Product Description

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. Some portrait photographers feel that 85mm doesn't give you quite enough of what you need in a portrait lens and they prefer the 100mm focal length as it provides just a bit more compression. Again, as with the 85mm, the wide f/2 aperture setting allows for a paper thin depth of field. That's a really good thing when shooting portraits. Lens Hood - EW-60 Dimensions - 2.6 x 1.9 inch / Weight - 10.5 oz

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 2518A003
• Dimensions: 4.30" h x 4.30" w x 5.10" l, 2.00 pounds

Features

• EF mount; telephoto lens
• Internal focusing; full-time manual focus
• 100mm focal length
• f/2 maximum aperture
• Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM)

From the Manufacturer
Another option in high-speed moderate telephotos, this compact lens is ideal for portraits and low-light work. Compared to the 85mm f/1.8 USM lens, it provides that little bit extra of telephoto power sometimes necessary outdoors or for candid shooting. Like the 85mm, it’s super-sharp (even wide-open), and has fast USM autofocus along with full-time manual focusing.

A medium telephoto lens with a large aperture brings the subject closer, creates excellent background blur, gives a longer flash range, and affords a faster shutter speed to freeze the action. A standard zoom lens, with its natural angle of view and perspective, captures the subject plainly, with no special effects. However, you can use standard lenses in creative ways by varying the subject distance, aperture, and angle.

Customer Reviews

Excellent prime!
I love this lens. I'd previously tried a friend's and was quite impressed with the sharpness from f2.2/2.5 onward, and the bokeh around f2.8/3.2. Upon purchasing the lens, I was overjoyed to discover both better sharpness (impressive wide open and just great by 2.2/2.5 in most circumstances) and smoother bokeh. I've also done some comparing of my lens with an 85mm f/1.8 that I used to own and I'm quite a bit more impressed with the CA performance at wide apertures with the 100mm than with the 85mm: at f/2, CA is present in high contrast situations, but not nearly as bad as with my 85mm; by f/2.5-2.8, the CA is already greatly reduced; and, by f/3.2-4, it's nearly absent. For a non-L, the contrast and color are great, as well. For the cost, size, and capability, I have yet to use a more impressive prime!

An awkward focal for a crop SLR
I originally bought this lens for use with an Elan II film SLR back in 2003. It was extraordinary. The bokeh, focal length, and extreme background blur made it my favorite lens.

Fast forward to 2005. I bought a Canon Digital Rebel. Now my 100/2 was a 160/2. That's too long for indoor portraits and too short to be a real telephoto. It also had a lot more depth of field, and thus noticeably less background blur. Slowly, I noticed that I wasn't using it as often, or really at all. So I sold it and bought a 50/1.4.

That's the unfortunate thing with this lens. As an optic, it's excellent. Fairly sharp from f/2, good contrast, fast and silent AF, and only moderate color fringing. But the focal length is just *so* inconvenient. This 100/2 feels cramped for space indoors, but too short to get up close and personal outdoors. The optical design is also optimized for close distances, so if you try to use it for distant objects at larger apertures like a real telephoto, fine detail disappears. It's also incompatible with Canon teleconverters, though you wouldn't really want to attach one anyway.

What I used this lens for on my Elan II was flattering women. It's extremely good at that. My 50/1.4 serves a similar purpose now, but at an 80mm equivalent, it's a bit on the short side. The best option would be a 70/1.4, but alas, that doesn't exist.

If you're considering this lens for a body with a 1.6X cropped sensor (all Rebels and the 20D-50D), consider the 85/1.8 instead. They're similar designs, but the 135mm equivalent is just inside the standard portrait range, and you may like it better.

Excellent Lens
As an "intermediate" level photographer, I have to say that this is one of my favorite lenses. I get sharp photos every time I use it and can take shots in fairly low light. I carry this lens, as well as my 50mm 1.8, everywhere with me.

It's a heavy duty metal construction with quality glass in a single focal length. I get a ton of use out of it for "distance portraiture" when I don't know the subject and don't want to invade their personal space.

This is a favorite.