Compared to the old Canon 100 2.8 Macro non-USM lens: 1) Weighs less. 2) Faster focusing due to USM and non-moving lens barrel (internal focusing). 3) Less light loss at 1:1 due to lens construction. 4) Full time manual focusing in AF mode. 5) Tripod mount for easy roll to vertical shots.

One minor weakness - the tripod collar does not slide as smoothly over the plastic tripod collar adapter (tripod socket) as it does over a metal lens barrel.

You probably know the tech data by now. Just a superb lens in performance and function for portrait, art/copy, outdoor and macro photography. Couple of tips: 1) Use of EF12 ext. tube provides a 1.19 magnification and if you use the EF 1.4 extender between the EF12 and camera body, a 1.67 magnification. 2) If you currently have the Canon EF 70-200 2.8 lens with the Tripod Mount Ring B (W), you can simply call up Canon Parts and order the Tripod Socket (YG2-0500) and you now have a complete Tripod Mount setup for under $30 compared to $140. Final note: you will need the optional hood.

Customer Service

Limited need but previous experiences with Canon Customer Service was responsive and professional.

Similar Products Used:

Numerous Canon EF lenses.

Razor sharp, fast focusing, silent focusing, lens doesn''t extend during focusing, full time manual focusing is possible.

The lens hood is not included, and costs an additional 30$... just for a piece of plastic, I bought it anyway because I am a firm believer in lens hoods, but 30$ is steep.

An amazing all around lens. I would like to point out that someone earlier stated there is no light loss at 1:1, this is not true, it is in the user''s manual that there is light loss as you get close to 1:1. When using the camera''s meter, however, it automatically compensates for it so you only must use this when using a handheld. An amazingly sharp and contrasty lens. The USM allows quick and quiet focusing. On my EOS 3 it can lock in to focus in relative short time, I only see it hunting when I am using it in very dim light conditions... where any lens has trouble locking on. Many complained that it is f2.8 and not 2.0 or 1.8, but with those maximum apertures it would be very difficult to focus in macro mode because depth of field is already paper thin at 2.8, plus the added cost of such a lens would make it unreasonable. Someone mentioned earlier that only a pro should buy this lens. I disagree. When photographing insects you need speed and silence, which no other focusing motor provides, plus you get no change in size of the lens when focusing, (most lenses extend dramatically when focused macro), plus full time manual focusing, like all USM lenses you don''t have to flip a switch to go from auto to manual focus, not to mention that I have used everything from top shelf 35mm primes to 2,000$ MF lenses and this still one of the sharpest lenses I have yet to see. Becuase of all these things the added cost over a Sigma, for example, is well worth it, not to mention you also get a very solid, very fast portrait lens along with the macro abilities. If you''re on a strict budget get the Sigma, however if you can save up and get this lens, then the added cost is very worth it

Customer Service

Not needed

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Too many 35mm and MF lenses to name.

Fast, well balanced. Very sharp. Excellent short-telephoto lens. The focus limiter is very useful when working at non-macro distances.

Compared to the non-macro 100mm lens it is slower and more expensive. Though well balanced is it slightly heavy. Even with the focus limiter I have noticed the lens "hunt", though that could be due -in part- to the sub-standard AF of the D30.

The 100 Macro USM is a fine all round lens. It is well balanced on my EOS-D30, with a bright viewfinder image and fast focusing. The 100mm focal lenght makes it an ideal portrait lens, and the combination of a large aperture and close focusing has resulted in some interesting shots. As a macro lens I cannot fault it, working exactly as specified. Though I never used the old version, the internal focusing must be a real strength.

Customer Service

n/a

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macro lenses: none 14L 20-35usm 35-135usm 70-200L

Sharp, sharp, sharp. Ultra fast AF even in the macro mode. Light weight and good optics. Buy it and you won''t regret.

2.8 is good. 1.8 or 2.0 is better.

A very sharp prime lens with macro capability. I use it for portrait and macro works andit performs outstandingly. If you don''t need the extra half 1 stop, this lens should be well better than the 85/1.8 USM.

Customer Service

Never need it.

Similar Products Used:

Many other similar range primes and zooms.

