Macro lens question

[Blue_In_AK]

Would somebody explain to me in terms I can understand what is the difference between a 60 mm macro lens and a 100 mm?

[RagingInMiami]

1. The same difference between a 100 mm and 60 mm non-macro lens

The only difference between macro and regular lenses -- at least going with the macro that I own -- is that it allows you to focus up close on a subject on a 1:1 scale. It also has a shorter minimum focusing distance than non-macro lenses, allowing you move up real close to a subject.

But on my macro, I can also use it as a regular 100 mm lens, as I did here.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Nice pic...

In your opinion, which would I get more use out of, if I were to buy one?

[RagingInMiami]

3. Well you already have the 50 mm f/1.8

So I would go with the 100 mm macro. It is a very high-quality lens. One of the best Canon has produced, in my opinion.

[Blue_In_AK]

4. Thanks.

That's what I thought you'd say. :) Just trying to round out my collection here. That's what you took that dragonfly pic with, right? I like that shot more every time I look at it.

[RagingInMiami]

6. Yes, I took that before the Flower contest a few months ago

The more I look at it, the more I realize I should have cropped it. But I like the photo a lot because it reminds me of one of those Asian paintings.

[priller]

8. That's exactly what I thought

Loved the background and the overall colors. Very much an Asian vibe to it.

[ConsAreLiars]

5. The difference is the same as for non-macro lenses.

Essentailly, the longer lens has a narrower angle of view.

In practical terms, when it comes to macro photography, this means that the longer lens will allow you to stand a bit further away when filling the frame with the same subject, an advantage for live subjects that are thus less likely to spook. It also means that you can be a bit more selective about what you put in the background by moving around a bit, since a smaller section of the background stuff is being included.

But it also means that a lot more glass is needed to give you the same maximum aperture (if an f/4 lens has a 15mm diameter in the 60mm version, then the f/4 100mm lens would have a diameter of 25mm), thus adding to the price and the weight of the lens. Camera shake is also magnified with the longer lens.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Thank you. I can't remember if the Canon 100 mm has IS.

[ET Awful]

9. One thing to keep in mind is that with the 100, you can stay a greater

distance away from your subject in order to get a full frame shot, so if you are shooting insects and the like, you are less likely to scare them away when shooting with a 100mm macro as opposed to a 60mm.