Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens
| December 16, 2010 | Posted by admin under Canon Lenses |
This is the first lens to employ Canon’s new Hybrid IS technology that can compensate for more types of camera shake; it uses an extra “acceleration sensor” to correct for both shift and angular movement for sharp hand-held photos, even at high magnification.
This L-series lens is superior in other respects too, including the Ultra Low Dispersion glass elements, 9-blade circular aperture, three-position focus limited switch, and rugged, well-sealed construction.
- Compatibility: All EOS SLRS
- Focusing: MF and AF
- Filter Size: 67 MM
- Dimensions / Weight: 78 X 123 MM
- 625 G
- Other: New Hybrid Stabilizer Internal Focus
- Optical Formula: 15 Elements, including 2 UD
- Angle of View: 23.4 Degrees
- Minimum Focus: 0.3 M
- 1X Max. Magnification
- Accessories: Lens Hood Included
- Accepts EF Extension Tubes
This lens provides gorgeous clarity; the contrast is perfect. The sharpness is amazing, albeit your DOF is razor thin at 2.8. Yet, even wide open, the lens is extremely sharp.
Specifications
| Focal Length | 100 mm |
| Aperture | Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/32 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility | 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 24° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1′ (30.48 cm) |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:1 |
| Groups/Elements | 12/15 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.06 x 4.84″ (7.77 x 12.29 cm) |
| Weight | 1.38 lb (625 g) |
Sample Shots
The IS for hand-held macro shots of flowers and bugs is astounding.
Super Sharp, Amazing Backgrounds
This lens is extremely sharp, especially at the apertures I normally shot at. (f8-f16). Great bokeh. It is also great for any other wildlife that might just happen by.
Bottom Line
It is a lightweight L series lens and can be used for macro as well as telephoto. It is a fast lens at f2.8 and has image stabilization so that in cases where I might not be able to get my tripod out in time, it can be handheld and still provide excellent results.
Review by W. Dwyer (Amazon.com)
- 17-40mm f/4L (Sep2010)
- 40mm f/2.8 STM (Aug2012)
- 50mm f/1.4 (May2010)
- 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro (Jan2011)
- 70-200mm f/4L IS (Feb2012)
I could go back and forth between this 100mm Macro and the 70-200mm f/4L IS on which lens is more optically impressive. It makes little sense to compare the two lenses directly since they are designed with different purposes. However, anyone familiar with this macro or the 70-200mm can appreciate that I hold both lenses in similar esteem.
Obviously, as a macro, this lens is designed with the ability to reproduce objects at life size on the camera’s image sensor. The lens excels at this task tremendously with regard to optics and handling. Being completely new to macro photography at the time of purchase my initial thoughts about the hybrid IS system were mixed – Although the system functions as designed, I had to admit that I still found a tripod to be absolutely essential for true macro shots.
The manual focus system was rightly given a build standard higher than most lenses. The large size of the focus ring (relative to lens axis) combined with the fine gearing of the focus mechanism makes manual focusing efficient and precise.
The auto focus includes a switch that locks out certain focus distances to eliminate unnecessary focus hunting and to improve focus speed (options include full range, 0.3m-0.5m, and 0.5m to infinity).
The autofocus speed itself is acceptable but not remarkable (and is USM driven and quiet). However, as this is not a lens designed with action shooting as a priority, I will happily give up some autofocus speed for the gain in precision.
Early on in my ownership (before I established a workable hand-holding technique) I was telling people to simply buy the non-L/non-IS 100mm Canon macro lens. Since that time, I have changed my advice to “buy the L if you can afford it but you won’t regret buying either lens”.
- Canon EF 100mm F2 8 L IS USM Macro