Sharp Fast AF Quiet

Price No lens hood! Focus limiter should have been more limiting

You are here because you want to know whether you should buy this, the 85mm, or the Sigma 105 EX macro. In short, if you are a pro get the Canon. If you are semi-pro or below, get the Sigma and the 85 1.8 for the same price as the 100 USM alone. Why? The 85 will handle your portraits and is a nice length, and faster for low light. For Macro work the Sigma gives very sharp results and a lens hood. Canon slipped up big time as they don''t include a lens hood. I can''t buy the lens hood for this or my other lenses because Canon Malaysia doesn''t even stock them!!! The Sigma is noisy and the AF slower but for Macro work you should be using manual focus anyway. Hope that helps you in your purchase. Note, while you may notice the difference in the quality of the lenses your clients (I shoot weddings and events) will not. Am I glad I have the lens. Yes. Balances on my EOS1 very nicely and I like using it. Some pro-wannabes get major lens envy when they see it, but I bought it for other reasons than that. Would I buy it again? No. I''d get the 85 and the 105 for the same price.

Customer Service

Focused on consumer market so they don''t stock "pro" accessories. As if lens hoods were "pro" accessories....ha! :-(

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 105 EX macro

The 100/2.8USM macro is, by far, THE most excellent, well corrected, sharp and contrasty lens I have ever used. Sharpness is absolutely tops from corner to corner at all focusing distances. The USM is exceedingly fast in autofocusing. One no longer needs to stick with manual focus for closeups, since this lens hardly hunts and allows FTM. It's a beaut for portraits too.

Need a lens hood for shots with specular light sources or bright sunlight to prevent flare.

I was using a separate 100mm f/2.0USM for portraits and the old 100/2.8 macro for closeups, but with this lens, I have replaced the above combo with one lens. The reasons are: With the USM motor, the new macro lens focuses as fast as the 100/2 USM, for candids and portraits. FTM allows fine focusing and instant switching to MF, not possible on the old lens. The lens also doesnt extend while focusing bcause of internal focusing. It is slightly bulkier than the 100/2, but it replaces 2 lenses in my arsenal.

Customer Service

Great.

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Canon 100/2.8 nonUSM macro, Nikkor 105/2.8 macro, Canon 180/3.5L macro USM, Canon 50/2.5 macro

Excellent corner to corner sharpness. Extremely well currected at close focus disances. USM is ultra fast for portraits. USM/AF actually works extremely well with close focus distances. Full time manual focusing (FTM) is a boon.

Lens hood needed. The old 100/2.8 did not need a lens hood because of the recessed front element.

This is one of Canon's finest and sharpest lenses produced to date, which easily matches or betters the old 100/2.8 macro lens in sharpness, color, contrast and additionally it has blazing fast USM AF and FTM which is a godsend for macro work. I would not hesitate to recommend it to any serious macro photographer.

Customer Service

Excellent

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Canon 100/2.8 non-USM macro, Tamron 90 macro, Sigma 105 macro,

USM and full-time manual focus override brings totally different feel to Macro photography, especially outdoors where a slightest wind ruins the picture and requires to refocus. Significant improvement from a EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro is that the front element does not leave a gap inside of the barrel when focusing. As far as optical qualities go - this lens is definitely more contrasty than the previous one, with the same sharpness. Longer 1:1 distance is very nice in insect photography.

Front element is too close to the barrel edge, so a hood is a must when shoot outside.

Minolta macro lens is awesome, but now I do not use it anymore. Fast and silent USM motor and 30cm focusing distance is what the doctor ordered for macro photography, especially with insects. You can stay far enough from the object not to obstruct light and not to scare the bug away.

Customer Service

did not need

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Minolta 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Vivitar 100mm F/3.5 1:2 Macro
Sigma 70-300mm f/4~5.6 APO Macro

Sharp, sharp, sharp. Fast USM. Full time manual focus. Very contrasty and sharp. Extremely fast AF. Well built.

Flare if not use lens hood.

This len delivers the goods. I am truyl impressed. Canon has made a really fantastic len. I have replaced my 100mm old non USM macro with this len.

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

Canon 100mm non USM macro old len, Tokina 100mm macro len

Extremely Sharp
Build Quality
Fast Focus
Great Contrast Without Loss of Detail

NA

This is the sharpest lens I have ever used. It produces excellent tonal quality and color rendition. Because this is an Internal Focus lens, no light loss occurs at 1:1 ratios. My first shoot with this lens brought me a blue ribbon in a macro photography contest. The sharpness and color fidelity was way ahead of the competition. I would recommend this lens to the most demanding professional or anyone willing to pay the price for near perfection.

Customer Service

Not Needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon Micros, Pentax 6x7 Micro