Canon’s impressive EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens sports an “L” ring!
In a surprising move, Canon released the new EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM macro lens with the same focal length as the popular consumer-grade Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro but sporting a red-ring L badge and an all-new Hybrid Image Stabilization system.
Realizing that many photographers hand-hold their cameras when shooting macro, especially with a medium telephoto lens, the original EF 100mm f/2.8 lacks image stabilization compared to its Nikon counterpart, the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens.
The new Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro features the same 1:1 magnification capabilities as the non-L version but offers all the advantages of an L lens such as weather-sealing, superior build quality, faster auto-focus, ultra-low dispersion elements, and circular aperture blades for softer out-of-focus edges.
Let’s take a look at Canon’s official specifications for the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro:
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture – 100mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction – 15 elements in 12 groups
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Diagonal Angle of View – 23.4°
Focus Adjustment – Inner focusing system with USM. Full-time manual focus available.
Closest Focusing Distance – 0.99 ft./0.3m (maximum close-up magnification: 1x)
Filter Size – 67mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight – 3.1 x 4.8 in./77.7 x 123mm, 22.0 oz./625g
Build
Being an L-grade lens, the construction is rock solid with virtually no wobble.
Unlike most 3rd party lenses, the lens has an internal focus system which minimizes lens barrel wobble as well. The lens is roughly the same length as the non-L version but is actually narrower in diameter than the non-L, partly because of the more streamlined barrel design of the new L-lens, particularly where the switches are located, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS just feels good and balanced when shooting, very tactile yet not too heavy and bulky.
In 2009, Canon revamped the exterior barrel design for the new L lens lineup. The EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro has a very sleek design where the lens tapers gradually from the lens opening towards the lens mount. Unlike the older EF 100mm goes from narrow-to-wide then tapers off to a narrow barrel near the mount area.
The lens hood works really well and is very deep, you can pretty much guarantee that nothing will hit the front of your lens even when shooting at closest focusing distance.
I especially like the feel and tension of the manual focus ring. It’s so smooth that you can easily make minute adjustments with one finger while shooting, but stiff enough that your focus won’t move if you accidentally tap the focus ring. Some MF rings like the Sigma 105mm and Tamron 90mm are a less accurate, which is a little more challenging to make minute adjustments without significantly moving the previously selected focus, especially while shooting hand-held.
Focus
The EF Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro’s focusing is completely internal, meaning the lens does not change in length throughout its focusing range. The USM motor powers the lens quietly and very quickly, but more importantly, it focuses very accurately, which is paramount for a macro lens. While most true macro work will require the accuracy of manual focusing, auto-focus accuracy is still important when shooting close working distances without a tripod.
The AF performance is much faster and more accurate on a pro-grade AF system like the new EOS 7D and the EOS 1D Mark IV compared to the standard Canon EOS 40D to 11pt AF system.
If you’re new to AF macro lenses, you may find the lens to be slower than your usual auto-focus lens, that is because a macro lens needs to focus a lot closer to obtain the 1:1 magnifying and the distance for the AF mechanism has to travel a lot farther between minimum focusing distance and infinity. If your non-macro lens’ minimum focusing distance is one-meter, a macro lens’ minimum focusing distance is just 0.3 meters or less, that means that the AF mechanism has 0.7 meters more to find focus, and that can be the difference in AF speed assuming both lenses are of the same focal length.
In order to minimize that problem, Canon has provided an AF range limiter that allow you to choose between close macro focusing (0.3m-0.5m only), normal macro focusing (0.5m to infinity), or full AF range (0.3m to infinity).
Selecting the appropriate focus limiter will speed up AF considerably as it tells the lens and camera to ignore elements outside the selected AF range and adjusts the distance the AF mechanism has to travel.
The AF is more than capable of locking focus on a flying bird. The quality of the image is the fault of the photographer’s limited birding skills rather than the lens’ inability to focus. The AF pretty much locked instantly and accurately for this shot.
[IMPORTANT: See note below] There is an issue, however, about switching focus modes that is peculiar with this lens. I’ve tried it on a 40D, 5D Mark II, and 7D, they all exhibited the same thing, which concludes that it is a lens issue.
When you switch from manual focus to auto-focus, or when you throw the focus limiter from one setting to another, the lens will not seek focus at all. You’ll need to pre-focus manually (or at least help the lens reach the approximate focusing distance of your subject) before it will start focusing.
