Canon EF-S 60mm f2.8 USM macro lens

[adeharr]

Can anyone advise me as a beginner as to whether I should buy the above lens for macro work or go for the EF-100 f2.8 USM lens. what will the differneces be?

[Max@Home]

Hi adeharr,

The difference will be that the 60mm lens will let you shoot 1:1 at 0.2 meter, 0.65 feet, and that the 100mm lens will let you shoot 1:1 at 0.31 meter, 1 feet. This can be important if you need to take some distance from your subjects, or if they are flying (insects ??)

Both are very sharp lenses, that can double as portrait lenses / light tele lenses.

The EF-S obviously only fits the 1.6x crop bodies, xxxD and xxD series, the EF lens fits all camera bodies.

The 100mm can be mounted on a tripod on it's own collar (an expensive but IMO very usefull accessoirie!) the 60mm does not have this option.

...FWIW, *my* €0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[trentchau]

Max how does teh 1.6 crop effect the 100 1:1 rate and distance?

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by trentchau

Max how does the 1.6 crop effect the 100 1:1 rate and distance?

Trent,

The 1.6x crop does not effect the closest focusing distance but it does effect the FoV, thus the perceived magnification, it is now 1.6x larger

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[trentchau]

sadly I knew the distance answer but being thorough.

Saying that though being the same relative cost I would venture to say the 100 is better, would that be your opinion also?

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by trentchau

Saying that though being the same relative cost I would venture to say the 100 is better, would that be your opinion also?

...I haven't used the 60mm macro, I test-fired it 'once or twice' but no serious 'work' with it...

I do find the 100mm a bit more 'versatile' due to it's larger focusing distance and the mentioned tripod collar capability. The 100mm does AF slower than the 60mm, so for real fast (Macro-)action (flying bugzzzz ??) the 60 might be more appropriate, also: the 100mm (effective 160mm FoV)) will need a shorter/faster shutter speed to counter motion blur if not used on tripod, so there the 60mm (96mm effective FoV) could also have a slight benefit...

I found my notes on ManualFocus: both are smooth, but according to the notes the 100mm has a little advantage here: the 'travel' of the focus ring is larger/longer, makes ManualFocus easier and more precise-feeling...

...just some more thoughts, *my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[aam1234]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

The 100mm can be mounted on a tripod on it's own collar (an expensive but IMO very usefull accessoirie!) the 60mm does not have this option.

Max, why would one need a collar for such a light weight lens.

I don't shoot insects but I would think a longer FL is an advantage for shooting those guys, wouldn't you think.

[adeharr]

Hi Max@home,
Thanks for the reply and information. That's very helpful
Regards,
AdeHarr

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by aam1234

Max, why would one need a collar for such a light weight lens.

Because Macro+Tripod IMO is Pain-in-the-@ss adjusting: you are talking millimeters and micrometers here... so what if you find your ballhead is level, but *for the shot* it looks like your camera is tilted: adjusting the whole ballhead again?? with the tripod collar you can easily adjust the cameraposition, switch from landscape to portrait, it balances better on the tripod, I do not have to remove the grip, etc, etc...

...and because the LENS is mounted on the Tripod, more BODY comes free to handle/adjust, and the way you have to look through the viewfinder is easier many times (but I always had the anglefinder, and now LIVEview, so to *me* this is a moot argument ...).

...you can even change bodies more easily to make comparable shots

...just *my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[aam1234]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

but I always had the anglefinder

I've always wanted one of those. How do you find mounting/dismounting it. Is it easy or kind of a delicate operation. Also, which one would you recommend.