Macro Time

A bit of indulgence… I 'invested' in a new lens today, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L macro lens. It's the first true macro with image stabilization. An indulgence, but paid for out of the hobby and a more than decent upgrade on my Sigma macro (which has lost autofocus). These are the first shots taken with it.
Speckled Bush cricket (and my finger)

Cinnabar moth caterpillar

Ladybird

Honey bee

Baby toad 😉

The toad was taken tonight, with flash. As were these of Cheeky. She's found a new resting spot… the leaf mould bin. Nice and soft, no doubt warm, and plenty of grubs to snack on while she rests 😉

And a couple of closer shots…

Early days with the lens, but it feels nice, is silent (the AF on the Sigma sounded like a coffee grinder in comparison), pin sharp; and given that all the insect shots were hand held, the stabilization is pretty effective. I still had some movement , but the hit rate was impressively good for true macro shots. It's a lens I'll enjoy using.
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

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This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. Ukwildlife

    18 Jul 2010

    great macros! Is it the first canon mount macro with IS?

  2. Words

    18 Jul 2010

    Neil, yes, it's the first one. It's designed to deal with tilt as well (ie it understands the weird angles you're holding the camera at with some macro shots). I was going to link the last shot to a larger version, but for some reason (upgrades) I can' seem to get an external link to work. That one does though 😉

  3. debplatt

    18 Jul 2010

    I particularly enjoyed the caterpillar and frog photos this time, but all were great! 🙂

  4. SittingFox

    18 Jul 2010

    Enjoy your new lens (though you seem to be doing so already!)

    Wonderful photos. The toadlet is cute and it's good that you've got cinnabar moths. The war on ragwort hasn't done them a lot of good around my way.

  5. gdare

    18 Jul 2010

    "It's a lens I'll enjoy using."
    And the rest of us :yes: :cheers:

  6. Vulpes vulpes

    18 Jul 2010

    Wow, great detailed shots! I can see you are going to get some good use from this new 'investment'! 😀

  7. Flying Red Fox Blog

    18 Jul 2010

    Thats a really good lens well done! Great photos 😀 I need to take more animal photos for Opera, i could do a few train ones i guess, i do this reguarly now with my girlfriend, we go and watch planes and trains. 😀

  8. Words

    19 Jul 2010

    Thanks Erwin!

  9. Words

    19 Jul 2010

    Vulpes, thanks! Expect lots of bugs, plus a few fox macros 😉

  10. Words

    19 Jul 2010

    Adele, it's a cracking lens and it will get a lot of use I'm sure. It was good to see a toad (we have so few in the garden). I've carefully let a few areas uncut for the cinnabars, now I know they're around.

  11. Words

    19 Jul 2010

    Mark, thanks! It would be good to see more trains. You've posted some great aircraft photos. I'm terrible. I never travel anywhere!

  12. Words

    19 Jul 2010

    Darko, thanks 😀

  13. Words

    19 Jul 2010

    Thanks Deb!

  14. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Great macro shots

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