100mm f2.8 L IS Macro!!

[airfang]

Press release:


EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens
The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro
IS USM lens could very well be the essential multipurpose lens for
every camera bag due to its ability to capture sharp close-up images of
small objects as well as beautiful portrait-length telephoto shots. The
incorporation of Canon's new Hybrid IS in this L-series macro lens
allows it to compensate more effectively for camera shake during
close-up shooting and marks a significant improvement for professionals
and advanced amateurs utilizing macro photography for portrait, nature
or wedding shoots.






http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/images/loRes/20090901_loRes_ef100mm_macro.jpg





Too bad no 35L II/50 1.4II/24-70L IS was announced


But an L macro is also a great news!


Wondering how much this baby would cost...


I expect it to be around $1500 at least... of course I would be more than happy to hear if it is cheaper than the 180L (but highly unlikely due to the new hybrid-IS mechanism)


What are your thoughts?

[Daniel Browning]

Looks like a great lens! I would love to get this one.


The Press Release says the estimated retail price is $1,049.00.

[gbc]

Damn. And I was just ready to pull the trigger on the older 100mm macro. At half this price, I might still do that. But it won't seem as sweet now...

[Jorundr-Jorgensen]

Great! Hopefully a great predecessor to the old 100mm f/2.8 USM macro. What a geat focal lenght for an L, imagen how sharp it will be..

[aaaandrew]

gotta buy a 100mm non-L macro before the are all gone. I really think I wouldn't need the IS for macro, but thats just me.

[ThomasJ]

Crap!


I just placed my order for the old non-IS Macro lens. Amazon.com is taking preorders for it - price: 1049.99 dollars!


I'm considering cancelling my old order and upgrading for the IS. But let's wait and see what Bryan has to say about the new IS Macro lens before I shell out 500 extra bucks.


Or what do you guys think?

[Maleko]

wow, i've had the non IS one for a while now and i have loved it! The only thing I have missed from it is a red ring round the front ;)


I have plenty of other lenes i wantto buy before I replace that with this new one tbh.

[cian3307]

Hmmmmm. I wonder how much better the IQ will be over the older non-L non-IS 100mm macro? Personally, I don't think the IS would be of much use to me. I always use a tripod for my macro work and use such small aperatures that the shutter speed would probably be too slow even for IS. Then again, it is an 'L' with all the advantages that entails and will be weather sealed(?). Once again Canon leaves their customers with another hard choice[:D]

[gbc]

I think they said this is a new lens to supplement the non-L 100mm macro. It's not replacing it. So you shouldn't have to rush out to get the last in stock. Then again, the old lens is out of stock at a lot of places already. But that might have been because the sellers knew this new lens was coming.

[ShutterbugJohan]

wow, i've had the non IS one for a while now and i have loved it! The only thing I have missed from it is a red ring round the front ;)


Same here. :-)

[Benjamin]

A nice macro lens. Probably will kick the a** of the Nikon 105 VR. :)


But is it a REPLACEMENT of the current 100/2.8 macro though? Or these two lenses will co-exist? I think there will still be people who want to buy a 100/2.8 non-IS macro for $600.

[Daniel Browning]

But is it a REPLACEMENT of the current 100/2.8 macro though? Or these two lenses will co-exist?


The press release says they will coexist.

[Bob]

The 100 mm Micro (non - L) is a very sharp lens wide open and cost about $500.


Question: willthe non L micro be reduced in price? I use Micros lens on tripods most of the time, so IS will be less of a value to me.

[Jon Ruyle]

Oh, sweet. I'm getting this one for sure. I doubt the iq will be better than the old 100 macro, but it doesn't have to be. The IS alone makes it worth it to me.


I know many people say IS is useless for macro, but I don't find that to be so. Often I chase bugs into bushes and have a difficult time putting down a tripod or even a monopod. And when these bugs aren't jumping around, they are usually *very* still. I've been wishing for an IS macro for a long time.

[District_History_Fan]

This has huge potential to be an outstanding addition to Canon's lens lineup. I can't wait for Bryan's review!

[Mark Elberson]

Oh, sweet. I'm getting this one for sure. I doubt the iq will be better than the old 100 macro, but it doesn't have to be. The IS alone makes it worth it to me.


