Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM review

According provided by Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM many thanks to the official Canon representative in Ukraine.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM review

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM review

The Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM is a pretty macro lens that belongs to Canon's L-series lenses, so you should expect both good image quality and good workmanship from it. This is the first Canon macro lens to feature image stabilization and, for the first time in any Canon lens, features a new IS system to compensate for various types of shake. The gimbal really works well, especially in the infinity to 0.5m range.

Canon has several 100 / 2.8 class macro lenses:

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM is the only Canon macro lens with stabilizer. Due to the fact that generally macro lenses suffer from strong 'Focus breathing', the effectiveness of the stabilization system at distances close to the MDF decreases, but still, the stabilizer helps a lot :)

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

As befits an objective of this class, its body has dust and moisture protection, is made mainly of plastic, weighs 625 grams (without a hood and a bayonet cap) and uses filters with a diameter of 67 mm.

You can buy a tripod foot to the lens, which is mounted in a narrow place of its body, closer to the camera mount. Unfortunately, the Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM without such a foot came to my review. When the hood is in the transport position, it completely blocks access to the focus ring, and in the normal position, the lens hood gives the lens 120 points to a solid look :).

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

The Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM has a focus stop that can be adjusted in three positions: Full, 0.5m-∞ and 0.3m-0.5m. If in Full mode the lens still misses and begins to focus from MDF to infinity, then it takes him enough time to feel discomfort from the 'speed' of this process, especially when photographing people. If you use the limiter, the focusing becomes very fast.

My copy of the Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM when used on Canon 5D and Canon 700D (across JVI), well 'caught' focusing, there were very few misses. Most of the misses occurred when working in macro mode. I was pleased with the focusing consistency.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

During focusing, the front and rear lenses remain motionless, which is very good. The focus ring is rubberized and rotates 120 degrees (without a hard stop at infinity). During auto focus, the ring remains stationary. When extreme positions are reached, the ring continues to rotate freely without affecting focus. The lens has a scale with marks on the focus distance and magnification. MDF is 30 cm, while you can get pictures with an increase of 1 to 1.

With the closest focusing, the distance from the front lens to the subject is approximately 13 cm (measured with a ruler), which is sometimes very small when shooting various animals and insects that, when they see the front lens of the lens or its hood, can decide to leave the shooting area. For this reason, professional photographers recommend using macro lenses with the largest focal length possible in order to increase the shooting distance between the 'model' and the lens, such as the Canon EF 180mm 1: 3.5L Macro.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM Switches

In addition, Canon's continuous manual focus control is supported. FTM (Full Time Manual Focusing). Working with the lens is quite pleasant. The aperture consists of 9 blades and closes to F / 32.

Although, not everything is so rosy. FTM mode is only available when using the 'One shot' and 'AI Focus' focus methods. Also, FTM is available in Live View (including when shooting video) with any focus method selected. When using the 'AI Servo' method, the FTM mode does not work. For example, Nikon lenses that have a similar feature called M / A (manual focus priority), turn off the automatic focus when you touch the focus ring with any focus method selected on the camera. I often shoot in the AI ​​Servo tracking mode and in rare situations, the lack of the FTM mode, and even on a professional-grade lens, annoying at least. Maybe i just misunderstand FTM working principle, for many Users claim that you can rotate the focusing ring at any time with any setting. You can rotate it, but in the 'AI Servo' mode you have to 'fight' with the camera for control over the field of focus. Add to this the fact that when shooting macro, autofocus is sometimes 'lost' and cannot accurately focus on the subject that the photographer has chosen.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

It is not necessary to think that a macro lens is used exclusively for shooting small objects, it can be perfectly used for a huge number of other purposes, for example, for the same portrait photography. A good fix is ​​always useful in the photographer's case :)

Optical design Canon EF100mm f / 2.8L Macro IS USM

Optical design of Canon EF100mm f / 2.8L Macro IS USM. 15 elements in 12 groups

If you need a macro lens for subject shooting of stationary products with a tripod, then instead of Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM, you can purchase the previous version - Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 USM without noticeable deterioration in image quality, and at the same time saving half budget.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM with step hood

I can not say anything bad about image quality :).

