It was quite a while since the last time I researched for new lens. Today I have just found out that Canon has recently – back in September 1st 2009 to be precise – released a newcomer into its highly acclaimed premium L series, and surprisingly it is the upgraded version of its very popular 1:1 Macro lens, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM.
Owning the older version EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro which I used mostly for product photography as well as sometimes shooting bugs or flowers for fun, I have been wondering why Canon does not put image stabilizer in the lens. For macro it is essential as in extreme magnification even the slightest shake can make a disaster. On the other hand, shooting bugs which sometimes hide under some sort f shade needs slow shutter speed. It has quite a wide opening of f/2.8, but in extreme magnification, opening the lens that wide in many cases does not allow us to get desired depth of field.
The image stabilizer system comes with this lens is of the most advanced technology called Hybrid IS which theoretically gives 4 stops correction. It is just awesome. Theoretically the slowest shutter speed for good quality hand-held shoots are at 1/focal length. So for 100mm lens we are talking about minimum speed of 1/100. One stop means a half, so four stops from 1/100 means four times halved 100 which is 1/6.75. In extreme magnification the specification talks about 2 stops correction, which in the same calculation means we can shoot as slow as 1/25, not bad at all.
With this lens, IS is not the only thing helping us in preventing shake. Low friction ceramic balls support the moving elements, which allows for the amazingly smooth movement. Additionally it has a tripod collar.
On the other hand, as macro lens is not only used by hobbyist addicted to shooting bugs having sexual intercourse but also professional product photographers, L optical quality can give a significant quality improvement to the end result.
It is very tempting to own one to replace my old one which lacks of both image stabilizer and L optical quality. Build quality of L series is also awesome, but as I mostly use it for product photography I do not really care about its dust and water resistant sealing. But more accurate auto focus helps product photographers whilst faster auto focus helps bug shooters. I do not even want to have a try, believing in its quality, I do not need a try it before buying one.
Below is the launching press release:
Canon announces the arrival of the
first EF lens to feature Hybrid IS
London, UK, 1st September 2009: Canon today announces the launch of the high performance EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, the latest addition to its prestigious L-series, Canon’s flagship professional lens range. The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM incorporates image stabilisation in a macro lens for the first time in the EOS lens range. This enables photographers to capture stunning close-up shots without the need for a tripod.
The high quality, medium telephoto macro lens, has been developed for photographers who demand the highest level of optical quality. The new Hybrid IS system features up to 4-stop correction, compensating for the effects of camera shake, during normal shooting. Low friction ceramic balls support the moving elements, which allows for the amazingly smooth movement – needed when compensating for camera shake during macro shooting. Hybrid IS corrects shift movement – problematic when shooting up close -as well as angular movement providing photographers with the benefit of up to 2 stops at 1.0x magnification.
The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM features ultra low dispersion (UD) lenses that correct colour aberration for high resolution, high contrast images while the addition of Super Spectra coatings effectively reduce ghosting and flare for superior quality images. A nine blade circular aperture makes subjects stand out amid beautiful background blur and a silent, high-speed ring type USM Autofocus motor quickly achieves focus. The lens also includes a three position focus limiter to tailor the focus system range to the desired subject.
As part of the L-series the lens features dust and water resistant seals. Sitting ahead of the EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, within the range, the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM supports a full range of accessories including: Tripod Mount D, Macro Lite adaptor 67, Lens Hood ET-73 and EF12 II and EF25 II extension tubes. The tripod mount attaches to the lens without the need for an adaptor enabling quick portrait or landscape switching without having to reframe the camera. Speedlites MR-14EX and MT-24EX can be attached using the MacroLite adaptor.
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