CANON RF 100mm f2.8 Macro Lens REVIEW: The ONLY CHOICE?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ม.ค. 2025
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This is a Lens Review of the Canon RF 100mm F2.8 IS Macro. We tested this out both in the Real World on flowers, landscapes and bee's, as well as in the studio environment. Is this lens for you, who's it for? This is designed for the Canon RF mount and was tested on the Canon EOS R5.
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Medium format sensor in a Canon body, will it ever happen?
Hey sir, you said this could be the 3rd or 4th lens in the kit, would you tell us what's the first 2, that you would choose?
Almost expected for a Ruby Rod video clip cut in…
@@mr702s lol the r system is expensive enough
I have this lens. It's incredible. I find I'm using it as a portrait lens just about all the time now. There is something extra to this lens, the character is something I very much like. The focus system is an amazing bonus.
Can you get that hard polygonal shaped bokeh even with bigger subjects like humans in focus? Like, a tight shot of a human not being too close to the subject.
@@virenp1983 I've found the bokeh to be softer than something like a Helios or pentagon, but you can get similar sort of bokeh, but not so prominent, with a busy background like patchy trees, magnolia or foliage background with mottled light.
Guess you don't have an RF 85 1.2 or 28-70 f2 then.
@@frostybe3r No, unfortunately. I have the 28-70mm on back order, cant wait, it looks absolutely amazing. Would love 85 but my wallet is taking a hit already, but that would round out my dream kit, cheers
@@elams1894 Knew there was a reason you use this RF 100 2.8 as your main portrait lens. :)
I’m still on my 5Dmk4 and I have the EF version of the 100mm macro. I think that the extra magnification and in-body stabilization would be a key reason for me to switch to this lens rather than just adapting the old one. Thanks for the great video as always!
All RF Mount comes with more pins that improve focus and for some reason even been the same lens, RF lenses are a little bit sharper.
Howard that EF you have is an awesome lens, got to use one for a week. I used to dream of the day I could afford it and now I finally bought it. Still waiting for UPS but itll be here soon. (RF model) :)
One thing I noticed from your review (even though I've already had this lens for a couple of weeks now) is that longitudinal chromatic aberration is completely and totally absent. That's brilliant!
Those images make me wanna go out and shoot! Awesome work, editing is spot on
Agree
6:47: “I’ve held 10” before; don’t ask me what it was or whose it was…”🤣
Lol I agree that was funnnnnnni
After adjusting the SA, you need to do a focus again to make it works
I have the Canon R6 and this RF 100mm Macro and I love it. It's so much fun to use.
I got my copy already on July 7th here in Germany.... this lens is phantastic!
Extremely fast focus, very sharp.
"Ive held 10.2 inches before. Don't ask who's it was or what is was. But I've definitely done it." This made me laugh my ass off.... you legend
👀
impressive windtunnel test results
i agree.
Awww man.... I was so happy with my 100mm EF Macro on my R5 until I saw this review. 1.4x and super fast focusing seem like a big upgrade!
Great review, thank you.
In my experience with this lens, the spherical aberration control is basically a decoupling of focus breathing from focusing allowing for a small, (and I mean tiny) amount of zoom on the subject. Personally I've found it most useful when shooting a macro image at the closest focus distance but want a bit more.
I would, however, have preferred that the feature and associated cost, were left out!
2:18 the SA seems like a good idea on paper but you can get a similar if not the same effect in Lightroom with the clarity slider
Until you apply for contest where no photo manipulation is allowed
@@grantmichael7229 see, they took the risk of getting disqualified to do a tiny retouch, because there's no other way around to get that look, now you have more approach to get the look that you want 🧐
Glad to hear it's fast focusing. Macro lens usually focus slowly, and the EF 100L macro is super, super, super slow.
I just bought this lens to replace my 20 year old 100mm 2.8... I'm in heaven. This lens is so FAST and so sharp. And versatile! I'm going to have a blast with this lens, it will probably be my go-to "one lens when I'm out and about" pick because I can shoot almost anything with it. And the color saturation is incredible. 😍 Oh also, it was on sale at my local camera shop for $1,199 and then there was an additional $100 instant rebate. Woohoo!
Not rushing out to get it myself. At some point I will be adding it but it is definitely something most people can wait to add to their bag.
