100mm Macro meets IS, originally uploaded by aw-photo.
Finally, Canon puts out a 100mm Macro with Image Stabilization.
After a couple of weeks, here’s my quick view of this lens:
1. Quality of Construction – 6
For a plastic enclosure, the lens feels good. But it’s is plasticy and not metal. Canon should be ashamed for packaging any L glass in plastic. L is for luxury too!
2. Sharpness – 10
This lens is the sharpest lens I own at 2.8.
3. Image Stabilization – 9
I can capture noticeably sharper shots at up to 4 stops. In my opinion, this alone justifies the additional premium in price over the non IS, non L prime. If you are a tripod homer, it won’t be worth your money.
4. Focusing – 9
Speed is slightly better in close up applications, but still slow. But all 1:1 macros are slower in comparison to non macro glass.
5. Image Quality – 10
Sharpness is a separate index in my opinion, but other factors that impact IQ are scored here. Color, saturation is jaw droppingly superb. CA, Pincushioning and Barrel Distortion are non-existent.
So how much better is it over the 100mm 2.8? In my opinion, it’s superior, but you have to pixel peep to notice. The only siginificant reason to pick the L over the non L is for image stabilization. The better you are at holding glass still, the more F Stop gains you will get from it’s IS technology. It’s very effective. The plastic like housing is the only (but glaring) black eye of this superb performer.
Overall Score: 8.8
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