Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - EF 100mm f/2 USM Medium Telephoto Lens - Black
Average customer rating
4.7
(15 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 15 reviews
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
12 out of
12)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EF 100mm f/2 USM Medium Telephoto Lens - Black
Customer Rating
5
Highly Under-rated Lens
on January 30, 2015
Posted by: Lobohowler
from Iowa
This is the only non-L lens in my kit. It is often overlooked because of Canon's other 100mm offerings and some say that the 2.8L IS macro makes this lens redundant. If you shoot macro and want something that doubles as a portrait lens, then by all means go for the 2.8L IS. If you want a great portrait lens at 100, this is better wide open than the macro. For me, 100 mm is the perfect focal length for portraits on full frame. This lens is super sharp, has practically no distortion, and focuses lightning fast even though it is one of the older lenses in Canon's lineup. Creamy bokeh, and the lens looks unobtrusive and doesn't scream "expensive". Although it is not an L lens, it is very solidly built and even has a metal filter thread.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
One of the great lenses
on January 16, 2014
Posted by: photoblogger
from Wiltshire, UK
This lens is very well built, it may not be fully sealed but in my opinion that's the only thing stopping this having a red ring. The lens does not move either the front or rear element for focussing which means it is naturally reluctant to attract moisture or dust internally.
The proper ring-USM focuses nearly immediately, it's frighteningly sharp even wide open, the Boke and low light ability is lovely thanks to its wide aperture.
What would I change?
IS is obvious by its absence, but that would bump up the price and frankly is unnecessary given its wide aperture.
I would probably change the aperture blades by adding one as this currently has an even number and that means half as many spikes on sunstars when stopped down... that's it.
As anyone can see I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel to find anything wrong with this lens.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, wide aperture
Cons: no red ring
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Lens !!
on December 2, 2015
Posted by: Maryse S
from Castries, Saint Lucia
I bought this lens not knowing what to expect. It was my first prime lens which I got myself and for some reason, I picked this 100mm over the nifty fifty. When I finally received it, it was a really good lens. But when I kept using it over the months, I realized that this was a great lens. I prefer it to the 50mm f/1.8 II. I love taking portraits with this lens, especially of my dogs. I have taken many great photos with this lens and now, I use it more than any other lens that I own. It is the main lens on my camera.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Superb
on July 22, 2015
Posted by: solobackcountry
from Gilbert, AZ
Superb medium telephoto landscape lens on full-frame at apertures ranging from f/8-f/16. Clean and sharp edge to edge, nearly zero distortion, and great color/contrast. It's exactly what you want for professional landscape work. I only use prime lenses.. The obvious alternate choice for me before purchasing this lens was the 135mm L. Unless you must have the additional 35mm and the added robust built quality, the 100 is a smarter choice for landscape work. It's more then half the price and wonderfully light weight. It handles so nicely on the tripod. A full-frame camera body is heavy enough. The last thing I want or need is an overbuilt front heavy L lens. L lenses are just not as important on primes. Zooms are a different story. Based on technical reviews, 135mm L mostly excels in the extreme large aperture range (f/2-f/2.8) for specialty shallow depth of field work. That aperture range is irrelevant in landscape photography. If you can get past not having a red ring around the front and if you don't throw your gear around like chunk a firewood, save some money and buy the 100mm f/2. It wont let you down. Its a smart buy.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Surprising lens!
on May 20, 2013
Posted by: Lurcus
from New York, NY
Despite its age, that's still an amazing lens.
Unfortunately, it lacks the stabilizer and the AF is not up to the best Canon lenses, but other than that, this lens is just great. Distortion is negligible, vignetting is very well controlled and sharpness is very good throughout the whole frame even at f/2. Bokeh is nice even stopping down. Build quality is good and the quite large MF ring is very helpful if you use the lens with a follow focus. In my opinion, the only reason to spend more money for the 135/2 is the addictional focal lenght and the "L" built quality. Other than that, you won't miss anything with the 100/2. I really hope for a new IS version with the same optical quality...
Unfortunately, it lacks the stabilizer and the AF is not up to the best Canon lenses, but other than that, this lens is just great. Distortion is negligible, vignetting is very well controlled and sharpness is very good throughout the whole frame even at f/2. Bokeh is nice even stopping down. Build quality is good and the quite large MF ring is very helpful if you use the lens with a follow focus. In my opinion, the only reason to spend more money for the 135/2 is the addictional focal lenght and the "L" built quality. Other than that, you won't miss anything with the 100/2. I really hope for a new IS version with the same optical quality...
Pros: image quality
Cons: lacks is
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
I love this lens
on December 20, 2012
Posted by: Mark
from Texas
I love this lens, I use it on a Canon 5D Mark II for very low light theater photography and I get some really stunning photographs. Even in situations when there is almost no light I am able to obtain really good results.
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Superior build quality, Super-sharp images, low light
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Superb II
on April 9, 2019
Posted by: solobackcountry
from Gilbert, AZ
This is a follow-up to my 2015 review. This lens still continues to blow me away in full frame format. It has to be one of Canon's most underrated lenses. It excels in all possible ways. My prior review primarily focused on landscape photography at smaller apertures. I'm now also using this lens at large apertures for shallow depth of field photography (plants/flowers). Image quality from f/2.2 to f/2.8 is exceptional. Very sharp deep into the mid-frame with excellent bokeh, minimal light fall-off, and excellent color/contrast. f/2.5 and beyond is edge to edge sharp. This lens is also becoming my go-to environmental wildlife lens for elk in low light. The compact lightweight portability of this lens is just such a no-brainer. I hope that Canon never discontinues this lens. Red ring L quality in an affordable compact lightweight package. The obvious alternative to this lens is its sibling the EF 85mm f/1.8 which is also very good.. I've extensively used that lens over the years. The EF 100mm f/2 is a bit better in all aspects and is my personal preference overall. You just can't go wrong buying this lens. I've said in other reviews that it sometimes comes down to red ring bragging rights or results. This lens falls into that category. Results always win for me. Rugged durability or apertures larger than f/2 are in my opinion the only reasons to consider the similar L offerings. I'll take affordable lightweight portability every time if it delivers the goods.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great portrait
on October 4, 2011
Posted by: Gblader
Yes- its better than the 85. Buuuuut both are loooouuudddd when autofocusing... I wish they would come out with a mii with a silent autofocus. It sounds like someone is chattering their teeth... Other than that, great little lens for portraits and candids- long but small so people dont know ur taking a photo of them... Get it!
Pros: Fast auto-focus, Super-sharp images
Cons: loud autofocus
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com