 An exceptional lens for the promising nature photographer |
| Review Date: December 16, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Scott Burgess, California |
Prospective buyers of a macro lens for a Canon EOS system have a fantastic first choice in this 100mm Macro. The extra length over a 50mm macro gives much better working space (space linking lens and theme) in the field, and EOS-compatible lenses by other manufacturers match poorly with garnishing and are nowhere near as sharp.
Compared with the before Micro Motor 100mm Macro that Canon made (which I also own), the USM lens focuses *very* quick. The USM lens also can accept Tripod Collar B (by use of a small plastic adapter)--I recommend you buy the collar with the lens, as adjusting to a vertical arrangement with a tripod means repositioning all. The front element is not recessed in the USM model, which makes lens cleaning simpler than with its predecessor. And build feature is improved--the before model was prone to its switches breaking (could fix it yourself with the ordered part, but really annoying) and eventually the Micro Motor gearing gave out (no distress so far with the USM ring motor). The USM model will work with Canon's 2x teleconverter by interposing a 12mm extension tube, allowing 2x enlargement with lots of working space, though this is not nearly as nice a solution as the 180mm lens referenced below.
I will quibble with another reviewer--Canon does make sharper lenses, and serration compared with the before model is virtually the same. But this is still one of the sharpest lenses you can buy, and ergonomically a huge improvement over its predecessor.
Having said that, Canon now has an L-series 100mm macro that is much sharper and has better bokeh (out-of-focus highlights). A honest hobbyist might deliberate that lens, though it costs about 40% more on the street. I bought the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro Lens less than a year ago, and am very impressed with its superior serration and working space relative to this lens. If you work much with small critters, take a look at that lens before making a buy.
If you are construction up a set of lenses for open-air/nature photography and you do rare macrophotography, this might be the first or second lens to buy. If you work significantly at magnifications superior than 1:1, deliberate the Canon 65mm 1x-5x Macro zoom.
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An exceptionally versatile lens.
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| Review Date: January 7, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Richard B. Williams, Los Alamos, NM USA |
This is the lens I leave on my camera for all-function function use. At non-macro focus distances, it is a very quick lens in a well-located small-telephoto length. The images are sharp out to the corners. This is one of those fantastic Canon lenses that doubtless deserves an L-series rating but is available lacking the red stripe and very expensive cost.
Tested in an astrophotography perspective (point sources on black backgrounds - exceptional for instructive aberration and coma), I have found that this lens is reasonably sharp at f/4 and completely sharp by f/5.6. For daylight global photography, the tiny aberrations caused by the wide-open f/2.8 aperture are hardy noticeable and by f/4 the images are exquisitely sharp.
There is a lot of glass in this lens - it is heavy. I highly recommend buying the tripod collar as it allows you to attach the camera and lens to a tripod or ballhead with much better balance.
Also, if you plot on using the macro functionality, keep in mind that the unassailable f-stop of the lens goes way up when you're focusing at very close range. At 15cm from the front surface, it performs as though it were an f/9. You'll either want a lot of light or a very steady theme and a excellent tripod (another reason to buy the hideously overpriced tripod collar). |
Sharp, versatile and a bargain
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| Review Date: January 29, 2006 |
| Reviewer: G. Clark, Houston, Texas USA |
The 100 f/2.8 macro is very sharp, even for all-function shooting, so it works fantastic for portraits, too. When I'm not using a zoom, this is my walkaround lens for people, moderately tight scenes and even indoor sports. Reckon of it as a fantastic lens that also shoots macro than the other way around. Hard to beat that usefulness at the price.
But it comes into its own at close distances. If you've never had a macro lens, you'll run around shooting all in sight since all looks new from a macro perspective.
Canon has numerous macro lenses. I prefer the 100 mm over shorter lenses since I don't have to get quite as close to that bee or wasp. The 180 mm gives you even more space from your theme, more background blur and incredible serration. But it's much more expensive and in most cases you'll need a tripod, and I shoot a lot of improptu macros as I'm hiking.
For extreme closeups with larger-than-life images, there's the MP-E 65. It goes up to 5X, compared to the 100mm's 1X, but you lose autofocus with this lens. In fact, you set your enlargement and then go the camera until the object is in focus! As you get beyond about 2X, the viewfinder gets honestly dark. If you're doing still life macro work, it's incredible. I'll doubtless get one soon for shooting my sandstone colletion.
One thing to keep in mind with any macro is that since of the close distances, you're often in lower light conditions. Althought it's honestly pricey, I'm using the MT-24 EX, which lets you adjust the direction of the twin flashes. The MR-14EX ring light is a couple hundred dollars cheaper but will yield a slightly sweet-talk image. And you can always use one of the standard flashes, though the nearness of your theme may cause some odd darkness. |
Unbeatable Value
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| Review Date: November 21, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Alex Schulz, Ann Arbor, MI |
This is hands down the sharpest and most used lens that I own. The combination of macro capability, moderately quick 2.8 aperature, and prime serration keeps it on my camera more than anything else. I shoot a variety of subjects from macro nature work to indoor sports, and this lens never lets me down.
One of the major greetings I have for this lens is its usefulness (I argue with many of the reviews here.) I constantly find 100mm to be an ideal focal length with my 1.6 APS-c sensor XT for shooting indoor swimming and diving competitions. This length allows for perfectly tight framing, slightly compressed depth of field, and shallow focus to get incredible portrait shots while eliminating distracting background. The speed of the lens allows me to catch swimmers in the air lacking using a disturbing flash. This is imperative since flash photography is prohibited at the start of a race. Apart from sports events, the lens allows for very intimate portraits lacking having to be in the subjects face. This performance along with macro capability truly make this a multi-function lens.
I usually hand hold for sports photography with excellent results (the belt array grip on my XT is invaluable for this), and usually use a tripod for nature and still-life situations. If I've had one too many cups of coffee I'll use a monopod during sports events. I do wish the lens came with the belt tripod collar, since it is irrefutably a honestly heavy piece of glass, but it is not so vital that I have shelled out for one yet. I have no complaints with the AF, and I find that the switch to limit the AF range away from the extreme macro is very caring. Once you use Canon's USM lenses, you will never buy anything else. The large and simple to use manual focus ring is a luxury. It allows for quick manual override and fantastic hegemony when switching to manual focus. In many situations that I don't want to carry my large bag with me, the 100mm and my 17-40mm L usually cover just about all I need. (I know that my thought if roving light is not taking the kitchen sink though.)
This is not an L lens for reasons of the lack of some ride out resistance and L level coatings, but don't let that dissuade you. It easily outperforms both my L zooms in serration and I find it to be akin in contrast and color. The level of performance and a price that is a fraction of many L lenses makes this an unbeatable value. |
All agrees this should be an 'L'
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| Review Date: October 22, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Glen A. Sansoucie, South Berwick, ME United States |
I bought this lens a small over a year ago for macro shooting. I quickly found out, though, that to shoot Macro-only with this lens is a crime. It is a very versitile lens. Its quick f/2.8 aperture makes for excellent shooting in low light. I pretty much use this out-of-doors as the 100mm with the 1.6x crop factor of my Rebel XT eliminates most indoor oppurtunities.
I frequently use this lens for family portraits, the resultant photo is so crisp and clear and the bokeh really helps add snap to the primary theme.
As others have stated, this is a heavy lens. It doesn't have Image Stabilization (IS) so a tripod or monopod is a fantastic belt to get the best images. I use a beefy monopod for my best shots, even if I have a lot of handheld gems...
If you are tight for cash, this isn't the "one lens" that does it all. If you are looking for a versitile lens that can do outstanding macros and portraits, THIS is that lens.
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