Quote Originally Posted by csphua


Hi,


I saw in various forum that users of EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM use it as walk around lens. I would like to know what is the difference using macro lens with fixed 100mm as walk around lens versus the usual zoom lens, for e.g., my current 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS.


What is the limitation of using a fixed length (100mm) lens as walk around lens?


Is it okay to handheld a macro lens and snap pictures while walking? Most people said a macro lens need to be on tripod to get good macro pictures.


Thank you.






The limitations of a 100mm walk around lens are that it's too long for serious wide angle or landscape photography but too short to be a real tele lens. A macro lens can certainly be used as a walkaround lens but can be awkward and in general 100mm lenses are "not up to the job", but they can certainly be used as a general purpose. This is why a zoom like your 18-200 is more popular as a walk-around lens.


Tripods are needed for super closeup macro photography at narrow apertures like what this guy does:


http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/galleries/macro-italy_trebbia_valley_02.htm


I do my macro handheld. A tripod certainly isn't necessary for most types of macro photography.


hope I answered your question.


brendan