Eric Hopp Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Hello: I would like to upgrade to a Canon prime telephoto lens. I'm shooting with a couple Canon 40D cameras, with my lens collection being a Canon 10-18mm, 28-105mm f3.5-4.5, a 70-210mm F3.5-4.5, a 24mm STM pancake lens, and a 50mm 1.8 STM lens. My style of shooting is a run-and-gun, photojournalism style, but I also like to take pictures of flowers. I shoot mainly hand-held, and rarely use a tripod. I would like to get a Canon prime telephoto, to complement my 24mm pancake and 50mm lenses. I am looking at both the Canon 85mm f1.8, and the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro lenses. Both are the non-L lenses. As much as I like the quality of the Canon L lenses, they are just priced beyond my budget. The problem I have is that I can see advantages and disadvantages between both the 85mm and 100mm macro. I love the compactness of the 85mm lens, and its fast speed of f1.8, over that of the 100mm macro's f2.8. I can see the 85mm lens would be great for lower-level light shooting, especially as I'm hand holding the camera. However, the 85mm lens has no macro capabilities. That is the big advantage of the 100mm macro, as I also enjoy shooting flowers. Finally, I would say that I'm sort of 50 percent shooting general purpose photography, and 50 percent shooting flowers. It will depend on where I will be going to shoot. Weather-wise, we are approaching spring time, which the flowers will be starting to bloom--perfect for a 100mm macro lens. Or I can get some good, hand-held sunset pics with the 85mm lens. Which should I purchase first? Or should I just break the bank, and purchase both? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Both are classics, but each in their own field. The 85mm is a classic "gift to the faithful" lens for a very reasonable price. Probably strongest for portrait or street shooting. The 100 is slower, first of all, and is a fine macro lens. If you want that capability, however, you may want to compare the excellent, but less expensive, Tamron 90mm (http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/858-tamron90f28vceosff). Older, non-VC versions of the Tamron are available for very reasonable prices on eBay (make sure you get the right mount, of course). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin McAmera Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) (oops: sorry: senior moment. Thought we were discussing the FD lenses that I know) Edited February 26, 2017 by Dustin McAmera 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 . . . The problem I have is that I can see advantages and disadvantages between both the 85mm and 100mm macro. I love the compactness of the 85mm lens, and its fast speed of f1.8, over that of the 100mm macro's f2.8. I can see the 85mm lens would be great for lower-level light shooting, especially as I'm hand holding the camera. However, the 85mm lens has no macro capabilities. That is the big advantage of the 100mm macro, as I also enjoy shooting flowers. . . <br><br> I have both lenses.<br><br> How small/big are these 'flowers' ? You do not mention that you want macro capabilities for tiny bugs and the like.<br><br> With an 85mm lens on a APS-C camera you can focus close enough to get a FoV about 180mm (7") on the long side; a 40D should allow for a 25%~30% crop in post production if you have good light and use a respectable ISO.<br><br> Also with a 12mm Extension Tube on the 85/1.8 and an APC-C camera, you can get to about 90mm (3.5") FoV on the long side.<br><br> I use the 85/1.8 at F/1.8, and that is one of its virtues - that one can the lens wide open, from the uses that you have stated and it appears that you will use F/1.8 - if I had to choose between the two lenses I would buy the 85/1.8, and perhaps a 12mm Extension Tube.<br><br> WW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hopp Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 Both are classics, but each in their own field. The 85mm is a classic "gift to the faithful" lens for a very reasonable price. Probably strongest for portrait or street shooting. The 100 is slower, first of all, and is a fine macro lens. If you want that capability, however, you may want to compare the excellent, but less expensive, Tamron 90mm (http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/858-tamron90f28vceosff). Older, non-VC versions of the Tamron are available for very reasonable prices on eBay (make sure you get the right mount, of course). Hi and thank you JDMvW: That is sort of the argument that I'm seeing with both lenses. Both will excel with their individual characteristics--the 85mm with low-light shooting, and the 100mm for macro capabilities. I will have to look into the Tamron 90mm lens for specifics and reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hopp Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 (oops: sorry: senior moment. Thought we were discussing the FD lenses that I know) H Dustin: I do have some old Canon FD cameras and lenses. Maybe I'll look into an FD macro lens. