100mm f/2.8L IS Macro: from wish to purchased to WOW

I've been very happy with my 17-55 f/2.8 and my XSi since purchasing them in Feb 2009. As I've been following TDP and these forums, my wish list for lenses came to include the 10-22, 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, and the 70-200mm f/4L IS. And a 7D to go with them, of course. :)


I'm happy to say I purchased a refurbished 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro on B&H this morning, and I can't wait to get it! I fully expect to have a lot of fun with this lens, and I'm hoping to be able to use it for more than just macros, as Bryan states in his review. He mentions it being a fun lens to use for other purposes, too, so I'm excited.


The only downside is that I still haven't purchased the 70-200 f/4L IS, but that will have to wait. That will remain the #1 lens on my wishlist. Good things come to those that wait I suppose, and I'm still in the waiting category, probably until I finish pharmacy school in 2 years. I'll have fun with the 100mm Macro until then, and of course the 17-55 is such a great lens for most of the stuff I like to shoot, like landscapes.


Would love to hear from others around here that have this lens. Any pictures you have to share? How well does the IS function?


Next Wed.....can't come fast enough.


I have this freaky idea of getting macro shots of my wife's, kids', and my eye and putting them in a frame together. Might be cool, might be a little too freaky to walk past in the hallway. :)


alex

Congrats, Alex! The 100mm f/2.8<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L Macro IS is a great and really fun lens. Just be careful - for me, it was my gateway <s>drug</s> lens that led to a full-blown case of <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L-disease. Just sayin'. [:P]


It's great for macro, of course. The IS is quite effective. It also makes a good portrait lens, although when used on a 1.6x crop body it's better outdoors for that, unless you have really big rooms. Here are two shots from an outing last year to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's gardens.



[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/4780829552/in/set-72157624616379818/lightbox/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/...78ff6f7b_z.jpg[/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_brain/4780808084/in/set-72157624462568231/lightbox/]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/...d4eac7f2_z.jpg[/url]
EOS 7D, EF 100mm f/2.8<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L Macro IS USM, 1/320 s, f/5, ISO 100 EOS 7D, EF 100mm f/2.8<span style="color: #ff0000;"]L Macro IS USM, 1/160 s, f/5.6, ISO 320


Enjoy your new lens, and post some images when you get it!


--John

Hi Alex


I bought one recently and i have to say it was instantly my favourite lens, easy to use and I was mega impressed with the sharpness, I have never had a true macro lens before and hadn't appreciated the difference between a true macro and one (even the L series), where they just seem to stamp 'Macro' on the focus ring.


These were my first 2 shots with it, I more or less 'pointed and pushed' wide open and got these, (no digital darkroom here, what you see is what i got);


You will llove it,


[IMG][View:http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg12/pinkeye69/IMG_7946.jpg][/IMG]


[IMG][View:http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg12/pinkeye69/IMG_7948.jpg][/IMG]

John, you posted as I was typing, they are excellent, I see you are enjoying one as well.....

Alex - You are going to LOVE IT!!!


Congrats on the new toy!


Denise

I fully agree with that! Have fun Alex!

Thanks everyone for the comments and well wishes! goes without saying that I

You

It is a fun lens. I just got it a few weeks ago and really haven't played too much, but enough that I have these two pics: First a HDTV screen


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I took the photo in the last assignment with this lens and here are a few others ...


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/...a7c0648da6.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1140/...62ca85d40e.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/...2076dae3b1.jpg

That is why I love this lens so much ...the uses for it are amazing!!

Denise

Wow, Denise, I really love the first shot of the leaf cluster. They really stand out from the background!

Thanks, Alex!


With some of these, I

Crud! I forgot to check the Canon Direct Store for my purchase. Just found this lens there for $130 LESS than what I paid at B&amp;H, with a longer warranty. B&amp;H doesn

B&amp;H couldn

Not all prices are great at the Canon store, but when they want to, they crush everyone. Good catch and enjoy the lens.

The lens is finally arriving today! I

Very exciting times waiting for that lens to land on your doorstep. Good luck and have fun.


On a similar kind of note, have anyone of the people suggesting the 100L macro shot with the non L 100mm Macro. I have that lens and have been trying to decide if it is worth the upgrade to get the new L. I see from Bryan

So here is one of my first shots with the lens. I just couldn't resist getting a shot of my eyeball.


Maybe it grosses you out. Maybe you think it's cool. Maybe you think need more sleep! (Bloodshot!!!) Maybe this is more intimate than any of you ever wanted to get with me.


Anyway, this was handheld with my 430 EXII, f/3.5, 1/125s, ISO400. It has been cropped a little bit.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/8/0211.100mm-020web.JPG[/img]


I am going to have so much fun with this lens!


alex

Congrats! I got mine in February.. one of my first shots being an eyeball as well. HA.


Mostly mine has been used for portraits.. and then the other day I saw a couple of ants on my kitchen counter. First time in my life I have been excited to see that. The lighting was horrible so my shutter speeds were way too slow.. but it was possible because of the awesome IS. Little guy was thirsty. :D





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EOS 7D - 100mm f/1.2L IS Macro; f/2.8, 1/15 sec., ISO 800,


Subject Distance: 290 mm (11.41 inches)





Congrats again, and if you're like me right now.. I'm way excited for things to start sprouting and insects to start crawling.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alex

Crud! I forgot to check the Canon Direct Store for my purchase. Just found this lens there for $130 LESS than what I paid at B&amp;H, with a longer warranty. B&amp;H doesn't price match, do they? ;) Bummer, I think I may have to do a return and all that junk. That's a huge price difference.

---

I was all excited about the $130 savings, and checked Canon Direct, but their price is currently exactly the same as B&amp;H. Did Canon's price go back up or did B&amp;H reduce theirs? Both are currently $1049.00 exactly.

Hi Philip,


The $130 savings was for the Refurbished lens. B&amp;H has a Used Store that has used and refurbished gear, and Canon Direct has a refurbished section. The 100mm L was listed at B&amp;H refurbished for $970, and Canon Direct had it for $840. I think Canon Direct is currently out of stock...I think I got the only one they had.


The price you have listed in your post is for the brand new lens, I believe.


alex

Yes, it is for new. I didn