Description
It's heavy duty metal construction with quality glass in a single focal length. AF is silent and fast. Doesn't have the image quality or AF speed of an
L lens, but at a third of the price (compared to the 135 f/2L) you get
an awesome prime lens that's also very nice
portrait lens that's very fast and very clear. Despite the large
maximum aperture, the lens remains compact. Lens group 5 moves for rear focusing, and sharp, crisp pictures are obtained at all apertures. The
background blur is ideal for portraits. The USM
auto focuses the lens quickly and quietly.
This lens is alternative to the 85/1.8 prime, the 100/2 is a very good portrait lens for full frame cameras. It's a bit of a toss up whether you prefer the look that a 100mm lens gives vs an 85. The 100/2 will give slightly more blurring to distant backgrounds and a slightly "flatter" perspective, but the 85 will give you a slightly shallower depth of field wide open. There's no clear cut "best" lens here and you can't go far wrong with either one. The 85/1.8 might be a touch sharper wide open, plus if you're shooting digital with an APS-C sensor and 85mm lens is already getting a bit long for portrait work and so may be preferred over the 100mm. The 85/1.8 is also slightly cheaper.
Features
Similar to a standard portrait lens like the 85mm f/1.8, Canon's 100mm f/2 is also an exceptionally bright and short telephoto lens appropriate for both general photography and portraits.
Specifications
• Construction: 6 groups /8 elements
• Angle of view: 24°
• F stop range 2.0-22
• Closest Focusing Distance: 0.9m / 3 ft.
• Maximum Magnification: 1:7.3
• Filter Size: 58mm
• Dimensions (Length x Diameter): 3.0" x 2.9" / 75.0 x 73.5mm
• Weight: 1.0 lbs. / 460g
Reviews
one of my favorites, November 20, 2008
By Brett Maxwell
I love this lens. I bought it basically because it is the longest focal length with a really large aperture under $500 ($925 for the 135 f2 and $4800 for the 200 f2). It focuses quick and is razor sharp, even wide open (I find I shoot with it 95% of the time at f2.0). On my crop sensor 40D it acts as a short telephoto and allows me to capture great action and tight portraits with perfectly blurred backgrounds.
My one and only complaint is the lens hood attachment is not the best design. Definitely not large enough an issue to deduct a star.
small, sharp, great portrait lens, September 23, 2008
By M. ANNE (california)
I prefer this fast lens to the 85 1.8 - it simply produces a better portrait in my opinion. Lovely, small, light....the perfect little lens without going to an L. Highly recommend; I use as a back-up and always have it in my camera bag. Love it.