Personally, I liked the nice bokeh of the lens, examples of bokeh can be seen in the photos below. Among the shortcomings, vignetting at F / 2.8 can be noted. At the same time, the lens copes well with backlight, giving a sharp and contrasting image. Most of the shortcomings are easily fixed by the camera processor or post-processing.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 402 MB, 28 photos in .CR2 format (RAW) from the camera Canon 5D и Canon 700D. You can find more examples of photos in Canon EOS 700D review и Canon 1200D. On Canon APS-C cameras EGF lens is 160 mm, on APS-H - 130 mm.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM with hood in transport mode

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM with hood in transport mode

Also, the Canon EF 100mm 1: 2.8L Macro IS USM can work well as a portrait lens, although, with some caveats, I already mentioned one of them in my video review... Personally, I'm not afraid of the oversharpness that is attributed to macro lenses when used to photograph people. In practice, oversharpness is more of a myth than a real problem. But a certain 'stiffness' in the photo taken with macro lenses, after all, can be striking.

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 1: 2,8 f = 100mm T * and Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 1: 2,8 f = 100mm T * and Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Lens prices in popular stores can look at this link, or in the price block below:

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM and Sigma 180mm 1: 3.5 APO Macro DG HSM D EX

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM and Sigma 180mm 1: 3.5 APO Macro DG HSM D EX

L-series lenses can be tough as they are considered the best in their class. You can find fault with Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM that something loosens a little during transportation (most likely elements of the stabilization system), this reduces the level of confidence in the product. Also, the plastic body is much worse to the touch than the all-metal one, for example, in good old manual lenses such as Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 1: 2,8 f = 100mm T *.

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM on Camera Canon EOS 5D

Many macro lenses focusing from infinity to MDF show an increase in the number F. This behavior does not apply to the Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM, you can shoot at F / 2.8 at any focusing distance. However, when focusing, the real aperture the lens falls. I conducted an experiment: I aimed the lens at a homogeneous surface, when focusing on infinity, the camera showed values exposure ISO 3200, 1/4000, F / 2.8, when refocusing on MDF, the indicators became equal to ISO 3200, 1/1000, F / 2.8, as a result, I got a decrease in aperture by 2 stops (4 times). Anyway, if you look closely at the aperture blades during focusing, you will notice that when you turn the focus ring toward the MDF, the aperture blades close.

Macro photography is difficult. Even with a dedicated lens like this, it can be difficult to get a good shot at times. A lot of users often catch the idea of ​​macro photography, but as it comes down to it, there are many frustrations when faced with a number of difficulties. First of all, difficulties are associated with a small depth of field and a constant lack of light when shooting with a closed aperture. If you want to spend money on a professional macro lens, but you have no experience in macro photography at all - first try what 'macro' is and what it is eaten with, using macro rings with any existing lens, even with a regular one Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6 IS STM.

Results

The Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM is a very good professional-grade lens. It has few flaws, creates a high quality image.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Vyacheslav

 

 

Comments: 154, on the topic: Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM review

  • zlatoust10000

    Thanks for your review. Half a year ago I was choosing a macro lens. I settled on Canon 100 2.8 USM macro. I rarely make money from photography, so I decided not to “bother” with buying a more expensive analog with stabilization. In addition to flowers, I photograph people with this lens. The lack of stabilization can be “overcome”. The lens gives a sharp picture and I love the bokeh.
    Examples of photos on which you can evaluate bokeh
    http://zlatoust100.wix.com/ivanapple#!untitled/zoom/c50g/image27w
    http://zlatoust100.wix.com/ivanapple#!untitled/zoom/c50g/imageik6
    http://zlatoust100.wix.com/ivanapple#!untitled/zoom/c50g/imageutv
    http://zlatoust100.wix.com/ivanapple#!untitled/zoom/c50g/image1vwf
    Canon 5D Camera.

  • Ivan

    read and went for pentax k5-2 and zeiss 100 \ 2,8 ...

  • anonym

    Oh, how many reviews have been done in my favorite botanical garden!)) Thank you Arkady for interesting reviews and advertisements for the botanical garden!)

  • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

    Good afternoon Arkady. And good afternoon, everyone who writes comments here. Guys, I want to note that all of us photographers are gathered here, and Arkady is the person who does the reviews (at least some, but does, and does not just copy and paste instructions) and you need to be glad that at least we have such information about the equipment from Arcadia at least some pictures are not masterpieces, but you can understand from them what the lens is capable of. Therefore, let's respect each other, and especially Arkady for his FREE work for ALL photographers who have not yet decided on the technique. After all, we are not all here GURU of photography, but those who are not mistaken will not succeed. Arkady, according to my calculations, is the ONLY large Russian-speaking observer of photo equipment, and thanks for that. Thank you for paying for the domain and hosting, spending time (not a short time) writing these reviews, and then still spending time writing HERE with us. Believe me, this is not a 5-minute employment per day. All good and beautiful frames.