You should really consider setting the control ring to modify color temperature in kelvin! Thats how I use it and I have the "LOCK" button at your pointer finger to disable control ring and aperature wheel when I don't want to accidentally hit one.
I’m stoked to get mine. I’m on the waiting list with my local camera shop.
I got the RF 85 2.0 Macro...love it
There are several ways to get faster and more accurate focus performences in nikon Z system, such as "single point AF", "subject tracking AF", "Dynamic area AF" not suitable in this situation. So, I wonder why did you use "dynamic area AF" with nikon, while using "single point" AF in canon system? Is it fair?
He claims he knows how to use the Z af system. Demonstrates using it in the worst/dumbest ways possible. Gets mad when people point out that he uses the Z system like an idiot and doesn’t know how to use it. Then he comes back with “you haven’t used Canon/Sony” … disclaimer I own a R6 and Z6ii - he doesn’t know what he’s doing.
He also had the canon out of focus closer to the subject where the Nikon looked to be at infinity focus (he probably refuses to use the helpful focus limiter switch). There’s a few other reviews that show the af speed of the Nikon 105 macro to be much faster than he demonstrated.
@@livejames9374 HE DOES NOT... I unsubscribe...but YT was like "hey look at this Canon lens review from Jared", and I was like, Ok lets see what he gonna say about nikon this time. Sound like patetic ex girlfriend you broke up with. Always funny.
Longwood is such a great spot. One of my favorite gardens.
The EF with the rear drop in ND adapter is hard to beat for video.
I suspect the only purpose for the SA control is to shut up all those twits who bleat, "you can't use a macro for portraits because they're too sharp".
Patiently waiting for the RF 14-35 review!
Very nicely shot and informative video. Bravo.
How many rf cameras are on the way .
I'm excited 🙏
Jared is the epitome of consistency and content coverage, sick images as always and thanks a lot for making the review.
I just picked this (RF) up on Amazon new for $999! Hotdog the Caon 100 macro EF was one of my favorite lenses to rent years ago. Should complament my R6 mkii for outdoor photography great. I love taking pictures of plants.
Always the best man… thank you for these beatiful videos… 👏👏👏
Spherical Aberration is widely used in the so called "soft focus" lenses. Canon has made two soft focus lenses one an FD 85mm/2.8 the other a EF 135/2.8. The EF 135 version was one of the longest running lenses in Canon SLR history debuting in 1987 and being discounted around 2014 with no revisions or mark II version. Adding the SA on this lens may have been an effort to rekindle the soft focus and adding the new twist of a more harsh and coarse background blur. The older lenses needed to be refocused when engaging the soft focus effect and maybe this is the case when using the SA dial as well. The idea for soft focus at least, is for the plane of focus to retain decent sharpness while out of focus highlights become a dreamy blur. Great for glamor portraits.
I agree that the SA makes no sense. I would like to know the exact purpose of that, other than to make the photo look out of focus.
Oh Jared I'm so happy you have a video on this lens. I have not watched a review yet but I did purchase it for my product photography. I am really looking to use it more for video but I am interested in your opinion as always. Thank you so much
Nice to see someone do a macro lens review and actually shoot at 1x and higher mag with it. Now if Canon would just make an RF version of the MP-E 65mm...
Love the lens and have had it a long time. Thank you for this post, I'll be using it a lot more.
Yes, I follow you.
There were reports of focus shift (RSA). Did you encounter focus shift?
I have the same question
great review...SO entertaining and very informative. As all your videos are! bought one on the strength of it.
I’m definitely getting this before summer comes
I've lived 15 minutes from Longwood for years and have never been there. I'm really interested in this lens, will probably pick it up in December or January if it's in stock then.
Got mine too upgraded from the EF model this new RF rocks bees....
I just got mine after waiting over 2 months for it on backorder. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet; probably tomorrow. I'm surprised at how light it is, despite being significantly longer than my Sigma 105 F/2.8 macro. I expect I'll be selling the Sigma soon.
Love your channel @John Drummond. Keep up the good work!
@@techguyml thank you!
Damn John, I got mine the day it was released. I Enjoy your content.
@@jaypainespotter Thanks so much! Tropical Storm Henri set my timetable back a tad but I'll be out with it very soon!
