The 100mm f/2.8 macro lens will focus over the full range from infinity down to life size (1:1 reproduction ratio). This lens will impress any serious photographer with its combination of versatility, image quality and superb handling. A high-performance ring type Ultrasonic Motor provides fast and silent AF throughout its focus range, and even more significantly, allows full-time manual focusing permitting the close-up or macro shooter to instantly override the AF whenever necessary.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| 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 | 8/12 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 58 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.1 x 4.7" (7.87 x 11.94 cm) |
| Weight | 1.28 lb (580 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Most Liked Positive Review
This much fun shouldn't be legal!
The first week I shot my potted cactus. Inside, outside, wide open, stopped down to f32, up close for full 1:1 or back aways for a more artistic portrait shot. Having ...Read complete review
The first week I shot my potted cactus. Inside, outside, wide open, stopped down to f32, up close for full 1:1 or back aways for a more artistic portrait shot. Having never shot macro before, I was surprised at how close you can get to your object. Remember... minimum focus distance is to the sensor-not the end of the lens! The images themselves were great... even the corners were sharp... my talent for art... not so sharp.
The second week I wandered around the house grabbing stuff left and right for up close and personal shots. Model cars-check. Southwest pottery-check. Sewing machine-check. Embroidered wall hangings-check. I can't look anywhere without seeing a photo-op! This lens awakens your creative juices.
The third week has started with me using it with the Kenko extension tubes on things like salt, oregano, cactus spines and oil paintings. I've also done some non-macro portraits of my girlfriend. (But you should see her fingernails!) I never knew salt was little cubes.
I'm shooting everything on a tripod - I use a tripod more than most folks, so the need for one for macro doesn't bother me one bit - I'm used to it. I can see how depending on your tripod head you might want the tripod collar for it - its not a 35mm prime! I use a Manfrotto 460 MG and it droops after tightening... 1mm may not show when shooting the mountains, but at macro you miss half your image. I can compensate or spring for the $150+ collar... this lens is worth putting every penny you have into using it!
Also, when getting low to the ground, I can see where a right angle view finder will come in handy... another item in the wishlist!
I use it on a 450D, haven't even tried the AF yet-probably never will. I'm a manual focuser all the way. Focuses very smoothly - better than all my other lenses. (my other lenses are 35mm 2.0, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8 & the 200mm 2.8L)
If you are at all interested in macro - buy this lens. If you think you might be interested in macro - buy this lens-you will be! Fun per dollar over a whole year is only $1.40 a day... a steal! This lens may be what makes me upgrade to a full frame camera...
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Most Liked Negative Review
High Class, but in this range, not necessarily the best available
Having been a user of various Macro/Micro lenses over many years as a Professional, I can fairly state that although this still does rank among the best available in the 50-100mm range, ...Read complete review
Having been a user of various Macro/Micro lenses over many years as a Professional, I can fairly state that although this still does rank among the best available in the 50-100mm range, I feel that it is no longer the best option available to Canon Macro enthusiasts. This is coming from someone who covets an extensive range of incomparable Canon L series lenses! Having recently been in the position of being able to compare an array of modern Macro lenses side by side, (with fellow club members in Japan) I feel that it doesn't hold a candle to two of the new Sigma models. The 70mm f2.8 and 150mm f2.8 ! Both of them floor it with regards to bokeh, and in the area of extremely fast focus and superb color rendition. I never thought I'd say this, but in this case, Canon has a little catching-up to do. It just seems a little dated against these two phenomenal lenses. One important point to remember if you do go ahead and purchase this lens, is not to bother buying the totally useless accessory tripod adapter ring. It comes with an inner plastic sleeve to fit it to this particular lens, but all it does is jam & jerk whilst being turned! It feels absolutely third-rate, and is a total waste of money! A very good lens, but in this case can be bettered at the price. (I went for the Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro to replace my current Canon 180mm f3.5 Macro. Believe me, it's that good!)
Expertise: 37 years as a working pro in various areas of wildlife & nature photography
Problems Encountered: That absolutely awful accessory tripod ring!
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Nikon 55mm, 105mm & 200mm Micro lenses. Canon 50mm & 180mm Macro lenses.
Items I Recommend: Nil
Reviewed by 637 customers
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
I use this lense for taking upclose pictures of babies toes and hands. It's fast and not as loud as some of my other lenses.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Works nice and yields great results too. The focus-ring on top has a magnification factor embed into it.It is relatively heavy though. Also, the focusing ring does not disengage when using AF mode. In fact, the AF operation needs a push sometimes by moving the focusing ring to make the operation start working. This is quite the opposite of Canon 15mm fisheye lens, where in AF mode, the ring is disengaged to avoid any movement to the ring by mistake. (Maybe it is a technical requirement to let it engange always in this type of lens?).Simple testing from my part for Chromatic Aberration yielded nice results with backlit objects, and using high f-number (f/32). However, the results could be drastic if used with teleconverter. This is something I didn't test with my Vivitar 2x.On the side there is a button as well to set the mode (distance of focusing) but I'm not sure how much effect does it apply on focusing so far.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
I use this lens with my T3i (600D) and I am very happy with the quality of the images, everything is very sharp. The full time manual is very useful for getting the focus just right.
The only shortcoming I see of this lens is the lack of image stabilization but with a sturdy tripod it then isn't an issue.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Had this lens for a few months,used for photos; recently went to the zoo taking wildlife photos the bokeh is terrific.Showed photos to co-workers who were amazed at the photography,had to explain "bokeh." I can't compare the bokeh to other lens but on this canon 100mm f/2.8 usm macro produces amazing wildlife photography. This lens is fast with the 2.8,used it taking gymnastic photos and was able to get good pictures.I recommend this lens to those interested in macro photography.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Wow, this lens is sharp. That's what I wanted, and that's what I got. The macro is just a bonus.
