Canon 100mm f/2.8 'L' Macro IS USM lens review with samples (Full-frame and APS-C)

Here is Canon's most modern, and potentially highest quality, macro lens. Its image stabilization, fast aperture, and versatile focal length, make it quite a handy piece of kit for all kinds of photography...does the image quality stand up to scrutiny?
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All pictures and footage taken by me on Canon 6D and 70D cameras.
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro review: • Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM ...
Canon lens cup review: • Canon lens cups review...
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Music:
'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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[@anjustalks6471]

You used the same music 9 years ago !! You make your videos as same as all time This is amazing ❤❤

[@mvp_kryptonite]

It’s a spectacular lens. Owned it for many years and I really like the colours and blur it creates

[@RaduChelariu]

Sweet mother of heart attacks, I though Chris really did chuck a 100mm f/2.8L into a pot of boiling water. For a second I was thinking "Beat that, Kai! Pfff, Chris' test beats your silly durability tests!". Good fun though, with those Canon cups.

[@oWetThings]

I love this lens soooo much. it was worth the money tbh.

[@LightWthoutTheStatic]

Full frame is actually the more taxing format for lens testing. APS-C has the advantage of higher pixel density per lens real estate, but the true corner lens performance and dof come out on the full frame. Nice review and thanks for your work. This looks like a great lens.

[@hy7968]

But chromatic aberrations will show up more on apsc and due to that pixel density, full frame lenses are much softer on apsc

[@Arlantix]

Very useful analysis and review. This is one of Canon's best lenses. It provides outstanding image quality, colours, sharpness, and dynamic range. It has IS, which is pretty useful. I use it and it is fantastic, both for Macro and portraits. Worth the money.

[@joshy21able]

You got me with the boiling water! Good one sir!

[@jonathandoelander6130]

Canon soup

[@fairproduction5784]

This lens is a beast in bokeh ! I use this to shoot most of my cinematic film footage

[@tishaunarmed]

I am interested in finding out the differences in the canon 100mm f2.8 and the sigma 105mm f2.8 with with image stabilization.

[@jennifersayers8041]

I do follow all your reviews, they are so helpful and you provide all the info about every detail. Thank you, as you have helped me chose better and was worth it. 😊

[@MrKen-wy5dk]

0:14 "It comes in at about 650 pounds..." That's a really heavy lens.

[@gogoasa333]

£ not lbf daaah

[@robertsmith4912]

Another terrific video. I've watched many of your videos and they have helped so much as I venture back into photography. I have this lens and truly love it but I now can use it more effectively thanks to your video. Thanks again and keep up the good work. Cheers from Chicago.

[@bencritchley2005]

Congrats on the engagement. Great review as usual!

[@Madeinloneliness]

Your pronunciation is perfect. I understand everything, love your channel! Cheers from Brazil!

[@kalkomsksikru]

Thank u for having all the lens I am searching. I wish u get billions of views and subs!

[@mehrdadhaghighi5140]

I keep coming back to your channel the moment I want to purchase a new lens to see how good the lens really is. Thank you so much for your great reviews! You helped me chose out all my lenses so far and boy am I happy with them :D this one I will purchase now as well. I love Macro Photography...I've been doing a looooot of shots with the 28mm but there is just no use for that lens when you want to take pictures of insects as you can imagine. Flowers and anything that is not scared of my camera and lens looks great though. Really excited to see what I can get out of the 100mm L lens now. Cheers!

[@eniacfoa]

Congrats! Also, you do the best lens reviews in the world. Kick ass stuff bro! Keep 'em comin!

[@virus13911]

Nice.. Have seen your reviews and they are a lot helpful..

[@lanep4322]

The major weakness of the EF 100mm f2.8 IS USM macro lens is the short focus throw. As many who use this lens, I almost never use autofocus, my switch stays in MF constantly. But (my speculation here) to achieve rapid AF, Canon reduced the turn radius of the manual focus ring so close subjects come in and out of focus much faster. This makes it more difficult for me to verify sharp focus of a close subject and I have to spend more time fidgeting with the focus ring. The older Canon macro which was neither IS nor USM required more turning of the manual focus ring, so verifying subjects were at the sharpest plane of focus was actually easier to see and as a result I could actually focus faster.

