How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

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hvu2012
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p.1 #1 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Hi,
i'm torn between 135mm L and 100mm L macro IS. I already have 200mm L II.
Does anyone try both and compare? I would like to hear your opinion on these lens. I shoot mostly portrait, architecture, not much macro. Pictures for example would be nice.

Thanks very much.

Nov 08, 2012 at 04:12 PM

Wobble
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p.1 #2 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Which camera body do you use? The crop factor comes in to play.

I chose the 100mm L IS Macro mostly due to the dual purpose capability and a good middle ground between the 85L and the 135L.
Yet, the 135L is one of the holy trinity.

Nov 08, 2012 at 04:19 PM

hvu2012
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p.1 #3 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

i have both 5DII and classic 10D as backup.

thanks.

Nov 08, 2012 at 04:30 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #4 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

hvu2012 wrote:
Hi,
i'm torn between 135mm L and 100mm L macro IS. I already have 200mm L II.
Does anyone try both and compare? I would like to hear your opinion on these lens. I shoot mostly portrait, architecture, not much macro. Pictures for example would be nice.

Thanks very much.

This is where I get to use one of my old favorite forumtography sayings: "Trying to decide between these two lenses on the basis of sharpness is like trying to decide between a stack of four quarters and a dollar bill on the basis of 'value'."

Both of these lenses have outstanding optical quality. Of all the factors that might lead you to chose one over the other, "IQ" is pretty much the very least important issue of all.

Dan

Nov 08, 2012 at 04:37 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #5 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Hmm, I bet the 100L has better IQ at macro distances and when hand held at slow shutter speeds... The 135 is better at F2...

Edited on Nov 08, 2012 at 04:52 PM · View previous versions

Nov 08, 2012 at 04:48 PM

mttran
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p.1 #6 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Don't know much about 100L but i like 135L very much even i don't use it often. 135L is the best "L" glass for money.

Nov 08, 2012 at 04:49 PM

mttran
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p.1 #7 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Gochugogi wrote:
The 135 is better at F2...

+1, i like faster glass and better bokeh

Nov 08, 2012 at 05:05 PM

Tom K.
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p.1 #8 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

I have had both. If I were you I would get the 100L. It is canon's sharpest lens. Seriously. The IS is worth it's weight in gold. As a portrait lens it is absolutely incredible. Literally no distortion either. The ability to shoot close up is also a wonderful thing to have. It is one of canon's most versatile and finest lenses. I shoot with it wide open all the time and it is astonishingly sharp. The bokeh on the 100L is also gorgeous. The 135 is a great lens. Not as great as the 100L though.

To sum it up. The 100L is an astonishingly great portrait lens. Once I bought I never used the 135 again. It's that good.

Edited on Nov 08, 2012 at 05:15 PM · View previous versions

Nov 08, 2012 at 05:11 PM

GC5
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p.1 #9 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

gdanmitchell wrote:

This is where I get to use one of my old favorite forumtography sayings: "Trying to decide between these two lenses on the basis of sharpness is like trying to decide between a stack of four quarters and a dollar bill on the basis of 'value'."

Both of these lenses have outstanding optical quality. Of all the factors that might lead you to chose one over the other, "IQ" is pretty much the very least important issue of all.

Dan

+1

Nov 08, 2012 at 05:13 PM

StillFingerz
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p.1 #10 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Here's a thread from POTN, hope it helps, for that creamy bokeh the 135 is better, for hand holding IS is simply fantastic...

135mm f2.0 L vs 100mm f2.8 L
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1043722

Nov 08, 2012 at 05:28 PM

Tenn.Jer
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p.1 #11 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

All of the above; I "upgraded" to the L version of the macro purely for the handholding capability assist of the IS...but there's something unique about that f/2 aperture...even if you don't shoot much macro, I think you'd find the 100L to be more versatile, and someday you may find yourself staring down the stamens of some tulip...

Have fun,
Jerry

Nov 08, 2012 at 05:36 PM

400d
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p.1 #12 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

For portraits, I would definitely go for the 100 IS. Had the 135 years ago, there's absolutely no doubt it's very sharp, but the 100's capability of getting close to the subject is invaluable for me, that's something my 85/1.2 and 200/2 can't do. The IS also makes handheld portraits much easier than the 135.

