RF 100 macro focus shift issue

[LCPete]

Is anyone using the RF 100 macro ?
it looks really good as it can go to higher magnification than the EF 100 IS, to 1.4
unfortunately however as a feature of the higher magnification it has focus shift as you stop down especially noticeable apparently from F5.6 to 8
it’s ok at close distance but at a couple of feet or so the focus shifts to behind the autofocus point
I was considering this lens but read reviews online by the Digital Picture, Dustin Abbott, Christopher Frost, and people on Fred Miranda have seen this too
its surprising and a shame that Canon woul bring out a lens with a design this compromised, it’s been confirmed apparently by Canon engineers
ill be keeping my EF version I think

 

[CrashEd]

I'd like to hear some reviews too. It's a real shame as I would have bought this lens straight away after the success of the EF version - wish I'd kept mine now. The price of the EF version is still very high too (new).

 

[LCPete]

Yes apparently if I understand it correctly it’s because the camera focuses wide open then stops down to the set apeture to take the photo and with the RF 100 macro the focus shift is a compromise the Canon engineers had to do to get higher magnification 1:4 compared to 1:1 with the EF 100
it’s a shame because apparently it’s even sharper than the EF lens with very fast autofocus
for close subjects it isn’t a problem apparently but further away for larger subjects like larger butterflies and dragonflies stopped down focus shift is an issue
the reviewer taking a photo of his cat focused on the eye but in the image taken the focus point was behind on the fur and the eye wasn’t in sharp focus
the suggestion from canon is to focus slightly in front of the subject ! Not an option when out photographing live insects

 

[LCPete]

The focus shift probably wont be an issue for most people to be honest as the majority of people manual focus with macro, I’ve always liked to auto though I find it easier as I’m not the quickest person and with autofocus also can use the in camera focus bracketing feature

 

[Nod]

The focus shift probably wont be an issue for most people to be honest as the majority of people manual focus with macro, I’ve always liked to auto though I find it easier as I’m not the quickest person and with autofocus also can use the in camera focus bracketing feature

It might still be a problem if people MF wide open and the focus then shifts as the lens stops down. As you say though, focus bracketing will (hopefully!) cover the difference as long as the subject stays put after the first click.

 

[LCPete]

It might still be a problem if people MF wide open and the focus then shifts as the lens stops down. As you say though, focus bracketing will (hopefully!) cover the difference as long as the subject stays put after the first click.

Ahh I see what you mean, I hadn’t thought of that
it’s a focus by wire lens no direct connection unlike the EF lens I’m not sure what difference that makes when manually focusing