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Todd Klassy
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Registered: Sep 27, 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 290
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Review Date: Oct 21, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $480.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharp, good color and contrast, nice creamy bokeh, and excellent price.
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Cons:
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Build quality isn't on par with L lenses...but it's not a L-lens, is it?
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The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM is a fine lens, especially for the price, and has been the stalwart in Canon's line on lenses for many, many years. Though Canon has announced its new 100mm f/2.8L lens, its older predecessor is no slouch, even on cameras that have much larger sensors than when this lens was first released.
I've used this lens on a Canon EOS 20D, 50D, 5D, 5D Mark II, and 1D Mark III and it has never failed me. It is always in my camera bag and it is always manages to take exceptional macro photographs and fairly decent portrait shots that can rival those taken with the legendary Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM lens. Many amateurs see it only as a macro lens, but should be reminded that its larger aperture can isolate a subject in non-macro shots, too.
If you are an amateur photographer and you do not yet own a prime lens, this is probably the first lens you should get. You won't be disappointed with the images it helps create (which should be your primary criteria when choosing a lens).
Here are some examples of photographs I have taken with this lens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/latitudes/3081572784/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/latitudes/343633778/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/latitudes/1985427515/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/latitudes/26586044/
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 Oct 21, 2010
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webman06
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Registered: May 21, 2004
Location: France
Posts: 50
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Review Date: Jul 27, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very very sharp lens. Ideal for both Macrophotography but also portrait.
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Cons:
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None
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Even if the new IS version is out, this lens is still a star performer. Great image quality, contrast and bokeh. Light and not that expensive ;-)
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Jul 27, 2010
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fairtex
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Registered: Jun 28, 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 65
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Review Date: Jun 30, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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very sharp, fairly light, great bokeh
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Cons:
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not a thing
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What a great lens!
The 100mm 2.8 USM is very sharp (most macro lenses are) and easy to use. It's amazingly light and built-quality is very good, although not on L-level. 100mm is a very good focal length for macro pictures, but you can also use it for close-up headshots.
Highly regarded!
If you're thinking about getting a macro lens, you'll likely to have to decide between this 100mm 2.8 USM and its 100mm 2.8 L IS - twin brother. Although I didn't test the 100mm L intensively, I don't think the addition of the IS is worth the price difference.
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Jun 30, 2010
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beeber00
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Registered: Jul 21, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 741
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Review Date: Jun 29, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $430.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Fast, solid build, price, sharpness, doesnt extend, and my favorite part - can be shot wide open.
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Cons:
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What?
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Wow, what a lens. If you want to shoot macro, this is the go-to. Other macro lenses may have positive reviews surrounding image sharpness, but thats what macro lenses are all known for - sharpness.
This lens beats out the others. The first reason is that when this lens goes into macro mode, it does not extend. Other lenses like the Sigmas will have the front barrel extend.
Another reason this lens is the shit is because it focuses in a heartbeat without making a sound. If youre coming from a non-usm lens, its just a luxury. This lens focused faster than two of my other USMs (20-35 and 85 1.8).
The build quality of this badboy is SOLID. You feel like youre holding a man's lens - nothing girly-man about it. It fits well on your camera, especially if you have a grip (or a pro body.. yea, its nice).
The filter size is a 58 - no 60$ filters!
It has a focus limiter switch. What that does is makes it so the lens won't accidentally go into macro mode if the switch is set, which can help if the lens hunts (in low light).
The manual focus ring is refreshing too. Real nice.
The lens is the sharpest Ive seen of any lens Ive used, and its still the case when I shoot at f2.8. This ability is one of my favorite qualities of the lens. I've owned other lenses with a fast aperture, but you generally don't shoot at them because the quality is better stopped down. Why buy a fast lens if you stop it down all the time anyway? With this lens, 2.8 looks great! (I use a 1d 2)
For those newer to photography (or newer to buying new lenses that may seem expensive), Ive been in your shoes. I was happy with my 50 1.8 lens - a 90$ deal. A 400+$ lens was a lot for me, but when you read other users saying things like 'worth every penny', they mean it. Go spend the money on this lens! You'll be happy that you did. Hundreds of others on this website were. You could even buy one from them! Check out the B / S board here and support Fred Miranda.
