Canon 180mm f/3.5 L Macro

Some test shots as promised from the newest lense in the fold as promised.










And the obligatory battery shot :)









H4rri
~~
www.randomphotos.net

Stock Issues - Part II

Well after tracking down another retailler who 'alleged' to have stock I ordered the part, this time from B&H in the states. This will be the first time I've ordered from the states [as far as I can recall] so I'm eager to see how this shapes up.

I have had confirmation that this has shipped now and will be coming to be for $65 which equates to around £33 and I potentially need to add VAT [@ 17.5%] to this figure so the final could be £39. Expensive for the adaptor but I'm just relieved I will be able to use the MT 24-EX again and get the best out of the 180mm Macro.

Hopefully I have the adaptor for this weekend, should allow me to get out and about taking some shots. I have thus far been under-whelmed by my efforts with the lense but thats mainly down to lighting and local conditions. We'll see what the future brings.


H4rri
~~
www.randomphotos.net

Macro work - Part V

Well, I ordered the Lense and expected it to arrive on Saturday after some delays posting it. I waited in Saturday for it and it didn't arrive! Mailed the seller and waited the usual 6 hours for a response, turns out "it wasn't posted sorry" which turned into a rather abusive thread of emails.

In the end the seller has thrown in a Hoya filter and the lense should arrive today, I have no confidence in the seller or their communications and I won't be sending them large amounts of cash again! Our dealings are now concluded and no matter how good the price I won't be using them again. I have spent nearly £4k with them and feel this should cause them to be more pro-active with their communication. Having to constantly chase them is not something I'm happy about.

So now we wait, and wait until the lense arrives. If it doesn't arrive today I will demand a refund, pay the extra and order elsewhwere with next day delivery.



H4rri
~~
www.randomphotos.net

Macro work - Part IV

Well, I order the Canon 180mm f/3.5 Macro L this morning, should hopefully have it for the weekend so I can attach the MT24 and get out for some superb Macro shots. The funny thing is I decided to buy the 180mm first without having sold the other two so I could have it this weekend. Then I received two offers, one for each lense so is well, my credit card won't be getting too battered :)

Awaiting it's arrival with baited breath [see The Long Wait for an idea of how much I loathe waiting!]



H4rri
~~
www.randomphotos.net

Macro work - Part III

Well after much deliberation, reading of reviews and talking it through with the missus the lenses have been placed for sale to make way for the Canon 180mm f/3.5 L Macro. It appears to be, from all reviews, a superb lense and the natural progression from the lack-lustre 100mm.

I have obtained a great price and will be ordering it shortly, I have placed the lenses for sale on the AV Forums [www.avforums.com] to allow my fellow photogs the chance of these lovely lenses, failing that they will be on eBay later this week.

I will genuinely be sad to see the 100-400 go, it hasn't had much use though and lately I have been using it less and even leaving it at home. Anyway I hope the 180mm offers me many happy hours, coupled with the MT24 I can't see it not being a superb set-up.


H4rri
~~
www.randomphotos.net

Macro work - Part II

After looking further into the Macro swap it appears I could sell the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 for around £750, the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro for around £250. This would fund the Canon 180mm f/3.5 L Macro, a 1.4x teleconvertor [for the 70-200] and an angled viewfinder.

The latter is something I have been thinking about for a while now, it would help when I'm on the deck attempting to take thos low level shots.

I simply can't decide if I would miss the 100-400 though, I haven't used it for a while and have even left it at home the last couple of times I've taken my gear out. I just can't help feeling I would miss it but then the 1.4x TC should give me enough reach to get me by.






H4rri
~~
www.randomphotos.net

Macro work

Since selling my Canon 350D to replace it with a Canon 5D I found myself lacking alot of lenses. Most relevant to this particular topic was my macro lense, I previously had the Canon 60mm Macro but as this is an EF-S lense and not compatible with the 5D it had to go. I replaced it with the Canon 100mm Macro and expected the same quality from it as the 60mm. Sadly this isn't the case, it just doesn't seem to have the same quality as the 60mm in terms of build or image.

I have taken a few shots with it and persisted despite my reservations but this is mainly due to the fact that it will cost me in excess of £800 for the only other Canon alternative, the 180mm f/3.5 L Macro. Whilst I would love this lense it's just more expense and more weight, neither of which I can justify right now.

I did pop the 100mm on this weekend and used it as my only lense when wandering back toward the car at the river Parrett. Here are a few shots, see what you think:



















H4rri
www.randomphotos.net