I just never use the SA and keep it locked off. I do like the 1.4x:1 mag level. The lens is fast and sharp. the focus shifting issue is a non problem for me. I shoot at f/2.8 when focus stacking anyway.
So, do I understand you correctly that the rumored focus shifting is a fact but that you just don't care since you only use f/2.8? I shoot live insects often at f/11 so focus shifting is worse than no contacts making the 2:1 manual Laowas (90 or 100 in RF) a better choice. The rumors and the SA feature were enough for me to avoid the Canon lens. To get best use from focus bracketing macro, it is best to have both closest focusing (1.4-1 was appealing, 2:1 would be better) and electronic autofocus so the Laowa 100 in EF seems better.
So, do I understand you correctly that the rumored focus shifting is a fact but that you just don't care since you only use f/2.8? I shoot live insects often at f/11 so focus shifting is worse than no contacts making the 2:1 manual Laowas (90 or 100 in RF) a better choice. The rumors and the SA feature were enough for me to avoid the Canon lens. To get best use from focus bracketing macro, it is best to have both closest focusing (1.4-1 was appealing, 2:1 would be better) and electronic autofocus so the Laowa 100 in EF seems better.
Bryan at The-Digital-Picture completed his full review of the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM last month, and one of the negative issues that stood out was the focus shift that he experienced with the new RF macro lens. In the spirit of being thorough, Bryan got himself a second copy of the RF...