[@CM-rz1fb]

Congratulations on your engagement, if I listen to anymore of your great reviews I shall be divorced. This is definitely on my next lens list for next year.

[@Eyeofdajjal]

I just bought this lens after a long struggle with myself. I asked on Amazon about the build quality and it got praised by any commenter. Then I went to 2 different stores to look at it. The focus ring had about 1-1.5mm play on one, and that much in both possible axis on the other one. Just as crappy as the non-L 70-300 I used and hated much before I got enough cash to shell out. After several commenters swore theirs had no play at all and one dealer answered that play was important for means of precision (!), I decided to test my luck, and lucky I was. Still doesn't feel like a Sigma Art, but the focussing is smooth, fast and silent, and the old 70-300's stablilizer, that worked, but sounded like something in between a miniature concrete mixer and a coffe grinder (!), is forgotten. But still, be wary of the build quality! Seriously.

[@christopherfrost]

The copy I tested was fine :-)

[@cyberchick87]

Great review and congratulations again :) this lens is a beauty and as been on my wish list a long time!

[@irylbarlisan2976]

Best lens ever!.. This lens is good for home ingredient.

[@nachtjager77]

This lens is still a magnificent pice in 2023, just picked up a like-new example off eBay at a good price and it produces amazing photos. One thing about this lens which is commonly found on internet forums is the auto focus. If you're used to Canon's super-fast auto focusing, this one will mess with you. In low light, the auto focus is very slow but it does nail focus every time, it's just not lightning fast. Outside or in bright light, the focusing is quite a bit faster. But, if you're used to any of the L lenses with the USM motor, this lens will mess with you because of the slow movement of the auto focus, but, apparently it's an inherent problem with Macro lenses with such a long focal length.

[@alloneword154]

What’s a good price?

[@Waynent]

I have a canon t5i, I want this lens, love macro shots, might just get it this Xmas, love your reviews Chris.

[@storiesofblue]

very informative with useful examples, thank you!

[@Eyupyorkshire308]

Great video! Very informative. Helpful as I am planning on purchasing the 70D.

[@timbatec]

+Ian Hall 80D Just came out!

[@mrgreatauk]

Haha I love how you just causally dropped the 'lens' into the pan of boiling water... I had to pause the video I was laughing so much!

[@Abxaxbc]

I've had this lens for a few months. I'm interested in flower photography. But I'm not getting sharp imgs. My imgs are soft though I'm shooting at f8-f11. Am I getting something wrong?

[@maxfactor4209]

Awesome review... Thanks Christopher

[@smaakjeks]

Wow. Very impressive performance on that lens! Plus you provided us with an utterly adorable bunny pawing at a treat-dispensing, carrot-themed toy ball. How perfect is this video?

[@AnhNguyen-id8bk]

I compare this to my Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 and at the same apertures, the 100mm always produces a darker image. Is this normal?

[@tintin69rr]

Great video I was very close to getting the none L lens but your video snd the image stabilisation has convinced me to press the button 😂 looking forward to trying it out 👍👍👍

[@khaledalkhder9110]

really its the bast Channel in the KZbin ! big like thank you

[@Gaivota02]

I still have the original Canon 100mm f2.8. It’s not the USM but the one before that. It seems to have bad chromatic aberration. Does anybody know if there is a comparison online between the original and the USM or this one?

[@blueghost8057]

I’ve bought this lens used recently, it works great but when I shake it it makes weird noise. Does yours also make noise when shaking it?

[@joaovtaveira]

It would be great if you make a review of the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (the non USM version). I have one of that and I am pretty happy with its image quality.

[@gilleswalther5964]

Thank you for another awesome video

[@nonguyen6142]

Hi Christ! Could you please tell me how far is it from the front of the canon 100mm macro lens to the subject to make it 1:1 ratio on an aps-c camera (canon 70D)? And will you recommend it for canon 70d to make macro and also portrait photos? thank you!

[@frenkyb123]

Is it possible to lock this lense? I can not find a lock button.

[@beppelonglegs]

bruh. the way that image stabilization made a difference

[@Thecocochannell1]

Chris, thank you for the review! I'm going to buy, either this lens or the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM; which one in your opinion, is the better option?

