Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro

This is a major upgrade to the venerable 100mm f2.8 Macro, which now receives “L” designation, weather sealing, and Canon’s new 4 stop ‘hybrid’ Image stabilization system. The hybrid image stabilisation system compensates for linear and rotational shake, making image stabilisation more effective at close distances.

With 15 elements in 13 groups, an improved ultrasonic motor, and a nine-blade aperture ring for smooth out-of-focus highlights, the lens represents a major improvement over the excellent 100mm f2.8 Macro it replaces.

Roger’s Take: When this was first announced, I though “a triumph of technology over common sense”. Didn’t Canon have something better to do than improve one of their best lenses? The 100 Macro was sharp as a tack, easy to use, reasonably priced. I couldn’t see why they’d change it.

After shooting with it, I can see why. First of all, some things are just different — not necessarily better. Its a thicker, larger lens than the original 100Macro, and it has a plastic body (well made heavy plastic, but plastic). Some things are less attractive (the price is much higher, but not unreasonable). Some things are a bit better — I wish all Canon’s lens hoods were made of this textured plastic. Much nicer than the standard “shiny till something touches it and leaves a mark” hoods on most Canon lenses. And its a bit sharper with perhaps better bokeh than the first version.

But 4 stop Image Stabilization, now that, my friends is worthwhile. It allows me to use this tripod-free for a lot of work, even with it stopped down if the light is reasonable. Handholding for 1/10 of a second in portrait mode is reasonable. One thing I would mention, though, in case you don’t read the Canon manual: when shooting Macro shots up close the IS is not as effective. About 2 stops is all you can depend on in Macro mode.

Now, if I was doing Macro work with a tripod and focusing rail, would I pay the difference? No, I’d use the original version, it was a superb lens. But for hand-held work, there’s no comparison. This one is miles better.