For example, if you just shot a subject at 1-meter distance and you try to shoot a subject 5 meters away for the next shot, the focus will not work. The lens doesn’t seek out focus throughout its entire focus range even if you’ve set your focus limiter to “Full”, you’ll need to manually turn the manual focus ring to approximately 5 meters for the lens to pick up enough contrast on the scene to find a focus spot.
This doesn’t occur with any of the macro lenses I’ve tried in the past, however. Usually, the lens will attempt to ride it’s entire focus range to find a focus in such a situation, this lens doesn’t. It could be user-error, but I don’t think there’s anything unusual with just leaving the auto-focus on “Full” to expect the lens to find focus by itself without needing to manually pre-focus.
[UPDATE NOTE: A reader named "spheredome" brought up a good point. The cameras I've used the lens on (at least on the 7D and 40D, I can't confirm with the 5DII) had the Custom Function - "Lens Drive when AF is Impossible" was set to "Off" hence the lens didn't attempt to seek focus throughout its entire focus range. As expected, this was a user error on my part. I don't use this CFn option to speed up my AF for all my other lenses, but I should've done so when testing a macro lens.]
Sharpness
Prime lenses are often sharp as tack, but macro lenses take it a step further. With large magnifications and importance of capturing minute details, a macro lens has to be ultra-sharp, and this is where the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS excels.
To be honest, most macro shots will require a small aperture, so wide-open performance is not that big of an issue for true macro photography, however, many photographers use a macro lens as a general-subject lens as well as a dedicated portrait lens, in which wide-open performance is a big factor.
Granted that you’ll be better off purchasing the affordable and popular Canon EOS 85mm f/1.8 or the legendary Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM prime lens for portraits, a macro lens offers the versatility of getting close when the need arises such as shooting details on a wedding cake, for example, which a non-macro lens may not offer the required magnification.
Back to the sharpness of the lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro doesn’t disappoint, it’s very sharp even at f/2.8 and is insanely sharp at f/4 onwards. At 100mm, you might have to stop down to f/3.5 or f/4 when shooting portraits anyway to get enough depth-of-field, so rest assured that you will get tack sharp photos all the time with this lens.
However, as mentioned earlier, a macro lens often has a more accurate AF motor with longer travel distances than normal lenses, which means that if you rely on AF a lot, you will really benefit with higher-end AF systems.
Vignetting and Chromatic Aberration
The older non-L controlled vignetting sufficiently, but was still easily visible on a 1.6x crop camera when used wide open but disappears at around f/4 or higher.
Chromatic aberration is next to none at any aperture opening. There’s a very, very slight magenta edge CA at f/2.8, but it’s hardly visible in real-world usage, all CA virtually disappears at f/3.5 onwards.
@ f/2.8 (cropped)
@ f/8 (cropped)
Flare is very well controlled as well, especially with the deep lens hood attached.
Magnification
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro has a maximum of 1:1 life-size reproduction magnification and this is achieved at a minimum focusing distance of 1 foot. The details captured at 1:1 magnification is stellar and you can obtain larger magnification with appropriate extension tubes (sold separately).
At closest focusing distance, you’ll need a very small aperture in order to get adequate depth-of-field with a 100mm lens. Once you stabilize your camera, be prepared to be treated with very sharp details in every photograph.
As long as you can stabilize yourself and your camera, with the aid of a tripod or image stabilization of the lens, you can pretty much leave the worries about sharpness out. Diffraction doesn’t noticeably kick in until f/16 or so, which is quite good.
Bokeh
The nine, rounded aperture blades of the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro produces wonderful bokeh (out-of-focus pattern) qualities. The OOF areas doesn’t exhibit hard edges and does not appear “cluttered”, all you get is a smooth, creamy transition from sharp to blurry areas of the image.
Color and Contrast
As expected of any L lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro stands up to its other pro-grade siblings. The colors are punchy and just a tad warm while high contrast is maintained even if the light source is within the frame.
Hybrid IS
Much excitement came out with the announcement of the Hybrid Image Stabilization (HIS) system when Canon explained the technicalities in their press release. While many welcomed the upgrade, a lot of people were skeptical in its first implementation on a macro lens, which is often used mounted on a tripod or other stabilizing support. In my opinion, there are also a lot of instances where a tripod isn’t feasible to deploy whether there is no physical space available to use a tripod or when you’re chasing an active macro subject (such as insects, for example) and having an effective image stabilization system could spell the difference between a sharp image and a blurry one caused by camera shake.