- The negatives (for some) -
The lens is a fixed 100mm. We know that coming in. The fact that it doesnt zoom should not be counted against it. You have to work with your feet. Be creative. You can't easily shoot indoors on a 1.6 body. Also, 2.8 is a PLUS, not a minus. If this was f2, well.. they make an f2, so buy that one if you want, but 2.8 is perfect on this lens. Lastly, primes are better, get used to it.
I dont think I left anything out. If I did, sue me.
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Jun 29, 2010
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dustnet
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Registered: Jul 30, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 20
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Review Date: May 25, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $500.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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A bargain, sharp image, build quality, large and nice focusing ring
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Cons:
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maybe a bit heavy
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If you want to jump into macro photography without making your banker angry and making compromise in image quality, this lens is the perfect choice, here is why:
- Almost half the price of the IS version (and even more if you get a nice used one).
- Very good image quality, L rated.
- Nice build quality.
- A joy to use the very large focusing ring.
- Pretty good for portrait too.
A couple of things:
- Don't think about doing macro photography without flash! I'm personally using a 580EX II + pocketwizard.
- Prefer close-up lens (like the Canon 250D) than extension tubes, because they are much more easier to use (no need to get the lens out of the body) and you don't loose any light.
If you need real world samples, just check my website and blog:
http://photography.emmanuelrondeau.com
http://blog.emmanuelrondeau.com
Emmanuel.
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May 25, 2010
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W6jhb
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Registered: Mar 15, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Mar 27, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Very sharp, quite accurate color rendition.
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Cons:
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None, really!
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I've had this great macro lens for several years. In fact, I bought it when I had purchased my 10D brand new - that ought to give you an idea how long I've had the lens! Kept it through several body upgrades (camera, not me!) - 20D, 40D, 50D, and now using it on my 7D.
It is used 95% for photography of classic postage stamps, with a couple of flower close-ups thrown in. I use this lens on a tripod in combination with the Canon MR-14EX Macro Ringlite flash. It does a superb job with the colors and very shallow depth of field I require. I take 100 - 200 macro photos per week, and have done so ever since purchasing it, so it certainly has several thousands of shots - it still works as well as the day it was brand new.
Can't speak for how well it may or may not work as a portrait lens, but for macro work it does a really great job. Highly recommended.
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Mar 27, 2010
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EdwinCanon
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Registered: Mar 3, 2010
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Mar 4, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Very sharp, great image quality, very versatile lens, great build quality
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Cons:
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No lens hood, no weather sealing, no IS
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I have this lens for over a year now and it's the lens that keeps amazing me. I use it for Macro nature shots, product shots, portraits, landscapes, everything.
I have some very sharp macro photo's that even with 18 Mpixels zoomed in are tack sharp. Also the sharpness in the corners is very good.
Here is a overview of some of the photo's I made in the past year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vannuil/tags/ef100mmf28usmmacro/
and http://www.flickr.com/photos/vannuil/tags/100mm/
Great lens that I really advise to buy, you won't regret it.
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Mar 4, 2010
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nl_age
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Registered: Mar 2, 2010
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Mar 2, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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- Sharp
- Fast focus
- Good value for money
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Cons:
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- No IS
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I own this lens for a couple of month now and i really enjoy it. Never had any doubts about this one.
If you want to see some of the photos i took with this lens. Visit the url below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arjan_gerritsen/tags/canonef100mm28macrousm/
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Mar 2, 2010
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realtime
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Registered: Sep 26, 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Feb 20, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $600.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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beautifully sharp, great colours, lots of fun, decent price
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Cons:
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focus hunts at distances beyond 1m - not a problem as I generally use manual
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Absolutely the most fun, rewarding lens I have used. Brilliant results - sharp, richly coloured, opens a whole new world of subjects.
I takes some practice to get used to the short depth of field.
Highly recommended!
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Feb 20, 2010
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denoir
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Registered: Feb 11, 2010
Location: Sweden
Posts: 4222
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Review Date: Feb 11, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Sharp, excellent macro, reasonably fast
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Cons:
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Temperamental auto focus, no IS
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Great macro lens. It's sharp already at 2.8 which allows you to take shots with ridiculously small DOF. The image quality is fantastic.
