Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro Lens Honest Review

Summary

In this video, Jennifer Cook reviews the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens, highlighting its technical specifications and creative uses in wedding photography. She praises its lightweight design, impressive minimum focusing distance, and exceptional depth of field for capturing detailed ring shots. While the lens excels in macro and portrait photography, Jennifer advises against using it for fast-moving subjects or low-light reception scenarios. She also discusses pricing options and suggests renting the lens for practice. Overall, she emphasizes the lens's importance in enhancing wedding galleries through stunning detail shots.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens is lightweight and easy to handle for wedding photography.
• 😀 Its minimum focusing distance of 1 foot allows for excellent macro photography, especially for rings.
• 😀 The lens exhibits minimal distortion, making it reliable for capturing detailed shots.
• 😀 Depth of field is impressive, offering beautiful bokeh effects for portraits and detail shots.
• 😀 Shooting speed is slower compared to other lenses, making it unsuitable for fast-moving subjects.
• 😀 Versatility is limited; best used for still subjects and macro details rather than dynamic scenes.
• 😀 The lens price ranges from $800 to $1,200, depending on new or used condition.
• 😀 Ideal for macro photography, particularly for ring shots and other wedding details.
• 😀 Not suitable for key wedding moments like the bride walking down the aisle due to its slower focusing.
• 😀 Renting the lens is recommended for those unfamiliar with its use before a wedding day.

Q & A

What is the primary use of the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro Lens?

The lens is primarily used for macro photography, particularly for capturing detailed shots of wedding rings and other small objects.

How does the weight of the lens affect its usability during wedding shoots?

Weighing 21.9 oz, the lens is considered lightweight for its size, making it manageable for photographers during long wedding sessions.

What is the minimum focusing distance of this lens, and why is it significant?

The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 1 foot, allowing for exceptional close-up shots that are essential in macro photography.

Does the lens produce distortion in images?

No, the lens does not produce distortion, which is a significant advantage for macro and portrait photography.

How does the aperture of f/2.8 affect portrait photography with this lens?

The f/2.8 aperture allows for a nice depth of field, creating a beautiful bokeh effect, although it may not provide as bright images as faster lenses.

What are the lens's limitations when shooting fast-moving subjects?

The lens is not suitable for fast-moving subjects due to its slower focusing speed, which can result in missed moments.

In what scenarios is this lens not recommended for use?

The lens is not recommended for dynamic events like a bride walking down the aisle or reception shots, as it struggles in low light and with moving subjects.

What creative uses does the lens have beyond wedding photography?

Besides wedding photography, the lens can also be used for product and food photography, capturing intricate details of small items.

What are some buying options for this lens?

The lens can be purchased new or used from retailers like Amazon, Adorama, and eBay, with prices typically ranging from $800 to $1,200.

Why is it suggested to practice with the lens before using it at a wedding?

Practicing with the lens is important due to its learning curve; photographers need to understand the autofocus settings and how to achieve the best focus on small details to avoid missing crucial moments on the wedding day.