[@marikarentier9741]

Thanks for great review. Would like your advice. I use the 24-105mm f4 for a lot of my photography, for food, for portraits, events in lower light, sometimes weddings. . I miss a faster lens on the tele side. I wonder which would be better, this 100mm macro or the 135 f2?

[@jasrenfro9856]

What adjusting the fstop to increase your sharpness do you need to compensate in other settings?

[@thetuckerlife]

Great review! Thanks a ton!

[@martinrosen9742]

Just ordered a used one for my r6. Looking forward to use it with my ewa marine underwater housing :)

[@girnas89]

Patiently waiting for the RF 100mm review

[@Pertamax7-HD]

thanks sir...

[@DavidWoods_ca]

Can you compare this lens to the Sigma 105mm Macro? I've had the Sigma for the past 6 months or so and love it, but want to know how it compares to the Canon.

[@AugmentedGravity]

This lens is surprisingly popular in video shooting

[@NataGeo83]

I got almost a heart attack when he throw it into the hot water 😱

[@thatzmer1513]

Hi Chris, thank you so much for your informative videos. Can you please do a comparison video between tamron 90mm f2.8 DI VC USD and Sigma's 105mm f2.8 macro lens?

[@phuongtrangdo]

Always love your video man, keep it up and Congrats on the engagement ^^

[@TheG7thcapo]

Congratulations on your engagement!!! When is your wedding? Well your macro lens will serve you well on your wedding. Great review. Thanks

[@pontus7802]

Canon 100mm f/2.8 usm macro or the Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di-II 1:1 Macro? I use canon 5d and wanna shoot flowers and insects- butterflies etc, which one would u pick?

[@christopherfrost]

I haven't tried the Tamron I'm afraid, although I'm sure it'll p[retty much be just as sharp

[@captureyourmoments3714]

Chris which is the best for video work the tamron 85mm 1.8 or this lens at 2.8, need good stabilization, good colour, good auto focus. steve

[@christopherfrost]

I'd personally go for the Tamron for the extra wide maximum aperture

[@mrz1342]

in the min 7:42 you mentioned that the lens without IS is sharper than the L series with IS; so if it is, we need to shoot photo or video only on tripod, right? also is this lens on canon 70d is sharper and more recommended than canon 50mm f1.4? thanks

[@christopherfrost]

mrz 1342 Both lenses are as sharp as each other. You'll need a tripod for macro photography most of the time whether your lens has IS or not. And whether you should get a 50mm or 100mm lens is up to you and your needs.

[@SH00TMARTY]

After about 6 veiws over the last 12 months, I'm finally getting this. for Portrait and Macro work. But its the Bokeh on this lens that gets me.. I think the 60mm EF-s Macro would be better for APS-C but I'm Full frame now. After following you for quite a while... I have sold all my EF-S gear but the 15-85mm which I just cant seem to part with.... It'll will joins my 70-200 F4 L IS USM, 16-35 F4L IS USM, the 50-and 85 1.8's, I even have a couple of older lenses you havent tested. 35-135mm , 28-90, and a 35-80, which has a cool trick of removing the front group, and using it as a Macro... I'd be quite to post them over to you play with for a while. But you would have to post em back to Aus..Though it seems you are moving away from these lenses a little.. Any way let me know.. Cheers. Marty

[@travisrocks21]

congrats man and great vids

[@roei234]

Congrats on the engagement, love your videos! keep up the great work :)

[@ginoperrone5250]

Which one is better? This Canon 100mm f/2.8 L, or Tamron 90mm f/2.8 VC, thinking Canon's costs the double!

[@jimbarry9705]

Nice work. Well spoken.

[@d1ehl.]

Christopher Frost if I have a 24-105 f4 L lens is this lens something to look into? I love Macro but unless I use an extension tube I don't have anything to get the kind of ultra macro shots I like, like close-ups of insects. Thanks for any help you can give.

[@christopherfrost]

Well, watch the review, and you'll see if it's the kind of lens for you :-)

[@Phoenix030886]

Your Lens Review Videos are really great and helped me very well to decied, what Lens I should buy and wich not, Thanks for that, Big Like

[@ArcanePath360]

I love 2014 prices. This is what it cost for USED today!

[@joostvandenborn8744]

Congrats on the engagement!