With the kind of images that this lens can deliver you could forgive any other shortcomings it might have. Fortunately they aren't many. The only negative thing about it is the focus. The auto focus can be super-fast sometimes while it can be painfully slow on other occasions. Manual focus works fine for macro shots but it is way too sensitive when you are focusing on objects that are further away than ~1 m.
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Feb 11, 2010
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barmaley
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Registered: Oct 23, 2009
Location: Russia
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Jan 7, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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This is one of my favorite lenses.
I use it since 2004 and I still brings a lot of fun.
It is very sharp, have excellent colors and microcontrast,
have virtually none CA. Overall image quality is excellent.
It has fast AF speed for a macro lens, I have even made some action shots with it on 40D and 7D.
It is well built, not actually as good as L lenses, but it works fine for 5 years.
It is not only wonderful macro lens, that is handholdable and has good working distance, It works nicely as a generic telephoto lens, and makes very good portraits.
Even with the crop of new macro lenses, I'll choose this one over anything for the price. New L version is better but the price is much higher.
You can read my review with sample images here:
http://www.alexsukonkin.com/reviews/Canon-EF100f28-USM_en.html
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Jan 7, 2010
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JackyFong
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Registered: Apr 27, 2006
Location: Singapore
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Dec 21, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Light weight Marco Lens, Fast AF in open spaces, can be used as portrait & close up lens, silent focusing with USM, sharp from f4 and up, nice & vibrant colors
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Cons:
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Tends to hunt a bit indoor, other then that no other complaints
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Saw a mint copy lying in the used camera shop. Asked to try for it. Got a straight sharp picture. Good colors and fits my hands. Shop was selling S$580/- but I got it negotiated for S$550/- with an Emolux 58mm UV filter. I actually know it is a great lens to have as I had used it before for product shooting.
Thus when I saw it, I knew I got to act fast, for else, I might be paying for S$700/- plus for first hand. Then without thinking, I swipe my bank card and after my purchased of 1Dmk2 body last week, I bought another photographic product this week. I realised I used up all the bonuses received. However, thinking of the few times of S$550/- that I could make in the future, this marco lens is worth every single cent.
Now I got to look for more jobs 
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Dec 21, 2009
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Hitendra
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Registered: Feb 15, 2007
Location: India
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Dec 7, 2009
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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Excellent image quality, superb balance, well built.
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Cons:
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None
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Dec 7, 2009
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Lane48
Offline
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Registered: Sep 3, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 15
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Review Date: Nov 4, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $435.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Excellent image quality, very sharp, AF is fast and accurate, solid build, USM, price
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Cons:
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Canon not including a hood
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This is a wonderful Macro and mild telephoto lens. I have been shooting with this lens for 2 years. The image quality is excellent. I have found it to have excellent sharpness from f/2.8, and excellent color and contrast. I do not believe that there is a better Macro lens out there in this focal length. That being said, we will have to wait and see how the new “L” version performs. The autofocus is very good on this lens. However, I find that I use manual focus most of the time due to preference on my part. I find the size, weight, and balance to be perfect for my Macro shooting. Now, if we could only get Canon to throw in the hood like other lens manufacturers. I find it annoying that I have to spend additional money for hoods every time I purchase a Canon (non-L) lens. I prefer to shoot with the hood installed.
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Nov 4, 2009
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jankson
Offline
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Registered: Sep 4, 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Sep 13, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Super sharp,Perfect on everything,AF very fast and accurate,very fun to use,fairly cheap for the result you get.
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Cons:
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No IS,no lens hood for free
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Buy this and you will have lots of fun!
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Sep 13, 2009
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sunpole
Offline
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Registered: Jan 3, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 320
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Review Date: Sep 11, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, good build quality and solid glass
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Cons:
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No IS obviously, but if used on a tripod not a problem
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This is a L lens in disguise, good build quality and stunning macro pictures.
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Sep 11, 2009
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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210
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527274
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Feb 13, 2018
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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95% of reviewers
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$480.04
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.10
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9.21
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9.6
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