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

[mglotspeich]

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.

[JFG]

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.

[shadowsports]

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 🙂

[ebiggs1]

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.

[ebiggs1]

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

[mglotspeich]

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

[mglotspeich]

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

Thanks for confirming!

Mike

[mglotspeich]

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

[JFG]

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.

[mglotspeich]

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