6 Reasons You Need a Canon RF 100mm Macro Lens in Your Camera Bag
- The Canon RF 100mm Macro is the Best Canon Macro Lens
- The Versatility of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
- The Autofocus of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
- The Ergonomics of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
- The Build Quality of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
- The Stabilization of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
- Final Thoughts on the Canon RF 100mm Macro Lens
- Lens Type: Telephoto Macro Prime lens
- Camera System: Full-Frame
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
- Focal Length: 100 mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/32
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 26 cm
- Filter Size: 67 mm
- Focusing system: Autofocus & Manual Focus
- Maximum Magnification: 1.4x
- Size/Weight: 82 x 148 mm / 730 grams
- Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
- Pre-Owned Price: $924 - $989
- Three Affordable Canon RF Lenses You Need in Your Camera Bag
- Which Budget Canon Mirrorless Camera Should You Buy?
If you have a Canon R mirrorless camera, one absolute must-own lens is the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM. I have owned one for almost half a year now, and it’s exceeded every one of the high expectations I had for it before I bought it!
In this Canon RF 100mm macro lens review, I’ll share six reasons you need to add one to your camera bag. I’ll discuss specs and features such as image quality, autofocus, design, etc. Additionally, thanks to innovative websites like MPB, buying a used Canon RF lens has never been cheaper and easier.
What is MPB? It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling used photography and videography gear at affordable prices. Better yet, every one of its cameras and lenses is hand-inspected by expert product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
I encourage you to visit MPB because of its state-of-the-art online platform and unbeatable prices. It’s an amazing tool that has helped me save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading in high-quality photography equipment over the years, and it can help you do the same. Now, join me as I break down what makes the Canon RF 100mm Macro special!
Check out the video above by Peter McKinnon to learn more about the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM.
Table of Contents
The Canon RF 100mm Macro is the Best Canon Macro Lens
As its name suggests, the Canon RF 100mm macro was designed specifically for macro photography. It debuted in 2021 and is one of only four macro lenses in the Canon RF lens lineup. The others are the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM, Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM, and Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro.
What sets this lens apart from the others, though, is it's the only one that’s a “true” macro lens (those with magnification over 1:1). With a max magnification of 1.4:1, images shot on the Canon RF 100mm macro appear larger than life! On top of that, its minimum focusing distance of 26 cm (10.2 in) allows you to get super close to your subjects when shooting.
Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM:
The Versatility of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
While the Canon RF 100mm macro isn’t perfect for every shooting situation, it’s way more than just a macro lens. First, its telephoto focal range makes it a fantastic option for wildlife and architecture photography. At the same time, its high maximum aperture creates beautiful bokeh effects that are ideal for portrait photography.
Furthermore, the nearly silent autofocus motor helps the lens excel at video recording and street photography. These features combine to make this versatile lens a fixture in many professional photographer's camera kits.
The Autofocus of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
Speaking of autofocus, the AF of the Canon RF 100mm macro is superb. Whether you are shooting tightly-cropped macro shots or video, the AF is fast, smooth, and reliable. One of the most impressive features of the AF is its total lack of focus breathing, which means the frame stays sharp even when quickly adjusting focus.
Other outstanding autofocus features include the Dual Nano USM motor and rubber focus ring. The focus ring lets you adjust focus manually when the AF is turned off or can be customized to adjust different camera settings when the AF switch is on.
Learn More:
The Ergonomics of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
It might not be the smallest or lightest lens on the market, but the Canon RF 100mm macro is considerably more compact than most telephoto lenses. It checks in at 82 x 148 mm and weighs 730 grams. For comparison, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM measures 90 x 146 mm and weighs 1070 grams.
Moreover, the lens feels comfortable in the hands during shooting, and it’s easy to adjust its settings quickly. There are two customizable control rings, three setting switches, and a lock switch. Both control rings are coated with rubber for added grip and easy identification. Overall, my workflow speed was faster than normal when working with the Canon RF 100mm macro.
The Build Quality of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
Inside and out, the Canon RF 100mm macro is constructed like a tank. Internally, it boasts thirteen lens groups, seventeen lens elements, and nine diaphragm blades. The three combine to deliver stunning photos and videos with excellent colors and sharpness. It also has a Super Spectra Coating, which minimizes lens flares and ghosting.
Externally, its durable body is built from a combination of metal, plastic, and rubber. For added security, it has a weatherproof coating that protects it against dust, sand, water, moisture, etc. This makes it a great choice for people like wildlife and nature photographers who often work outside.
The Stabilization of the Canon RF 100mm Macro
Make sure you don’t sleep on the image stabilization of the Canon RF 100mm macro either. It features optical image stabilization technology that adds up to five stops of shake correction. If you pair the lens with a camera body with in-body image stabilization, that number jumps to eight stops.
The IS will boost your camera's low-light performance and improve its video quality. Therefore, the lens is a favorite of photographers shooting in studios and at night and video content creators who often record handheld footage like YouTubers and vloggers.
Final Thoughts on the Canon RF 100mm Macro Lens
What more reasons do you need to go out and invest in the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM? If you still aren’t convinced you need one in your camera bag, I don’t know when you will be! Lastly, here’s a list of the best Canon R mirrorless cameras to pair with the Canon RF 100mm macro lens. All of them are in stock now at MPB.
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