Canon Canon EF Prime

EF 100mm f/2 USM

100mm
f/2.0
Prime
460 g
Min focus 0.9 m

Quick answer

A 1991 medium telephoto with a ring-type USM motor and full-time manual focus. It is the faster, lighter alternative to the 100mm macro for portrait work.

Pros

f/2 aperture
Fast, quiet ring USM
Full-time manual focus override
Compact for its speed

Cons

No image stabilization
Close focus of 0.9m, so no macro use
Some purple fringing wide open

Verdict

A compact, fast short telephoto. Choose it over the EF 85mm f/1.8 when you want a tighter frame and longer working distance.

About this lens

The Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM is a fast short-telephoto prime lens covering 100mm at f/2 for Canon EF mount cameras, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM specifications

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF
Focal length: 100mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.0
Lens type: Prime
Format coverage: full-frame
Released: 1991
Optical construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
Aperture blades: 8
Autofocus motor: USM
Minimum focus distance: 0.9 m
Maximum magnification: 0.14x
Filter thread: 58 mm
Weight: 460 g
Length: 73.5 mm
Diameter: 75 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM?

Head-and-shoulders portraits
Indoor events in dim light
Short-tele work on film or full frame

Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.

Full-frame equivalent and field of view

Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.

Sensor	Crop	Equivalent	Horizontal FOV	Diagonal FOV
Full frame	1.0x	100mm	20.4°	24.4°
APS-C	1.6x	160mm	12.8°	15.4°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

Is the Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM good for portraits?

Yes, its focal length and f/2 aperture suit head-and-shoulders portraits with a soft background. Stopping down a little reduces fringing on high-contrast edges.

Can the EF 100mm f/2 USM be used on EOS R cameras?

Yes, through the EF-EOS R adapter. Autofocus and the ring USM's full-time manual focus carry over.

EF 100mm f/2 USM or EF 85mm f/1.8 USM?

The 85mm is a little lighter and wider; the 100mm gives a tighter frame and more working distance. Optical quality is close, so framing preference usually decides it.