Test Shots - 180L Macro.

CT · 08-02-2006, 11:55

When I was shopping for a macro lens, after much soul searching I bit the bullet and went for the Canon 180L Macro. My choice was largely swayed by the fact I wanted it to double as a pin sharp medium range tele lens with the equivalent FOV of 288mm on a 1.6X sensor and 234mm on a 1.3X sensor. Coupled with an f3.5 aperture it promised to be a reasonably fast general purpose lens apart from it's macro capability.

I've been more than satisfied with it's macro ability, but still haven't really tested it's worth as a mid range tele, so having some welcome sunshine this morning for a change, I thought it was time to give it a test. All the shots are hand held at around 1/500 sec at 5.6 and ISO 400 using auto focus. Where I've cropped from the original, I've deliberately cropped away from the centre of the image.

Fulll frame

100%crop

Full frame

100%crop

Full frame

100%crop
It produces really nice bokeh when conditions are right.

I'm pretty chuffed with the results, and found the AF just as quick as you'd expect from any EF lens in good light, and even more chuffed that I got it for a great price from 7dayshop while they were still selling Canon gear.

SammyC · 08-02-2006, 12:03

Now that's pretty nice!

How's it done on contrast/saturation? The only one I can see the possibility of it is in the 100% crop of the brickwork but that may actually be as it is.

How much was it in the end?

CT · 08-02-2006, 12:14

I haven't played with the levels at all Sammy. They're all jpegs and apart from the usual minor sharpening, they're just as they came out of the camera. I have sharpening disabled in the camera.

I got it for £829..... currently £1019 at Warehouse Express.

SammyC · 08-02-2006, 13:25

*!cough!* 'ow much!

You lot have far too much money!

ASH · 08-02-2006, 15:50

Congratulations on your new lens CT. What's the minimum focal distance?

Joe T · 08-02-2006, 17:30

Defo seems very sharp!

Did you read the comparison test in AP recently?

CT · 08-02-2006, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASH

Congratulations on your new lens CT. What's the minimum focal distance?

I 've had it some time actually Ash.

Well it has a sliding focus limiter switch with positions for Macro and Normal use.

Normal - minimum focusing distance is marked on the lens barrel as 1.5m. which I would say is just about spot on.

Macro - minimum focusing distance is marked on the lens barrel as 0.48m, but I find in practise I can get a lot closer, probably under half that distance.

As long as the focus limiter switch is in the right position, AF is pretty rapid, but if it isn't the system gets VERY confused!

CT · 08-02-2006, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe T

Defo seems very sharp!

Did you read the comparison test in AP recently?

Nope? Don't tell me it was crap.

SammyC · 08-02-2006, 18:24

Yes, they said give it to me immediately!

CT · 08-02-2006, 18:27

^^^

^^^
Let's see - I'll have to think about that!

SammyC · 08-02-2006, 18:31

No, don't think about it, just do! Honestly, you can trust me!

digitalfailure · 08-02-2006, 18:46

CT it's true m8, it got a terrible write up in AP

Quote:

Originally Posted by AP

This really is a truely awful lens and Canon have said they will reimburse owners of it when their copy arrives at digitalfailure's descruction centre.

I'll Pm you the address to send it to

Joe T · 08-02-2006, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT

Nope? Don't tell me it was crap.

The compared it with the Sigma and Tamron equivalents.

The Canon and Sigma both scored 90%, while the Tarmon scored 91%. Bacially it was a very close call between all of them. The Tamron scored slightly higher on performance, with identical scores in other areas for each lens.

The problem with the Canon is that it is around twice the price of the other two. Definitely a very strong lens though.

CT · 08-02-2006, 19:01

pmsl at you guys. OK you've talked me into it - I'll raffle it off.

Thanks Joe. I'm not surprised, there isn't a bad lens there anyway and the Tamron has an awesome rep.

KenCo1964 · 08-02-2006, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT

I'll raffle it off.