    • Passing by

      With both hands for !!! Arkady is a fine fellow and, to some extent, an altruist who put years of his life on the site. No kidding - respect. There is no other such.

  • Vladimir

    Drool, commentators !, a-appraisers. Specifics, constructive suggestions - that's what Arkady needs! I have been reading Radozhiv for a year, I learned and grew in skill (I read it in the “field” (to build a composition, to catch a shot), I came, re-read, appreciated myself, again for work. And such athletes on the couch as Mr. ... in the closet .. Arkady, thanks!

  • Vyacheslav

    The best lens from Canon! This is my main lens, which I almost never take off the carcass

  • Ivan

    Good day, there is a question on macro. You need to take a photo and shoot a video of the process of preparing teeth in the oral cavity. It is possible to get the Kenon optics 60mm and 100mm 2.8 macro, as I understand it, the image scale of the glass is the same. the catch is that the camera should be sufficiently distant from the patient so as not to interfere with the doctor's work. As I understand it, then 60 mm should be moved closer, and 100 mm can be put further, and the picture will be the same. Thanks in advance for your reply.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The picture will not be the same, there will be the same maximum magnification. 100ct is preferable.

      • Ivan

        thank you

  • anonym

    Comrades ... I have a stupid question for you: this lens is MACRO (!!!) i.e. designed for MACRO shooting ... why are you using it as a portrait photographer? Some who have unsubscribed “here” share links to photographs of portraits ... but where is MACRO? Where are the photos of insects, flowers, cockroaches? :) Even with your review, I saw only a couple of MACRO photographs ... I do not want to offend anyone in any way ... but it seems to me that if the lens is intended for macro, then it would be possible to post photos of insects and flowers ... I'm just going to buy this the lens is for photographing our microcosm ... and I would like to see real photographs of this lens ... You say that the Internet is full of photographs - YES ... I have reviewed a lot of them ... most of the photographs have been processed ...

    I have CANON 650D on my hands ... I use the lens MC VOLNA-9 ... There are Soviet macro rings ... but when using them, the quality deteriorates noticeably ...

    Now directly what I would like to ask:
    Has anyone used MACRO RINGS with this lens? if yes, are there any photos? I just want to do macro macro photography ... and want to use this lens with macro rings ... what can you suggest?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Macro is only one of the purposes of a lens, including a macro lens.
      More examples with the original RAW files of bees and butterflies are in the 700d review https://radojuva.com.ua/2014/07/canon-700d-and-the-beat-goes-on/

      • Novel

        Thanks for the clarifications…. :) I take a great interest in photography not so long ago ... but I really like macro ...

        • Artem

          Makrik for the full frame. Awesome thing and darling! In a word L-ka!
          Dust / moisture protection, weighs a ton, but quality ... 2.8 aperture again, even though you can shoot a macro portrait.
          No wonder that they recommend it means - https://buynbest.ru/luchshij-makroobektiv-canon/

    • Lynx

      for macro-macro-macro photographs, they usually do not use macro lenses, but manual (often Soviet rangefinder) + macromechs and a bunch of other things.

      • Novel

        And thank you very much for the explanations ... I read about macro fur ... as I understand it, it is like a macro ring, only with a variable distance ...

        • Lynx

          yes .. and with much greater distance.
          And there are also tricky macromechs that can shift by a given discrete parameter.
          those. you can make a batch of frames with a shift of a narrow depth of field in a step of 0,5-3 mm, and then “collect” them into one with a deep depth of field.
          In LJ there is a dude who thus takes a mega-cool photo, it's a pity I just do not remember the link, but you can google it.

  • Novel

    And again I (POST ABOVE) more photos taken with the WAVE lens, but without the macro rings ...

    • Gregor_S

      Yeah(((

  • Novel

    Tell me pliz…. will this suit me ??? I have 5 different lenses with a 52 mm filter thread ... I think to order this:

    http://ali.pub/2i8ddo MACROMEH

    http://ali.pub/2i8dl9 Reversible adapter CANON-> 52mm

    http://ali.pub/2i8dic

    What can you suggest? thanks in advance…

    • B. R. P.

      Roman, you already have a problem with focusing (a photo with a blue flower - sharpness in the very corner, in the lower left frame, the spider is almost blurry), using additional devices, such as macro rings, for example, the grip will be even less and aiming will become more difficult. Try to learn to aim and use additional light with what you have. Good luck!

