he Canon 100mm Macro is a useful and reliable lens to add to any photographer’s library. Its quick auto focus is needed when shooting a moving subject and yet the 100mm distance allows you to still be a few feet away. Unlike telephoto and wide angle lenses, the macro allows you to get a much sharper detail of a small subject. Below are some of my first shots with the lens.

Photo: Macro Butterfly on Yellow Flower – Canon 20D F4.5 1/2000 sec. ISO-400

The above Macro Butterfly on Yellow Flower photo was shot from below looking up at a butterfly on a yellow flower from a few feet away. The wide aperture allows for the narrow focus on the butterfly and the fast shutter speed captures the quick movements of the insect.

Photo: Orange and Yellow Flower- Canon 20D F8 1/25 sec. ISO-200

The above Orange and Yellow Flower photo was shot at a local botanical garden in Spring. The high saturation of the photo emphasizes the vibrant colors of the flower and leaves in contrast with the dark background. Even at the low shutter speed of 1/25 sec, the pollen and central detail of the flower still comes into focus at aperture F8.

Photo: Small Toad on Pavement – Canon 20D F8 1/60 sec. ISO-200

The above Small Toad on Pavement photo is best shot with a macro lens because in reality, this frog was only an inch long from nose to tale. The late day lighting and rocky pavement create some high contrast that really pop out the sharp features of the frog.

verall I’ve been very happy with the Canon 100mm macro lens. It allows for extra freedom when shooting subjects close-up as well as small subjects that are sometimes overlooked. The lens weighs 21.1 oz (500g) and dimensions are 3.1 x 4.7″ (79.0 x 119.0mm) with a filter size of 58mm. It costs somewhere between $450-500 and can be bought online or at your local digital camera retailer.

Click here to view all blog posts