Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Overview

Introduction

Ease of Use

Weighing in at 730g and measuring 14.8cm in size, the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is simply over 100g heavier and a couple of.5cm longer than the DSLR model of this lens that it successfully replaces in Canon’s mirrorless system, the EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM (though you need to issue within the additional dimension, weight and value of an adapter if you wish to use that lens on an EOS R collection digicam).

It is general dimension is fairly massive however nonetheless nearly enhances a mid-sized digicam physique just like the Canon EOS R6 physique that we examined it with, as proven within the product images.

Construct high quality is solely excellent. The RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM feels very stable in your hand, and it options an L-series stage weather-resistant design that protects towards mud and moisture.

An Picture Stabilizer helps to attenuate the looks of digicam shake by 5 stops, or as much as 8 stops of correction when paired with an EOS R digicam physique with IBIS.

Canon does state that “At nearer focusing distances, the picture stabilisation impact reduces.”, with the lens providing 2-stops at 1.0x magnification.

A brand new characteristic for sure RF lenses is the Lens Management Ring on the finish of the lens barrel, which can be utilized to manage sure key digicam settings (TV, AV, ISO and publicity settings). Though not a brand new concept within the wider pictures world, that is the primary time that Canon have included this concept into their interchangeable lenses.

There’s a focus mode swap with the same old AF/MF settings. Be aware that this lens usefully presents full-time handbook focusing even when AF is chosen.

There’s additionally a spotlight limiter swap that toggles between Full, 0.5m-Infinity and 0.26m-0.5m settings to assist speed-up the auto-focusing system when required.

Model new to the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is the variable Spherical Aberration Management ring, which can be utilized to regulate the look of the lens’ bokeh while concurrently making use of a delicate focus impact.

The impact is proven within the viewfinder and the LCD display screen, so you possibly can preview the impact of adjusting the setting in real-time. It additionally has its personal Lock button on the underside proper of the lens barrel.

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens has a generously sized, fly-by-wire focus ring with a ridged, rubberised grip band. There aren’t any onerous stops at both ends of the vary, making it tougher to set focus at infinity.

The main focus throw is massive sufficient to permit for extra exact handbook changes when capturing macro topics.

Be aware that handbook focus override shouldn’t be obtainable when this lens is ready to AF. As an alternative you possibly can set the digicam to both One Shot or One Shot Enlarge within the Lens Electronics MF menu possibility, which then means that you can handbook focus in auto focus mode when turning the main focus ring whereas holding the shutter button down half-way.

Polariser customers must be happy that the wise 67mm filter thread would not rotate on focus.

In the case of auto-focusing, the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is a reasonably fast performer contemplating simply how a lot glass is inside it, taking round 0.15 seconds to lock onto the topic when mounted on the Canon EOS R6 digicam that we examined it with.

We did not expertise an excessive amount of “searching” in any respect, both in good or dangerous mild, with the lens precisely focusing just about all the time, due to the excellent low-light capabilities of the EOS R cameras.

The Twin Nano USM motor can also be very quiet, which makes this lens well-suited to video recording, even when shortly focusing from near-to-far.

The lens ships with a big spherical lens hood (ET-73C) with a lock button which locks into place when absolutely engaged and a delicate case (LP1219). There’s additionally an non-compulsory rotating tripod collar obtainable for elevated help when utilizing a tripod or monopod.

Focal Vary

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM’s focal size of 100mm offers an angle of view of 24 levels.

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, usually seen as blue or purple fringes alongside contrasty edges, weren’t particularly obvious in our take a look at pictures, solely showing in very excessive distinction areas.

Vignetting

With the lens set to its most aperture of f/2.8, there may be some apparent mild fall-off within the corners, requiring you to cease down by at the least 2 f-stops to stop it.

Distortion

There’s some very slight pincushion distortion evident within the RAW information – the Canon EOS R6 digicam robotically and efficiently applies corrections to the JPEG information.

JPEG

RAW

Sunstars and Flare

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM would not create the nicest sunstars when stopped-down to f/22 or f/32, as proven under, though flare is at the least pretty properly managed when capturing immediately into the solar.

Macro

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM presents a minimal focusing distance of 26cm / 10.2″ with a formidable most magnification of 1.4x.

Bokeh

Bokeh is a phrase used for the out-of-focus areas of {a photograph}, and is normally described in qualitative phrases, equivalent to clean / creamy / harsh and so forth.

Within the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens, Canon employed an iris diaphragm with 9 rounded blades, which has resulted in very good bokeh in our view.

We do realise, nonetheless, that bokeh analysis is subjective, so we have included a lot of examples under on your perusal.

Spherical Aberration Management

The RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has a variable Spherical Aberration Management ring which can be utilized to regulate the look of the bokeh, while concurrently making use of a delicate focus impact.

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Sharpness

So as to present you ways sharp the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens is, we’re offering 100% crops on the next web page.