      Photo Wave-9 + small macro ring.

  • Oleg

    I have been using this lens for 3 years. Amateur shooting. It turns out beautiful portraits, very beautiful bokeh, flowers and insects turn out well, but I have not fully mastered the macro, I'm working on it. Thinking about buying microflash. In general, I am very pleased with the lens.
    I wanted to attach a photo, but I don’t understand how this can be done.

  • Eugene

    Nikon's brother in 105mm - does he also make such portraits?

  • Novel

    Useful glass. And stabilization is worth paying extra for it - a universal, moderately high-aperture weaving, all-weather. We must take a macro flash.

    https://i.imgur.com/Ug8xPS2.jpg
    https://i.imgur.com/kNEwDEF.jpg

    But damn, even f14 does not help on such a scale :)

  • anonym

    ## If you need a macro lens for subject photography of stationary products with a tripod, instead of the Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM, you can purchase the previous version - Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 USM without a noticeable deterioration in image quality, and at the same time saving half the budget. ##
    =============
    They differ markedly in color and midtones. There are differences in resolution to open.

    • Oleg

      Of course they are different. And they differ in price.
      On an open macro, they shoot in rare cases (depth of field is very small), but for portraits some "softness" will be very useful.
      Here they rule to a greater extent - the magic of the red ring (protection from bad weather) and stub.
      From bad weather, a good budget solution - a plastic bag with elastic bands or an umbrella in the hands of an assistant (generally ideal). And as a stabilizer - a stationary object for support or training :)

  • Arkady Shapoval

    How not to write this question and how not to describe it, but newbies still "pour in" on it

  • Vitaly N

    Again twenty-five. The focus is invariable, no matter what area the image is projected onto. That is 1 mm2, that is 100 mm2. The angle of view, not the focal length, depends on the size of the area. The fact that the full frame is taken as the basis for calculating the EGF means absolutely nothing. This is just for convenience. Understand the issue yourself.
    “A 100mm ff lens will produce the same framing as a 160mm crop lens when mounted on a camera with a 1.6 crop” - that's epic.

  • Arkady Shapoval

    Comrades, flood about FR and EFR is closed. The continuation of this epic is not welcome.
    If you want to discuss this topic, then express your thoughts in relevant topics
    1. Crop identification
    2. Resurrection of Crop. Bokeh
    3. Matrix size matters.
    4. Focal length
    5. Dependence of the viewing angle of the lens on the focusing distance
    6. Relationship between focal length, viewing angle, and focus distance.

    • Vitaly N

      Thanks for the ban. Probably for trying to drive the truth to anonymous people. They say the truth - Radozhiva has outlived her usefulness. Cook yourself with your onanims.

      • Arkady Shapoval

        The moderator is always right. You are banned for insulting participants, it makes no sense to scold

        • Vitaly N

          Were there any insults? Of course, it's easier to look from the outside than to explain something to them. And nonsense breeds on Radozhiv ...

          • Arkady Shapoval

            I repeat, the moderator is always right, without any options. Further please do not continue

  • vadimus

    I have been using it for a year now, I am pleased with the stabilizer and the autofocus operation - when shooting subject with constant light, the opportunity to shoot “handheld” with a closed aperture saves a lot of time. Before that, I had been using AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8G SWM ED for about ten years, with its impeccable picture quality it was still possible to shoot only with a tripod and only with manual focus, otherwise the defect rate was too high. The 100mm macro-Kenon also has a drawback: the snapped hood for some reason sits with a slight backlash, a tactile sensation of something falling off is regularly created. It looks like this - in the process of shooting I get scared - then I remember - I calm down - then again ... I couldn't get used to it :)

    And a few of the everyday e-shops:
    Your Majesty! By your texture, I see that you sent me a 13x18 lens, with a focus of 20 cm. Having opened the box, I found only a lens in it, but the said focus of 20 cm was not supposed to be. A reputable trading house like yours would not have to make such oversights, depriving the hobbyist who sent you money from the opportunity to work. Therefore, take the trouble to send it to me with the first mail.
    f. “Photographer-Amateur”, No. 9, 1894.

  • Hamlet

    “when focusing, the real aperture of the lens drops”
    maybe vignetting is affecting it?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      no, this is a feature of macro lenses.
      For almost all macro lenses, when focusing towards the MDF, the effective aperture value changes. This is due to the fact that during focusing towards the MDF, the effective focal length of the lens changes.

  • You've done a great job, Thx!

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