Photo: Charles Lanteigne (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Quick answer
A 1:1 macro lens that doubles as a medium telephoto for portraits. No stabilization, but USM focusing and a comfortable working distance.
Pros
- True 1:1 magnification
- Useful working distance
- Fast USM focus
- Sharp
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Not weather sealed
- Narrow depth of field at close range
Verdict
A very good macro that works well on a tripod. Pick the L IS version for stabilized handheld macro.
About this lens
A 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM is designed for Canon EF mount bodies, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A 1:1 macro lens that also works well as a short-telephoto portrait lens.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 100mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/100.0
- Lens type
- Macro
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2000
- Optical construction
- 12 elements in 8 groups
- Aperture blades
- 8
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.31 m
- Maximum magnification
- 1x
- Filter thread
- 58 mm
- Weight
- 600 g
- Length
- 119 mm
- Diameter
- 79 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM?
- Macro photography
- Portraits
- Product and still life
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
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° |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM have image stabilization?
No. Canon's later L version added hybrid IS. For this lens, use a tripod or higher shutter speeds for close work.
Can I use the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro for portraits?
Yes. The 100mm focal length is flattering for head-and-shoulders portraits.
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro vs L IS?
The L adds hybrid IS, weather sealing and a more robust build. Optically both are sharp, so the L matters most for handheld macro.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
Tokina
AF 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D M100 Macro
100mm · f/100.0 · Canon EF
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SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro (A001)
70-200mm · f/70.0 · Canon EF
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AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
28-300mm · f/28.0 · Canon EF
