Recomendation regarding the Canon EF 100 mm F/2.8 MACRO Lens
- Thread starter OrionN
- Start date
toothybugs
New member
I have it. GREAT lens. However, being a macro, I've noticed it has a narrow focus angle, so top-down shots will be relatively small and close-up at what I'm assuming are your range limitations. I wouldn't go to it for deep shots. I'd go to a small telephoto.
Edit - do you own it, or are you considering buying it? I can take a few shots of my own tank if you'd like me to, for a demo.
Edit - do you own it, or are you considering buying it? I can take a few shots of my own tank if you'd like me to, for a demo.
OrionN
Moved on
I consider buying it. I have a 60 mm Macro that give great close up shot at coral near the top of my tank but not corals at the bottom of the tank. I assume that the 100mm lense will give better close up at about 2 feet. Please take some pictures at 2 feet or so. That is the distance I am looking for. I have the stock lense with my Rebel which is a zoom lense that is not too good at macro pictures.
Reef Bass
colors and textures
I own the Canon EF 100mm f2.8 USM Macro lens and love it. All the macros I've posted over the last 5 years or so have been shot with it. Minimum focal distance is about 6".
In my opinion, macro photos are more effective when the sense of perspective has been lost. For example, I much prefer showing a portion of a coral than a whole coral. My 100g is 5' long, 2' tall and 16" front to back. For what I like, I feel the lens covers the front half of the tank well. I can generally fill the frame with the coral, depending on the size of the coral. Obviously a 1" frag is not going to fill the frame, even from 6" away.
For corals in the back half of the tank, my fantasy should I discover I have too much cash (yeah right), is to get the 180mm macro, as that should give me a "fuller frame" with smaller corals in the back of the tank.
For top down shots of subjects near the bottom of a deeper tank, or shots trying to fill the frame with a smaller coral at the back of the tank, a telephoto would most likely be a better choice than the 100mm macro.
The 100mm macro is also a pretty nice prime portrait lens, btw.
In my opinion, macro photos are more effective when the sense of perspective has been lost. For example, I much prefer showing a portion of a coral than a whole coral. My 100g is 5' long, 2' tall and 16" front to back. For what I like, I feel the lens covers the front half of the tank well. I can generally fill the frame with the coral, depending on the size of the coral. Obviously a 1" frag is not going to fill the frame, even from 6" away.
For corals in the back half of the tank, my fantasy should I discover I have too much cash (yeah right), is to get the 180mm macro, as that should give me a "fuller frame" with smaller corals in the back of the tank.
For top down shots of subjects near the bottom of a deeper tank, or shots trying to fill the frame with a smaller coral at the back of the tank, a telephoto would most likely be a better choice than the 100mm macro.
The 100mm macro is also a pretty nice prime portrait lens, btw.
toothybugs
New member
I can take a few shots, as promised, but both of us lens owners have said the same thing about using a telephoto for corals.
OrionN
Moved on
I took a few pictures of my corals with Macro and with my stock zoom lens. It seem OK, but my stock zoom lense just is not too good of a lens. Like I said, I like to take close up of parts of the deeper corals. I wonder if the 100 mm Macro would give better pictures of the corals taken at 20 inches away rather than the stock zoom lens. 60 mm macro lense just does not give good picture from 20 inches away.
toothybugs,
Can you take the same picture with both lens, the 100 mm Macro and your stock Tele/zoom lens (let me know which lens you used)
Thanks.
toothybugs,
Can you take the same picture with both lens, the 100 mm Macro and your stock Tele/zoom lens (let me know which lens you used)
Thanks.
toothybugs
New member
I'll admit it, I tried, but my tank doesn't have the depth that you need. For my tank, I like the 100mm better, but this is about the limit for zoom. Lens to coral is about the 20" you wanted.
18-55 kit lens
100mm macro
I would still rather take this shot with an inexpensive telephoto, like Canon's 18-135.
18-55 kit lens
100mm macro
I would still rather take this shot with an inexpensive telephoto, like Canon's 18-135.
toothybugs
New member
Certainly an excellent, excellent addition to your lens collection. My 100mm is easily my favorite lens. If you look up the "Melancholy" picture thread here, my entry was done using it.
OrionN
Moved on
Can you post a link? I am very new here in this forum.
I also shot an old worn-down silo that was kind of neat, but this one is a little more morose. Working in south Chicago and living in NW Indiana, subject matter was not hard to find.
Comments/ critiques are welcome. I've had this camera for less than a month but it's immense fun learning it.
Last edited:
Steve Ruddy
New member
As others have said it's a great lens but I would try a 70-200 for your top downs. You can get the Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L IS USM version for cheap and It is extremely sharp and one of my very favorite lenses. Was better than the 2.8 for performance up until they came out with the new 2.8 that is very expensive.
Just noticed I'm using it in my avatar!
Just noticed I'm using it in my avatar!
Talk about an ad!!!! :lol:
