Canon 100MM Macro Lens Photos
Canon's EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro USM lens is one of the best purchases that I've made.
Rather than attempt my own technical review of the lens (Ken Rockwell published a good one), I'd like to share a few sample photos that demonstrate its real world capabilities. The images below are a blend of natural-light and studio- photography (including macro photographs).
Documentary Photography
A candid shot from the 2019 Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. Exif Data: 1/250 sec ; f/7.1 ; ISO 100.
Street Photography
An old man strolls through centro in Castel Del Rio, Italy. Exif Data: 1/160 sec ; f/4.5 ; ISO 200
Landscape Photography
A view of the Bavarian Alps through the window of a small aircraft. Exif Data: 1/640 sec ; f/8.0 ; ISO 100
Low-Light Photography
Old Chianti bottles in a dark cantina (lit by a north-facing window). Exif Data: 1/100 sec ; f/2.8 ; ISO 4000
Portrait Photography
A window-light portrait taken in the late afternoon. Exif Data: 1/160 sec ; f/4.0 ; ISO 200
Macro Rephotography
This is a 1:1 macro photograph of a 35mm slide on a light table. Exif Data: 2.0 sec ; f/8.0 ; ISO 200
Still Life
An Italian wildflower on a wooden picnic table with sunlight overhead. Exif Data: 1/200 sec ; f/20.0 ; ISO 500
Macro Photography (Depth of Field)
A 1:1 macro photograph of a pencil with focus on the extreme tip. Exif Data: 1/6 sec; f/7.1 ; ISO 100
Macro Photography (Compressed Depth-of-Field)
1:1 macro photo of water droplets collected on a piece of cellophane. Exif Data: 1/5 sec ; f/7.1 ; ISO 100
Macro Photography (Outdoors)
Overexposed 1:1 macro photograph of grass taken on an overcast day. Exif Data: 1/125 sec ; f/7.1 ; ISO 320
Canon’s EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro USM lens can be had for as little as $699 today (from an authorized reseller). That’s a bargain: I paid $849 for my lens back in 2016 and I have no regrets.
This lightweight 1:1 macro lens has a fast, quiet and accurate motor and excellent optics (plus, a built-in image stabilizer to boot). I’ve used mine in tropical humidity and rain without problems.
This is my favorite lens, regardless of price, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.