Canon 100mm F2.8 L I.S Macro

Roy C

Roy C

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For anyone who has tried both I was wondering how this lens compare against the non I.S. version (which I already have). From reviews I have read the Hybrid Image Stabilization is not particularly effective at macro distances. For hand held near macro distance stuff (AI Servo mode on a 7D) will it be of much benefit to upgrade?. Also would the I.S. be of much benefit if using on a monopod for near macro stuff. Thanks for any advice.
 
Roy C said:
For anyone who has tried both I was wondering how this lens compare against the non I.S. version (which I already have). From reviews I have read the Hybrid Image Stabilization is not particularly effective at macro distances. For hand held near macro distance stuff (AI Servo mode on a 7D) will it be of much benefit to upgrade?. Also would the I.S. be of much benefit if using on a monopod for near macro stuff. Thanks for any advice.
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I would disagree with the IS comment, the OH bought this as she could not get on with the Non IS version, and for her it does make a big difference even at Macro distance, I would reckon probably 2 stops rather than the 4 claimed but still not too shabby for macro, at Near Macro the full 4 stops does seem nearer the mark.

She uses it on a 5d II, and on AI Servo seems to cope fine and using the IS has got her better results than on the non IS lens. I would imagine the better Focusing on the outer points of the 7D as well would help

Its just the massive price step, if you are happy with that then its a cracking lens, (But like all L it will hold value for resale)

OH has just purchased a cheap Macro Flash from Ebay to use with it, and so far the results seem very good,

I intend to borrow it next week to try out on a job that requires some very close images for court evidence so will report back then

As for prices they seem stable at the moment unlike some of the Quality glass which is going up in leaps and bounds. Not sure if there are any deals at the moment, OH purchased hers with the £75 Canon Discount voucher that came in the 5D II Boxes recently, which made it £699 - £40.83 Quidco (Jessops) - £75 Canon = £583.17 which seemed a good deal for a Brand new UK one
 
501cards said:
I would disagree with the IS comment, the OH bought this as she could not get on with the Non IS version, and for her it does make a big difference even at Macro distance, I would reckon probably 2 stops rather than the 4 claimed but still not too shabby for macro, at Near Macro the full 4 stops does seem nearer the mark.

She uses it on a 5d II, and on AI Servo seems to cope fine and using the IS has got her better results than on the non IS lens. I would imagine the better Focusing on the outer points of the 7D as well would help

Its just the massive price step, if you are happy with that then its a cracking lens, (But like all L it will hold value for resale)

OH has just purchased a cheap Macro Flash from Ebay to use with it, and so far the results seem very good,

I intend to borrow it next week to try out on a job that requires some very close images for court evidence so will report back then

As for prices they seem stable at the moment unlike some of the Quality glass which is going up in leaps and bounds. Not sure if there are any deals at the moment, OH purchased hers with the £75 Canon Discount voucher that came in the 5D II Boxes recently, which made it £699 - £40.83 Quidco (Jessops) - £75 Canon = £583.17 which seemed a good deal for a Brand new UK one
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Thanks for that Richard, having just sold my 300/2.8 I have a fair bit of cash to play with so the price is not an issue at the moment. I must admit I do find my non I.S. model superb, especially with the special 7D AI Servo mode for macro but was just trying to ascertain if there would be much to gain from the I.S. lens. Your 2 stop I.S. gain at macro distance (1:1) seems to be in line with Canon's claim but I have seen so many reviews that dispute this I though I would try to get some user feedback.
 
Roy C said:
Thanks for that Richard, having just sold my 300/2.8 I have a fair bit of cash to play with so the price is not an issue at the moment. I must admit I do find my non I.S. model superb, especially with the special 7D AI Servo mode for macro but was just trying to ascertain if there would be much to gain from the I.S. lens. Your 2 stop I.S. gain at macro distance (1:1) seems to be in line with Canon's claim but I have seen so many reviews that dispute this I though I would try to get some user feedback.
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I think a lot of people just expect too much, the IS is no magic button that will cure all ills, but it seems to so many out there that is what it should be.

And reading some of the reviews (Which also concerned me before buying it) I felt the same, was it worth the hunk of cash to upgrade from a perfectly acceptable lens, but to be honest I really do feel its in a different class, it is a first class lens to use and as said mated with the fantasic AF on the 7D should prove a winner (Although its no slouch on the 5dII),

Pity you are not local othwerwise could have met up so you could have given it a test drive. (If you ever get up this way you are welcome to give it a run on your 7D)
 
I found the IS version fantastic and worked very well down to 1:2 and still usefull at 1:1. I certainly got shots with it I wouldnt have otherwise.

I'd go for it, its a brilliant lens.
 
Mrs has just wandered in from the garden with it - Been out there playing bit too windy today for anything much, this is about 60% of Full Frame, so would be Full Sensor image on the 7D.. Now she wants tubes to get closer still

IMG_6746.jpg
 
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I had both and really regret getting rid of the L version, I swapped it for a Hasselblad outfit, but the next Canon lens i buy will be another.

I found the IS useful but the image quality is better than the non L too.
 
Roy C said:
Thanks for that Richard, having just sold my 300/2.8 I have a fair bit of cash to play with so the price is not an issue at the moment. I must admit I do find my non I.S. model superb, especially with the special 7D AI Servo mode for macro but was just trying to ascertain if there would be much to gain from the I.S. lens. Your 2 stop I.S. gain at macro distance (1:1) seems to be in line with Canon's claim but I have seen so many reviews that dispute this I though I would try to get some user feedback.
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Roy,
Any chance you can enlighten me on this special 7D AI Servo mode for macro. i.e. is there a setting that I have missed somewhere.

Cheers
 
EdBray said:
Is that a Horsefly?
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Sorry I havent got a clue,

I just push her out in the Garden when I want a lazy hour with the PC and a beer, keeps her happy keeps me happy, then she comes back in and shows me the images!. Not really my thing creepy crawlies!.
 
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Ploddles said:
Roy,
Any chance you can enlighten me on this special 7D AI Servo mode for macro. i.e. is there a setting that I have missed somewhere.

Cheers
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Vaughan, with the 7D when using AI servo with a genuine Canon macro lens the servo sampling rate automatically doubles (I think it is when at 1:3 or closer). You do not need to enable anything, it is automatic. It certainly upped my keeper rate last summer with the non I.S macro. You can actually hear the servo working overtime for a moving subject. From everything I have read it does not work with non Canon macro lenses.
 
Can't speak with regard to using it on the 7d, but I have being using the Canon 100 IS macro, for several weeks now (50d), and so far, my results are better with the IS switched off. I have tried repeated tests as I was surprised at this, but kept coming back to the same conclusion. It is certainly a great lens, but so far I can't say I am impressed with IS:thinking:
 
perhaps the IS is slightly faulty? If it's not correcting shake properly, it could very easily create it instead.
 
I regularly have to be more than 1/focal length to get clear shots on my 5D2 (i.e. I'd need to be 1/125th or 1/160th to get good hand held on a 100mm macro). The below is 1/80th with the 100L IS (and I was crouched so not particularly steady at the time). It's a cockchafer before anyone asks and is a 2.2k x 3.3k portion of the image...

5715890915_5e9f9e4625_b.jpg
 
Its my fav lens superb, the IS is a godsend
the manual states that the IS works for 4 stops at normal and close up and for 1:1 its 2 stops would agree with that
I hardly use my tripod since getting it:)
Pete
 
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