Oh nice!!
Then this may be the lens I'll be aiming for.... when I get some balls to rob a bank

Last question...
I see often the expression 'full frame'
What does that mean?

Thanks for all!!

full frame means that the image sensor in the camera equals a 35mm film ( 36 x 24mm ). examples for full frame cameras by canon are the 1Ds and the 5D. All other cameras have crop sensors. the 1D series has an 1,3 crop factor and the smaller ones all have an 1,6 crop ( around 22,2 x 14,8 mm ). they are called APS-C sensors. technically speaking you have to multiply your focal length either by 1,3 or 1,6 in order to find out your true focal length.

example from my setup:

I use a Canon 1000D, which is a 1,6 crop body together with a 50mm 1.8

On fullframe, I would actually have a true focal length of 50mm. On my crop body tho, I have to multiply the 50mm with the 1,6 crop factor.

50 x 1,6 = 80

My 50mm 1.8 prime lens therefore gives me a true focal length of 80mm.

also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full-frame_digital_SLR

This post was edited by RecoveryChannel on Nov 11 2010 08:23am

Full frame refers to the size of the sensor. A full frame sensor is the same size as 35mm film. Most DSLRs have a 1.6 crop factor, which basically means that the sensor isn't as big which changes some characteristics of the photos. I don't want to get into all of the specifics here but there's plenty written about it. Here's a list of Canon's full frame cameras:

5D
5D mark II
1Ds Mark III
1Ds Mark II
1Ds

Also - you were asking about the 100mm macro. Be aware that there are two Canon 100mm macro lenses - the f/2.8 and the f/2.8 IS L. The L is more expensive, you can read comparisons of the two. The non-L doesn't have IS. But yes, the 100mm macro is not just a macro lens. The 'macro' is simply the lenses ability to focus on objects that are very close to the lens. The 100mm f/2.8 is an incredible all around lens as well. Very sharp, great for portraits. The non-L lens has L quality optics without the price tag.

This post was edited by bergmann on Nov 11 2010 08:24am

I have taken plenty of portrait photos and macro photos with the 100mm L IS Macro, and it is one of the lens I would NEVER get rid of. It's insanely fun, sharp, and great all-round. It's so sharp that I often have to reduce the sharpness in portraits so that skin won't show to be so ugly

Thank you for all info!
I am now terrified to know the price on the IS 100/2.8 ....

Marie buy an old MF macro lens for 150ish IMO...

$518 for the non L
$884 for the L

IMO the 100L Macro IS is worth every penny over the non-L macro.

It's one versatile lens.

ARE YOU CRAZY????????

My whole life with film I never had a auto focus lense, I always worked in manual focus....
The first taste of auto focus was delicious and I wouldn't go without it now!!!

And a little secret that I hope you'll keep for yourself:

I am 41 years old now and my eyesight is not the greatest anymore, so I do rely a lot on auto focus for sharp pictures...

Yeah that's the price you guys pay in the US
The cheapest price I could find on that lens in Canada is still well over 1100 bucks
and Canon hasn't released any rebates on that lens since they released it. Cheap bastards!