Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens Review (with sample pictures)

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One of the oldest Canon EF lenses now, and the 100mm focal length is a pretty telephoto focal length on digital cameras...so why is this lens so great? Put simply, it's a reliable, fun, sharp, workhorse of a macro lens...and macro photography can get pretty addictive...

All pictures taken by me, with this lens, on my Canon 60D.

[davidjohnash]

Thanks for your no-nonsense and informative review. Short, sharp and to the point. You've helped me make my mind up. I have just bought it!

[graphicartdude]

This was one of the best lens reviews I've ever seen Christopher. You seem to touch on all the points one would want to know about a lens. Thanks a bunch. You just earned a subscriber. 

[DennyDennism]

Yeah! I owned this lens for around a year now. I can say that I use this so often, and the image quality is absolutely fantastic...even for portrait...cheers!

[LaraMurat]

Such an amazing brief review, thank you! I usually wait for 7 hours till they get to the point 🤣

[zulfphotography]

Had mine 4 years now it's my go to lens for product shoots.

[richardpcrowe]

I just replaced the 90mm f/2.8 Tamron Macro (the original non-Di version) which died on the vine. It would not stop down from viewing (maximum) aperture to the shooting aperture... I replaced it with this Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens and I love it. By the way, Canon produced a 100mm f/2.8 non-USM lens before they issued this lens. The older Canon macro was not as nice as this lens. Focus was noisy and slow and it did not have internal focusing. If you are buying a used Macro lens, make sure that the Canon 100mm lens is either the USM or the L version. I paid $300 USD for this lens on eBay and regard that is quite a bargain. Sure I would have liked IS capability but, I don't shoot hand held macro all that often and the L version of the 100mm f/2.8 macro costs a LOT MORE than I paid for my macro...

[ministryoflies]

Thought after 7 years I'd upvote to get it to 700 likes. I've just bought this on eBay thanks to your reviews.

[muaathe]

Pls review it again with mirrorless cameras

[davapod]

To be fair this is a macro lens, and image stabilization becomes less useful the closer the subject becomes, as does auto focus. If you are shooting close to 1:1 at an aperture that is useful (F/8-16) you need to use a strobe for best results. None the less I agree this is a super lens and can be used in non macro situations with lovely results. I also think the build quality is superb.

[jamiethomas]

Nice shot of the black and white house on the Taff Trail into Cardiff, I've passed it so many times on my bike.
Nice review video too, I'm hunting on e-bay for a second hand 100mm f2.8 lens.
Thanks for the review.

[yosuawilson]

Would u recommend this lens to shoot fast moving betta fishes? Im using a 5D mark III and i need a macro lens to shoot betta fishes

[khaledalkhder]

hi,
this canon lens is better than tamron 100 & sigma 150 mm & tokina 100 ?
im using 700D canon, I like to take shots for bugs, so I want to stay far away from the subject
thank you

[jankovar]

Hi Chris, could you please make a review for Sigma 105mm f/2, 8 EX DG OS HSM Macro?

[GQuiros]

you honestly do make awesome reviews thanks for the info

[christopherfrost]

Nope, and I don't think you can get an adaptor

[risenmyson]

i'll get one next week..thanks chris !!

[JamiePlayz]

Just subscribed great quality review! Thanks!

[christopherfrost]

I have one coming in a few weeks :-)

[smbcollectionlashesbrowbea]

could you make a review for this and give any recommendations on best cameras and macro lense

[ELDK]

Nice, I've been shooting macro shots with my G10 and an opteka lens kit. I think this will do a great job based on your images. :-)