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Canon 60mmf2.8 Macro or 100mmF2.8 Macro
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I’m looking for some help in choosing a macro lens for occasional use and am considering the usual suspects. There a good reviews on both lens but I’m struggling to find any feedback between the two other than on focal length. I’ve also a perception that the 60mm suits the entry level bodies more while the 100mm is better suited to the mid-range models (such as my 40D).
It seems that the 100mm may be the better lens for the long term, but the 60mm is atrracive from the point of view of price, ability to use a longer shutter when handheld and being physically small. However, the 100mm means the lens can be further away from insects and seems to be better wide open (not much use for macro use tho’).
Has anyone any pointers, or indeed any experience with both?
I recently purchased the 100mm 2.8L macro and love it. The quality of the color and sharpness of the images in amazing. You can’t go wrong with this lens. I like the ability to be slightly further away on extreme closeups.
For occassional use I would recommend the 60mm, but if you want to take a lot of macro stuff go for the 100mm. Both lenses are excellent at delivering stunning shots but the distance from your subject advantage would be better with the 100mm. It is unlikely that you would manage many butterfly or damselfly shots with the 60mm up close unless shooting when they are cold & sluggish.
Hi Brendan.
I have used both of these lenses and I have been very happy with the performance and my results from each one.
The main thing to bear in mind in relation to the 60mm is that it is an EF-S fit so will be of no use should you inherit a full frame body.Best advice I could give is to save up the extra few bob and go for the 100mm lens, it really is a cracking good lens.
Most of my posts in the Macro forum and in my own web gallery have been taken with this lens.The 100mm is also a good lens for portrait work.
One more thing to bear in mind is, no matter what macro lens you go for and depending on how addicted to Macro Photography you become, you will most likely find that sooner or later you will be buying a Ring Light flash unit which can be expensive.
With the release of the 100mm f2.8 IS USM Macro lens (expensive) you should find that the 100mm f2.8 USM (non IS) will be appearing on the second hand market a lot more regularly.
As already explained the minimum working distance is a consideration especially with lively insects.
I don’t know what reviews you have read but these should help in your decision if you have not already seen them
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-60mm-f-2.8-Macro-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100mm-f-2.8-USM-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx
Thanks guys. I see the 100mm IS now out for around €750, so I think I’ll take the tip and watch for second hand one.
Mark wrote:
Feel free to add a review too lads ;)
Did one for the 60mm & hoping to add one for the MP-E 65mm soon. :wink:
Great, much appreciated !!! I’ll take a look and approve it.
If anyone adds a new product which I don’t already have there, it might take me a bit of time
of enable it as I often have to find a photo of it too. Typically its from the manufacturer site
as I don’t want any copyright hassles etc…Super. They’ve been approved and I added in the new product too !.
Thanks alot ! :D
BTW mark, the PI logo link on the top left of the review section does not link back to the home page.
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