anyone using a EF 100mm f/2.8 USM lens ?

[jph]

as the title suggest...

i'd like to know if anyone here is using the following lens:
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM

(to take pictures of the tank, and its inhabitants)

and how do you like it?


thanks!
J.

[wharyat]

I have one. It is a very good lens for the price; it almost takes L quality shots when stopped down to f/3.5,f/4.

My avatar was taken with that lens.

Most of my pics in the calendar gallery were also taken with that lens.

[wharyat]

Review: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

[crvz]

I've got it, all the pictures I posted last night were taken with that lens paired with the Canon XTi (400D). Click the link in my signature to see.

[jph]

awesome shots guys! thanks.


J.

[Hop]

I have it. I hate it. I hate taking nice pics and having to spend hours in front of the tank. I hate editing the pics and wasting time


It's a great lens and a blast to use!

[jph]

Originally Posted by Hop

I have it. I hate it. I hate taking nice pics and having to spend hours in front of the tank. I hate editing the pics and wasting time

It's a great lens and a blast to use!

haha, sounds good to me!



J.

[chiapet]

Most people who own the lens compare it to an "L" series based on the quality.

The fact that you can take it down to 2.8 is a great feature combined with the pretty fast autofocus. I have to admit that I primarily shoot with mine in manual focus mode for more precise control.

I take most of my aquarium pictures with it. It is also great for outdoor macro shots.

[jph]

Originally Posted by chiapet

Most people who own the lens compare it to an "L" series based on the quality.

The fact that you can take it down to 2.8 is a great feature combined with the pretty fast autofocus. I have to admit that I primarily shoot with mine in manual focus mode for more precise control.

I take most of my aquarium pictures with it. It is also great for outdoor macro shots.

the reason i'm looking to get this lens is that i can't seem to get good (aquarium) shots with my 17-55mm 2.8 (it's the only lens i currently own) i'm not sure if it's because of the bowfront glass on the aquapod, or if it's just not as sharp up close at 55mm, or if it's slightly backfocussing on me...

i tried to manual focus it a few times, but i have a hard time judging when i got the focus right through the viewfinder. when what looked to me as being "tack sharp" through the viewfinder, it turns out to be horribly out of focus when i view the image on the computer screen

i do notice that when objects are closer to the glass, the pictures come out better than when they are towards the middle or the back of the tank. even with a 150W MH illuminating them.


J.

[crvz]

Bowfront is probably not helping, but the macro lens is pretty awesome.

[chiapet]

I used to have a 46 Gallon bow front and it was harder to shoot than a regular tank.

You may have to back off of the glass to get a clean shot and try adding a polarizer to your lens due to the curvature of the glass. In general the polarizer will get you good results when shooting through glass.

[wharyat]

The curved glass, along with the water basically make your tank a large lens; the light will distort and cause very soft, almost double image looking shots.

The faster lens, the more distortion you will get when shooting the tank at an angle, or through curved glass. Up your f/number to around 8 and the distortion should be a little more bearable.

A polarizing filter filters polarized light. It will help cut reflections, but will not change the optics of the lens to allow sharp shooting through the curved surface.