Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens takes forever to focus...normal???

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Nicholas Natteau

Veteran
Just got my Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens for my Canon 7D.

No problems in photo mode but in movie mode, the lens appears to take forever to focus. Is this normal or might I have a defective lens? It's like the lens runs the entire focal length to determine focus and the lens motor keeps making noise after supposedly achieving focus.

Anyone else had this issue??? Wondering if I shouldn't return this one to B&H as it might be defective.
 
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That lens is known to take a long time to focus unless you set the range via the button. This would be even worse in contrast focus mode via live view.
 
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Thanks for letting me know. It may be also that I'm doing all the wrong things, :) I'm still learning the ropes on this amazing 7D and those great L lenses.
 
See this Button on your lens?

Focus.jpg


Set it to the range you are focusing in .5m-infinity (normal use range) OR .5m-.3m (Macro). Full will use the whole macro range too and you need super fine adjustment for macro, so it takes forever :)
 
Amazing Lens BTW. I borrowed one from a friend and I totally want one for macro and longer portrait work. It is a bit long on APS-C for indoor candid use and so I am working on the other range first.
 
You're right. I probably shouldn't. But my 70-200mm f/2.8 focuses quite fast in movie mode. That's why I was a little surprised how long this lens took to focus in movie mode, as I didn't encounter this issue with any other L lens. But I'll read up more on this and change my technique.

But is it normal to still hear the lens motor working even after focus has been achieved? I'll try to post a clip on youtube or vimeo.
 
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