100mm Macro & 70-200 f/2.8 Redundant?

[AlbertZeroK]

Just got a 70-200mm f/2.8 and I"m wondering now if my 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens is redunancy. I don't mind the weight of the 70-200 and like the zoom feature, but is there a reason to keep the macro lens?

[ziggy53]

Just got a 70-200mm f/2.8 and I"m wondering now if my 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens is redunancy. I don't mind the weight of the 70-200 and like the zoom feature, but is there a reason to keep the macro lens?

The EF 70-200mm, f2.8L is a lot of things but close focus or macro are not among its strong features. The EF 100mm, f2.8 Macro is also sharper wide open and considerably lighter.

There are lots of different opportunities for both lenses. For indoor event work where the activities can be at various distances, I like the 70-200mm. I also like it for certain landscapes at, or near, the 200mm end, to compress (apparent) distance with very good DOF control. Add the 77mm, 500D close-focus diopter and you can get much closer to the subject, allowing higher magnifications, but it's still not "macro".

The Macro lens is fantastic for its intended uses of tiny subjects, but it's also extremely competent for head-n-shoulders and head shots.

[Manfr3d]

If you can affort it, keep it! The 100 macro is such a nice prime when you
want to travel light, shoot inconspicious or shoot closeups of small things.

[Shima]

I use the 100 macro to do ring shots at weddings, no way the 70-200 could get the same results :)

Plus yes, the 100 macro is so much lighter and nicer in that respect! I also used to use it for some wedding candids, but now that I got the 85 1.8 will probably use that more...

[AlbertZeroK]

yeah, I'm really thinking of getting some type of 85mm f/1.8 or wider apature for doing indoor candids.

Thanks for all the great input. I'm a long time photographer who just recently got into the better gear so I"m still struggling on how to use it all.

[Photoskipper]

I got the 100mm Marco first then 70-200 F2.8 IS later. At first I got the similar feeling but found the zoom lens does not have good short range sharpness as the marco.
Even though I bought the 77mm 500D marco adaptor for the 70-200, I still use the 100 mm for the marco and some small object.
If you have the enough space in the cabinet, just keep it for the desktop work.

[goldenballs]

Nice compliment for the 100mm macro. I bought mine for macro, but find myself using it also for portraits and short tele. Great lens, certainly will not sell unless really short of cash - but then I will not be buying the top-of-the-line 70-200 at the same time if that short.

[RogerLund]

I love my 100MM Macro, works well for non Marco work as well.

http://rogerlund.smugmug.com/photos/615744909_Q8ZNZ-L.jpg
http://rogerlund.smugmug.com/photos/615740114_m8pmr-L.jpg
http://rogerlund.smugmug.com/photos/615739401_YtXJv-L.jpg
http://rogerlund.smugmug.com/photos/615737246_PeYz9-L.jpg
http://rogerlund.smugmug.com/photos/615727495_zmAyK-L.jpg
http://rogerlund.smugmug.com/photos/615716633_TzQp9-L.jpg
http://rogerlund.smugmug.com/photos/615428574_e8ZMg-L.jpg

These are taken with my 5D, and have not had any editing done at all, they are straight from the camera.