135L or 100L macro

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Archive 2010 · 135L or 100L macro

Visual360
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p.1 #1 · 135L or 100L macro

I was ready to pull the trigger on the Canon 135L, and then realized the new Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS is couple $$ cheaper.

Does it make sense to compare the two or not? I know the 135L is faster (longer), but the I wonder if the newer technology in the 100 macro makes a big difference.

I actually have the Canon 100mm f2.8, hence the more interest with the 135L.

Thanks.

Mar 19, 2010 at 05:42 AM

jdben622
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p.1 #2 · 135L or 100L macro

It will depend how you shoot. If you need fast glass, IS won't help you there. I sold my 135mm when I got my 100/L because the IQ of the 100mm is excellent. It also has very nice bokeh. The 135 will focus much faster, is longer, is a stop faster, and has a little bit of image mojo that's missing with the 100mm. The IS of the 100 works very well and makes it a very useful lens. Once I traded my 85L for a regular 85, I bought the 135/L again just because.

Mar 19, 2010 at 05:50 AM

Mirek Elsner
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p.1 #3 · 135L or 100L macro

The 135 is optically slightly better, but the 100 is overall more practical lens. Smaller, weather sealed, closer focusing distance, IS gives up to 3 stops advantage when shooting hand-held in available light.

Mar 19, 2010 at 05:54 AM

Sir_Loin
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p.1 #4 · 135L or 100L macro

Mirek Elsner wrote:
The 135 is optically slightly better, but the 100 is overall more practical lens. Smaller, weather sealed, closer focusing distance, IS gives up to 3 stops advantage when shooting hand-held in available light.

On my evidence having owned both, the 135L isn't optically better, in fact I say the 100mm L slightly pips it. The IS also gives you 4 stops advantage at normal focussing distances. To the OP, I say go for it, the 100mm L is a superb lens.

Mar 19, 2010 at 06:19 AM

mttran
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p.1 #5 · 135L or 100L macro

hope this helps:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=674&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3&LensComp=108&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLI=0&API=2

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/zproducts/canon135f2/ff/tloader.htm
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/zproducts/canon100f28lismacro/ff/tloader.htm

Mar 19, 2010 at 06:32 AM

Matt Kerby
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p.1 #6 · 135L or 100L macro

So, the 100mm looks a little better in the center and the 135 looks a little better in the corners...IS or f2. Maybe both

Mar 19, 2010 at 06:38 AM

Peter Kotsa
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p.1 #7 · 135L or 100L macro

If you are after a macro, which i doubt you are, seeing that you already own the 100 mm f2.8, you will find that the new model is exactly as the one you have only with the advantage of IS.

The 135L is a lens in a different league.
It is a "niche" lens for specific purposes and it performs them flawlessly.

The 135L can also be used with the 1.4x or 2x converters giving extremely good results.

If you already own the 100 non IS, spend the cash on the 135L...it will not disappoint, in-fact you might end up selling the 100 mm after a few months in bed with the 135L..
BEST OF LUCK
Peter

Mar 19, 2010 at 06:42 AM

mttran
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p.1 #8 · 135L or 100L macro

don't forget, nothing is free in canon land and they grade most of them well

Mar 19, 2010 at 06:58 AM

Daan B
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p.1 #9 · 135L or 100L macro

If you shoot fast moving subjects (in low light) get the 135L (indoor sports, children/dogs running on the field).

If you shoot portraits and want to throw the BG into a smooth blur, get the 135L (the 100L will do this too, but the 135L will be better at this).

If you shoot macro, get the 100L... duh

If you need IS, get the 100L.

Bottom line, the 100L is a great macro lens that will do (static) portraiture too. The 135L is a fast (both in aperture and AF) lens that will do some (semi)macro work (such as flowers) as well. Choose the one that will fit the job. And there is the FL to consider as well.

Mar 19, 2010 at 09:25 AM

Jman13
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p.1 #10 · 135L or 100L macro

I've owned both...both are wonderful. Wouldn't mind owning the 135L again, but the 100L has become my favorite lens since I got it. Extremely accurate AF, and pretty quick too. I find the IQ ever so slightly better on the 100L, though not as much background blur wide open, of course. I LOVE the ability to do really tight portraits with the 100L, though. Since I got it, it's been on the camera probably 60% of the time. By far the first telephoto lens to ever hold that distinction (I've typically been an UWA or 50mm glued to the camera guy).

Mar 19, 2010 at 10:26 AM

denoir
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p.1 #11 · 135L or 100L macro

I have both lenses. If you already have the previous version of the 100mm macro, get the 135L. Yes, the IS on the 100L helps but the 135L is a one of a kind lens. The look that the 135L produces is really something special. While the bokeh of the 100L isn't bad, it's not comparable to what you get with the 135L.

The IS doesn't help much with macro shots - you should use a flash for that anyway.

I upgraded my old 100mm f/2.8 to the newer L version and it's something that I regret. The 100L is not noticeably better and certainly not worth the price difference. It's a good lens, but so was the old one. The build quality of the non-L also seems oddly enough better than the L version which has a sort of plastic feel to it.

The only thing I can say against the 135L is that it's too long for indoors portraiture on crop sensor bodies. The 100L is somewhat more practical in confined spaces, but it's pretty long too (I prefer a healthy 85mm for portraits indoors).

Mar 19, 2010 at 10:33 AM

Peter Kotsa
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p.1 #12 · 135L or 100L macro

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/430-canon_135_2_5d?start=1

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/458-canon_100_28is_5d?start=1

these links should give you more perspective as to both lenses weaknesses and strengths..

regards
Peter

Mar 19, 2010 at 12:47 PM

eric_m
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p.1 #13 · 135L or 100L macro

I just bought the 100/2.8 L IS. Already had the 135/2 L.

