[SpecialK]

LBA gets trickier when you have 2 brands, plus 2 formats...

I'm trying to down-size Pentax a little bit (selling the 21 and 40) while up-sizing Canon with ...just..one..more lens.

I have the 17mm TS, 28mm, 50mm, and 150-600mm.

What I want is something in the 90-105 range to give me a little reach.

So, the list started with the Canon 100 2.8 macro. I ruled it out as too expensive at $949, which led me to the...
Sigma 105 2.8 macro. It is also stabilized, and $669.
Both are "large". Thinking smaller (and cheaper) has some other non-stabilized macros, and the non-macro non-IS Canon 100 f2 for (regularly) $499. It has good reviews and a long MFD of 3 feet :-)
I don't really need macro (I have the Tamron for Pentax), so I'm thinking that would work. An extra stop over the others sounds nice, with the trade-off of no stabilization as with the Sigma. Would need a hood (thanks, Canon) and decent center-pinch cap (thanks again...)

I tell myself I would like something light and compact (as I try to squeeze a body, the 17 and any other lens in my smaller bag), though I usually end up with both bodies in my larger bag.

So, any thoughts on the Canon 100 f2? Anyone have it and would never sell it, or has it and would consider selling?

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Last edited by SpecialK; 12-26-2014 at 11:00 PM.

[Miguel]

I have the L 100 F2.8 macro. It's very very good and relatively light, but I think the Sigma 105mm would be good too. All lensmakers have figured out 90-105mm macro lenses by now. The IS is very modern and effective, so for hiking without always needing a tripod made it worthwhile for me. For non-macro, strongly consider the 85mm f1.8. Sharper than the very high end f1.2. Relatively cheap, extremely quick and accurate AF and wonderful optics, I must have paid $270 used with hood both in mint condition. Neato center-pinch Canon lens cap included.

M

[Digitalis]

I have the L 100 F2.8 macro

And optically a very different beast from the 100 f/2.. which has more in common with the 85mm f/1.8 - both are excellent choices.

[Steinback]

I picked up a 100mm f/2 last week to go with a 40mm STM on a 5d body. I'm liking the 100mm so far, it is quite good right from f/2. The connection between the hood and the lens (4 retracting tabs) seems like a weak point but it will be fine if the hood doesn't take any hard knocks. At roughly 3 inches wide and long ( a bit wider with the hood reversed) the lens fits nicely in a small bag. I was seriously considering any one of the 85/1.8, 100/2 or 135L/2 when a 100mm showed up at a decent price.

There are some bad habits to overcome from shooting with a stabilized body for so long, the biggest learning curve has been to keep the shutter speed at 1/125 or higher. Like you I have plenty of macro capability with my Pentax system so I was looking for something different that I couldn't easily duplicate with equipment I already own.

I expect you could probably find one for $350 or less used in the US. B&H has the 100mm f/2 up for $450 and the 85mm f/1.8 for $370 new right now after rebates,

[SpecialK]

I have the L 100 F2.8 macro. It's very very good and relatively light, but I think the Sigma 105mm would be good too.

M

And optically a very different beast from the 100 f/2.. which has more in common with the 85mm f/1.8 - both are excellent choices.

I picked up a 100mm f/2 last week to go with a 40mm STM on a 5d body. I'm liking the 100mm so far, it is quite good right from f/2....I was seriously considering any one of the 85/1.8, 100/2 or 135L/2 when a 100mm showed up at a decent price. ....

I expect you could probably find one for $350 or less used in the US. B&H has the 100mm f/2 up for $450 and the 85mm f/1.8 for $370 new right now after rebates,

Thanks everyone for the comments.

$369 is an attractive price for the 85, but I think I will go for the Sigma 105 around tax time when I should have a few extra $$.

[bkpix]

You may be shopping in the wrong places.

Canon has refurb 100 2.8 L lenses listed (currently out of stock, but I'd check back frequently) at $685. My experience with their refurb bodies and lenses is you can't tell the difference from new.

KEH has the lens in EXC condition at $839. If they get one in bargain condition, the price will be better.

Good lens, both for portraits and for macro.

[cali92rs]

I would 100% go for the f2.8L macro.
Shop used, go to Fred Miranda or Photography on the Net marketplaces. You can find them routinely for $800 or less, in excellent condition with all the goodies.
The 100mm f2 is good quality lens, but lacks IS, which in my opinion is very important for a lens this length and doesn't have the build quality of the L.

[SpecialK]

You may be shopping in the wrong places.

Canon has refurb 100 2.8 L lenses listed (currently out of stock, but I'd check back frequently) at $685. My experience with their refurb bodies and lenses is you can't tell the difference from new.

KEH has the lens in EXC condition at $839. If they get one in bargain condition, the price will be better.

Good lens, both for portraits and for macro.

I would 100% go for the f2.8L macro.
Shop used, go to Fred Miranda or Photography on the Net marketplaces. You can find them routinely for $800 or less, in excellent condition with all the goodies.
The 100mm f2 is good quality lens, but lacks IS, which in my opinion is very important for a lens this length and doesn't have the build quality of the L.

I still have plenty of waffling time :-) I saw the 100L's on Fred Miranda. Even A or BH new for $899. May still go that way. I've talked myself out of the non-IS lenses, and the white-box 24-105....

Thanks.

[Miguel]

During the summer I purchased the 100mm L macro for about $1000 but then got a $250 rebate. So you maybe able to score a barely used model for close to $750. Depends upon usual market forces and personal desperation.


That all said, I think my Sigma 70mm that I originally purchased for the 7D (and prior for Pentax), is sharper. Just enough for me to notice. I find myself reaching for that over the 100mm L when I know I'll be using a tripod.

M

I still have plenty of waffling time :-) I saw the 100L's on Fred Miranda. Even A or BH new for $899. May still go that way. I've talked myself out of the non-IS lenses, and the white-box 24-105....

Thanks.

[yusuf]

I had FD100 f2 which is a great lens so this must be the improved version and you can't go wrong with it. About, it being non-IS, I moved to Sony E mount from Pentax and I initially thought I would miss IBIS, though it's good to have, I am fine without it too.

[SpecialK]

OK, I have a "10"-rated used 100L pending in the works. Thanks again.