If you’re new to macro shooting, this is a good lens to start with. It focuses quickly for a macro lens and you can usually autofocus macro shots with it pretty well. It’s as sharp as a… well, as sharp as a macro lens, and at f/2.8 it’s fast enough that you can get away without needing a dedicated macro flash most of the time. If you want the very best, then the L IS version has amazing image stabilization — but at roughly twice the price.
March, 2013