So sharp you'll cut yourself!

Well, after lots of umming and aahing around (or as my wife called it 'faffing around'!) I could not put off the decision any longer. I have always loved macro but have felt my limits were being exposed by using just extension tubes or close up filters. I needed the right tool for the job and a genuine macro lens was needed.

I went for the Canon 100mm f2.8 USM macro (has quite a ring to it huh? :o)) because I was told it was as good as any L series lens even though this lacks the lovely red L band.

Ok, now you are just going to have to excuse me a little here because, despite being a normally well-balanced sort of person, I can easily get carried away with waxing lyrical over this lens. Yes, it really is that good! But I promise I'll think of something negative by the time I get to the end so not to be accused of bias!

The lens, as mentioned, was bought primarily for macro work but it is also excellent elsewhere, more on that later. As a macro it achieves true 1:1, ie life-size and the detail it captures is amazing. I had to tell a hoverfly to brush its teeth as they were dirty! Ok, that's a lie, but you get my point! This redefines the term 'sharp' for a lens as it is absolutely razor. This is strengthened by the fact that it has excellent bokeh so the blurred background is beautifully soft allowing the sharp subject to really come forward in the picture. It is as close to 3D as a 2D picture can get!

I am using this lens on my Canon 20D but also on a standard film body which I use for slides. The difference is only in that the digital 20D sees this lens as a 160mm lens so for telephoto work it is very good, especially as it has the f2.8 aperture. All I will say for slide work is that in the right hands (macro slides is not snapshot taking, it does take patience and care to get the best results) you will project onto a screen and just gasp at the richness, sharpness and colour.

This lens has a minimum focusing distance of about 6 inches from the front element (31cms to film plane or sensor) which does not extend at all throughout the focusing range due to its internal focusing system (IF) so getting shots of insects is perfectly possible with patience and slow movements. Without the IF, it would be hard to avid scaring the bugs away!

This lens replaces a similar lens of the same name that did not have the USM and this does make a difference. Some will argue that doesn't matter as for macros we tend to use manual focus most of the time but actually this is such a good AF system that it has no problem focusing even in macro. Couple this with its full-time manual (FTM) focusing system which allows you to autofocus and then to fine tune if you want to or move your hand slightly to gain sharpness of a different part of the subject and you have as versatile and accurate a focusing system as you could wish for.

The AF also has a limiter switch to help avoid too much hunting throughout its range but in practice I haven't needed to use it much. Good to have for sure and it is possible I will find myself in difficult working conditions where it will be of more importance to me. The limiter switch is a couple of centimetres away from the AF/MF switch so there is little chance of getting them mixed up.

So, as well as being a truly stunning macro lens, as sharp as you could possibly wish for, how about using it for other purposes?

its main other life is as a portrait lens and again it is truly superb. In fact, if there is one gripe it would be that it might even be too sharp as it really does capture every freckle spot and wrinkle! Having said that, I would generally apply a touch of post-capture softening outside of the eyes area anyway so this is no big deal. If you are taking slides and want to have perfect portraits from camera, the sharpness might cause you to consider using a softening filter just to de-emphasise minor blemishes.

But if you want eyes that are so sharp they burn out of the picture at you, this lens will give you that for sure!

So why isn't it an L series lens? My honest answer has to be: 'I haven't got a clue!' No doubt if it was in the L series it would be double the price so maybe we should be thankful it isn't. One thing is for certain, it is no way inferior in its build quality nor in what it can achieve so don't let that put you off at all.

I can't really compare this with a lot of other lenses though i did try a couple. But one thing is for certain, although you will probably pay a bit more for this over a Sigma 105mm macro or the Tamron 90mm macro (the closest equivalents from the independents), you are no way going to be disappointed. In the somewhat unlikely event that you should want to sell it on later, it will hold its value better than an independent so it is a worthwhile investment.

This lens is only a touch heavy at 600gms but no way is it unweildy, indeed it feels beautifully balanced when I am using it hand-held. The AF is fast and smooth and of course quiet as you would expect for a USM. It takes 58mm filters so prices for UV filters and polarisers will be relatively cheap.

Ok, I promised I'd come up with a negative... such as it is! My only moan is that it is one of the few Canon lenses that doesn't come with a lens hood. Furthermore, the lenshood (ET-67) is pretty expensive for a simple bit of plastic. The end element is not as deeply recessed as its non-USM forerunner so a lens hood will be needed at times.

I could whinge about the price of the B collar mount for tripod use but frankly you don't need that at all. It is not so heavy that it will strain the mount in any way so just mount as normal. If your tripod has a 3-way tilt or a ball and socket head, you will be able to use either portrait or landscape without any problem at all.

This lens is a prime lens so you would expect it to give sharp images but that does not account for this lens, it truly is exceptional and I promise you will no way be disappointed if you are into macro and want real quality.