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   Canon 100mm f2 USM Prime Lens!

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           
I guess every photographer has a 'favourite' prime lens?

There is nothing quite like a relatively inexpensive Canon 100mm f2 USM lens fitted to a Canon 5D MK I DSLR 35mm 'full frame' camera. It produces decent images even at it's widest aperture of f2 and it is great for background blur on distant subjects and ideal for portraiture..

This lens is razor sharp so with portraiture you will see even the slightest blemish on the skin and when fitted to a 35mm 'full frame' camera the depth of field at f2 is razor thin.


From the Internet - "The EF 100mm f/2 USM has a large maximum aperture, but is still relatively compact. The 100mm focal length lets photographers maintain a comfortable working distance from their subjects, and also helps to compress perspective. Sharp, crisp pictures are obtained at all apertures throughout the range. A large maximum aperture of f/2 provides outstanding speed for low-light shooting, without the need for flash. Shooting at such wide apertures also throws the background out of focus, placing more emphasis on the subject. A virtually circular aperture diaphragm gives out of focus regions a softer, more uniform feel. Sharp foreground objects stand out against a smooth blurred background. A ring-type ultrasonic motor drives autofocus extremely quickly, and in near silence. Excellent holding torque ensures the point of focus is reached accurately, without overshooting. Furthermore, full-time manual override is available, making it possible to adjust focus without leaving AF mode. Super Spectra coatings ensure accurate colour balance and enhance contrast. They also reduce flare and ghosting – a common problem caused by light bouncing off a camera's sensor".

The lens plus the hood costs £383.00 including vat in the UK.

This lens is simply awesome at f2 wide open, 'sharp as a tack' and even with cropping
the 'full frame' sensor of the 5D delivers on image quality. The hood can be reverse fitted on the lens to keep it compact in the bag.

This image of 'Boddam' lighthouse was taken 'hand held'  and has the minimum post processing applied, it has been cropped. You can even see a ship on the water immediately behind the lighthouse.

The 100mm is extremely 'flexible' and is great for portraits. The lens is so
sharp that every skin flaw can be easily seen, even on a baby's face.

I use Adobe Lightroom to deliberately soften down the sharpness and in this image, I have softened the face and brought back the sharpness in his eyes, nose and mouth. The image was also converted
to monochrome and the highlights lifted. The original colour version was most excellent but I like this one. It was taken 'hand held' and Joshua was moving about on the carpet.

Canon brought this lens out years ago and most photographers don't even give it a second glance! At aperture f2 'wide open' it is up there with the best and for closing down the 'depth of field' at distance it is excellent. I always set the 5D for centre (spot) autofocus and the lens is fast and accurate. This image of the bird bath table was taken 'hand held' at aperture f2 and the bokeh is very reasonable considering the distance to the main subject.

These are images which again has been softened for effect, the original image showed up all the flaws in the skin like craters on the moon - 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Richard Lawrence
Scotland
United Kingdom

 

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