macro lens help advise

chris.

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chris
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looking for some advise pls is there a massive difference in picture quality between these two lenses. Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM Lens against the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM which is alot cheaper.
 
Hi

I had the same problem when deciding, so I looked at the image quality on both, the L lens is head and shoulders above the standard, well worth the extra money. I think you may regret going for the cheaper one, and end up upgrading to the L series anyway.
 
AFAIK the optics are the same for the both lenses, it's just the L lens has the IS which I find a massive help for macro. At those shooting distances any shake is very noticable (I found out when I turned IS off to see the difference). They are both excellent optically but it's the L for me every time.
 
Are you doing stuff hand held Chris, such as insects overing around plants...etc or small still objects with a tripod ?

I just picked up the none L (didn't have the cash to afford the L) but i was told by a few owners not to worry about the IS if you doing still stuff with a tripod anyway
 
My view FWIW would be to get the non IS version second hand for around £300 to see if macro really is your thing, you'd be able to sell this again for around what you paid for it if you wanted to move on the the L version. The difference I would spend on suitable flash equipment and some tubes.
 
I've hired the non-L for weddings and it's ridiculously sharp, have used a friend's L and couldn't tell the difference from an IQ perspective, obviously the IS helps but I'd happily buy the non-L myself.
 
Are you doing stuff hand held Chris, such as insects overing around plants...etc or small still objects with a tripod ?

I just picked up the none L (didn't have the cash to afford the L) but i was told by a few owners not to worry about the IS if you doing still stuff with a tripod anyway


Hi, Yes manly hand held really going out for walks and seeing what there is..
Thanks for the advise and comments :thumbs:
 
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