The canon EF 100mm f2.8L IS USM Macro lens is a bit of a monster to be honest. Like most other Canon L series lenses, this lens comes in a little bit heavier than standard EF or EF-S lenses. This is due in part to the excellent build quality (and weather sealing) and also in part to the inclusion of Image stabilization.
Like many others, I spent a considerable amount of time trying to determine whether I should get this lens with image stabilization or whether to get the roughly $300 cheaper albeit non L series 100mm Macro lens. Generally the quality of the glass in a L series lens is higher than a standard EF series lens, so that would be a plus. The other big consideration was whether I wanted image stabilization. Now that I've had this lens for about a year I can say with full confidence that spending the extra for IS and the L series is definitely worth it.
Controls on this lens are fairly standard across canon's series of lenses, you have a range selector switch, AF/MF switch and an image stabilization On/Off switch. Since this is a prime, there obviously isn't a zoom ring, just a focusing ring, which is nice and wide and has a very smooth motion to it.
The Canon 100mm Macro lens is really a multi purpose lens. Although it's main use is for macro photography, you can very readily use this as a portrait lens on a full frame body (on a crop sensor this will be a 160mm lens which is a bit long for portrait photography) with excellent results.
For the most part when shooting macro, you would want to shoot on a tripod with rail system and good lighting however since owning this lens I've found the amount of times that I've been out wandering around and happened across something that I wanted to shoot and didn't have my tripod with me to be a lot more than I expected. This is where the image stabilization on this lens comes into play. I've found that with the IS you get around a 2 stop advantage. It also makes taking macro shots by hand actually possible.
Macro focusing is an art into itself. This lens allows you to stop all the way down to 2.8, with a beautifully creamy bokeh but a very narrow depth of field (for example, if shooting an insect, you may get the insects head in focus but the body will be out of focus) or go up the scale to allow more of your shot to be in focus. Of course, increasing your f-stop also means increasing your exposure time. Increasing your exposure time means the more likely there will be camera shake whilst taking the picture and as mentioned this is where the image stabilization kicks in for around 2 stops advantage.
To get really close shots you can pair this lens with extension tubes. Extension tubes don't have any glass in them and simply create more of a distance from the back of your lens to the actual camera sensor. This effectively "zooms" you in further.
Image quality from this lens is phenomenal. Very sharp images with wonderfully creamy boken produced by it's 15 elements. This lens creates the best bokeh I have seen form a lens, including the lenses I own that stop down to f1.4.
If you are looking for possibly one of the best macro lenses on the market. you won't be disappointed with this lens. If you are looking for a great portrait lens, you won't be disappointed with this lens and if you are looking for a macro lens that you can use without the need of a tripod, then this is definitely lens you want.
Overall the Canon EF 100mm f2.8L IS USM Macro lens is a winner. I'm so glad I paid the extra for the L series and image stabilization. Totally worth it.
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This item: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, Lens Only
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This Item  Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, Lens Only | Recommendations  | |  | |
| Price | $1,099.00 | $678.00 | -36% $699.99 New Price: $1,099.00 | -45% $1,099.99 New Price: $1,999.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Oct 22 | — | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||
| Sold By | Hunts Photo and Video | TONY'S Camera Shop | Xpress Products (We track Serial Numbers) | Xpress Products (We track Serial Numbers) |
| lens type | Telephoto | Telephoto | Macro | Telephoto |
| compatible mountings | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| lens design | Prime | Prime | Zoom | Prime |
| focus type | Ring-type ultrasonic | Auto/Manual | Ring-type ultrasonic | Ring-type ultrasonic |
| minimum focal length | — | 85 millimeters | — | 85 millimeters |
| max focal length | — | 85 millimeters | 100 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 100 millimeters | 85 millimeters | 100 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
| real angle of view | 19.8 degrees | — | 23.4 degrees | — |
| model name | macro lens | — | 3554B002-cr | EF 85mm f1.2L II |
| max aperture | 2.8 f stop | 1.2 f stop | 2.8 millimeters | 1.2 f stop |
| diaphragm blades | 9 | — | — | 3 |
From the manufacturer
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Wedding/Elopement Photographer 10 YEAR Update
Teressa & Corey
Worth the money!
I am a teacher by day, and an amateur photographer in my spare time. I debated for a while whether or not to purchase this lens because it is a little pricey, especially for a non-professional. But, I am beyond happy that I made the purchase (thanks to a couple of co-workers that talked me into it!). I have so many pictures that I can use in my science classes and share with the kids. This is one of the best investments I've ever made!!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2012
The 100mm nicely fit with a shorter focal length and Canon's new Hybrid-IS system. The IS system is audible in more quiet environments, but is by no means loud enough to get in the way of taking your pictures. The IS also enables you to handhold shots indoors, which was great for me to take pictures in the evening or night time where indoor lighting is poor. I found the 100mm to still be an excellent portrait lens - nice and sharp, although I would still choose my 135mm if I had enough room and enough light. Other reviews show the 100mm to be sharp even wide-open on a full-frame (and a drool-worthy MTF chart to go along with it). It's nice to know it's there when you need it, although I find that in most of my portrait shots, the corners are part of a blurred background.
And for the bread-and-better of macro, I found the 100mm is a great focal length that allows you to get close to the tiny subjects you'd like to photograph. Although the IS does help with handholding shots, I found it's be less helpful on the macro end. As a new macro photographer, I also was surprised at how narrow the DOF was at the macro scale. Shooting at f/2.8 means part of an ant's head may be in-focus, but parts of its antennae might be out-of-focus. Shooting at more narrow apertures help expand the DOF, but that also means having to compensate with better lighting or a longer shutter. For the latter, the IS does help, but I'd imagine would be even better just to shoot with a tripod (which I've yet to purchase and try out). However, shooting slightly larger subjects, like flowers, is definitely in this lens' sweet spot even handheld. I've posted some examples in the sample images.