Personally, I can’t quantify the difference between the HIS system versus the older Canon IS system found in the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, for example, as I’m not educated with the technical design of the mechanism itself. However, testing both type of units side-by-side (with the EF 24-105 set to 105mm), it’s quite apparent that the HIS system stabilizes the viewfinder more than the traditional IS system. In the EF 24-105, the viewfinder tends to “float” when IS is activated, while the HIS in the EF 100mm, the viewfinder just stays put, it takes a bit more movement before the viewfinder starts to move with the HIS system.
The series of photographs below shows they toy (roughly 2″ in length) captured at roughly 1:4 magnification, hand-held and without external support (no resting elbows on a table, placing lens on a beanbag, etc.). The first photo starts with the usual 1/focal length rule, so I started with a 1/100 exposure setting. The exposure settings were adjusted via ISO and/or aperture, shot in burst mode of 3 images per shutter trip. The area of focus is on the toy’s white/grey shoulder patch and the claw.
Source Image
1/100
1/50 (1-stop)
1/25 (2-stops)
1/10 (3-stops)
1/6 (3.75 stops)
1/3 (4.75 stops)
1 second (5.75-stops)
In all practicality, I think it’s safe to conclude that for normal, non-macro subjects, the HIS system can stabilize between 3-5 stops easily in good lighting, while for macro shooting, effective stabilization tops out at 2-stops before things start to get blurry.
Still Life Samples
Portrait Samples
Conclusion
I guess for most people, the main question is, is it worth spending twice as much for the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro versus the older EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens? The answer really isn’t as straight-forward as we’d hope. Like most pro-grade lenses, there are quite a few features that are worth the premium such as the build quality, fit and finish, performance at wide-open apertures, and weather-sealing.
In many cases, these alone should warrant a 20-30% premium over a similar consumer-grade lens. However, unlike other lenses, Canon doesn’t really have an IDENTICAL focal length lens between its consumer line and pro-grade L line like the 100mm f/2.8 units. There may be three 50mm and two 85mm offerings by Canon, but the lenses have different maximum aperture sizes which throws direct comparison out of the window. The two 100mm macro units have the same focal length and maximum aperture, the only difference on paper is the availability of an stabilization system and the build.
So is it twice as good as the non-L?
Optically, I’d have to say no as the consumer-line EF 100mm f/2.8 USM can definitely stand on its own. However, the difference is there, and if you use it on a higher resolution camera (16mp and higher), the image quality differences may be more visible, especially in print.
The new EF Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS USM is a very sharp lens, as proven by its published MTF charts compared to the older non-L variant, and in macro photography, test chart readings vs real-life images do correlate better than other lenses. The auto-focus is also quieter and the manual focusing mechanism is just about perfect for hand-held manual focusing.
The new design also makes it more enjoyable to use than the original Canon 100mm f/2.8 (non-IS)
Canon has to address the non-focus issue when switching from one mode to another, however, if it is indeed a lens issue and not my user-generated error [Update: It is a user-error on my part, see red note above].
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Overall, when you factor the effective IS system, stunning good looks and feel, the improved optical qualities, and the relatively reasonable price point, I say that the new Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro is a formidable macro and portrait lens for any Canon user, particularly if you’re using a newer, high-resolution sensor camera.
This is practically a must-have lens for those who earn from stock photography, macro photography, and food photography.
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About David L. Tong
I love this lens. I’d previously tried a friend’s and was quite impressed with the sharpness from
f2.2/2.5 onward, and the bokeh around f2.8/3.2. Upon purchasing the lens, I was overjoyed to
discover both better sharpness (impressive wide open and just great by 2.2/2.5 in most circumstances)
and smoother bokeh. I’ve also done some comparing of my lens with an 85mm f/1.8 that I used to own
and I’m quite a bit more impressed with the CA performance at wide apertures with the 100mm than with
the 85mm: at f/2, CA is present in high contrast situations, but not nearly as bad as with my 85mm; by f/2.5-2.8, the
CA is already greatly reduced; and, by f/3.2-4, it’s nearly absent. For a non-L, the contrast and color are great, as well.
For the cost, size, and capability, I have yet to use a more impressive prime!
More Detail : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009USVW/
More Review : http://www.webcamerawebcamera.com/detail.php?id_detail=Canon-EF-100mm-f-2-USM-Telephoto-Lens-for-Canon-SLR-Cameras-id79a
hey there i was thinking of buying that lens, but then i when to the shop to try it out the lens , and i realise that if u want to take a body shot, u have to stand a really far distance to actually get the the whole body. But everything else the image its really nice better image then the 24-105mm ef zoom lens f1:4 :)
Hi Kenny… That's a given with any lens of the focal length however, and not a limitation of this particular lens.
