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Canon's 100mm macro lineup

LarryBeemer
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

I am currently using a 100mm f2.8 macro lens purchased in the mid to late 1990's and have been considering upgrading to the current version in either the EF or the RF mount. I have a 5D MklV and an R5 camera.

About a year ago I upgraded an EF 28-70 f2.8 and a EF 70-200 f2.8 to the most current versions of each of those lenses (still an EF mount because I hadn't purchased the R5 yet). I was pleasantly surprised at the superior performance from each of these lenses. There was less post processing needed, the images seemed more crisp, and the overall performance of the lenses was quicker and smoother.

You are now probably wondering....yea?....and??

OK....I am now considering updating the 100 macro lens to the newest version in either the EF or the RF mount. Is one mount lens design/performance significantly better optically than the other? I do still have the 5D MklV which is why the EF mount is still being considered. Will I see a noticeably improved difference in image quality from the original 100 macro?

About a year or so ago I remember seeing the EF version priced at $899 ($400 off). It is currently not on sale. The RF version is currently on sale for $1099 ($100 off). Honestly the $100 off is NOT enticing me to make the purchase right now. Does anybody's crystal ball have any insight on a possible upcoming better price on the RF? Or perhaps the $899 price repeated for the EF version? Yea...I know...nobody knows....just thinking out loud.

Anyway...hit me with your thoughts on this predicament.

©¿©
LB

Feb 28, 2024 at 02:29 PM

johnctharp
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

The RF 100L is a significant step up from the EF 100L in almost every way. You can find discussions about the issue with a mid-macro dip in quality (so between portraiture and 1:1 mag) for the RF 100L, but it otherwise improves on everything that the EF 100L lacked - sharpness wide-open, longitudinal CA correction, focus speed, along with improved image stabilization etc. The RF version is also a 1.4x macro which makes it a bit more useful if that's something that you'd otherwise use an extension tube or diopter or so forth to accomplish.

On pricing, well, sales happen - but if you need the lens, you need it. The RF version is unlikely to see the substantial discounts that the EF version regularly saw. You'd want to check the price history to see what it's dipped to so far.

Feb 28, 2024 at 03:03 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is on sale now at Canon Direct, marked down from $1199 to 1099. Not a huge sale but I've seen it marked down multiple times since launch. I bought it when it hit $999 but that doesn't happen too often. I've seen refurbs hit $899 during cyberweek.

I can't compare it to prior 100mm EF models since I've never owned them. However, AF is much faster than my other macro lenses and can handle focus brackets at 40FPS on my R6 MK II. And, yeah, very sharp edge to edge. I can disable the lens profile in LR and images still look great, unlike many new R designs with whacky barreling and dark corners computed out.

Feb 28, 2024 at 03:19 PM

LarryBeemer
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

johnctharp wrote:
The RF 100L is a significant step up from the EF 100L in almost every way. You can find discussions about the issue with a mid-macro dip in quality (so between portraiture and 1:1 mag) for the RF 100L, but it otherwise improves on everything that the EF 100L lacked - sharpness wide-open, longitudinal CA correction, focus speed, along with improved image stabilization etc. The RF version is also a 1.4x macro which makes it a bit more useful if that's something that you'd otherwise use an extension tube or diopter or so forth to accomplish.

On pricing, well, sales happen...Show more →

John, thanks for the response. I guess I'm torn between holding out to see if the EF price comes down again...or the RF comes down a little bit more. While $100 isn't chump change, it just doesn't make me wanna grab for my fantastic plastic.

The one I have now is a non-L version....a senior citizen if you will. My aperture typically lives between f8 (rarely) and f16. The IS function really doesn't interest me. I've never used it on anything....mostly because none of the lenses I used had that option.

I find it interesting that the EF version MSRP is more expensive than the RF version. I would have thought the opposite would be true. Kinda makes you wanna go hmmmmmm.

©¿©
LB

Feb 28, 2024 at 03:24 PM

LarryBeemer
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Gochugogi wrote:
The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is on sale now at Canon Direct, marked down from $1199 to 1099. Not a huge sale but I've seen it marked down multiple times since launch. I bought it when it hit $999 but that doesn't happen too often. I've seen refurbs hit $899 during cyberweek.

I can't compare it to prior 100mm EF models since I've never owned them. However, AF is much faster than my other macro lenses and can handle focus brackets at 40FPS on my R6 MK II. And, yeah, very sharp edge to edge. I can disable the...Show more →

Gochugogi, thanks for the response and review. I was very tempted to get the EF when it was on sale for $899 but within a 3 month period I had purchased the R5 plus the newest versions of the 24-70 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8 plus the 100-400 f4.5-5.6 and my card was still on fire so I had to pass for the time being.

I typically use manual focus for the type of stuff I do with the macro lens and I also have only done manual focus stacking. I may have to try the in-camera focus stacking function (I guess that's the same as focus bracketing....yes?) to see how that works.

©¿©
LB

Feb 28, 2024 at 03:37 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Look at the focus shift on the Rf before you buy. I believe it's at some of the closer distances, not infinity or 1:1. Kind of knocks it out for me

Feb 28, 2024 at 05:22 PM

deepbluejh
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

There is no big optical difference between the EF 100 macro and the RF 100 macro. On RF bodies, the native RF lens has much better AF performance and improved IS as well. The 1.4x magnification of the RF might or might not matter to you.

