BEST macro lens for Canon? RF100mm f2.8L Macro + 3 PRO tips for GREAT images with it

Is the Canon RF 100mm f2.8L Macro lens the best in image quality in the Canon lens lineup? In this video I’m going to give you 3 tips showing a studio product photography setup on how to get the absolute BEST image quality when shooting macro and product photography and talk about the features of this lens.
This video color graded with GAMUT Canon LOG BaseLUTs: gamut.io/?gamu...
Gear shown in this video:
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens: amzn.to/3mjpE6y
Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro is USM: amzn.to/3J4PzIb
SmallRig RC 120B 120W Bi-Color Cob Video Light: amzn.to/3SCo8J2
SmallRig RM120 5000mAh Camera Light Panel RGB Video Light: amzn.to/3EN6pcf
'Coffee and Photography Talk' MUG! coffee-and-pho...
The Basics of Photographic Exposure - A digital guide: www.haywardgau...
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My gear (I make a small commission if you purchase using these links):
Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478D-U Light Meter: amzn.to/3AqPSat
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Flash with Barndoor Kit: adorama.rfvk.n...
R2 Trigger: adorama.rfvk.n...
TTArtisan LENS product line: ttartisan.mysh...
My Go-To Godox flash modifier: amzn.to/32ahT9l
#Canon EOS-R: amzn.to/3e5D0w3
EF lens adaptor: amzn.to/3GSwNzZ
Here is the current version of the tripod I use:
amzn.to/3siINGI
And this is the newest version of the grip head I use:
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Manfrotto combi-stand: amzn.to/3FFT84x
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[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

This is THE lens for product photography in my opinion - curious to hear if you have used it?

[@PizzlesTechTime]

I own this lens and watching your video has definitely cleared up some of the issues I was having. Very grateful for this and I wanted to thank you

[@NECPER]

Very useful for me. Thanks for sharing. / Greetings from Per Christensen, Denmark

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@DrArkhedeLeon]

Dpes 1.4 magnification mean you are further to the subject compared to the 1:1 if you want to have the same crop on the picture? Or this only applies when you really get close to the subject

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

It’s literally what it says, the subject is enlarged 1.4 times as opposed to being 1-1 meaning actual size.

[@OhhhhhhhBugger]

I'm surprised that there are so many bad reviews for this lens..nice to see a differing opinion. I have had it now the last 8 months and never regretted it. The focus shift issue is a moot point with most macro photographers as we primarily use manual focus anyways.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Agree. Even though I did this from a product perspective, its incredibly awesome as a portrait lens... this look is just phenomenal. Thanks for watching!

[@junhaophua106]

Old post but I humbly disagree. With a modern macro lens, we want to shoot close-ups on the go, which means we shoot handheld. The focus shift is a hindrance and makes handholding useless. Moreover, I can't shoot landscape handheld too without fearing the AF is not 100% accurate. If you want to shoot on a tripod, you won't be able to tell the difference between the EF 100mm macro IS and this RF version.

[@OhhhhhhhBugger]

@@junhaophua106 I've never once had it be an issue to use AF with this lens. Let me ask you, do you actually OWN this lens? If not, then you are just parroting what other channels are saying. This is the best lens in my kit, and it has never failed me.

[@ronrotunno2901]

I certainly respect your opinion but I’d like to ask how focus shift makes handheld useless? Aren’t you manually focusing for macro to begin with?

[@PizzlesTechTime]

Yeah I was just looking for a video on some tips and tricks for using this lens for product shots.

[@rolandbigler39]

Oh, I would love to see your tips on product photography. Maybe in a part for amateurs, who might have two flashes, and the professional setup. Thanks for the tips in portrait photography, which have helped me a lot recently.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thanks so much for watching and the suggestion! There’s so much fun stuff to cover with product photography, I’m going to kick that around.

[@mrfuzztone]

I am interested in learning how to take good photos of acoustic guitars. I ordered the lights used in this video to see how that might work. I have the lens but am a newbie at photo stuff. It just seemed like the lens could get detailed photos of a guitar. Maybe a 50mm would be better. I don't know.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Shooting the guitar alone will be a test of depth of field for any angle other than flat. Flat is easy;any lens will work. Once you start going for the angles you’ll quickly be dealing with depth of field to get everything in focus that you want for the shot. I love shooting instruments but mine are usually part of portraits.

[@bananaskin7527]

Thank you for the review. I just came back to photography, and I'm new to Canon, but I remember my 105 mm f4 Auto-Nikkor. And Kodachrome.

[@earthangel8875]

I recently bought a new Canon R6 Mkll and this lens. I can't wait to use them both together. I make jewelry and I'm certain my photos will be upgraded. Thank you for sharing this information with us. Angel from The Bay New subber good job!

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thank you so much! And an interesting thing that I've never mentioned on the channel, I grew up as a jewelry engraver from my young teen years to my late 20s... my father was a master engraver and brought me in. Thanks for watching!