Great review !…, compared with others, this site is a relief.
Thanks for the kind words Phil :)
Nice work David, I’m about to get one of this baby and your review just pushed me over the edge :)
Here is a combination that is not designed to work together but in fact works very well.
I placed an Extender EF 1.4X II on a EOS 7D to the that I added either a Extension Tube EF 12 II or EF 25II alone and stacked together. To this combination I added a EF-S 60mm f2.8 macro.
I do not have the 100mm f2.8L IS macro but plan to try this same set up when I can. I would like to know if anyone else has tried this.
great review david, i was quite curious about the HIS and was wondering how big of an improvement it was over the old one.. but yep, that's a lot of moolah to put down on this baby..
My Macro flash MT 24 EX does not fit in this lens. Canon has only 72C adapter. What would you advise?
Raul, I've read about that and here's a solution that worked for others, get the 72C and then use a step-up adapter. Please refer to this dpreview thread…
Dave
Raul, I just ordered this lens and the adapter you need for the MT 24 (and the MT 14) is the
Canon Macrolite 67C adapter. It is $40 most places but at Adorama online you can get it for
$34.95 and free shipping!
I can't wait for it to arrive…good shopping
i got a canon 450d.. shall i go for the IS one or the older non IS one? i actually don photography for fun but love a nice photo?
Well, both versions are exemplary, but the L (this version) cost a lot more (almost 40% more). As you probably know, it's not really the lens that'll give you great photos, but your photography skills. If you're using it purely for macro work, then the non-IS version will more than make you happy, if you're using the lens for general shooting as well, the hybrid IS will be very, very helpful.
I have the old version…..and frankly I can't imagine a better lens. I had the Canon EF 135 which was also fantastic but the old version of the 100/2.8 macro is more versatile and if a better photo can be taken it's not the lens but the photographer. I use the 100mm for macros and for portraits and it's nothing short of fabulous. I'll probably save my money for something else.
This comprehensive review answered all my questions and put this lens at the top of my buy list. The IS feature seems crucial for cropped-sensor users shooting portraits. It seems it would be welcomed by full-frame shooters also, especially when extending shooting time in the evening with portrait shooting, wedding parties, etc. It would be great for shooting detail at car shows. Then, just shoot macro the traditional way. Cannot wait to get this lens!
Hi Wiliam:
It does seem that the 100L will be the next "classic" Canon lens in their lineup. The IS is very, very useful with normal shooting and anything smaller than 1:3 magnification. It's a great buy IMO.
Dave
http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/2009/10/30/rev… << Another review for portrait purposes.
David, it seems to work just fine now that I've turned on the custom function, and it didn't make any difference if I flicked between manual or auto focus. If I do run into any problems I'll come back and update.
Wonderful to hear, Angie… Would love to see your photos if you have a flickr link or something..
Thanks for the information on the focusing issue. I was having the same issue with my 7D and 100mm 2.8 lens (not the new one) and I was worrying my lens had a fault.
Angie: Did it solve your focus hunt issue when you switched the mode? I've read in one of the Fredmiranda forum threads that some users still have the same problem even when they turned the CFn of focus search to On…. Pleas eupdate, thanks :)
The IS is really works. At 1/8s handheld is as good as 1/20s on my EF 24-105 f4 L.
Mark: Sorry, I haven't used a Rebel for quite some time, so I'm not sure. I've seen some posts over at fredmiranda that even when they set the CFn to search for focus, the lens still has some issues with the big gap between close and infinity range. I guess it really depends on the body as well. The 7D really focused a lot faster with this lens than the 40D and 5D.
Jacob: Thanks for your finding. With that large of a magnification, MF is often required anyway for accuracy, so I guess that's a worthwhile compromise :)
Per Red Note
Guess I can find some relief in knowing that the Auto Focus issue is a lens issue. It has a difficult time bridging the focusing gap between macro and a subject at some distance. Have to help it out.
Saw the additional note on the lower part of article. Does the Rebel T1i have this option?
I have tried now with the 100mm (non L) and it's possible to use the Canon 1.4X if you put the EF12 betveen the lens and the extender. On my camera (50D) the AF got confused and took a long time to find focus and I changed it into MF. It realy increased the magnification and can be something to use for me in the future if needed. But the bottom line is that it works!!
The TC will definately NOT work as I have both and just, gently, tried it. The protruding lens element of the 100 is indeed in the way of the TC 2.
That's why I said you gotta add at least a 12mm tube in between.
