Marc
Why not use the 100mm macro. The latest version has IS.
I have the non IS version and find it corner to corner sharp and MFD at .3 meter. Extension tubes (25mm) will allow 1.39x
This lens is sharp wide open and even sharper stopped down slightly with corners showing the most improvement.
Cheap as well!
Quote - "Vignetting is apparent at f/2.8, but rapidly disappears when stopped down. Flare is very well controlled. Color and contrast are excellent. Distortion is negligible. Eight aperture blades help to create an excellent quality background blur"
Cheers Ray. You have a good point there. I have been considering buying the older model for a while now because as you said it is a good value for money and pin sharp. In fact, I once owned one of the Pre-USM models of this lens, but eventually sold it 6-7 years ago for lack of use. At the moment I am considering how often I might actually have a need for the lens if I were to buy it again and may end up buying one in the end. The new model with IS however doesn't seem to be worth spending double the cost unless you need the IS feature. I would only be using it for studio work. Following is an excerpt from DPReview.com:
"Of course most potential buyers will want to know whether the lens justifies the additional cost over the highly-regarded EF 100mm F2.8 USM Macro which remains in Canon's lineup; and many existing owners of that version will also be interested to find out whether it's worth upgrading. This isn't an easy question to answer, but there's no doubt that the 'L' lens is just that bit better in almost every respect. It's clearly sharper at larger apertures (up to about F5.6), which will arguably be most beneficial to users of high resolution APS-C bodies; it's also better built, focuses faster, and of course includes image stabilization. If you want or need the very best, then it's definitely worthwhile, but the older lens is still extremely good in its own right, and for most buyers offers far better value. (The price differential to well-respected alternatives from third party lens manufacturers such as Sigma and Tamron is greater still."
February 11, 2012, 10:25:34 AM
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