Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras see short title
Product Rating:
The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens could very well be the essential multipurpose lens for every camera bag due to its ability to capture sharp close-up images of small objects as well as beautiful portrait-length telephoto shots. The incorporation of Canon's new Hybrid IS in this L-series macro lens allows it to compensate more effectively for camera shake during close-up shooting and marks a significant improvement for professionals and advan... » full description
The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens could very well be the essential multipurpose lens for every camera bag due to its ability to capture sharp close-up images of small objects as well as beautiful portrait-length telephoto shots. The incorporation of Canon's new Hybrid IS in this L-series macro lens allows it to compensate more effectively for camera shake during close-up shooting and marks a significant improvement for professionals and advanced amateurs utilizing macro photography for portrait, nature or wedding shoots. New Hybrid IS Technology: Designed Especially for Macro Photography The world's first* optical image stabilizer for SLR cameras was introduced in the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM in 1995. Since then, Canon has made continual advancements in IS systems to enhance panning capability and improve compensation for camera shake. Now, in a move aimed at extending image stabilization to the macro realm, Canon introduces its Hybrid IS in the new EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM another first for Canon and the world. Conventional image stabilization technology is useful for reducing the effects of camera shake in non-macro shooting situations. When shooting handheld close-ups at 1x, however, camera shake makes it difficult to achieve acceptable results even with lenses incorporating conventional image stabilizers. Now, thanks to the Hybrid IS found in the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, Canon extends IS technology to the macro realm, making it easy to obtain clear handheld close-ups a world first* and a definite advantage in environments where use of a tripod is not an option. « short desciption
User Reviews
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Review Date: 2009-11-24
I have traded up from the non-IS to the new model, what can I say?. This is simply a great lense. If like me you want to photograph on the move without the restriction of having to use a tripod then this is the macro lense for you, the results are very very good. First I have to say that the old lense was very very good but in low light a tripod was an essential. Yesterday I used this in the garden in very low light and the picture quality is clear and very sharp. I have a test when I buy a new lense, I photograph my wife and step daughter, if they complain that it shows all the lines, wrinkles, spots and blemishes I know that the lense gives high quality images, they moaned like mad. With IS this lense is fantastic, a must have.
User: Gary Cumberland
Rating:
Summary: Great lense
Helpful Votes: 1
Total Votes: 1
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Review Date: 2009-11-11
I hardly ever write reviews but I felt that I really needed to write a quick note about how amazing this macro lens is. I used to be a Nikon gal until I sold my D300 for the Canon 7D. I also gave up my beloved 105mm Nikkor macro lens at that time, with much trepidation. Would I ever find a lens as sharp with as good IQ? Well, I have no more fears -- the 100mm IS macro fits that bill and more! It is simply amazing. I have the 24-70mmL and 70-200mmL lenses and this macro blows both lenses out of the water as far as IQ and sharpness. I cannot describe the beauty of the colors of my macro flowers! I posted a couple pix with this review... It is also a sharper lens than my 70-200L IS f/4, which I think is a superb lens on it's own. The bokah with this lens is also smoother than the 70-200. Again, a pleasant surprise since I also love that lens. I cannot ever imagine anyone being disappointed with this macro. Just buy it with a credit card that gives you cash back or miles because the price tag is steep.
User: KatherineSD
Rating:
Summary: Sharpest lens I have ever had.
Helpful Votes: 6
Total Votes: 6
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Review Date: 2009-11-11
I wasn't certain this lens would be a good value or choice for an APS-C camera. Having recently purchased a 7D, I felt the focal length might be too long, but didn't want the EF-S 60mm macro, when I expect to purchase a body with a full-frame sensor in a couple years. For anyone considering a 100mm Macro, I'm 6x6" tall, and was able to squeeze in an 8x11" sheet of paper on the floor, while standing with my 20D.
I evaluated the EF 100mm Macro and this lens side-by-side. The older 100mm Macro has a great reputation. From the specifications, you'll see that the new lens is slightly longer, and weighs more. The build quality is excellent and consistent with an L lens. Optics are precise. Color and Bokeh are outstanding, as review samples attest.