Actually, I suspect that like the 100mm F/2.8 macro (non L model) that a 1.4x and and 2x teleconverter (Canon maybe, or Kenko Pro) should work if you place a 12mm extension tube (or was it 15mm?) in between the lens and the TC. I can't remember the thread this was from at POTN. That should fix the protruding lens element issue ;).
ECR: No apologies necessary, we're all sharing info here anyway :)
According to Canon, only lenses longer than 135mm can use the extenders, with the exception of the 135 soft focus, so I guess you're correct that with shorter lenses, the rear elements protrude and will hit the extender tubes.
Sorry about that. I forgot about the existence of the 180mm. I tried it before with several macro lenses and the rear lens element always gets in the way. I think the reason why the 180mm will work is that Canon moved the rear element further in and in return sacrificed its minimum focusing distance. Nice review David!
Canon Singapore's customer service is quite amazing. I threw them an email three hours ago asking about the tele-converter question on the 100mm f/2.8L, and I got a call a few minutes ago telling me specifically why it can't be used with the Canon 1.4x and 2.0x (protruding lens element) and how the extension tubes will work just fine.
Use Sigma APO Tele Converter with 100mm f/2.8L, work perfect.
I believe the EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro can use the 1.4x Extender with no problems as listed on this site:
http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/pro-photo-wiki-…
I believe the EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro can use the 1.4x Extender with no problems as listed on this site:
http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/pro-photo-wiki-…
I believe the EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro can use the 1.4x Extender with no problems as listed on this site:
http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/pro-photo-wiki-…
I believe the EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro can use the 1.4x Extender with no problems as listed on this site:
http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/pro-photo-wiki-…
Teleconverters wont work with macro lenses.
Tele do work with macro lense , my 100mm f2.8 USM even worked with Sigma APO 1.4 teleconverter DG
Henry, I think I misunderstood your original question, I thought you were asking about extension tubes, not teleconverters. I'm not sure if TCs are supported, but the EF12 II and EF25 II extension tubes are.
Hi Henry, unfortunately, i don't have one available for testing. You might have to wait a while for other users to provide sample photos, i'll update the comment thread if I see one :)
Thanks for the quick reply and great review. If you have any feedback on using it with a 2x teleconverter I would be most grateful.
Great review. Thanks
In 5D MK-II for instance, there is a focus search ON function under AutoFocus Drive mode. Turn it on and the lens will focus in all distant limiter switch mode but slower.
Thanks for the review! How much did you get yours?
I bohgut this lens to take indoor portraits of my nine-month-old daughter using available light.
I was tired of the harsh photos produced by the built-in flash on the Canon 20D or Digital Rebel. A bounce flash improves matters great deal, but I wanted to see what could be done with a fast lens.
The Canon 50mm 1.4 gobbles light.
It opens up a world of indoor photography that is not possible with a 4.0 lens. The 50mm focal length combined with available light produces natural-looking results. It is exactly what your eye sees.
Shadows and highlights are intact. It is a revelation if you’re used to the harsh drop shadows and evenly-lit faces produced by flashes. This is a jarring step up in quality from snapshot to wow As noted, focus is soft at /1.4 and begins to sharpen at /2.0 to /2.8. Not a bad thing, though.
Some of my favorite pictures have been produced with the aperture wide open. The depth of field is so narrow at this point, that the subject’s face is in focus, but the shoulders start to blur.
I use this lens with a 20D. The balance is perfect, the combination feels very professional and responsive. Operation is very simple. Move the camera into aperture priority mode (Av), look though the view finder and adjust the aperture until you see the shutter speed is faster than 1/30th a second (30).
I agonized over the 1.4 vs. the 1.8 versions of this lens. The additional stop does provide more shooting options. Often I’m shooting at the edge of acceptable shutter speed, and juggling both aperture and ISO. Many reviews comparing the two talk about build quality, focus motor speed/noise, etc, but the bottom line for me was the extra stop was totally worth it.
If you want to shoot indoors without a flash, get the 1.4. If you simply want a nice sharp lens at this focal length, the 1.8 is for you. As a father, my only regret is I wish I had this lens earlier. From one parent to another, I’ll tell you the price of the lens is irrelevant, as the pictures it produces are priceless. Now, go make a backup of your photo library.
Does it work with a 2x teleconverter?
no, although kenko has one that should work, but most of the reviews I've read suggest that using a 1.4X teleconverter is better than using a 2X
You should use Canon EF25 II Extension Tube
Extension tubes are one method of getting closer with EF i think it better
Henry: [edit] Extension tubes are, not sure about TC.
Bernardo: This is a loaner unit, not mine.