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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 -
If you have enjoyed this article - please donate to my
Charity of Choice -
The Sick Kids
Richard Lawrence
Scotland
United Kingdom
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