Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens

Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens is a high-performance macro lens designed for Canon's full-frame and APS-C DSLR cameras.

Optical Design and Build Quality

• Lens Construction: The lens comprises 15 elements in 12 groups, including one Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) element to minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure high image quality.
• Aperture: It features a 9-blade circular aperture, which helps produce beautiful, soft background blur (bokeh).
• Maximum Aperture: The lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field.
• Minimum Aperture: The minimum aperture is f/32, providing a wide range of depth-of-field control.
• Filter Size: The lens accepts 67mm filters, which are common and easy to find.

Focusing and Image Stabilization

• Autofocus: The lens uses a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus. It also supports full-time manual focus override.
• Minimum Focusing Distance: The lens can focus as close as 30cm (11.8 inches), allowing for true 1:1 macro reproduction.
• Image Stabilization: Canon's Hybrid Image Stabilization system compensates for both angular and shift camera movements, providing up to 4 stops of stabilization at normal distances and up to 2 stops at 1:1 macro distances².

Physical Characteristics

• Dimensions: The lens measures approximately 3.06 inches (77.7mm) in diameter and 4.84 inches (123mm) in length.
• Weight: It weighs around 22.1 ounces (625 grams), making it relatively lightweight for a macro lens.
• Build Quality: As part of Canon's L-series, the lens features robust, weather-sealed construction, ensuring durability and reliability in various shooting conditions².

Performance

• Sharpness: The lens is renowned for its exceptional sharpness, even at the maximum aperture of f/2.8. This makes it ideal for capturing intricate details in macro photography.
• Bokeh: The 9-blade aperture design helps create smooth, pleasing bokeh, which is particularly beneficial for portrait and macro photography.
• Versatility: While primarily designed for macro photography, the 100mm focal length also makes it suitable for portraiture and other telephoto applications³.

Additional Features

• Focus Limiter Switch: The lens includes a focus limiter switch with three settings (full range, 0.5m to infinity, and 0.3m to 0.5m) to improve autofocus speed and accuracy.
• Compatibility: It is compatible with Canon's EF mount, making it suitable for both full-frame and APS-C DSLRs. On APS-C cameras, it provides an effective focal length of approximately 160mm³.

Conclusion

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens is a versatile and high-quality lens that excels in macro photography but is also well-suited for portraits and other telephoto applications. Its combination of sharp optics, effective image stabilization, and robust build quality make it a valuable addition to any photographer's kit.