EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
4.7
5
51
51
Awesome Lens!
I am surprised at some of the recent reviews of this lens. I think the lens itself is near perfect as a carry-every-day close-up/macro lens. While using this in the field, it is light weight for its reach and aperture, a perfect focal length for working distance and portability, and the AF and IS are both excellent. Very sharp images and excellent bokeh, rivaling that of the excellent (but less field flexible) 180mm macro. Sometimes I go hiking with my kids, and they have no patience for time-consuming tripod set-ups. No worries! The IS on this lens is so good, you can get a high keeper rate hand-holding – just be a little discerning with what you are taking. Handholding, you might not get that true 1:1 macro head shot of a snail, but you can get awesome close-up, frame-filling shots you won’t get without an IS macro lens. On days without the kids, I carry along a macro-oriented tripod, switch off the AF, and get super tack sharp images in all sorts of lighting conditions. Some have commented on the use of plastic on this lens. True, but the plastic here is of a much higher quality than a standard lens, it has a great feel to it, and adds to the lenses ease of use through lighter weight. I have found everything about it’s construction to be top notch. I have but one complaint and one warning. The lens does NOT come with a tripod collar, which is a huge shortcoming for any serious tripod-based macro photography. You will have to buy the tripod collar separately. And if you plan to use one of Canon’s excellent macro ring lighting systems, you will need a step-down adapter, as the macro ring and the barrel diameter of this lens are not the same. Canon makes a solution for both, but really – no excuse for not including the tripod collar. The lens itself, however, is simply fantastic – thumbs way up!
May 8, 2013
Faulty Focus
Repeatedly the salesperson tried to reset my camera settings for all Auto. I explained I shoot in Manual Mode and preset the camera for each shoot. After clearing most Custom Settings, he handed the camera to me in frustration. After using this new purchase, I understand his frustration. There is little-to-no control in Manual focus mode. Each shoot requires an exposure/focus lock-up or the lens slips out of focus. This lens is heavy, the subject depth of field near irrelevant, and the focal length frustratingly impossible for clean, sharp lines. Lens action requires swift zoom x5, x10 in viewfinder to assure clarity after locking drive. Restart process if not clear. Too much work!
March 28, 2013
Plastic, plastic, plastic!
Having owned many Canon lenses (25+) over the past 30 years, this lens is by far the one that uses the lowest grade of materials at this price. The plastic is so thin that if you pinch the focus ring while manual focusing, it sticks! Even the lens barrel flexes! Very cheesy! Does it really deserve the 'L" series designation? You be the judge. If fact, when my lens arrived new in the box, the image stabilization elements were "floating" around loose inside the lens. I found out later that this is caused by removing the lens from a camera before the IS motors have shut off. QC problem from Canon? Did a lens to lens test against my superbly built 70-200 f/2.8L IS II lens, and found the zoom to be better at all settings except macro, of course. So, don't buy this if you don't need it much for macro. Consider the supurb 100mm f/2, at less than half the price if you just do portraits and such.
January 1, 2013
Truely Outstanding Lens
I have had this lens for 6 months and have shot a range of subjects from tree moss to car shows and could not be happier with the performance. The images snap with color and contrast. The auto focus is clean and fast and the photos are sharp. It took me a while to get the nerve to pony up the bucks for this lens, but it was well worth it in my opinion.
December 28, 2012
Feedback
Cameras
Windows Support
Product Advisories
Where To Buy
Find a Retail Store