Nice job team. I can only imagine how about that lens with the R3
Let me buy that lens from you since its backordered everywhere for who knows how long.
Just ordered this lens today, looking forward to it arriving
Thanks for this review. Because of your review, I just ordered this lens.
Great like my 2 Rf Lenses that i have. Great work Canon. Great Video Jared.
Older macro lenses had markings for the magnification obtained. Can you determine the magnification of your images using the RF 100mm macro lens?
1.4:1
I used the spherical aberration control at Longwood gardens this summer with the light art at night and I really enjoyed the bokeh effects. It created some stunning bokeh
I like those Lightroom presets you showed, but I use Photoshop. Are those FroPack presets something I could apply in Adobe Camera Raw before opening the image in Photoshop?
Awesome lens review great pictures , well done Canon ! couple with R5 is top notch set up fast focus great image quality and all Made in Japan precision that we want. That Macro resemblance was the little friendly junk collector creature -the Jawas, they drove the massive Sandcrawler where they lived inside it on the planet Tatooine . The resemblance wasn't the Sand people / Tusked Raider. Sand people were the baddies that attacked Luke ,R2D2 and C3PO before Obi-Wan Kenobi saved them .
Great review, thanks 👍
One question tough, as you left out the comparison to the EF version.
I have the very old (non L) 100mm macro, and wonder how much of an improvement it would be to switch to the RF version on the R5.
As far as I could read, the newer EF L version has the same image quality as the old one and probably also the same focus performance. Now how does the RF compare to those two ? Is IQ that much better than the old ones that are already great ? Focus speed should probably be faster but about how much ? If it's as fast as the RF 100-500 (which allowed to get a bee and even a dragonfly in flight with eye AF) it would be absolutely amazing. I fear tough that lens may not be designed for action type shots, or is it ?
Thank you for excellent review👍🙏
I already have rf 28-70 f2L.Which one for best portrait work (best combo) rf 100 f2.8,rf 85 f1.2 or rf 135 f1.8?😢
thanks for the review, answered some questions I had, will eventually get this. Honestly I cannot wait for your RF 14-35 review, may be the deciding factor for getting that or the 15-35
Hi Jared.....if u ever have any used camera stuff...post it to Australia.
Thsnking you
Best bee impersonation EVER!! 😂😂😂😂
fantastic lens.. I got mine paired up with the r5.. I switched from the ef version..
So for a newby or a new R^ owner, what should be the first three lenses you should have in your bag? Thanks
Perhaps you should do the sniff test before the wind tunnel test.
Thank you for your review. So if you had to choose between the Canon RF 100mm and the Nikon Z 100mm which would it be? With the current Canon discount its version is only $152 more expensive? I'm comparing these on the Canon EOS R5 and the Nikon Z so obviously the system I end up with will factor in but... Other than faster focusing do you prefer the image Quality of one over the other? Not use if the high available magnification of 1.4x is needed but obviously that is a plus for Canon. Interested in your thoughts. Take care
I got it last week done a few tests so far. It is amazing!
Got the Laowa 2x 100mm macro... not sure if I should upgrade to have the auto-focus
Hi, Thkx for shring this video.
I started photography as an hobby a year ago, and I'm thinking of this lens to complement my current kit of 50mm F1.8 + 100-400 non-Lseries lenses. Despite expensive for a non-professional, it may compensate with its versatility.
Important question at the momment is: in your oppinion, will this 100mm f2.8 IS be enough for handheld night stret photography on a Eos RP ?
Yes I pre-ordered it and have played with it and like it a lot. its faster than the EF one too . the SA I have no use for lol as I use it for macro and I like the subject to be sharp and the background / foreground to be soft , so the SA in locked and will stay locked.
Could be a very good choice, but it's not the only choice. Another is the
Venus Laowa 100 mm F2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X.
No AF, but unbeatable image quality and 2:1 magnification. It comes in several mounts, and RF is one of them. CA-Dreamer means that CA (= chromatic aberration) is something you can only dream of, because this lens has none! Oh, and it's much less expensive.
Hello! Can we say that Laowa 100 mm is definitely better than Canon 100mm Macro in terms of image quality?
I thought about renting this for a couple college basketball games. I tend to love primes over zooms. Would you suggest it based on the AF speed?
