EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Released March 2000

An EF macro prime with life-size reproduction, ring USM autofocus and internal focusing that keeps its length and front filter orientation unchanged.

Model history · 2 models, 1990–2000

1990EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro Compare
2000EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Mount: Canon EF
Focal length: 100 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Stabilisation: No
Weight: 600 g

What reviewers say

Both reviewers find strong sharpness, contrast and close-up performance, with quiet autofocus and useful internal focusing. The Digital Picture calls it good value but reports sample-dependent autofocus behaviour and slower travel from life-size focus to infinity. ePHOTOzine praises handling and low flare, while finding the price slightly high and the optional hood disappointing.

From the-digital-picture.com and ephotozine.com

Specifications

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Optics

Lens type: Prime
Focal length: 100 mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum aperture: f/32
Macro lens: Yes
Optical construction: Twelve elements in eight groups with three-group floating focusing
Diaphragm: Eight blades; Canon UK's store describes a circular aperture
Angle of view: 24° diagonal, 20° horizontal and 14° vertical according to Canon's manual

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Canon EF
Image circle: Full frame
Compatibility: Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors
Teleconverter support: Canon's manual excludes Extender EF1.4X II and EF2X II

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.31 m
Maximum magnification: 1×
Optical stabilisation: No
Autofocus detail: Ring USM; full-time manual adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter half-pressed according to Canon's manual
Focus distance detail: Internal focusing keeps the length constant and the front ring stationary; focus limiter selects 0.31 m to infinity or 0.48 m to infinity
Magnification detail: Life-size 1× reproduction without attachments; Canon Camera Museum gives 149 mm working distance at life-size, distinct from 0.31 m image-plane focusing distance
Stabilisation detail: No optical stabilisation according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: No
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Maximum diameter: 79 mm
Length: 119 mm
Weight: 600 g
Controls: AF/MF switch, focus-range switch, focus ring, distance window and reproduction-ratio scale
Weather resistance: No weather sealing according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table
Dimensions detail: Canon Camera Museum gives 79 mm diameter × 119 mm length and 600 g; Canon's Japanese manual instead lists 78.6 × 118.6 mm and 580 g. Both describe the same model; no separately marketed revision is identified
Weight detail: Headline weight follows Canon Camera Museum's historical specification; the manual's 580 g figure is lens-only, excluding caps and optional tripod ring
Tripod mount: Optional Ring-type Tripod Mount B (B), with the adaptor specifically for this lens, according to Canon's manual
Lens hood: ET-67; optional according to the two reviews
Release detail: Canon Camera Museum records March 2000 marketing and explicitly says this replaces the earlier EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Its predecessor year of 1991 conflicts with the original lens's own Museum table, which gives April 1990

Pros and cons

Pros

Life-size 1× maximum magnification
Internal focusing with a non-rotating front ring
Full-time manual focus and focus-range limiter

Cons

No optical stabilisation
No weather sealing

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
CanonEF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM	Canon EF	100 mm	f/2.8	Yes	625 g	Oct 2009
CanonEF 100mm f/2.8 Macro	Canon EF	100 mm	f/2.8	–	650 g	Apr 1990
CanonEF 135mm f/2L USM	Canon EF	135 mm	f/2	No	750 g	Apr 1996

Previous model: EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro.

Sources

Photo: global.canon

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