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hopp Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 <br><br> I have both lenses.<br><br> How small/big are these 'flowers' ? You do not mention that you want macro capabilities for tiny bugs and the like.<br><br> With an 85mm lens on a APS-C camera you can focus close enough to get a FoV about 180mm (7") on the long side; a 40D should allow for a 25%~30% crop in post production if you have good light and use a respectable ISO.<br><br> Also with a 12mm Extension Tube on the 85/1.8 and an APC-C camera, you can get to about 90mm (3.5") FoV on the long side.<br><br> I use the 85/1.8 at F/1.8, and that is one of its virtues - that one can the lens wide open, from the uses that you have stated and it appears that you will use F/1.8 - if I had to choose between the two lenses I would buy the 85/1.8, and perhaps a 12mm Extension Tube.<br><br> WW Hi William: Interesting perspective on the 12mm extension tube for the 85mm lens. I'm always shooting roses, and geraniums in my garden. I can always try out the very small flowers with tiny bugs in them, and see what I can get. I'm open to all kinds of flowers. I have never used extension tubes before. I'll certainly research the extension tubes for macro photography. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin McAmera Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 What I said, then deleted, was that the FD 100 macro is an f/4; it really wouldn't do for your non-macro short tele. William's answer (the 85 and a tube) is a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_stephan2 Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 I'm a Tamron 90 f2.8 user and it's an excellent 1:1 macro and it works quite well with a set of $15.00 AF extension tubes which gets you closer to your subject. It has the added benefit of being a portrait lens. On the 40D you'd have a field of view of 144mm's for your portraits so you'll have to stand back a little and not get to close to your subject. For me I use a 70D and a 50 f1.8 STM which works great for portraits and gives you a FOV of 80mm's which is where most full frame portrait lenses start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Hi William: Interesting perspective on the 12mm extension tube for the 85mm lens. I'm always shooting roses, and geraniums in my garden. I can always try out the very small flowers with tiny bugs in them, and see what I can get. I'm open to all kinds of flowers. I have never used extension tubes before. I'll certainly research the extension tubes for macro photography. Thank you.<br><br> Taking the other side to what I previously stated - <br><br> If you want to use a macro lens for smaller flowers and even smaller bugs, then the question I would then ask you is: "how 'low light' is your typical low light shooting?" <br><br> You already have F/1.8 at 50mm. You can apply the same idea of cropping about 25% in Post Production to get in a bit tighter to achieve a reasonable facsimile of the framing of an 85mm lens - and - if you're not in really low light and need the extra reach of 100mm then the 40D will perform at ISO1600 and F/2.8 is not all that slow.<br><br> Mind though, if you are trying to get tight framing of smaller flowers and bugs - I think that Hand Holding might be your biggest challenge - if you do not like the idea of a Tripod - then a Monopod will be a good friend to you.<br><br> If it does come down to choosing between the two lenses, I think it will not be as difficult as you first envisaged - just quantify (approximately) how much of a 'close up' image you really need - that will be based upon the typical size of the macro object - in this case 'flowers' - if you think you'll be usually shooting flowers as big as (average sized) roses - then an 85mm lens and a bit of cropping in post will do that - or an 85 and a 12mm extension tube will get you really close . . .<br><br> On the other hand if you think that this idea of Macro is something you want to explore, then a Macro Lens is really the answer to allow exploration, but you probably will have to adapt your shooting style and use at least a monopod to allow you the chance to have some degree of critical focusing for small stuff.<br><br> In the end you might get both lenses - for clarity I based my initial advice to get the 85/1.8 on my interpretation that you just wanted to shoot reasonably sized flowers, outside good daylight as you walk around. If you deep down feel that you want to get into macro as a genre - then a dedicated macro lens is the way to go. <br><br> Choices sometimes seem perplexing - when in doubt, go with your first gut instinct. Both lenses are excellent. <br><br> WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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