Auto focus and manual focus are smooth and deliberate. As with other Macros, the focus is precise, but moves slower than a standard telephoto lens of the same focal length. It takes approximately 2.5 seconds to focus from infinity to .3m. It takes approximately 3.0 seconds to focus from .3m to infinity, as the mechanism delays .5 seconds when autofocus is initiated.
The focusing limiter selector switch functions well, eliminating the time to focus, if you know your subject will be between .3m to .5m, or .5m to infinity. The ranges offer a good compromise between focusing element travel and practical subject distances. .3m to .5m represents a 180 degree turn of the focusing ring, and .5m to infinity represents about a 150 degree turn of the focusing ring.
I purchased this lens over the older 100mm Macro for the image stabilization. The image stabilization allows the hand held use of the lens under brighter lighting conditions. The image stabilization certainly behaves differently from other L lenses at 100mm. Telephoto IS may allow you to pan, this lens does not. Better shots will be obtained with IS on while tracking a moving subject; however, IS on this lens is no substitute for a telephoto with panning IS ability. The new IS technology does seem better suited for macro shots than earlier IS techonlogy. The subject seems to "stick" on this lens, as compared with images that seem to "float" with other IS lenses.
IS compensates for movement quite well, but I will shoot low-light subjects on a tripod. With IS on and and shooting at 2.8, the depth of field is extremely shallow. Any movement toward or away from the subject will result in an out-of-focus image. My 1.6 sensor certainly exacerbates the problem. If you need to obtain a more adequate depth of field, you must shoot at 8.0 or above, which will require longer shutter times under low lighting.
Outdoors, this lens will provide unique opportunities in allowing one to complete hand-held shots of bright-lit subjects, especially if you have a full-frame sensor.
User: Todd Seager
Rating:
Summary: Everything you might expect, IS behaves well
Helpful Votes: 5
Total Votes: 5
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Review Date: 2009-11-10
Very nice lens. Solid, like all canon L glass. Not noticeably bulkier or heavier than the non-IS 100mm f/2.8 macro.
$200-$250 for the tripod ring is insane. I've found that the non-IS lens mounts fine without it. I got a cheap China-made knockoff ring for a 100-400 and it kinda sucked, so I think I just won't have a ring on it.
It's worth noting that this lens ships with the correct lens hood and the gray Canon leather lens bag. Don't buy either as one of the "suggested" accessories.
This part of the review won't matter much in a few weeks, but it's worth noting that the price of this lens has fluctuated daily on Amazon between $1,004 at the low end and $1,053 on the high end. if you don't like the price today, check back tomorrow.
User: michael peachey
Rating:
Summary: Great advancement on a great lens
Helpful Votes: 5
Total Votes: 6
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Review Date: 2009-10-27
When I bought my 40D last Feb., I bought the Canon 100mm USM f2.8 macro lens, but even at that time, I wished for a L-series IS macro. I love macro photography, but usually find myself in situations where I don't want to mess with a tripod. I couldn't understand the arguments against having an IS macro lens. When I am hiking or in a botanical garden with many people and space restrictions, I want to take the pictures free-hand. The 100mm USM f2.8 macro produced some nice pictures, and is perfect for those who use a tripod (so if you don't want to spend the extra money, certainly consider that lens).
I was in heaven when Canon announced the new L-series macro, and after about 1 1/2 months waiting, it finally arrived on Friday, and I took it out for a drive immediately. The pictures are awesome! Great focus and beautiful bokeh. The weight and length of the lens makes it very portable. The only "down side" is the speed of the focusing system. I guess in macro photography this isn't something you really have to worry about, but I did miss 2 opportunities to capture crisp pictures of some birds because by the time the lens focused, they had moved.
Overall though, this is a great lens!
User: C. J Prunty
Rating:
Summary: Love this lens!
Helpful Votes: 3
Total Votes: 4
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Product Details
- 100mm lens with f2.8 aperture
- Canon's first mid-telephoto macro "L" series lens to include Canon's sophisticated Image Stabilization
- Near-silent Ultrasonic focusing
- Enjoy life-size close-up capabilities without an adapter
- Compatible with 67mm filters
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