Canon 100mm f2.8 macro - To IS or not IS?

[chouglez]

Almost double the price for IS version of Canon 100mm f2.8 macro and just wondering if anyone could advise whether to spend that extra (well almost double!) for an IS version.

Are there any other alternatives in the form of Tokina, Sigma, Tamron that TPle on the forums have been happy using them?

Thanks

 

[Leroy4bz]

I have to sigma 105, great lens, use it for Macro with the added bonus of it being a good for portraits. As for IS only you can answer that....are you confident with you hand help shoting or are you like me Shacky.

 

[Norkie]

I have the Canon 100mm f2.8 with IS. I love it, worth the extra pennies I promise you

 

[F1.2]

If you use a tripod no , if hand held yes

 

[wardy07]

When I had my Canon DSLR I tried both and theY are both really good lenses, but I preferred the IS version to be honest. It made shots a lot more consistent and enabled me to capture moving targets (insects) at slower shutter speeds with confidence. I got more keepers with it and the IQ is stunning.

 

[Oddshapedoctopus]

I've had both the IS and the non IS and have gone back to non IS. Granted most my macro work is studio stuff but even when I'm bothering bumble bees or spying for spiders my use of flash tends to cut out my need for slow shutter speeds.
Having two non IS lenses and one IS lens I will say that all three were sharp lenses with no obvious signs of IQ drop between them both.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I had non-IS then upgraded a few years back. The difference is real and pretty visible. The contrast and to a lesser degree sharpness are notably improved but most importantly the IS really makes difference shooting handheld whether it is a portrait or a macro. By all means non-IS is good lens and if you only do a couple of wedding ring shots a year or work with tripod that will probably do just as well.

 

[Gaz J]

Another vote for the 100mm L IS from me.

You probably already know but the IS isnt 4 stop all the time. As you get closer it reduces.

 

[smr]

IS definitely, you'll miss a lot of shots if you're shooting solely on tripod. Unless you aren't, and intend to shoot on tripod all the time (in a home studio or something)... in which case it doesn't matter.