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EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Autofocus lens for macro photography up to life-size (1x) magnification. Inner focusing affords a long working distance of 5.9in. (149mm) at 1x. A 3-group floating system results in excellent delineation at all focusing distances. Ring USM for silent and high-speed AF, and full-time manual focusing also provided.
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MTF Chart
Average Customer Rating:
4.8
out of 5
15 out of 15(100%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Review 1 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
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Features
4
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Performance
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Price/Value
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Nickname: Anonymous
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Great Lens
Date: February 21, 2010
Pros: Superior build quality
Cons: Slow auto-focus
This was the first lens I got for my Rebel XT and I love it! I love the effect I can get with shallow depth of field with this lens. I've used it for jewelry, weddings, portraits, and many other types of photos. I love it as a portrait lens! My only qualm is that its auto focus is slow, especially in lower light situations.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Nickname: Tom
Excellent lens
Date: September 1, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images
Very fine lens with excellent image quality. Sorry but there is wrong MTF chart on the page of 100 mm macro. If you want to see the right MTF chart, read the Canon Lens Work III.
27 of 28 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
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5
Features
4
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5
Performance
4
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Price/Value
4
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5
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5
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Nickname: Rufus
Location: Salinas Ca
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Great Macro For The Money
Date: August 4, 2009
Pros: Superior build quality
I just purchased the Canon 100mm Macro lens about three week ago and I am more than pleased with this lens. The auto-focus is a little different up close and sometimes you must manual focus to keep it from hunting around but I went into this lens knowing that. It is a great addition to my camera bag. I have taken some fairly sharp Macro shots with it so far. I figure It can only get better the more I use it.
34 of 35 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
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5
Features
5
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5
Performance
4
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Price/Value
5
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5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Blondie
Location: Ohio
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
The best little darn lens
Date: June 29, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality
Cons: a bit heavy
Love this lens. At first I found it a bit heavy but now I am used to it and I have very small hands. This lens is very versatile. I have used it for macro work, portraits and even landscapes. The images are sharp and crisp at every range. It took me a while to get used to it at the close range. Let the lens work for you and you will find a faster focus time. This lens also creates a fantastic bokeh at macro to portraits. By far my favorite lens in the bag. You won't be disappointed.
33 of 33 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
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5
Features
5
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5
Performance
5
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Aequitas
Location: 203, CT
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Wonderful!
Date: June 26, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow auto-focus
This was the first lens I bought other than one that came with the camera. I was so impressed with the quality! The pictures are absolutely amazing! So sharp and clean at 2.8, which is good. I also love to use this lens for portraits, I think it makes anyone look good no matter what! That is, if you dont mind standing atleast 10 feet away from them... can be a problem if space is limited, but then you should get the 50mm. I use this for concerts too when I'm too far away for my 28mm. It takes very nice pics at 2.8 even in low light situations. This lens is good to have in your bag no matter what you're doing or where you're going you can definitely find a use for it other than macro shooting, although its a super fine macro lens!
The onlything I've noticed about this lens that bothers me is the auto focus. Obviously don't use it for shooting macro beause it will drive you insane, but when shooting other things its kind of show and fishes around alot. I've missed some good shots at concerts because of this but i guess thats waht you get for using a lens that has such a wide range of focus. I would definitely reccomend this to some one regardless, its not bad enough to make me not want to use it!
The onlything I've noticed about this lens that bothers me is the auto focus. Obviously don't use it for shooting macro beause it will drive you insane, but when shooting other things its kind of show and fishes around alot. I've missed some good shots at concerts because of this but i guess thats waht you get for using a lens that has such a wide range of focus. I would definitely reccomend this to some one regardless, its not bad enough to make me not want to use it!
34 of 36 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
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5
Performance
5
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Who_Knew_Too
Location: Portland, OR
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Superior build, VERY useful
Date: June 8, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, easy to use, consistent results
Cons: none come to mind
I do not understand why this lens is not listed in the "L" family of lenses, it is so well constructed. I really enjoy doing macro photography, and cannot imagine a lens could be any better in facilitating this kind of work. My shots have been consistently excellent, with great definition. If excellence in macro photography is what you seek, buy this lens. I recommend the 100mm F/ 2.8 Macro lens with no hesitation.
32 of 32 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
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5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: S-NOCTURNUS
Location: Tunis
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Almost Perfect
Date: May 1, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I've used this lens for 5 months and I find it amazing , everything is excellent with it , sharpness , image quality , fast precise auto-focus..The only thing I regret is the 2.8 aperture which is a bit slow in my opinion especially when taking portraits or relatively big subjects and when a more blurred background is needed..Would has been the PERFECT lens if it had a 1.8 or a faster aperture..
15 of 21 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
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Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: amfoto1
Location: San Jose, Calif.
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: Yes
Superb, dual purpose lens.
Date: February 14, 2009
Pros: dual purpose lens
Cons: what's with that huge lens hood?
SInce I started shooting with 1.6X crop sensor cameras in 2004, this has become my primary macro lens. Before that, on film (i.e., "full frame") cameras, I tended to use the 180/3.5 macro more.
With the cameras I'm using now, the 100/2.8 gives me the right combo of adequate working distance from shy or downright nasty, sharp-toothed subjects, but not so far that depth of field is ultra shallow so that I need to stop down a lot and use a slow shutter speed, to the point it's no longer practical to handhold.
The 100/2,8 also serves very well as a moderate telephoto lens for non-macro shooting, on any crop sensor SLR. The main reason this lens serves dual purposes so well is that it's got fast USM auto focus. If you are sure to use the limiter switch when shooting at non-macro distances, it's AF will not disappoint (the 180/3.5 does not focus as quickly at non-macro distances, so is less of a dual purpose lens, in my opinion).
