Canon 100/2 report

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I spent a couple of days shooting with the Canon 100mm f/2 that I got the other day, and thought I'd post a little report.

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There it is on my Franken7--it is, as you can see, quite large, but it isn't as large or as heavy as I'd feared. I was actually quite comfortable using a wrist strap, but I like heavyish cameras. It's a nicely made lens, good damping, good detents, etc. It is less flare-prone than you might expect (I dont' have a hood). One ergonomic quirk is that the whole front of the lens moves when you focus, so that 1) the aperture setting is never where you think it's going to be, and 2) you have to use both hands to change aperture, one to hold the focus ring steady and the other to move the aperture ring, otherwise the lens will just turn. Rather old-fashioned for a lens of this vintage.

Focusing is a challenge wide open, and I got a lot of blurry shots. I think it will fare better on the M2, but haven't tried it yet. However, I love the way the lens renders, and the bokeh seems outstanding to me. Interestingly, nobody who saw I was holding a camera asked me about it or even looked twice--the black 7 and big black lens pretty much look like an SLR with kit lens, if you're not paying attention!

Here are a bunch of shots taken yesterday at the local botanical garden, the Cornell Plantations. I'm not a big nature photographer, but I have to admit, walking in the woods, calmly looking for interesting images, and taking my time to set up the shots, was extremely relaxing. Not great stuff but a nice day, to be sure. Shot on Delta 100 in Rodinal 1:50.

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Stop it!!! I've just talked myself out of a 90mm, then this came along?

Nice images from the lens!!!
 
Very nice lens. I haven't seen attached to an M camera before.

I just got it's baby brother... the Canon 100/3.5

All of the old Canon and Nikkor lenses have rotating front elements, such that the aperture ring moves when you focus. You get used to it.
 
It is similar to the Canon 85mm/1.5 even though "the online press" favors the 100/2 for sharpness over the 85/1.5.
 
I might have a new original hood for that lens if youre interested. Need to check my hood box first though, but pretty sure. PM me if interested.

Nice piece of glass!
 
looks low contrast or is that how Delta 100 always looks?

I think it's rather low-contrast, but I can't be sure yet--I developed these in Rodinal, which is not what I usually use with Delta, so that could be the reason. But I suspect it's the lens--another thing contributing to its vintage feel. These are wide open, I should add, so that lowers contrast more still...I actually increased contrast a bit in Lightroom.
 
I traded off this lens ... it is my loss.

However, I still have this person as my wife! [happy smile]

Wise decision to keep the wife. I would do exactly the same! 😀

Jokes aside, what didn't you like about the 100mm that made you traded it off? I assume it isn't the focal length as you still have the f/3.5 version of it. Perhaps the handling?

Cheers,
 
Wise decision to keep the wife. I would do exactly the same! 😀

Jokes aside, what didn't you like about the 100mm that made you traded it off? I assume it isn't the focal length as you still have the f/3.5 version of it. Perhaps the handling?

Cheers,

I liked everything about the lens, but when I had the chance to swap it for a Canon 50/1.5, I thought that I already had a Summicron 90mm,a Canon 85/1.5 and 100/3.5, plus a Nikkor 105/2.5, so the swap was made.
The decision was based on the finances ...
 
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