Which one you like if you choose image quality and sharpness, the Nikon or the Canon.
Please educate me. Can I use my Pro F lenses on a R5 or R6 or vice a versa? I have a 10 year old EOS 1 Ds Mark II and it's time I get a new camera.
Also can I use the Fro Pack as an added in Corel Photopaint max?
A very stupid question I know but no one seems to ask the question if I have the ef macro lens on a adapter for the R dose the fact that the lens now has tube between it and the body and if so what is the equivalent tube size ...... Many thanks for supper content
They used this in the Dutch tv program Het Perfecte Plaatje. I WANT IT.
Good review, Jared. But you overlooked one of my favorite features of this lens (and the previous EF 100mm macro lenses)... There is the option to fit it with a tripod collar.
I realize you were shooting hand held, and 7 to 8 stops worth of stabilization (though not nearly so much at higher magnifications) certainly makes it feasible to do so... But a lot of macro shooters prefer to use a tripod or at least a monopod. Especially if they're doing focus stacking or using manual focus techniques. I'm pretty sure the Canon EF and RF 100mm lenses are unique among macro lenses around this focal length, having the tripod collar option. No one else I'm aware of offers 85, 90, 100 or 105mm macro lenses that can be fitted with a collar. You have to step up to a 180mm or 200mm macro (or find one of the 150mm macro Sigma used to make).
You also might have mentioned Canon already offers two other RF "macro" lenses: 35mm and 85mm. They are much more affordable at $500 and $600 respectively, as well as smaller and lighter, and they both also have IS. Plus they have larger max apertures: f/1.8 on the 35mm and f/2 on the 85mm. On the down side, they're not L-series so are probably not as weather resistant and robust, both use STM (stepper motor) focus drive that's likely not as snappy as the RF 100mm L's USM and don't have option for tripod collars (not needed since they're smaller and lighter?). Possibly most importantly, they're both 1:2 lenses (hence the "macro" in quotes), offering nowhere near the potential magnification of the RF 100mm at 1:1.4.
Otherwise your review is thorough and helpful. And it looks like I'm going to need to start saving my pennies!
I agree about the tripod ring! I bought the EF 100mm macro and got rid of the very capable and sharp Tamron 90mm macro primarily because of the tripod ring. It makes it so much easier to frame shots out in the field.
Isn’t it 1.4:1?
I've got the EF 100mm L macro coupled to my EOS-R with the basic EF-RF adapter. I got the lens used, in mint condition, for about half the price of a new one, and found an after-market tripod ring for about 1/3 price of the OEM ring. I shoot lots (thousands) of wildflower macros in the field every year, almost all on a tripod, and I couldn't be happier with it...unbelievably sharp, fast and rugged. While the RF version has some nice features, I am hard pressed to come up with a reason to plunk down $1500 for this lens. I'm sure it's worth the price (well, maybe not...$1500?!), but unless/until I move up to an R5/R6 or whatever comes next, I'll be sticking with the very capable EF version.
Hi Bob
I have the same magic set up and I am addicted to macro
Hi Bob
I would love the new rf version...but...I can't justify it
Would love to know how this compares to the RF 85mm macro? Half the price so of course some things will be different but is it still with it as a cheaper alternative?
The 85mm is not a true macro. It's an 85mm lens, with a half-macro feature. It can only reproduce at 1:2 compared to 1:1 and even 1.4:1 with the 100mm true macro lens.
@@cooloox thank you!
Hi Jared! Have you tried the 90 mm macro 2.8 from Sony?? Did you like it, thoughts?
I just rented one and I can't figure out wht my images are not sharp. Im using a canon r6. I had better results when using a tripod, but any ideas what settings I could change to create a sharper image?
I love it with the R5 and using the focus stacking on the R5. Great images, even if I do say so myself.😍
Would you use the Z9 again if it delivers the expectations?
Over the past year, I have gone back into photography. I have the R6 with the 24-70mm and 70-200mm and I am really thinking of this lens to complete my bag. This lens is now $1099.00.
Just ordered mine at b & h photo. Can’t wait to get it. Thanks for your review 😊
AWESOME SHOTS!
Just bought this lens and liked what I did so far. But def gotta use it more
what would e a nice alternative for the Sony if there is anything as good as this ?