[@zackchoy1969]

Thanks Christopher for the great review. Would you recommend this 100mm Macro or the 180mm f/3.5L Macro for macro works?

[@zackchoy1969]

I would like to stand far away when shooting bugs to prevent blockage of light. But for 100mm with IS, its good for shooting non living subjects like rings and food?

[@TaxiRED]

I bought this today, can wait to get to grips with it Chris :)

[@MrPhenix1990]

First off all I love your reviews, they are great! Second I have a question: Will you make a review for the new Tamron 90mm macro f017? I think it's an interesting competitor to the Canon 100mm and you are the only one I trust with these tests because your tests are reproducible :)

[@christopherfrost]

I might cover that Tamron lens sometime. I'm a bit busy at the moment

[@icapturethelight1877]

Can you please explain the lens ring measurement and how to use it in detail

[@JM94_]

Is this for canon m50?

[@premiumqualityproductions7717]

this lens good for videos? wich lenses you recommend to make music videos with a canon 80D?

[@christopherfrost]

To see whether this lens is good for video work, watch this review. As for a lens 'to make music videos', you're bring pretty vague there! A good one for general video work is certainly the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM

[@navinonlinehere]

Hi Chris, Could you please help me out which lens I can pick for Canon 6D. I have Canon 18-55mm and 55-250mm lens in my hand, I am just normal user I love to take photos with blurred background of long shots and I am going to pick one more lens for my 6D so which one I can go for it? 1) Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM 2) Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM A) Which is better in from your experience? B) Also please give which one is better based on my requirement “Quick Focusing”, “Blurred Background Image on long shot”, “Better Low light performance” Thanks in advance.

[@christopherfrost]

Do you mean a 6D or a 60D? Because it's not possible to even fit the 18-55 or 55-250 onto a Canon 6D. As for all your other questions, really, take a look at my reviews and you'll find all the information I can give you.

[@navinonlinehere]

Hi Chris, Thanks and I have that lens for my basic camera, could you please give me which one i can pick from below 2 lens, Which one is better based on my requirement “Quick Focusing”, “Blurred Background Image on long shot”, “Better Low light performance” 1) Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM 2) Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

[@christopherfrost]

The first lens :-)

[@navinonlinehere]

Thanks Chris :)

[@nordiccitizen]

Would love to see a review of the Sigma 105 Macro. Maybe even a bit of comparing it.

[@hsbokra]

André Lange I have sigma, half price of the canon, great lens! Built to last, sharpness and contrasty

[@Lemon-uz4mc]

Hey Chris, I'm finding a good portrait lens for my new 6D2, which this and thre 135L seems good. I have lens for other uses, so this choice is strictly for portrait work. Not people portraits though, it's toys and 1/3 dolls, so I can't go too far away. Which one seems better？Will the .8 difference in aperture be visible？

[@christopherfrost]

The bokeh will be much smoother with the 135mm lens (it's a tighter focal length which makes a big difference) but if you need macro pictures then you need the macro lens!

[@derreth]

Thanks Chris this is my next Lens. For now I will be using it on a 60D but I am hoping Canon will soon release a Mark II 6D if they do I will get one and use the 100mm on that. You had me fooled when you dropped what appeared to be a $1000 Lens into boiling water. Then I saw the link to the cup review phew!.

[@NowyKurs]

Is this for Full Frame or APSC?

[@gmgq]

Congrats my friend!

[@LOCKonPS]

Hi Chris. Have you tried the Sigma 105mm macro 2.8? Can you give a review of that lens? Like you do for APS-C and Full frame DSLR. Thanks chris in advance.

[@OneShotFilmmaker]

Great video man

[@Archetapp]

Great Video! Congrats on the engagement! :)

[@toxic5000]

Hi Chris! Great review as usual! What would you recommend as a first macro lens? Canon 100mm L or Sigma 150mm? I know that the sigma is really sharp but the shallow depth of field is frightening at 150mm. Thanks! :)

[@christopherfrost]

I haven't tested the Sigma 150mm but it hear it's incredibly good - I'd be tempted to go for that instead TBH

[@toxic5000]

Christopher Frost Photography Thank you very much for your reply! Do you think you will ever make a review of it? Or maybe a comparison with the 100mm L? You are really the best source I found to learn about lenses, I appreciate what you do very much!