If you're shooting mostly manual focus for macro and don't need to go past 1x. magnification, then the EF lens is by far the better value at current secondhand prices.

If you want the absolute best and don't care about the extra money, the RF is the one to get.

Feb 28, 2024 at 05:59 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

AmbientMike wrote:
Look at the focus shift on the Rf before you buy. I believe it's at some of the closer distances, not infinity or 1:1. Kind of knocks it out for me

It's at about 2 meters out and can be easily compensated for by simply turning the SA ring half a click. Stopped down I didn't notice any shift but a portrait shooter locking on the eyes would probably notice.

I owned the EF 50 1.2L and the focus shift was much worse—progressively worse as you stopped down—and there was no way to compensate.

Feb 28, 2024 at 06:29 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Gochugogi wrote:
I can disable the lens profile in LR and images still look great, unlike many new R designs with whacky barreling and dark corners computed out.

I think good macro lenses have historically been optimized for flatness of field and to minimize distortion, as they were often used for copy work in the studio.

I suspect we won't see the same digital compromises in Canon's "true" macro lenses as we do in the RF STM "macro" lenses.

Feb 28, 2024 at 08:08 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

AmbientMike wrote:
Look at the focus shift on the Rf before you buy. I believe it's at some of the closer distances, not infinity or 1:1. Kind of knocks it out for me

This is real, but it was found to be easily corrected by a small adjustment in the SA control.

Edit: ninja'd by Gochugogi.

Feb 28, 2024 at 08:09 PM

jedibrain
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

I have that old EF 100 macro as well. Its no slouch optically, though I'm sure the newer ones are improved. Like you, I've had a hard time convincing myself its worth it to upgrade. Just keep your eye out for a refurbished sale, or go look in the B&S for a clean model at a good price.

Brian

Feb 29, 2024 at 08:52 AM

Alan Kefauver
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Compared to my EF, lighter, snappier, sharper. Just my humble opinion

Feb 29, 2024 at 09:28 AM

jedibrain
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Refurb RF 100macro just went on sale at the Canon store!

Feb 29, 2024 at 01:08 PM

LarryBeemer
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Thanks to everyone for the input and discussion.....well......except jedibrain.....you are very naughty!

©¿©
LB

Feb 29, 2024 at 01:35 PM

Flowernut
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

I have the EF version and don't plan to upgrade. Rarely shoot macro wide open and the focus shift is real which EF does not have. At 5.6 the didgital pictures rate them equal optically. I rarely need more than half life size so the 1.4x is wasted on me. I mainly use 150-200mm macro for flower photography and will wait for that lens before investing in the RF macro line. For macro I don't need autofocus.

Feb 29, 2024 at 01:56 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Flowernut wrote:
I have the EF version and don't plan to upgrade. Rarely shoot macro wide open and the focus shift is real which EF does not have. At 5.6 the didgital pictures rate them equal optically. I rarely need more than half life size so the 1.4x is wasted on me. I mainly use 150-200mm macro for flower photography and will wait for that lens before investing in the RF macro line. For macro I don't need autofocus.

I didn't use AF much on my prior macro lens as DSLR AF wasn't very accurate at close focus. After a few weeks with the EF-S 60 2.8 Macro USM on my R7 I noticed that the spot focus and focus bracketing (stacking) worked really well. Now, after decades otherwise, I mostly use AF for macro. I was able to do 20 image stacks of lizards in less than a second with the R7 and RF 100 2.8L Macro IS USM. This brown anole is about 3 inches long:

Feb 29, 2024 at 02:51 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

Gochugogi wrote:
It's at about 2 meters out and can be easily compensated for by simply turning the SA ring half a click. Stopped down I didn't notice any shift but a portrait shooter locking on the eyes would probably notice.

I owned the EF 50 1.2L and the focus shift was much worse—progressively worse as you stopped down—and there was no way to compensate.

I've found focus shift in something like 9 of my SLR alts so far, every single time it got worse stopping down, i.e. focus plane moved further. So this lens is different ?

My understanding is that it occurs in between and that infinity and mfd are unaffected, but do you have to adjust SA correction on or off based on distance or can you just leave it on?

Mar 01, 2024 at 12:04 AM

tsunathanh
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

If you never use AF, don't need IS, and are at f9 and above-- I would get the RF mount Laowa 85mm macro. It's 2x (better than the Canon's 1.4x), it is WAY smaller and lighter. It's a bit soft wide open at 5.6; but you never use that. It's also a LOT cheaper.

I have both (and the EF and a whole bunch of other macro lenses). If you go for the RF you'll be paying for a lot of glass and tech that you will never use but you will have to carry around. At least try out the Laowa.

Edit: to be clear- I love the RF 100. I think you'd like the Laowa better.

Mar 02, 2024 at 07:17 PM

johnctharp
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

tsunathanh wrote:
If you never use AF, don't need IS, and are at f9 and above-- I would get the RF mount Laowa 85mm macro. It's 2x (better than the Canon's 1.4x), it is WAY smaller and lighter. It's a bit soft wide open at 5.6; but you never use that. It's also a LOT cheaper.

How does this compare to Laowa's 100/2.8 2x macro?

Mar 02, 2024 at 10:14 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Canon's 100mm macro lineup

IS is definitely a good reason to upgrade imo, The op's current lens has af, and is probably pretty good

Mar 03, 2024 at 01:03 AM

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