topic Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter? in EF & RF Lenses

RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

mglotspeich — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 23:46:46 GMT

Hello,

I just ordered the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens. Does anyone use this lens without the Canon Tripod Mount Ring and Adapter? In other words, can I just screw the camera to the tripod without damaging my camera or lens?

Thanks!

Mike, St. Louis MO.

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

JFG — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:49:05 GMT

Hi mglotspeich,

Yes, many photographers use the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens without the Canon Tripod Mount Ring and Adapter.

Using the tripod mount ring on the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens provides greater stability and balance when mounted on a tripod or monopod. This is especially useful for macro photography, where even the slightest vibration can affect image sharpness. The ring secures around the lens and incorporates a foot with a 1/4"-20 mount, ensuring the weight is centered on the tripod rather than the camera body. This helps reduce strain on the camera mount and improves handling during extended shooting sessions.

I'm also ordering one on June 25th along with the Canon Tripod Mount Ring and Adapter E(B). If you're serious about Macro photography, I strongly recommend that you buy one. However, you can use the lens without it for portrait work as the slightest vibration will not be magnified as in Macro photograph. Nevertheless, using a tripod in some portrait shoots will give you more stable sharper photos.

Let us know what you think of the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens when you get it.

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

shadowsports — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:37:25 GMT

Greetings,

There are several users here, including myself who own this lens. I bought it primarily for bugs. I use it the most for magnified bug videos. It's kind of creepy but cool at the same time. It's great for flowers, leaves fauna and mushrooms. A number of people also use it for stop motion animation but I have no experience with that. Finally, this lens is very popular for close up focus stacking.

Worth mentioning is the len's spherical aberration control. This is used to change the characteristics of the bokeh which is most noticeable at wider/widest apertures. Balls which are soft melt away dreamy versus ones with more defined arcs. The SA ring shifts the entire lens group (+/-) for this effect.

To Joe's credit again, you're always going to get the most stability from a tripod when the lens is attached via mount, collar for foot. The quality of your head and legs is also very important. Note, I've only ever used mine handheld.

Good luck with the lens, I've never met somebody who didn't like theirs 🙂

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:36:41 GMT

I don't have a R series camera but I would think it might depend on the camera. If you have a robust model like the R3 or better yet R1, I would think no issues. I know I have put some pretty heavy lenses on my 1 Series cameras and no problem. On the other hand if you have an R50 it is still possible but you need to be more mindful with it.

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:40:04 GMT

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens is a fairly heavy lens just be conscientious using it.

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

mglotspeich — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:51:30 GMT

Thank you so much Joe. My concern is if I mount the camera to the tripod without the adapter, I might damage the connection between lens and camera. I will be using a R6 Mark II with the macro lens. I hope this is a good combination.

Once again, thank you!

Mike

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

mglotspeich — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:52:48 GMT

Thank Rick! Good to know that you are having success handholding the camera with this lens.

Thanks for confirming!

Mike

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

mglotspeich — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:57:48 GMT

Thank you ebiggs1! I will be using an R6 Mark II camera. Hopefully this will work on a tripod with no adapter. I am worried about connection damage due to weight. The camera is 60 grams lighter than the lens. Hopefully the camera is heavy enough to attach the camera to the tripod and support the lens.

Mike

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

JFG — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:39:45 GMT

Hi Mike

Your R6 Mark II will work perfectly with the RF100mm f2.8 Macro L IS USM lens giving you sharp pictures 📸 When using it hand held you can support the lens with one hand while holding the camera with the other, that way you can evenly distribute the weight of the lens and camera. However, if you're going to use it with a tripod it would be best to use it with the Mount Ring and Adapter so that the weight will be evenly distributed. Like ebbiggs1 stated: "The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens is a fairly heavy lens just be conscientious using it." Taking EBs advise, I'll get the mount ring and adapter, to be on the safe side, although I also intend to use it handheld.

Keep us updated with your decision and your evaluation of the lens when you get it.

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

mglotspeich — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:37:02 GMT

Thank you so much Joe. My concern is that the Mount Ring and Adapter is not receiving good reviews. One person said that it scratched the lens and that the manual stated this. Is this true? I do not want to scratch a brand new lens (I am assuming the poster was talking about the lens body and not the lens itself.

Thanks! Mike

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

March411 — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:37:01 GMT

mglotspeich, another option is to pick up a Telephoto Lens Support for the occasions that you want to mount the camera on a tripod. It adds a little weight to you bag but it also gives you the flexibility to not have a Tripod Mount Ring on the lens when shooting hand held. B&H photo have several available at a decent price. Do a search, there are many available and it may better suit your needs when using a tripod.

I'm not necessarily recommending these particular mount, it's just and example

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

mglotspeich — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:47:13 GMT

Wow! Thank you Marc for the information!

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

FloridaDrafter — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 02:42:37 GMT

@mglotspeich wrote:

Hello,

I just ordered the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens. Does anyone use this lens without the Canon Tripod Mount Ring and Adapter? In other words, can I just screw the camera to the tripod without damaging my camera or lens?

Hello, Mike!

I've been using the 100mm f/2.8L IS USM series, both EF and RF, for too many years to remember, obviously not the RF, LOL! I've used the EF on many small rebels, from the XSi onward, and the RF on the R50, R7, and both R5 and R6 series (both classic and Mark II), four years now on the R5 and R6 classics. I use them daily, both handheld and on tripod.

IMO, save your money and don't fear stress on the lens flange. It's solid and well balanced, particularly on the R6 II.

The only reason you would want a lens foot is if you were going to use the camera/lens on a gimbal where you might want/need to balance the entire rig perfectly. I do this at times, but I bought a long Arca-Swiss plate that I attach to the camera. This allows me to slide the whole rig back to acquire center. BTW, I didn't buy the plate for this purpose but for my long lenses with feet and Wimberley II gimbal, but it works for this purpose when the need arises 🙂

What I have found handy for staged macro shooting is a macro rail. If you go this route, be sure to get quality gear. I bought a Velbron Super Mag Slider years ago, but not sure if that unit is still available new. I see them used at B&H. It's very precise and combined with a 3-way geared head, the perfect setup for staged macro.

Newton

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

shadowsports — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 04:14:47 GMT

Great info Newton. I have a couple of 120 mm lens plates that I've always attached to the foot on some of my lenses. I use them as a carry handle 😂. Your suggestion is excellent for ultimate balance.

Re: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens - Can I attach to a tripod without the Mount Ring and Adapter?

shadowsports — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:20:54 GMT

Hi Mike,

The mount ring for the RF100 does contact a portion the lens barrel that has a "nice" finish. The collar itself goes around this ring, so it will take the brunt if you rotate portrait to landscape. If you keep your gear clean, wiped down, and don't remove the ring frequently, any blemishes on the barrel should be minimal. I know your lenses are no small investment, but it's important that you use and enjoy them. 🙂