[@IuriLudkevitch]

Great review! Any ideas about subjects after reviewing all Canon lenses? Please, the show must go on! :-)

[@wannamlwithu]

After looking through 3 video reviews, i think i will be getting this lens since i do mostly macro food photography and food/travel videos. But i am still thinking about 24-70 mm lens although i know it's much more pricier than 100mm one. Can you give any advice? Thanks.

[@christopherfrost]

+wannamlwithu The Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM is actually a very good lens for food photography. A 24-70mm lens will be a good general purpose lens for full-frame camera users

[@Hercules_the_Great]

Congrats man!

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

I'm new to the world of macro, but it appears as though these lenses have better overall image quality across the image. Even into the corners! Better than the usual primes. or maybe I just haven't experienced enough of them.

[@kof2kxi]

hey chris can you please review sigma 105mm macro lenses... and give your opinion

[@JoshuaBenjaminA]

Hi Chris, would you recommend this or the Sigma 105mm OS?

[@christopherfrost]

+JoshuaBenjaminA Haven't tested the Sigma although I do hear it's about as good!

[@CoffeeWithCaleb]

Would you recommend getting this on a cropped sensor camera such as the t6i, or would you recommend going with a full frame such as the canon eos 6d for sharper results? Thanks for the response if you do :D

[@christopherfrost]

You'll get sharper results on FF

[@CoffeeWithCaleb]

thanks for responding :D

[@undercoverlegacy4724]

I have a question for ya. Could you safely dip the very tip of this lens through salt water to break the reflection if need be in a tidal pool to capture some close to the surface sea critter? if not what cheap choices are out there to enable that little bit of lee-way? And also I am guessing your test lens did not survive the boiling lol.

[@undercoverlegacy4724]

If your brilliant comment is on the boiling, I Know That genius it's called Being Facetious! smart people like to be that way keep the joke going while not giving it away. I can't help it if you're too slow on the draw to catch that.

[@francoisgervais1]

If you get the opportunity I would kindly request a video on the RF version, some people even say that it’s not as sharp as the EF version.

[@mannyreyes6384]

Congratulations on your engagement.

[@FoodFolksandGuns]

Hi Chris. Could you please share your camera and lens settings for the segments where you are holding the lens in your hands? Really like the way it looks. Thank you!

[@christopherfrost]

It's shot at f/4 on a full-frame camera and at various focal lengths. 1/50 shutter speed, and various ISO levels

[@aldrindetablan4358]

hope you make a comparison of this and the new tamron 90 mm macro sp.. cheers and God bless!

[@ferasusif]

Hey Christopher. thanks for the great video. Can I use this lens for my canon m100 with the adapter?

[@christopherfrost]

Yup

[@jiteshsharma8306]

2:51 nearly got me a heart attack there...

[@NellysaintsSROP]

Hi Christ, I have a question about your 6d. do you shoot jpeg or raw? if Raw, what software do you use for your final image. if Jpeg what often picture style or "in camera processing" do you use?

[@christopherfrost]

I shoot JPEG with the portrait style, with slightly reduced sharpening

[@NellysaintsSROP]

Christopher Frost Photography Thanks! so your photos from your review are straight from camera? they look awesome

[@gustav901]

Christopher Frost Photography Why would you shoot anything other than raw? Do you need the buffer size? Personally I shoot mostly motorbikes in bad light so I need all that data to save shadows and highlights. I got my own presets in Lightroom so it's just one click to fix all my images with sharpness, chromatic and so on.

[@christopherfrost]

Tomteluva We all have our preferred workflows - I just happen to be happy shooting JPEG

[@OHYESIDIDFOO]

Christopher Frost Photography so basically what you're saying is you don't want us to take you seriously, RAW > jpeg any day of the week.

[@hitmhard]

I have a Canon 80d, and this canon 100mm lens will arrive tomorrow. My question is, will this Kenko DG Auto Extension Tube Set work well on a canon 80d?? Will I get much more magnification, and better results? I like your channel, keep up the good work!!

[@christopherfrost]

No idea I'm afraid, you'll have to try it and see!

[@thefocalcode]

Found one for 415 eur, reasonable price? :)

[@imzaki1994]

i love this lens