Overall, a great lens to start experimenting with macro, and that also does double-duty as a great portrait lens with IS that helps with lower light conditions. If you don't need the IS or the L designation, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras can be had for just similar image quality (from what I've read online) for about half the price, which may be a better starting point.
Style: Lens OnlyVerified Purchase
Great macro, tack-sharp, and can double as a portrait lens
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2012
I'm writing this review as a hobbyist rather than professional photographer (that is, that sells photographs for a living). In my opinion, I would say this lens deserves a spot in your kit if you're looking to jump into the world of macro, but would also like the lens to do double duty for other types of shooting you do. As a relatively new photographer, I have primarily shooting portraits at social get-togethers. I found the Canon 135mm f/2.0L to be the cream-of-the-crop, but had two slight drawbacks - it was a bit long indoors depending on location and without IS (image stabilization) it was tough to get focused shots at such a long focal length. The general rule of 1/focal length meant shooting at 1/160, which can be tough in low light to get a properly exposed picture.Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2012
The 100mm nicely fit with a shorter focal length and Canon's new Hybrid-IS system. The IS system is audible in more quiet environments, but is by no means loud enough to get in the way of taking your pictures. The IS also enables you to handhold shots indoors, which was great for me to take pictures in the evening or night time where indoor lighting is poor. I found the 100mm to still be an excellent portrait lens - nice and sharp, although I would still choose my 135mm if I had enough room and enough light. Other reviews show the 100mm to be sharp even wide-open on a full-frame (and a drool-worthy MTF chart to go along with it). It's nice to know it's there when you need it, although I find that in most of my portrait shots, the corners are part of a blurred background.
And for the bread-and-better of macro, I found the 100mm is a great focal length that allows you to get close to the tiny subjects you'd like to photograph. Although the IS does help with handholding shots, I found it's be less helpful on the macro end. As a new macro photographer, I also was surprised at how narrow the DOF was at the macro scale. Shooting at f/2.8 means part of an ant's head may be in-focus, but parts of its antennae might be out-of-focus. Shooting at more narrow apertures help expand the DOF, but that also means having to compensate with better lighting or a longer shutter. For the latter, the IS does help, but I'd imagine would be even better just to shoot with a tripod (which I've yet to purchase and try out). However, shooting slightly larger subjects, like flowers, is definitely in this lens' sweet spot even handheld. I've posted some examples in the sample images.
Overall, a great lens to start experimenting with macro, and that also does double-duty as a great portrait lens with IS that helps with lower light conditions. If you don't need the IS or the L designation, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras can be had for just similar image quality (from what I've read online) for about half the price, which may be a better starting point.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2022
Style: Lens OnlyVerified Purchase
I bought this lens a couple of years ago and it’s probably the lens I use the most for all of my work.
I was hesitant at first to buy this lens because I already had a 50mm and an 85mm
But I took the gamble and I’m glad I did. This lens is super versatile and could handle basically any type of job.
The Pros
Build Quality - this is not a cheap lens and because of it the build is nice and sturdy.
Image Quality - the images that this lens produces are spectacular and you won't be disappointed.
Portrait Monster - This is an amazing portrait lens once you start doing portraits with it you’ll fall in love.
Macro - With this being a Macro lens you could really get close to your subject and get great detail.
Image stabilization - if you’re manually focusing or shooting video you’ll love the image stabilization. I shoot with a cinema camera that doesn't have any sort of stabilization and when I turn off the image stabilization my videos look like they were taken during an earthquake. It really does make a big difference
The Cons
Because it’s a 100mm prime lens most of the time depending on what you’re shooting you’ll have to step away from your subject especially if you have a cropped sensor. It takes a little getting used too but to me it's no big deal.
Not very good in tight places - To that point if you’re in a tight place and you need to get a whole subject and you can’t move back then you’ll definitely need to change lenses.
Overall I love this lens. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
I was hesitant at first to buy this lens because I already had a 50mm and an 85mm
But I took the gamble and I’m glad I did. This lens is super versatile and could handle basically any type of job.
The Pros
Build Quality - this is not a cheap lens and because of it the build is nice and sturdy.
Image Quality - the images that this lens produces are spectacular and you won't be disappointed.
Portrait Monster - This is an amazing portrait lens once you start doing portraits with it you’ll fall in love.
Macro - With this being a Macro lens you could really get close to your subject and get great detail.
Image stabilization - if you’re manually focusing or shooting video you’ll love the image stabilization. I shoot with a cinema camera that doesn't have any sort of stabilization and when I turn off the image stabilization my videos look like they were taken during an earthquake. It really does make a big difference
The Cons
Because it’s a 100mm prime lens most of the time depending on what you’re shooting you’ll have to step away from your subject especially if you have a cropped sensor. It takes a little getting used too but to me it's no big deal.
Not very good in tight places - To that point if you’re in a tight place and you need to get a whole subject and you can’t move back then you’ll definitely need to change lenses.
Overall I love this lens. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
Perfect macro lens.
Reviewed in Canada on December 18, 2021Style: Lens OnlyVerified Purchase
Felipe
Atenção às cameras cropadas
Reviewed in Brazil on April 9, 2021Style: Lens OnlyVerified Purchase
Rodrigo Sepulveda
Macro muy bien
Reviewed in Mexico on December 19, 2019Style: Lens OnlyVerified Purchase
Philip Heak
Joy of a lens
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2019Style: Lens OnlyVerified Purchase