1Ds Mark II, 100mm IS f/2.8 1/80s ISO 500
Top right corner - 100% crop Adobe ACR 6.4 all sharpening set to zero:

Nov 08, 2012 at 05:58 PM

hvu2012
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p.1 #13 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Thanks everyone.
I hope IS is not noisy like 70-200 F4 IS. I actually bought 70-200mm L F4 IS and return the next day due to the noisy motor of IS, even though it's great zoom lens.

Nov 08, 2012 at 06:03 PM

jasonsim
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p.1 #14 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

I had both until just today, when I shipped off my sold 135mm F/2L. I do macro every once and a while and for that, the 100L was a better choice for me. Especially since I have other portrait lenses to use: 85L and 200L 1.8 and 70-200L II. The f/2 can come in handy when you need a fast shutter for capturing indoor sports for example. However, I found that the AF USM still could not keep up with fast moving atheletes. My 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II does that job spectacularly.

For portrait purposes on a FF, you can probably get closer to your subject with the 100mm L @ f/2.8 and still get as much background blur (bokeh) as the 135mm @ f/2 (MFD is not as good as the 100L macro).

Hope this helps. Who know's you might get into macro in a big way.

Regards,
Jason

Nov 08, 2012 at 06:04 PM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #15 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

gdanmitchell wrote:
hvu2012 wrote:
Hi,
i'm torn between 135mm L and 100mm L macro IS. I already have 200mm L II.
Does anyone try both and compare? I would like to hear your opinion on these lens. I shoot mostly portrait, architecture, not much macro. Pictures for example would be nice.

Thanks very much.

This is where I get to use one of my old favorite forumtography sayings: "Trying to decide between these two lenses on the basis of sharpness is like trying to decide between a stack of four quarters and a dollar bill on the basis of 'value'."

Both of these lenses have outstanding optical quality. Of all the factors that might lead you to chose one over the other, "IQ" is pretty much the very least important issue of all.

Dan

And, by the way, I have both also.

Dan

Nov 08, 2012 at 06:20 PM

Tom K.
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p.1 #16 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

400d wrote:
For portraits, I would definitely go for the 100 IS. Had the 135 years ago, there's absolutely no doubt it's very sharp, but the 100's capability of getting close to the subject is invaluable for me, that's something my 85/1.2 and 200/2 can't do. The IS also makes handheld portraits much easier than the 135.

1Ds Mark II, 100mm IS f/2.8 1/80s ISO 500
Top right corner - 100% crop Adobe ACR 6.4 all sharpening set to zero:

Exactly right.

Nov 08, 2012 at 06:26 PM

scalesusa
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p.1 #17 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

I have both and I'm keeping both. The 100L is great for macro, but for low light theater, f/2.8 doesn't cut it. The 135mmL is sharp at f/2, and thats where it stays in low light.

different users have different requirements, so try to match your requirements.

Nov 08, 2012 at 06:34 PM

garydavidjones
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p.1 #18 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Much prefer 135 L to 100 L. 135 is better in low-ligh, faster &
great for candid shots in places such as Vegas.

Nov 08, 2012 at 06:47 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #19 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

hvu2012 wrote:
Thanks everyone.
I hope IS is not noisy like 70-200 F4 IS. I actually bought 70-200mm L F4 IS and return the next day due to the noisy motor of IS, even though it's great zoom lens.

I have the 70-200 4L IS and, while I can hear the IS in a quiet room, it is merely pianissimo, and that's with my head a few inches away and in contact with the camera. People around me don't notice it. In the field it is normally inaudible due to wind, waves or street sounds.

Nov 08, 2012 at 07:00 PM

dhphoto
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p.1 #20 · How is IQ between 135mm L and 100mm L marcro IS?

Gochugogi wrote:
hvu2012 wrote:
Thanks everyone.
I hope IS is not noisy like 70-200 F4 IS. I actually bought 70-200mm L F4 IS and return the next day due to the noisy motor of IS, even though it's great zoom lens.

I have the 70-200 4L IS and, while I can hear the IS in a quiet room, it is merely pianissimo, and that's with my head a few inches away and in contact with the camera. People around me don't notice it. In the field it is normally inaudible due to wind, waves or street sounds.

I usually have to check if IS is on or not and I have good hearing, I wonder if yours was faulty.

My 70-200 f4 IS is one of my favourite ever lenses.

Nov 08, 2012 at 07:07 PM

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