Macro Lens: Canon 100mm F2.8 IS L

Zascar

I think the next lens I want to buy is a Macro lens. Right now I have a 24-105mm F4 L IS, 70-200 F4 L, 50mm f1.8 and a Sigma 10-20mm. I do like doing macro stuff and I think a proper macro lens would help a lot.

Does anyone have this lens? Any thoughts or opinions? I'm sure there are other macro lenses similar that are cheaper but is the L worth it?

It's quite a lot of money but I have seem some cracking example pix. Also I believe it makes a good portrait lens too and that's my favourite type of photography.

Macro is a totally new bag though...
Any thoughts?

MarkN

I think the Canon 24-70 has a macro feature on it? Maybe sell the 24-105 and get one of those?

I'm waiting delivery on one of the new Sigma 18-35s apparently you can get quite close to subjects with it.

Don't have a specific macro lens though so can't help much further. Nice collection you have though!

Effects

Don't be fooled by zoom lenses that have a macro setting. They are usually crap. I'd say you should go for the non L macro.

Snowie

sigma 105 is a a whopper for the price its an amazing lens very tough too.

Produces image qaulity that alamy will except being honest its as good as the canon one if not better...

Zascar

Thanks yes I should consider the Sigma 105mm, actually I had forgotten about that. I do like Sigma lenses I had one before. Is the Sigma good a portrait lens also, like the canon?

Snowie wrote: »

Produces image qaulity that alamy will except being honest its as good as the canon one if not better...

????? Typo?

Zascar

Looks like I'm buying a Sigma 105mm f2.8 - but the Non OS version. Did not actually know there were two but deal is agreed. Am I missing out or is this still a really good lens? Getting it for a tony fraction of the price of the Canon L.

Also, for macro, how important is a flash?

Homer

Just picked up a Canon 100mm 2.8L lens on adverts today for €450. No box or papers but is in great nick. Will get a chance to play with it tomorrow and post some macro pictures. If anybody is interested in trying it out just drop me a PM

Zascar

Wow, great deal. When I get mine I'd love to do a side by side comparison!!

Effects

Sounds like a great price for an L

Zascar

So I got the Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG on adverts for €275 - hard to resist at that price and can't justify almost twice for the Canon L. I've only played with it for 10 minutes but here are my thoughts so far...

1. Wow!! So I've just taking some pix of coins and matches etc but its really impressive how close you can get in with 1:1, how good it looks and the depth of field is incredible.
2. The auto focus is awful. Like really bad. I had read it was slow, and for macro you usually use manual anyway (which is what I have been doing) but I'm surprised how slow and inaccurate it is. I just pointed to the end of the room and it could not find focus for ages. Ok I know I'm used to USM and I should not compare, but...
3. When you are really close in the depth of field is staggeringly big.. Also despite 2.8 the shutter speeds are surprisingly low. So now I need to get the tripd out and really I need a flash too!

Really I need to start properly learning about Macro!

T-Maxx

Macro flash photography is very tricky because of the close focal distance.

A special macro ring flash is what you really need.