Comments on: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and Macro Photography

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:10:53 +0000

CK: You can certainly get a polarizer for the 100mm macro and use it for non-macro applications. It is not, however, the 85mm f/1.8 which is an excellent lens too with faster AF and probably the better lens for portraits.

But, you can do portraits and macro with the 100mm macro, you cannot do macro work with the 85mm f/1.8.

Solution: buy both lenses. I’m not kidding. This is what you have an interchangeable lens DSLR for, to be able to put on different lenses for different applications.

I know, it’s easy for me to say but seriously, there is no perfect single lens for every or even these two applications.

If you’re serious about macro work then get the 100mm macro and see how it works out for portraits. This solution at least gives you some options. The 85 simply cannot be used for 1:1 macro work.

By: CK

CK — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:48:59 +0000

Hi Richard,i’m eyeing this lens but in a dilemma between this and the 85mm/f1.8 cause i want to do both portrait and macro.

for landscape shoot using the 100mm macro,can i get a polariser for it?

By: Chitra

Chitra — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:31:41 +0000

Thanks Richard! :)

I will probably skip the hood.

Chitra

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:16:01 +0000

Dilip: A hood can still be used on lenses that change length when they focus or zoom as it will either move with the extension, or, in the case of a lens like the 24-70 needs to be deep enough to contain the extension.

But, like you, I don’t use a hood on this macro lens. Unlike you I use the lens a lot. ;)

By: Dilip Muralidaran

Dilip Muralidaran — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:02:56 +0000

Richard, i think the 100mm Macro does internal focussing and is very silent in this aspect. Yes, the hood may scare away bugs/insects for sure if we try and get too close but i believe the hood does not move/rotate since the AF is internal.

Oh well, i dont use a hood for the 100mm for that matter. Oh well again, i dont use my 100mm lens at all for that matter :)

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:46:50 +0000

Chitra: Sure, hoods are very useful. However, for macro work you may want to take it off at times as it might bet in the way. The closer you get to, for instance, a small bug, the more the hood may affect light on the bug or scare him away. My 100mm macro is the only lens of mine that I do not use a hood on, for what it’s worth.

By: Chitra

Chitra — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:28:20 +0000

Thank you very much for your promptness! :)

I am buying this hood for the 100 mm macro - http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Design-Canon-100mm-Macro/dp/B000Q6HZHY/ref=pd_sim_e?ie=UTF8&qid=1200208625&sr=8-1
I hope this would be alright?

Thank you once again, Richard, in advance!

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:30:06 +0000

Chitra: There are a variables in buying a filter

1. What is the size filter needed for a particular lens, in this case 58mm

2. What type of filter, UV or otherwise do I need?

3. How good is the lens and if the lens is decent, how good does my filter need to be so that the quality of the glass in the lens is not compromised by cheaper glass in the filter.

Most people would think that Canon brand filters must be good but in fact, they are not. So, I would avoid the one you sent the link to.

If you put a UV filter on this lens know that it will change the light coming through the lens. This isn’t a problem and I have one on mine, but for certain types of shooting in lower light or indoors you may want to remove it.

This is a very good lens and my recommendation would be to get a decent filter, at least a Hoya. I use both Hoya and B+W (even higher end) and I think Hoya would be good.

Hoya 58mm SMC UV filter.

The “SMC” means super multi coated which adds to the glass quality and durability of the filter.

Amazon sells the filter but not directly, you can buy it from them through Adorama:

Hoya 58mm SMC UV filter.

Let me know if you need more help with filters or the lens. You are going to love this lens, it’s one of my favorites.

By: Chitra

Chitra — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:05:26 +0000

Thanks Richard for the detailed write up.

I am going to be buying this lens shortly through Amazon and wanted to check with you the UV filter that would go with this.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007NIB42/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Is this the filter that I would want. Please let me know. Thanks!

By: David Anderson

David Anderson — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:34:41 +0000

I think the 10D was released a few months before they introduced the updated mount, the 300D was the first with it IIRC.

And happy new year to you too!