

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/11/2011 10:55:19 PM · #12

Originally posted by gcoulson:

Do you or anyone else have any experience with extension tubes? Can I get 1:1, or close?

I've used the Nikon 85 with extension tubes, and found it to work pretty well. If you've never used them before though, they can be a bit frustrating. Your focal range is severely limited by the lack of infinity focus, which means getting something initially in focus, particularly if you're shooting handheld, can be a real chore. Having said that, you can get used to it and learn to adapt.
Here are a couple that I entered using the 85 w/ extension tubes.

As far as true 1:1, I don't think I can with my current tubes, but I could get more and get even closer probably. I use the Kenko's which work with AF, and like them, though now that I have my Sigma 150 I rarely use them.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/12/2011 12:39:06 AM · #13

Feel free to look at my profile, I've used the 100mm macro and the 85mm f/1.8 quite a bit each, and own both.

I would say that Macro is a rockin world all it's own, and you should really consider it, as the rewards are quite awesome..

I would, however, tell you that for shooting action, and stopping motion in low light, the 85mm f/1.8 is really a shining gem.. Chromatic aberration is fairly bad on the 85 compared to the 100 though...... *shrug* each lens has it's benefits.

FireBird

01/12/2011 09:27:19 AM · #14

Originally posted by slickchik:

Don't miss out on this fine deal :-)

canon 100mm f/2.8

I guess I can't see this referenced thread because I'm not a paying member??? Most of the other online photographic
communities I belong to do limit the ability to post forsale items to paying members. None of them restrict the ability to view the
posts. Think about it. This limits the audience of the paid members. In the case of DPC, severely.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/12/2011 10:13:10 AM · #15

Originally posted by FireBird:

Originally posted by slickchik:
Don't miss out on this fine deal :-)

canon 100mm f/2.8

I guess I can't see this referenced thread because I'm not a paying member??? Most of the other online photographic
communities I belong to do limit the ability to post forsale items to paying members. None of them restrict the ability to view the
posts. Think about it. This limits the audience of the paid members. In the case of DPC, severely.

Slickchik and I'm sure she'll give you the info. She has a nice 100mm f/2.8 Macro for sale at a reasonable price.

R.

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/13/2011 12:06:46 AM · #16

you also may want to look at Tokina or Tamron, they both make some really nice lenses. I have a manual focus F2.5 Tamron 90mm that I really love. Made it hard to give up film. I even bought a Contax AX so I could auto-focus with it.