Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, Lens Only

2 reviews for Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras, Lens Only

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Elmer Hyatt – February 5, 2025

   The Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM macro is a lovely lens already, and Canon would need to significantly improve on it to make any owner of this lens consider selling in order to upgrade to the new L version. The new Canon 100mm f/2.8 L USM macro lens with image stabilization fits the bill and this particular 100mm macro owner, at least, decided to upgrade. I rented this lens at first to try out the new features, as my older 100mm lens is one of my most-coveted, most-used lenses, and I didn’t want to give up on it simply because there was a new kid on the block. After the instant rebates came around I was in a well-enough informed position to make the purchase, and at a good price.The aforementioned Image Stabilization is very effective in situations where you can’t use the tripod, but want to maintain critical focus while working with shallow depth of field. The IS system in this lens, to boot, is an improvement on Canon’s IS system found in other earlier lenses – Hybrid IS, a system which is particularly tuned to the demands of macro photography; I’ve tested this with the new lens and it’s amazing what I can successfully capture handheld that previously absolutely necessitated a tripod. You can get the same results handheld now with approximately 3-4 less stops of light than you could previously. This perfectly suits my shooting style – I like to roam around, usually sans tripod, and take images in natural surroundings that may not always have the best available light. A relatively slow shutter speed to capture the scene in front of me usually meant I’d have to compensate by ratcheting up the ISO or go wider with the aperture, which are not always or often good compromises, for image quality reasons as well as for reasons of creative choice. The IS is a much welcome feature, and provides more leeway in variable lighting. Also sometimes people complain that the IS is too noisy when in operation; while that can certainly be true (I have a couple of other Canon lenses with IS), I have found that the new IS system in this latest lens is noticeably quieter – I’d call it pretty quiet, even with nothing else to compare it to.Out of focus highlights – the bokeh – is smooth, smoother than the older version. Images appear very crisp, I’m pleased with the sharpness. The new lens is about an ounce or so heavier than the older one, not so much that you’d really notice. Also the lens, while a L, does not have the same build appearance as other L lenses – it is not hefty and metallic, and cream-colored. That doesn’t bother me so much, but others more invested in the distinctive look of Canon L lenses might care. The lens body itself is sleek (compared to the rather portly older model) and has a nice matte black finish which you can handle easily – I don’t quite know how to describe it – it doesn’t have the usual “slippery” metal feel to it, so you don’t feel like you might drop it if you aren’t careful. Because it’s an L, it comes with a lens hood; I always get hoods for my lenses, so I love it when a lens has one included!One thing that is an interesting feature is that there are three settings for the Autofocus limiter (the older lens has two). It’s basically there to help speed the AF in finding its optimal focus depending on which camera-to-subject distance you are shooting with – anywhere from strictly close up (.3 to .5 meter of distance) to full range. I’m still trying to figure out what real time difference it makes to choose between the .3m-to-infinity limiter and .5m-to-infinity limiter, but I assume it must make some difference for Canon to have included the additional option. Early days yet, I’ll figure it out.All in all – not every lens redesign results in a lens worth ditching an old model for, especially when the upgrade entails a bit more cost. But the new 100mm macro L is very much worth the upgrade, and the IS is a welcome addition to Canon’s most popular macro option. Now if they’ll just put IS in the 180mm…I will also add that I made this particular purchase through the Marketplace seller J&R. I had no problems with them – delivery was swift and the item was well-packed.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Wilmer Terry – August 27, 2025

   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.