Product Description

Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Weightg600Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Lengthcm11.9Technical DataHeader / Product LineCanonTechnical DataHeader / LocalizationEnglishTechnical DataHeader / ManufacturerCanonTechnical DataHeader / Packaged Quantity1Technical DataLens System / TypeMacro lensTechnical DataLens System / Special FunctionsMacroTechnical DataLens System / Lens ApertureF/2.8Technical DataLens System / Min Focal Lengthmm100Technical DataLens System / Min Focus Rangecm31Technical DataLens System / Focus AdjustmentManualTechnical DataLens System / Max View Angledegree(s)24Technical DataLens System Mounting / Mounting TypeCanon EFTechnical DataOptical System / Magnification1 / 1Technical DataDimensions & Weight / Diametercm7.9Technical DataLens System / System TypeLens

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41159 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Canon
• Model: 4657A011AA
• Released on: 2003-08-14
• Dimensions: .39" h x 31.50" w x 46.85" l, 1.32 pounds

Features

• Zoom lens EF 100mm 2.8 Macro USM
• Zoom lens EF 100mm 2.8 Macro USM

Manufacturer's Description
Canon initiated the EF lens line in March 1987 as part of the innovative EOS system with the underlying development concept of fusing automatic and manual operation. Heralding a new era in SLR photography, the EF lenses with built-in focusing motors were the first to communicate completely electronically with the camera body.

Followed by the high optical performance L-series, incorporating the silent Ultrasonic Motor (USM) and at a later stage the world's first interchangeable SLR lens with an image stabilizer, the EF lens series today is the largest line-up in the autofocus SLR world.

This telephoto macro lens is capable of focusing to life-size (1X) without attachments. Although it replaces the EF 100mm f/2.8 MACRO lens marketed in 1991, it is a completely new design. It incorporates a ring type USM giving quiet, high-speed autofocus.

The full-time mechanical manual focus gives very smooth manual focusing. For the first time in a 1X focusing telephoto macro lens, inner focusing is used. The lens length remains constant and a long working distance of 149mm makes worrying about getting too close to the subject unnecessary.

Also, during focusing the front ring does not rotate making use of front-mounting accessories like macro ring lites simple and effective. "Three-group floating" focusing construction uses three independently moving groups, which holds focusing-related changes of aberrations to a minimum giving excellent image quality all the way from infinity to life size.

Customer Reviews

Simply a superb lens
I've had this a couple of days now and had a chance to have a good play and I'm suitably impressed.

The lens feels well built - a little lighter than I would have thought given the length but it doesn't feel flimsy.

Auto focus is good and fast enough for me and there's a switch on the side of the lens which limits the focusing so it avoids going down to its macro zone and thus saves time - a handy feature if you know you're shooting from more than 48cm.

There's a full time focus ring and a manual/auto focus switch. Focusing is internal meaning the lens doesn't grow in length as you're focusing which I really like.

Now down to the nitty gritty - image quality. I have to say it is excellent. I personally bought the lens after reading many reviews on the web and I have not been disappointed in the least. Background blur is also very beautiful. Images are incredibly sharp and also show excellent colour reproduction imo.

Another good feature of the lens is that whilst achieving 1:1 reroduction at it's closest focusing distance it still gives you about 15cm from the end of the lens to the subject. I own the 60mm ef-s macro too and the working distance is down to 9cm on that lens which can get tight at times so this offers a bit more breathing room.

On a camera with the APS-C sized sensor such as the Canon 400D what you're actually getting is a 160mm medium telephoto lens. It'll likely be too much for most portrait work but as a lens for excellent macros and general telephoto work it offers a useful level of magnification.

Price is pretty reasonable in my opinion given the exceptional image quality.

If you are looking for this for a Canon with an APS-C sensor for mostly macro/portrait then do seriously consider the ef-s 60mm lens as it really is awesome, and cheaper, and I reviewed it on amazon too if you're looking to weigh up the pros and cons. However, if you want a lens capable of super high quality macro shots with a 160mm focal length for a more telephoto bias with all the advantages that fixed focal length lenses bring then choose this!

All round awesome lens.

Teaches you everything you need to know
I adore it. I resent having to remove it from my camera because it's such fun to use. However, this is not a lens for everyday use - it's for savouring and exploring new perspectives with. On an EOS 40D it's effectively a 160mm lens so it's really not a general purpose lens. It's a lens for savouring. Set everything on your camera to manual. Take your time, and re-learn everything. I love it.
On a 40D I have the advantage of using LiveView with digital zoom to help me focus in low-light conditions. If you're considering using it with a 350 or 400D make sure to try before you buy - you might find manual focus pretty challenging with the dim viewfinder that todays prosumer DSLRs have.
Nevertheless, I've no regrets: if you want to do macro photography this is the lens to start with. Oh, and get the best tripod you can afford; you'll need it! Consider a manfrotto 055XPROB and a ring flash to complete your macro capabilities.

Not just for macro photography
I've had this for a few months and am using it with an EOS 350D.

Firstly, and most importantly, image quality is fantastic - it's pixel-sharp, and seems incapable of distortion or chromatic aberration. I have really no complaints here, not even niggles.

The AF is accurate and fast. It can hunt around a bit if you're not quite aiming straight, so the switch to increase minimum focussing distance (from 0.3m to 0.48m) is very useful for non-macro subjects. Alternatively, manually focussing first, then blipping the AF to fine-tune it, works quickly and reliably.

Lastly, I'm surprised at how much I use this lens, even after the initial excitement of taking poster-size shots of everyday household objects has worn off. It's a very capable portrait lens, particularly outdoors or where you have room to stand a few metres away from your subject. Without a zoom you have to use it in a different way, but I find the lack of variables actually encourages creativity. You can always crop it later!

I had originally set out looking for a zoom telephoto lens, something like Canon's EF 70-200 f/4.0 L lens. I've used one before - it's a lovely lens - but really on the big side, and at f/4 you need a lot of light to take hand-held shots, especially at the long end of the zoom. Also, this particular lens has no macro capability.

If you can bear to do without a zoom you'll get a lighter, cheaper, brighter lens with unimpeachable image quality, aside from the world of fun that is macro photography. Highly recommended.