I know many people say IS is useless for macro, but I don't find that to be so. Often I chase bugs into bushes and have a difficult time putting down a tripod or even a monopod. And when these bugs aren't jumping around, they are usually *very* still. I've been wishing for an IS macro for a long time.






<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"]I completely agree Jon. I think in the best case scenario you'll be set up with a tripod and maybe a strobeas wellbut lots of the things that we shoot with macro lenses are fickle little creatures :) Sometimes there's no time to set up a tripod. I've lost several opportunities because what I was hoping to shoot jumped/flew away and I didn't have enough light to get the aperture/shutter speed I need to hand-hold the shot.


<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"]I have to wonder though, what would you prefer...the new 100 f/2.8L IS or the old 100 f/2.8 with a Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX? The price is pretty comperable right? I currently own the 100 f/2.8 and love it but I wonder if it would be worth it to me to sell it and upgrade??? Out of pocket would probably be similar if I just bought the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX. Thoughts???

[crosbyharbison]

The IS would be usefull for hand held portrait work.





The older 100mm macro isn't going anywhere.

[Jon Ruyle]

I have to wonder though, what would you prefer...the new 100 f/2.8L IS or the old 100 f/2.8 with a Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX?


I'd want the new macro, because then I could still buy the flash :)


But if I had to use either old macro + flash or IS macro with no prospects of flash, I think I would go with old + flash. IS is great, but there are too many times when there isn't enough light, even with IS. Plus there are times when natural lighting isn't what you want- and you can't ask the bug "would you please move over a bit out of the direct sunight, and turn your head this way so you won't be backlit?" :)


To caveats: I'm basing this on my experience with the twin flash, and I'm assuming the ring flash is similarly useful (though I've never used it). Also, I'm assuming the only big difference between old and new macro is IS, even though obviously I've never used the new macro.

[Chuck Lee]

Also, I'm assuming the only big difference between old and new macro is IS, even though obviously I've never used the new macro.


I'm sort of suprised that the new Macro wasn't f2. The front filter ring is 67mm.Obviously, this lens has a larger front element than the classic 100 f2.8 (12 elements in 8 groups) and different optical build (15 elements in 12 groups)


The price at $300 more is by far the most shocking feature...[:O] My gosh it's actually affordable!!

[Jon Ruyle]

I'm sort of suprised that the new Macro wasn't f2.


That would have been nice.



Obviously, this lens has a larger front element than the classic 100 f2.8 (12 elements in 8 groups) and different optical build (15 elements in 12 groups)


Yup. And nine circular aperture blades! There are other differences, to be sure. But I *guess* only the IS will be inciting to me. We'll see, though. [:)]



The price at $300 more is by far the most shocking feature.../emoticons/emotion-3.gif My gosh it's actually affordable!!


Wow! I'm shocked by how much the price of the classic macro has gone up. I paid $400 or so new, IIRC.

[Mark Elberson]

Wow! I'm shocked by how much the price of the classic macro has gone up. I paid $400 or so new, IIRC.
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>





$599.95 at B&amp;H! I'm going to start referring to my lens collection as my "portfolio" [:D]

[Colin]

Man... IS....


That's the only thing I wish I had on my 180mm macro...


The thought of trading in is tempting....


I like reach and working distance, but....


I like not being so dependent on a tripod too...


can't have both... can't have both... poop.

[Daniel Browning]

Oh, sweet. I'm getting this one for sure. I doubt the iq will be better than the old 100 macro, but it doesn't have to be. The IS alone makes it worth it to me.


In his new page on the I.S. macro, Bryan pointed out that the MTF chart has improved considerably:


http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/lens/ef_100_28mtf.gif


http://www.usa.canon.com/app/images/Lenses_2009/EF100Macro/profile/ef10028lmisu_mtf.gif


The 30 lp/mm lines jumped 20-30%.

[Keith B]

Definitely on my wish list.

[crosbyharbison]

Man... IS....


That's the only thing I wish I had on my 180mm macro...
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>





Well the next macro update from canon is rumored to take the 180mm macro and push it to 200 like nikon has and add IS to it. /grainofsalt

[Jon Ruyle]

In his new page on the I.S. macro, Bryan pointed out that the MTF chart has improved considerably:


Cool!

[Benjamin]

Haha, sub zero! i think i'll buy not because i need it too much for my actual photo work but just because i want something to use as a microscope![8-|]