[@earthangel8875]

@@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk That's so awesome to hear. That takes a steady hand for sure. Thanks for sharing. Angel from The Bay

[@robertbohnaker9898]

Hi I am wondering if you used this lens for portraits as many others have done and what you think. I am not interested in product photography but I am in portraitures. Thanks 😊

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

It is absolutely incredible for portraits. Depending on whether you want closer or full length, the focal length is what you have to think about. But the quality of the lens is superb!

[@lifesbeautiful3024]

Ok, so first, I would LOVE a video on product and stock photography. In this short one, there were certainly things that I picked up. Joanie Simon is awesome when it comes to this, but I find her to be more for professionals. Im just a hobbyist and the way you break things down works really well with me. And thanks for what you said about the EF version. I love it and plan on staying with it, at least for now

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thank you so much for watching! I really enjoy product photography and I would have a lot of fun doing more.

[@williamlisk1864]

I love this lens. Would enjoy seeing a product photography video. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Noted. Thanks for watching!

[@BrianPeck-g3y]

hi thank you for the video, i have just got mine this week. can you share some tips for using it for portraits please

[@ifilmic]

Got it last week, loving it already

[@binetix]

Thank you for this review and your point of view. Btw, focus bracketing is another useful technique to extend the focus field when shooting your object at some angle but not from above. Canon R5 automates this process perfectly, especially with RF100. The SA control on this lens is art of optical engineering - 4 full steps (+/- 2) without adding chromatic aberrations using 23 optical elements in 18 groups. Truly fantastic lens for macro, product and portraits photography.

[@ThePhk5]

I hve the older 100mm 2.8, the red line is a bit pricy for me, the 100mm was a gift, almost brand new..., man this lens is crazy fun, great portrait and macro, so a great job in focus stacking, just very happy with it,

[@JemimahMai]

Would love to learn product photography and lighting from you! Please consider doing a video series on it

[@PizzlesTechTime]

This is an unbelievably well put together video. I really love the presentation style and all the information you put in the video

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thank you so much!

[@lawrencekeeney4317]

I have this lens, and I love it.

[@bernadinecabanas331]

Thanks for thèse vidéo. So helpful. I purchased this lense for food photography. I think it’s worth it for the investment 😊. I managed a food truck in France 🇫🇷 and I need photos of my food that are good enough to eat. I would like to have more videos from you, using this lens for food photography, if you can. I would really appreciate it 🙏 Thanks again.

[@johannesschroeder5117]

Hello Hayward, thank you for showing the usage of this Macro lens and how you setup some photos. I like the way how you are explaining things. I‘m a hobby photographer and I bought the 100mm RF Macro Lens. Also you showed me that a Canon R is still a good camera. Best regards from Germany

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@HumbeTX]

I'm amateur photographer, I have the r5 and this lens, this video was very useful. you got a sub, Thanks

[@ShutterEmotions123]

Your channel content is awesome! I have got a lot of tips from your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@Renatotatoeumesmo]

I liked it too, because of the coffee 😎😎

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Of course! 🤣

[@JackAwad-k4k]

i'm a portrait photographer, and recently started with products photography, i own 24-105 rf, and 85 f2. and i was thinking to buy 135 rf, so i can use it for both portraits, and products. and i find the 135 1.8 RF is so expensive, and there's a great sell on 100 RF. Do you think i should buy? Is there a big diffrent between the lenses that i have? Thank you for the work you put on

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

There’s a difference between the 100 F2 8 RF and the 85F2. But is the difference enough to make other people notice a difference in your work, if that makes sense? The RF 100 2.8L is the quintessential canon macro lens in my opinion. I have the EF and I did hundreds of product shots with it. That lens is pretty much a 15 or 20 year purchase also in my opinion. I’ve had my EF since 2009 and still use it whenever I have to shoot products , so…. 🤷‍♂️

[@JackAwad-k4k]

@@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk I gotcha, i saw few reviews about Tamron 70-200 F2.8, i heard it gives a great result if i adopted into my R8. i guess that will help me to shoot at 135mm in portrait, and products. I really appreciate your honest reviews about photography. i hate it when most of reviewers of KZbin trying to sell us something (lens, and camera) that is not take us to the next level, in term of making themselves profits. Overall, photography is about having the knowledge, experience, and practicing. i hope you make us a video about your experience in the business and how to meet the clients, and how to set up the price. Thank you Sir.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thank you so much!

[@HellCatEnt]

This was a great video! Appreciate the information! Iam looking to add some Macro photography in my line of work and think I may be pulling the trigger on this one to add to the lens arsenal. Thanks!

[@DA-bk9bf]

Just subscribed. YES, please I'd love to hear more of your tips on product photography. Besides this awesome lens, which other Canon lens would you recommend a product photographer keeps in his bag?

[@Cphoto1954]

My understanding from other reviews is that it has FOCUS SHIFT issues, making it useless for accurate macro work. Even with manual focus as soon as it is stopped down it will shift focus. I really wanted to get this lens but guess I'll have to stick with my EF 100 for my mirrorless camera. Good macro and lighting tips though!