Stick me down for a pounds worth.

CT · 08-02-2006, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenCo1964

Stick me down for a pounds worth.

Steady Ken - have you checked with 'er indoors?

KenCo1964 · 08-02-2006, 19:08

just feel lucky.

busterboy · 08-02-2006, 20:20

Awesome lens CT.

I was torn between getting the Canon 180mm and the lens I settled for the Sigma 150mm APO DG Macro.

Having read about the comparisons between the two I just couldnt justify the extra money on the CanonL unit although it is the ultimate in macro lenses IMO...

You just need the MT-24EX now mate...

08-02-2006, 11:55	#1 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	Test Shots - 180L Macro. When I was shopping for a macro lens, after much soul searching I bit the bullet and went for the Canon 180L Macro. My choice was largely swayed by the fact I wanted it to double as a pin sharp medium range tele lens with the equivalent FOV of 288mm on a 1.6X sensor and 234mm on a 1.3X sensor. Coupled with an f3.5 aperture it promised to be a reasonably fast general purpose lens apart from it's macro capability. I've been more than satisfied with it's macro ability, but still haven't really tested it's worth as a mid range tele, so having some welcome sunshine this morning for a change, I thought it was time to give it a test. All the shots are hand held at around 1/500 sec at 5.6 and ISO 400 using auto focus. Where I've cropped from the original, I've deliberately cropped away from the centre of the image. Fulll frame 100%crop Full frame 100%crop Full frame 100%crop It produces really nice bokeh when conditions are right. I'm pretty chuffed with the results, and found the AF just as quick as you'd expect from any EF lens in good light, and even more chuffed that I got it for a great price from 7dayshop while they were still selling Canon gear. __________________ Canon 1DMk2N/ EF 50mm 1.4/ EF 17-40L/ EF180L Macro/ EF100-400L Canon 20D /17-85 EF-S 580EX Flashgun/ Gitzo Explorer

08-02-2006, 12:03	#2 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	Now that's pretty nice! How's it done on contrast/saturation? The only one I can see the possibility of it is in the 100% crop of the brickwork but that may actually be as it is. How much was it in the end?

08-02-2006, 12:14	#3 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	I haven't played with the levels at all Sammy. They're all jpegs and apart from the usual minor sharpening, they're just as they came out of the camera. I have sharpening disabled in the camera. I got it for £829..... currently £1019 at Warehouse Express.

08-02-2006, 13:25	#4 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	!cough! 'ow much! You lot have far too much money!

08-02-2006, 15:50	#5 (permalink)
ASH Getting Comfy Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 145	Congratulations on your new lens CT. What's the minimum focal distance?

08-02-2006, 17:30	#6 (permalink)
Joe T Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Amersham, Bucks Posts: 978	Defo seems very sharp! Did you read the comparison test in AP recently?

08-02-2006, 18:24	#9 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	Yes, they said give it to me immediately!

08-02-2006, 18:27	#10 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	^^^ ^^^ Let's see - I'll have to think about that!

08-02-2006, 18:31	#11 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	No, don't think about it, just do! Honestly, you can trust me!

08-02-2006, 19:01	#14 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	pmsl at you guys. OK you've talked me into it - I'll raffle it off. Thanks Joe. I'm not surprised, there isn't a bad lens there anyway and the Tamron has an awesome rep.

08-02-2006, 19:08	#17 (permalink)
KenCo1964 Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Co. Durham England Posts: 1,069	just feel lucky.

08-02-2006, 20:20	#18 (permalink)
busterboy Been here a while Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Harrogate. Yorkshire Posts: 496	Awesome lens CT. I was torn between getting the Canon 180mm and the lens I settled for the Sigma 150mm APO DG Macro. Having read about the comparisons between the two I just couldnt justify the extra money on the CanonL unit although it is the ultimate in macro lenses IMO... You just need the MT-24EX now mate...