If you look at the MTF charts, the 100 has higher contrast and resolution in the center that falls off faster toward the edges. The 135 has more consistent contrast and resolution across the frame, especially for sagittal measurements.

I haven't had the 100 very long. Just since Wednesday. They both can yield very sharp images. I've never been unhappy with the resolution of the 135 wide open at f/2.

In terms of build quality, the 135 seems better built.

I bought the 100 because I wanted a macro lens. I'm keeping the 135 because I like the results I get at f/2. When I shoot indoor sports, I'll reach for the 135. When I shoot bugs and flowers, I'll grab the 100.

Which is better? A phillips or a traditional screwdriver? Depends on what kind of screws you have. And sometimes, a hammer works just as well.

Eric

Mar 19, 2010 at 01:07 PM

I Am Luna
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p.1 #14 · 135L or 100L macro

Visual360 wrote

oes it make sense to compare the two or not?
No.

Mar 19, 2010 at 01:15 PM

Dave Jr
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p.1 #15 · 135L or 100L macro

Peter Kotsa wrote:
If you are after a macro, which i doubt you are, seeing that you already own the 100 mm f2.8, you will find that the new model is exactly as the one you have only with the advantage of IS.
BEST OF LUCK
Peter

There is a little more to it than that. The AF on the 100L is extremely quick and responsive, you can shoot sports with this lens, something I'd never say about the non-L 100 macro. I have shot series of my dog running at me with the 100L that rival those from my 70-200 2.8.

Mar 19, 2010 at 01:22 PM

Dave Jr
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p.1 #16 · 135L or 100L macro

Here is the fiscal side of the decision... I chose the 100L, but might opt for the 135L as well.

100L Macro: $795.60 here after 8% bing and 2% ebay bucks.

135L: $908.10 here after 8% bing and 2% ebay bucks.

Mar 19, 2010 at 01:36 PM

Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #17 · 135L or 100L macro

If your 135L isn't tack sharp or near tack sharp wide open it's a dud IMO. It's so good you don't ever have to stop down unless you want the DOF. I'll bet a good 135L @ f/2.8 is better than the 100L wide open, but it certainly won't be worse. A 100mm will be a bit more usable FL and the IS a bonus, but I won't be selling the 135L for any f/2.8 lens. The bokeh/background blur will be much better from the 135L wide open too.

Oh but I'll still be getting a 100L macro eventually and I'm sure IQ is similar as most macros are excellent.

Mar 19, 2010 at 01:38 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #18 · 135L or 100L macro

Pixel Perfect wrote:
If your 135L isn't tack sharp or near tack sharp wide open it's a dud IMO. It's so good you don't ever have to stop down unless you want the DOF. I'll bet a good 135L @ f/2.8 is better than the 100L wide open, but it certainly won't be worse. A 100mm will be a bit more usable FL and the IS a bonus, but I won't be selling the 135L for any f/2.8 lens. The bokeh/background blur will be much better from the 135L wide open too.

Oh but I'll still be getting a 100L macro eventually and I'm sure IQ is similar as most macros are excellent.

I had a good copy of the 135L...I can assure you that the 100L wide open is every bit as sharp over at least 90% of the frame, and probably a little sharper in the center 60% of the frame, as the 135L was at f/2.8. It is absolutely tack sharp at f/2.8.

Mar 19, 2010 at 02:06 PM

abam
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p.1 #19 · 135L or 100L macro

ymmv, but my vote is for the 100L.

-135L lacks IS
-135L isn't as useful in low light as you'd think (1/150 shutter speeds for sharp pics, and again, no IS)
-100L has macro capabilities

the 135L has the bokeh thing going for it. if that's your modus, then the 135L. otherwise, the 100L. (i own the 135L.)

Mar 19, 2010 at 02:10 PM

denoir
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p.1 #20 · 135L or 100L macro

Dave Jr wrote:
There is a little more to it than that. The AF on the 100L is extremely quick and responsive, you can shoot sports with this lens, something I'd never say about the non-L 100 macro. I have shot series of my dog running at me with the 100L that rival those from my 70-200 2.8.

I don't know about that. I think it behaves pretty much like the non-L - ultra fast when there is plenty of light and pathetically slow under low-light conditions.

These were shot with my old non-L 100:

Granted, the 7D's auto focus system did its part, but the lens had do its thing as well.

Mar 19, 2010 at 02:12 PM

Visual360
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p.1 #21 · 135L or 100L macro

Looks like the biggest factor for me now is go with the 135L, since I already have the 100mm f/2.8 macro. Although, all the samples from the 135L really do make my decision much more easier. On the other hand, samples from the 100L are also visually stunning!

For my intentions (portraits, kids), then I think I'll splurge on the 135L.

No wait.....

Ah, this is hard.

Mar 19, 2010 at 03:32 PM

picfox
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p.1 #22 · 135L or 100L macro

I don't have the new 100/2.8, but what I've heard about the new 100/2.8L IS, plastic, plastic, plastic, but maybe it isn't an issue at all.

My 135L will never go

Mar 19, 2010 at 03:51 PM

Dave Jr
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p.1 #23 · 135L or 100L macro

petkel had a thread about that. It is much lighter than you'd expect when you go to pick it up (because of the engineered plastic), but I don't consider it to be a bad thing, actually, it's nicely light.

Mar 19, 2010 at 04:02 PM

Lyndon Chen
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p.1 #24 · 135L or 100L macro

I asked this same question a few weeks ago, but with regards to weddings. Check out the thread here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/867244

Mar 19, 2010 at 04:04 PM

Visual360
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p.1 #25 · 135L or 100L macro

Thanks everyone. Thanks for the link Lydon, it was very helpful.

Mar 19, 2010 at 04:32 PM


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