[@JanineMKartist]

Would the EF version adapted to mirrorless be better for shooting artwork face on and top down than the RF lens?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I've never compared how flat their respective fields are. I would suspect that it would only improve with the RF, but the EF is very good. I'm not a lens tester so everything I talk about is pretty subjective.

[@khaledelseadawy3189]

Thanks for your video I want to ask you about using this lens for portrait photos is it good enough at 2.8

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

OH heck ya! This is a GEM for portraits. I don't usually like to work wide open because of depth of field, but if ANY of their lenses can handle it well, it's this one. Its actually my favorite portrait lens. Thanks for watching!

[@snobt.v.816]

Can I ask, what does it mean to have 1.4x magnification? Does that mean the lens is magnifying the subject 1.4x naturally or does that mean that I can magnify the picture up to 1.4x in post-production while still maintaining the same picture quality and resolution?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

It's the optical magnification. The lens fills the sensor at that magnification. Because it goes above 1:1, it helps you to NOT have to enlarge in post.

[@snobt.v.816]

@@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk thanks for the explanation!

[@mostlymessingabout]

Please do a tutorial on product photography 🙏 😊

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

That will be a lot of fun - thanks for watching!

[@kristianpersson7127]

Nice Video. 👌

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@robgerety]

Nice review. I have one of these lenses on the way. If you have a sec. - is it correct that the focus shift "issue" does affect both auto and manual focus? I have seen opinions both ways.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Not clear what issue you’re referring to.

[@kevinl1492]

I am curious if a 90mm tilt shift would be an option for this type of product photography. Tilt allows is you to control the plane of focus. I used to own a 24mm TSE for architecture but only used the shift function.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I'd be curious of the depth of field would be usable. Some of the TS work I've seen has that artificial bokeh look. But, could be unique look for product!

[@kevinl1492]

@@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk Tilt can produce some strange looking images but, as far as I know, the DOF is based on the shooting aperture in the same way as any other lens, but at an angle. There is a principal that you use to work out the tilt angle (named after an Austrian with an unpronounceable name). I am sure there is a YT video or two to educate us.

[@RogerZoul]

Let’s see the video on product photography please. Thanks.

[@billwendry]

Why not try focus stacking?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

It’s perfect for some applications, I just prefer to have some focus falloff to lead the eye. 🤷‍♂️

[@mrfuzztone]

In this example you use steady lighting such as the RC 120B. In other KZbin videos you use flash. What determines what kind of lighting you would use for product photography in a studio?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Convenience honestly. It depends on how much light I need and how much I’m going to invest in the lighting. I don’t have a lot of constant light’s because I don’t do a lot of video for work. If I’m doing a full setup it’ll always be strobe because it’s a lot more light and I have lots of them.

[@mrfuzztone]

For still photos, is the light from a Godox SK400II 400Ws Photo Studio Strobe going to be similar to a 350 watt steady light like an Aputure 300d II? Trying to understand the differences and similarities. My guess is the 350 watt steady light is bigger and more expensive. Also seems a steady light works for video and still photography.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

@mrfuzztone that is a huge complex question. I’d have a look at this link. petapixel.com/2021/09/15/can-we-please-stop-talking-about-watt-seconds/

[@mrfuzztone]

thanks for the link to the useful article about light measurements

[@msbrownbeast]

Any big difference in quality compared to the EF version?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

It’s better, but I didn’t find it to be earth shatteringly better. If it was the lens I did 70% of my photography with I’d probably trade my EF 100 for it, but as it is the EF is very very good for me. In fact I’m working on a product/macro video using that lens as we speak.

[@photosandmusic]

Hi Hayward, thanks for the great video! Would you recommend using a lens like this on an APS-C camera like the R7? Depth of field would increase which should make macro easier or am I mistaken?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

To my knowledge they work fine on the APS-C cameras. What will happen is your effective focal length will be multiplied by the crop factor. So if it's 1.6 crop factor (I think?) your focal length will effectively be 160mm. So, you WILL have to work further away from your subject and your depth of field will be correspondingly shallower. I've not done this myself however. Thanks for watching!

[@ahmedabbas7484]

Is this lens excellent for portrait photography?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Oh, absolutely, it’s beautiful!

[@patanjali307]

Let's get that Product photography video up and running!! What are you waiting for?? :)

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

What type of product are you interested in?

[@iantawashington-allotey9913]

What is an R5?

[@ronrotunno2901]

The best Canon camera I’ve ever held.

[@jonasweiss5817]

Macro stabilization is only two stops.

[@luka_III]

That's what TC or PC lenses are for...

[@TheXone7]

SA on this lens is pure gimmick and useless feature.

[@garrickhanson]

@@TheXone7 whatever you say, slim.

[@CZOV]

BS. The old EF 100mm macro is better.

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

That is not a real macro. A real macro goes to 5x lifesize.

[@CZOV]

The lens is crap, gets softer at 5.6 and up, focus shifting. its only good to shoot at 2.8 and f/4 max. Great AF but... focuses at the wrong spot. EF version works better.