Product Description

EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens with 35mm equivalent of 96mm * compatible with Canon APS-C sensor digital SLR cameras only * USM (ultra sonic motor) for fast, silent focusing * auto focus system allows full-time manual focus override with lens still in AF mode * ideal for close-up, portrait, and available light shooting * working distance: 3-1/2" from front of lens to subject at life-size (1:1) magnification *

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 0284B002
• Dimensions: 3.50" h x 3.60" w x 4.60" l, 1.10 pounds

Features

• 60mm macro lens with f/2.8 maximum aperture for EOS digital SLR cameras
• 25-degree angle of view is equivalent to 96mm lens on 35mm camera
• Floating optical system can focus down to life-size 1:1 magnification
• Silent and powerful ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) for autofocusing
• Measures 2.9 inches in diameter and 2.8 inches long; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Bring small things into full-sized view with the Canon EF 60mm macro USM lens. Macro lenses can uncover detail that would be impossible to detect by the eye and give new perspective to extremely minute subjects such as insects or the petals of a small flower, and this lens is no exception. The 60mm lens offers an angle of view that's equivalent to a 96mm lens on a 35mm camera, along with a floating optical system that can focus down to life-size 1:1 magnification. The inner focusing system, meanwhile, is driven by a silent and powerful ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM), meaning the lens's overall length never changes during focus. Ultimately, the multi-purpose lens is equally at home shooting macro shots, portraits, or available-light photos. Like all Canon EF-S lenses, this lens is restricted to the EOS 20D, EOS Digital Rebel, and EOS Digital Rebel XT cameras.

• Focal length: 60mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:2.8
• Lens construction: 12 elements in 8 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 25 degrees
• Focus adjustment: Manual
• Closest focusing distance: 0.65 feet
• Filter size: 52mm
• Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter, 2.8 inches long
• Weight: 11.8 ounces

Customer Reviews

Sharp and Light
This was one of the first lenses that I purchased with my Rebel XT. Now after taking several thousand pictures with it I can honestly say it was well worth the cost. I very rarely have any unsharp pictures with this lens unless it is my own fault by trying to use too slow of a shutter speed without a tripod.

I also have the 180mm f/3.5L Macro Lens, which costs about 3 times more than this lens, and although it is very clear and the extra reach is nice at times especially since it can be used with both the 1.4X and 2X TC's, it is very difficult to use inside without a tripod. The 60mm can be handheld if needed with very good results even if you have to bump your ISO up a little to do so.

I have also used this lens for both inside and outside portrait work with very nice results.

All-in-all, given it's small size and light weight I very rarely leave this lens behind when I go out because you never know when you might see a great macro shot.

Macro and Portrait in ONE lens!
4 starts because otherwise 5 stars is inevitable:
1) Slow autofocus (hunt at times) but is to be expected of a macro lens.
2) built quality not as solid as expected at this price range.

I bought this lens instead for two purpose: Macro and Portrait! I was thinking of buying the 100mm macro plus 85mm f1.8 but this lens saves me buying two lenses! I have been very happy with it as what it is. I don't do flying insects very much so it is not a problem but that said I was able to get 1:1 shot of a fly, see sample here:
http://www.theteh.com/html/3rd_350d_54.html

There are other samples in this gallery here:
http://www.theteh.com/html/my_3rd_350d_xt.html

The large aperture (F2.8) means that one could have shallow DOF and great for low light such as this pic:
http://www.theteh.com/html/3rd_350d_49.html

For portrait, I accidentally took this photo during the London Bombing of a women 'Shocked' by the incident unfolding in the public TV display. It was a coincident that her background inmage was the winning Reuter's photo of Tsunami tragedy and the matching colour of their dresses! I was quite far away so was able to capture her from head to toe:
http://www.theteh.com/html/3rd_350d_25.html

This illustrate the capability of both macro and normal photography using this lens. You will not regret it unless your primary aim is to shoot flying insets where longer 100mm or 150mm macro lenses may be needed in this case.

Top-Notch
I once thought that macro lenses were too specialized and that I would seldom need something so fine that I could photograph the segments in an insect's eye. That was until I bought this lens.

I use it with a Canon 20D. My other lenses include the 17-85 IS zoom (versatile range but slow and not sharp), the 70-200mm f2.8L non-IS zoom (great for those moderate telephoto needs), and a 50mm f1.8 prime (very good for the price). But the 60mm is now my favorite lens, by a large margin. It's on my camera all the time, and the other lenses spend most of their time in the bag.

It's very sharp; it's not heavy or conspicuous, and it handles fine macro photography or standard walking-around work (though not useful for wider angles).

It's a little unfortunate that it doesn't come with a hood - Canon must make a fortune selling those hoods at the prices they charge. I'm probably going to have to buy a hood or hope somebody sees it on my Amazon wish list. It also doesn't come with a case, but if you're keeping the lens in a decent camera bag you don't need a case for the lens.

More important than a hood is some kind of support for camera if you're doing any serious macro photography. With the lens wide open at f2.8 and the subject close to the lens you will only have about 1/4 inch (2-3 mm) of depth-of-field. Your breathing can move the camera enough to ruin your composition or knock the subject out of focus. So I'd suggest investing in some kind of small tripod or a bean bag or something to help hold it still. Of course, you can also boost the ISO and thereby get away with a faster shutter speed, but that's at the expense of a slight loss in quality. Depending on how your pictures are being used, that may or may not be important.