If you take a picture of someone so as their eyes, nose and mouth are in the shot, and you zoom in to see their eyelashes, they will be as sharp is they can get. And yes, I am talking about f/2.8.
It is heavy (but in a good way), smooth, and the auto-focus works like a charm.
I haven't done much 1:1 macros yet, especially because to achieve this you should have a good flash ring or other strong light source, but the few macros I tried look excelent. Just browse through the samples over the internet -- they are all spetacular.
The feature that surprised me the most was the quality of the colors. The reds look delicious, and the greens, too. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the quality of the colors and the way it renders light is quite distinct from my other lenses. (I have used 2 L lenses, the 24-105L and the 35mm L, but I can say that this 100mm surpasses them in everything related to color).
I like to take pictures of buildings, walls and all kinds of details, and before this lens I used my 55-250 a lot. I wasn't 100% satisfied with the contrast and overall image quality of the 55-250, so I am more and more using the 100mm and cropping where I want. The crops are perfect, even close to 100% -- and I own a mere Rebel 600D, so you can image how sharp this lens must be on a full frame camera.
I can see no downsides of this lens, but it is what is is: a fixed focal, 100mm lens. In a cropped sensor, it means a 160mm lens, making it almost useless for anything but photos of very small things and parts people and buildings. And, of course, the depth-of-field can make focus hard or even impossible. But that's all part of the fun.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Super sharp, excellent manual focus for close ups, creates beautiful macro shots. I love everything about this lens!
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Great lens, great price. Very impressed. As a neophyte macro photographer I find this lens intuitive. Great focus great bokeh. Money well spent.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
The telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens by Canon is the right choice. This lens is clear and produces excellent photos. Your photos have a very beautiful boken. Deliver cost - benefit.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
I brought this lens on vacation to the Bahamas and was ecstatic with the macro shots it produced. I looked at tamaron macros but was told this one blows them away, they were right. Remember good glass can last a lifetime, poor glass ends up on e bay. I would recommend this lens to everyone. Plus it takes great portraits
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
I am a mommy & a photographer so this lens is getting used for everything! It is a great portrait lens and does great at catching my fast little ones! It's 2.8 f-stop allows for a bit of movement and the macro allows for me to get extra close to the kids (or for them to keep moving towards me, as they sometimes do!) I would recommend this lens to anyone who'd like to get into portraits!
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Well-made lens. Great bokeh. Several comments I read talked about the weight of the lens.........I'm used to working with a 70-200 so this was not heavy!! This is my first macro lens and I've been out with it a few times. I can't wait to use it for portraits. I'm happy with the lens.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
For awhile I was flip flopping in between the L series 100mm and this one. I'm a wedding photographer and knew I'd only be using the macro for very specific shots, such as the rings and tiny detailing in the dress, shoes, earrings and of course the dessert at the reception. This lens would be on my camera like 5% of the time.
Anyways, I bought it and LOVE it!!! It's not necessary to buy the L lens that's substatially more. I've used this lens multiple times and it's so unique and different how close it can get. I've taken ring shots with outdoor light and I've also used this lens in a craft event I shot in a dark hotel ballroom with my flash.
Just need to get a steady arm and it focuses great and captures beautiful photographs!!!
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
The lens has the functionality I expected, but it sure is heavy! Didn't expect that.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Though 2.8 isnt a really low aperture for a prime, its low enough for most photographic applications. 100mm on an FF sensor like the 5D is perfect for portraits and provides a usable focal length (though imo a little long for crop bodies). Bokeh is amazing and the lens is sharp wide open. The kicker is that it is an amazing macro with real 1 to 1 magnification. For macro work, it actually works better with a crop sensor body because of the additional length, but it works well on FF bodies too. I am picky about my gear and have returned many a lens, this one is a keeper.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
I've always loved macro photography but didn't really have any macro lenses. I used telephoto lenses for the most part, withou any good results. It is razor sharp;
Taking macro photos really does require a tripod, without it pictures can come out shaky. A ring light would probably solve it. (I still need to buy one).
Autofocus is good and fast, but depending on how close the subject is it might not be able to focus. just switch to MF and you're set. Also, without a tripod if you shake just a bit things will come out of focus.
Blur produced is beatiful!
Great lens, I would recommend it to everyone!
I use it with a canon T1i 1.6x crop factor.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
I use this lens mainly for studio close-ups of small, metallic products. The images are so sharp that I sometimes have to add a few steps in Photoshop to manage the condition of the samples. It is lighter than what I am used to, but the feel is sturdy and operation is quick and quiet. Auto focusing seems to be very good, but I prefer to focus manually when time allows. This lens is an outstanding value. I just wish that it had come with a hood from Canon.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
Powerfull macro Lens, together with MR-14EX TTL Macro Ring Lite Flash, dentists will always get the image they need !
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
This is a must have for the underwater photographer! I used it for stunning macro shots as well as for distance indetification shots of fish I can never get close enough to shoot close in. I used it in autofocus and it was very reliable in getting a nice tight focus. I have read alot of information on UW photography and would encourage anyone whom is thinking of shooting macro to get this lens.
Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
IT WAS GREAT.
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Comments about Canon Telephoto EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Autofocus Lens:
This lens has been amazing! B&H shipped it right away and it got here in 48 hours. It is perfect for the Macro shots I wanted to get with the newborn photography that I do. It's sharp, on point, and focuses fast.
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