Now, I know a lot of people use the 100/2.8 for a portrait lens, too. If anything, in my opinoin it might be too darned sharp for that purpose. You won't win points with your mother in law if you take her portrait with this lens and so precisely show every line and wrinkle! Still, it can be used for portraits, no doubt about it. Just soften her images a little in post production, or risk the wrath of your mother in law!
It also can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting ring, very handy, but something that is not possible with some other macro lenses around this focal length.
One thing I've never been able to figure out is why the optional lens hood is so large. You certainly don't have to worry about stray light finding it's down there to the front lens element, when you use it! It's a bit of an overkill, but better too much hood than too little, I suppose.
Internal focus means this lens doesn't change length when focused, which is pretty amazing and convenient for a 1:1 macro lens. Earlier 1:1 macro lenses grew tremendously, with double heligoid designs. Some tripled in length, which moves the front elements awfully close to small subjects.
While I would agree that I.S. is nice to have on any lens and would be somewhat useful on this lens when using it as a moderate telephoto, I have to point out that I.S. is of little real use at macro focusing distances. There is one stabilized macro lens on the market now, and even it's manufacturer doesn't claim very much assistance from stabilixation with tiny subjects at higher magnifications. So, personally I don't see much sense in adding I.S. (and complexity and cost) to this already excellent lens.
The 100/2.8 Macro works extremely well with macro extension rings and the MT24EX Twinlite flash, too.
154 of 158 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Art
Location: Wildwood, Florida
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
I made the right decision.
Date: February 14, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality
This is a great lens for macro work. I was going to try to buy a used one but found the prices of used ones to be almost the same as a new one with the guarantee. This attests to the fact that this lens is highly regarded by the photo community. I purchased the new lens and am very happy with it. It is a very good value for the money, and boasts Canon's superior build quality.
Great for macro work, sharp as a tack, couldn't ask for more. Kudos, Canon.
13 of 18 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
4
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: LifeIsDesign
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Lens really helps our product
Date: February 14, 2009
Pros: Super-sharp images
Cons: Slow auto-focus
Let me get my one major gripe out of the way, I wish this lens were an L series. My two lesser gripes, I wish it had IS and that the AF was faster.
Now with that out of the way, this lens has become the best thing for presenting our product. Especially on our website. The f/2.8 really helps me get the consumers' eye where I want it in the picture. The blurs are great. To make my gripes pointless, Canon doesn't offer a macro L series with IS, so this is, I believe, the best macro lens available. Portraits look great with this lens. All my portraits I take of myself, I take with this lens. Images are super sharp, an above good lens but below great.
Now with that out of the way, this lens has become the best thing for presenting our product. Especially on our website. The f/2.8 really helps me get the consumers' eye where I want it in the picture. The blurs are great. To make my gripes pointless, Canon doesn't offer a macro L series with IS, so this is, I believe, the best macro lens available. Portraits look great with this lens. All my portraits I take of myself, I take with this lens. Images are super sharp, an above good lens but below great.
20 of 22 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: ray
Location: Texas
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Casual User
Product replacement: No
Date: December 27, 2008
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, turn you into a bug hunting zombie
Cons: Slow auto-focus, focus is kind of weird sometimes
This has been a really great lens. One can really fill the screen with a grain of rice.. or ant.. or rolly polly..or baby toe. It is amazing what you can capture. If you were afraid of spiders before.. wait till you see a leg when taken with this lens!
I only wish it had some zoom capability.. since sometimes hard to get close to critters in the garden. Also we use this for portriat lens.. but again.. zoom would be nice since some of the best shots are just grab and shoot.. and not often at the exact distance.
Overall.. this is one nice lens.. will make you go around hunting bugs to take pictures of.
Oh.. the focus is not always fast.. sometimes ot over focuses.. then under focuses.. have to use manual sometimes.
I only wish it had some zoom capability.. since sometimes hard to get close to critters in the garden. Also we use this for portriat lens.. but again.. zoom would be nice since some of the best shots are just grab and shoot.. and not often at the exact distance.
Overall.. this is one nice lens.. will make you go around hunting bugs to take pictures of.
Oh.. the focus is not always fast.. sometimes ot over focuses.. then under focuses.. have to use manual sometimes.
23 of 27 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Chef
Location: Louisiana
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: No
Date: December 14, 2008
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, great sharpness but would be as it is a macro lens
Love this lens for what I bought it for Macro, but have found my self using a prime lens. Like someone else would love to see it in IS. The other guys have it.
9 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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Quality
5
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Satisfaction
4
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Nickname: digital1
Location: Puerto Rico
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Good.... but
Date: November 29, 2008
Nice lens, but Canon needs to stabilized it, to get the full potential when shooting at 100mm.
13 of 26 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Overall Rating
out of
5
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
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5
Quality
5
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Satisfaction
5
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Nickname: Don
Location: NE Florida
Used this product for: more than 1 year
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
100mm Macro Lens
Date: November 29, 2008
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus
I've used maro/closeup photography for over 30 years. I've progressed from belllows to 50mm macro to 100mm macro (within last 5 yrs along with 10D). I am totally satisfied with the 100mm macro for all the macro/closeup photography I do/need. The image results, when set up properly, are always true, sharp, and evenly exposed. It has been a joy to use.
30 of 35 people found this review helpful.
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Ratings-Only Reviews for EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Based on 1 ratings-only review
OverallAverage Rating
out of
5
Would recommend? Yes 1 out of 1
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
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Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
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Satisfaction
4
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5
