Canon Macro: 60mm vs 100mm

[PhotoRebel4]

I'm hoping to pick up a Macro lens for myself as a birthday (this month) or early Christmas present.

I've been eyeing the 100mm f/2.8 Macro since I got my camera a couple years ago. But then I saw Canon now has a 60mm Macro.

I'm shooting with a Rebel XSi, and don't see my self upgrading any time soon, so the EF-S 60mm lens wouldn't be a problem. I do a lot of small product photography, which the 60 would be perfect for, but I also like to do a lot of nature shots, and the 100mm will let me take insect shots from farther away.

I'd be pretty happy with either, as long as the 60 produces the same quality shots as the 100mm. I've heard the 100mm described more than once as the sharpest non-L series lens Canon has ever made. How does the 60mm compare? Which would you get?

Thanks!

[cyber3d]

I'd imagine it's up to how you are going to use the lens. I got the 100mm which gave me more distance from my macro subject and this allows me to use the built in flash (the 60mm would have to be so close the lens rim would cast a shadow from the built in flash). But I also use the 100mm for longish portraits and that can't happen with the 60mm. If the flash issue is not a problem and you want to be closer for portraits then the 60 is lighter and cheaper.

[ceremus]

I think both lenses do pretty well as far as sharpness is concerned. My friend takes pictures of small sculptures she makes as well as portraits of geckos, and the 60mm is her workhorse. You can see her work here: CatharsisJB's deviantART Gallery

If you have interest in doing insects though I would go for the 100mm. To get maximum magnification on the 60mm, the minimum focus distance is about eight inches, where on the 100mm the MFD is 1ft, so you're less likely to frighten your subject off. The 100mm also doubles as a nice portrait lens, given a relatively wide aperture, nice sharpness, and that longer lenses tend to be more flattering for portraiture. The 60mm could be more versatile for casual snapshots and group photos, being a relatively fast prime it has some overlap with the 50mm prime lenses used for those purposes. Many Canon users already have either the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 (usually the f/1.8 as it's so inexpensive) so it would be somewhat redundant to include the 60mm macro in the same kit.

[inkista]

+1. I have the 60 and I love it, but I kind of wish now (especially since I got a 5DII , which I wasn't actually expecting to do so soon) that I'd gotten the 100 instead. The working distance is fine for table top product work (which is what I bought it for), but for insects, it's a leeeetle close. And you can't use it on a full-frame body.

Also be aware there are two 100mm macros from Canons. One's an L and stabilized, the other isn't. The price difference can be startling if you are unaware.

Macro lenses are nearly always the sharpest lens in any lineup. All the design stuff that allows for close focus helps out a lot. The MTF chart for the 60 macro is insanely good.

[CarlyRocksPhotos]

Originally Posted by PhotoRebel4

I'm hoping to pick up a Macro lens for myself as a birthday (this month) or early Christmas present.

I've been eyeing the 100mm f/2.8 Macro since I got my camera a couple years ago. But then I saw Canon now has a 60mm Macro.

I'm shooting with a Rebel XSi, and don't see my self upgrading any time soon, so the EF-S 60mm lens wouldn't be a problem. I do a lot of small product photography, which the 60 would be perfect for, but I also like to do a lot of nature shots, and the 100mm will let me take insect shots from farther away.

I haven't used the 60mm, but I'm a rebel (t2i, and before xTi) user and I loooooove my 100mm 2.8. I use it very often... about as much for my landscapes as for my macro. If not more!
If you view this gallery on my site, 99% have been shot with the 100mm... Hope it helps!
Panoramic Perambulation

[PhotoRebel4]

Thanks for the input guys, doesn't seem like I could go wrong with either as far as sharpness goes. The EF-S mount on the 60mm wouldn't be a problem as I shoot with an XSi, and any upgrade in the next few years would probably be to a 7D or whatever camera is out at the time.

inkista, I am sadly aware of the 100 L-series. and I REALLY want that one, but I'll hardly be able to afford the 100mm as it is with the couple other purchases I want to make between now and Xmas (50mm f/1.8, BlackRapid RS-7, and possibly a speedlite).

I think the 60 would be a good, slightly less expensive alternative for me, but I know myself. I'll get it, love it, and still want the 100mm inside since it's the one I've wanted for a couple years.

Thanks again for the all the help guys, it looks like I'll probably be getting the 100mm, as I do think it will work better for nature stuff then the 60mm. I'll just have to move the 100 away from my lightbox when shooting product photography, lol.