You're a complex man. A silly, silly boy who makes great review videos. Thorough and useful. Thanks.
wow great review. honestly you really inspire.
Hey Fro, would you say this lens sharpness is comparable to Sony 90mm 2.8 Macro?
Got mine coming tomorrow :)
Good to see Steven getting in some still shots for a change. The next question is how does it do at video? I guess that would be Steven's next job, I hope to see a video about it soon. 👍
Macro lenses tend to have really bad focus breathing so my guess would be this one wouldn't be different. But for macro video shots were your distance is already set it seems it would perform amazing.
would you mind someday- Making a video for us the little guy who has a very, very tiny small budget for cannon lenses. If you don't mind.
How does it compare to the Sony 90m in terms of sharpness?
all these lenses are sharp. But it doesn't really matter as one's for Canon, one's for Sony. If I had to surmize which would be better, Id say canon because it's much newer.
I would definitely spend the extra $5000 to get an R5 and this lens for the imperceivable sharpness increase that could of been done post process. /s But then again that advantage goes away if you print or view your photos on a different monitor, phone, tablet, etc.
@@froknowsphoto thanks for the reply yeah the RF glass looks great. Impressive how quickly the tech is evolving.
Hi Jared, Nice video. Is it worth upgrading if you have the EF version? Thanks.
SA is great for portraits to eliminate blemishes and wrinkles it the skin. SA works far better than soft focus from the old portrait lenses and filters.
What do you think about R7 with RF 100mm?
Yep fro loves starwars😻
Imagine the close-up if on a crop sensor
I mean, you can still use extension tubes on it too to get even closer
I got a reverse ring for filter threads, if you put a telephoto lens and on top of that screw some other telephoto backwards, you'll get almost a microscope. Focusing and aperture is a bit tough tho and it's not a field setup, but when you need an extreme close-up the results are totally worth the hustle. And yes, I use APS-C.
Imagine a 24mpx grain of rice or tiny pine needle.
but how does the auto focus work on the moving insect ?
For someone who has an EOS R, would this RF 100L be worth the extra money over getting an EF 100L 2.8 Macro (if say I could get it used for ~$800)? Note, I already have an adapter and only have other EF glass for my R at this time
I use my ef 100L 2.8 w/ adapter on my R5 and consistently get fantastic results.
For what it's worth Matt, I have the EF 100L 2.8 Macro lens on my R6 with an adapter and I'm hugely impressed with the image quality (compared to the same lens on my EOS80D). I'm very lucky that I can afford the RF lens but definitely won't be upgrading. The better IBIS isn't worth it to me as I'm usually doing macro photography on a tripod.
If you use a tripod most of the time anyway, you could save even more getting the earlier Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM (non-L/no IS). It sells for about $600 brand new, even less used, and is also an excellent lens. There is virtually no difference in image quality, between it and the newer EF 100mm L IS. Build quality is quite good, too. In fact, its build looks identical to that of the EF 180mm f/3.5L.
Another advantage is the non-L/IS version uses a 58mm filter, which means the Canon Macro Twin Lite and Ring Lite flashes can mount directly to it with no concerns about vignetting. (Both the EF 100L/IS and the RF 100mm use larger diameter filters and require a Macrolite atep-down adapter to attach those flashes.)
I'm using the EF L version with my EOS-R and the basic adapter, almost always on a tripod. I like it so much, I don't see a compelling reason to buy the RF version.
just got mine last week- haven't used it yet- thanks for the review
You've had it a week and haven't used it yet? Wow! You're far more patient than me. Any time I get a new lens, as soon as it's unpacked it's on the camera and I'm looking for a subject to shoot!
Really nice review...
Does this canon macro lens shift aperture when you move to the closest focusing distance (like nikon)???
Love the Bee imitation 🐝. Seriously Fro, I can't believe you would question Canon, now who knows more about lenses 🤔 hahaha. Somehow I feel you have a recording of Steven saying "Yes Sir" that you can just edit into the video when required 👍😎👍
Do you recommend upgrading if you have the EF version?
Thanks, Jared!
Besides the increased magnification, and presumably autofocus, are there other reasons one might hasten upgrading to the RF from the EF version on the adapter on the R5?
Image stabilization
@@semahj 1 stop. Traded in for focus shift issues. Not a great deal, IMHO.