C100: Macro lens recommendation for screen filming, please!

B

bengiles

Well-known member
I need to shoot some big CUs of text on a monitor - can't get in as big as I'd like with the 24-105 or 70-200.

Any recommendations? Canon 100mm IS? (if I did go for that, anyone using the 100 much as a regular lens - ie, not just for macro work?)

Thanks,

Ben.
 
I use a Canon 100mm HIS Macro F2.8 on a C100 (was bought for my 7D for when I need macro shots for some industrial/corporate photography applications). It's a lovely lens and the Hybrid Image Stabilisation on it is very effective for hand held video on the C100 (very quiet in action too). I use it occasionally just as a medium range tele lens, especially when you want to keep a low profile/small footprint (otherwise I use my excellent Canon 70-200 IS F4). It's macro capability is of course superb, tack sharp too. However, it is often a little long (think of it as a 153mm lens when it's on a C100 with the s35 sensor size), especially for any indoor work in small conference rooms etc. So unless you want tight head shots then (where you have space) it's a great and fun lens for tele work, not just as a macro.

Would not be without it in my kit bag!

My C100 goes to Canon in Elstree tomorrow for the Dual Pixel AF upgrade. I have read somewhere that this particular lens is not stella with that (perhaps because of the long focus throw, it being a macro) but I'll know in a few days time.
 
The canon is a lovely macro lens.

But £100 in the bargain contax (et al) basement should get you something more cinematic for 1/4 the cost..

S
 
as far as I've read, it helps if you put the switch for focusing distance accordingly to your needs.
 
Thanks for the replies.

If I go "vintage", what focal length do you think, Sam?

Andy, have you noticed an advantage of having IS when shooting macro? I need to do short pans across screen text and websites.

Cheers,

Ben.
 
I have a 55macro, it is a bit short, my 35-70 is macro at the long end, nice, that 100 is nice too but a little tele.

You could get a 1.4converter for your 70-200

That 100 is a really nice lens.

S
 
Ben, I tend to use tripods for any macro work (for obvious reasons) so tend to switch IS off in those cases (or if it's left on I set it to allow panning).

Yes, Crammond, I know about & use the focus position switch for the distance range required - on all my Canon lenses, why wouldn't one…But as I wrote, I have read a report that this lens may not perform as effectively with the Dual Pixel AF upgrade - so until I can test that myself I thought it worth mentioning to Ben.
 
andykwilkinson said:
Ben, I tend to use tripods for any macro work
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy. I'm trying to get a gut feeling for whether IS is useful. I'll definitely be shooting on sticks with a Miller 25 head.

Does the macro IS suffer from the same kind of "floatiness" as the longer teles (eg 70-2000) when used on sticks?

If I didn't already have a 70-200/2.8, it would be an easier decision - but that's my go-to lens for most stuff at 100mm and I'm not certain if I'd use the 100 prime for anything but macro shots.

I'm now thinking about it way too much and having that dilemma - look at cheaper alternatives from Tokina, Sigma and Tamron - or stop faffing and get the Canon bought...

I'm sure I've got a film to finish editing... something's got to pay for all of this pontificating... :-)

Ben.
 
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Sounds rather familiar…. I UNDERSTAND this dilemma well. I think I would say it does have that IS "floatiness" (if I understand your comment correctly), but that is far better than those unwatchable micro jitters if you like to shoot mid-range Tele's all hand-held with a minimalist rig (i.e. no rig or tripod), like I often do. I think Canon had an older version of the lens which did not have IS that might be available much more cheaply.

I don't use my Canon 100mm F2.8 IS Macro a lot - but when i do it's absolutely the bees knees/always delivers. The first job I used it on more than paid for it - so the pain of purchase only lasted a day or two!

EDIT/CLARIFICATION: The other thing to bear in mind is that I think the new Canon 24-70mm F4 IS has a good degree of macro capability...Might be useful, depending on what other lenses you already have? Curiosity got the better of me.…details in the review below.


http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx


If in doubt, go into a camera store and check it out yourself before buying! After all, that edit can wait ;-)
 
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andykwilkinson said:
If in doubt, go into a camera store and check it out yourself before buying!
Click to expand...

What an outstanding idea - I knew there was a reason I moved to a city, from the rural backwaters of Cornwall!

The edit can wait - I need the macro lens to shoot some cutaways for it anyway...

A Canon L 100 and Sigma 105 await me for a test drive at Harrison Cameras.

I'll get a 24-70 when they finally put IS on it - lovely glass, by all accounts, but covering those lengths (around 35mm plus) where I really prefer to have IS.

Will let you know...

Ben.
 
Note that was the NEW Canon F4 version of the 24-70mm that I linked you to (which has IS), NOT the NEW F2.8 Canon 24-70mm F2.8 (Version ii - which alas still does not have IS, like it's predecessor).

Harrison Cameras sounds a good idea. Have fun with whatever you choose and I'm sure there will be other suggestions. Now I need to get on with an edit...
 
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I bought the Sigma 105 plus a set of extension tubes for even more magnification.

Also, if anyone's interested, it has the same issue as other Sigma lenses with the dual pixel AF - only works when fully open.

But I only plan to use it manually, so that's OK for now.

Cheers,

Ben.
 
A serendipitous update on macro stuff:

I've been waiting weeks for a Canon 100mm/2.8 L - seems they're in short supply here in the UK.

However, I also bought a set of these at the same time and took them away from the shop:

Dorr Extn 01.jpg

I thought I'd give them a go with a regular 24-105 and I'm achieving what looks very near to 1:1 magnification. DPAF working fine. The extension tubes cary all of the electronic communication between body and lens.

I cancelled the 100mm order, as I'm getting everything I want to achieve with these and I can swap in different lenses and extension lengths.

http://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/Le...ension-Tube-Set-122036mm-Canon-EOS_323022.htm

I bought them just a few weeks ago for £99 - I suspect the price will come back down once the Canon macros become more available, but that might be me just being cynical... still, cheaper than £730.

Ben.
 
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