Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

One of the things I like the most about this lens is its portability. If you are a nature photographer, this lens will allow you not to miss macro shots in the field if you are taking with you heavier gear. It fits anywhere! And besides being amazingly sharp as a macro lens even at 2.8, on a 1.6x sensor it has the perfect focal length for portraits. Its pleasant bokeh is a plus as well in this respect.


Those who are into insect macro might look more at the 100 2.8 Macro given its longer working distance, but in turn the 100 focal length is not ideal for portraiture on a 1.6 x sensor. On the downside (if there is any here!) sometimes the lens hunts in low light as it does not have a focus limiter, but I believe this is not a serious flaw. It is a pity it does not take the Kenko extension tubes directly, but it WILL if you buy the Canon 12 II Extension Tube and THEN add the Kenko tubes. You can also find some Pro-optic tubes which DO work with EF-S lenses, but the physical quality is not the greatest. This might not be a huge issue since Extension Tubes do not affect the IQ of any lens.


In sum, simply an AMAZING lens.

Superb Image quality, 1:1 macro, multifunctional (macro and portraits), WEIGHT, build, bokeh.

Only EF-S, does not take KENKO Extension tubes directly.

This is a true macro lens - it focusses to 1:1 without accessories. It also does so without exending the lens. The front element of the lens neither extends or rotates with focussing and the construction quality is extremely high. These two characteristics together give the lens a sturdy indestructible feel.

Autofocus works very well compared to most true macro lenses but because of its extended range it can hunt sometimes. Ring USM focus motor means it has full time manual focus. You can just turn the focus ring to adjust focus manually, without having to turn off autofocus first.

Image quality is absolutely stunning. Very sharp edge to edge even wide open at f/2.8. No linear distortion, no chromatic aberration, no vignetting, just sharp sharp pictures to knock your socks off. Quite wonderful. Actually I think there is a little vignetting at near infinity focus but at closer distances there's none. Which brings me to another point...

This is a macro lens, designed for close focussing distances. But it's 60mm, equivalent in 35mm terms to a little less than 100mm. An ideal portrait lens, giving flattering but not exaggerated perspective. So it can serve as a dual purpose lens.

Used for macro photography this lens is as good as it gets. Used for portraits it will give excellent results. Used at longer distances for landscape photography it will vignette just a little. Whether its a problem will depend on the photograph and on whether you're prepared to put it right with software tools later.

If money is no object, a true macro lens with a longer focal length would enable you to photograph timid tiny creatures without getting so close to them and risking spooking them. 1:1 photography with this lens puts the subject about 200mm from the sensor plane or 100mm from the front of the lens. That's my only criticism - otherwise this lens approaches perfection for me.

Image quality, build quality, feel

None really. 1:1 involves getting a bit close to the subject.

Sigma 180mm f/3.5 macro manual focus
Canon FD 50mm f/3.5 macro
Canon FD bellows

Wonderful lens! i traded my old 50f2.5 for this lens and it has been worth it! I love the manual focusing -its well damped and smooth. Also the focus is all internal so the lens doesnt get any longer af you focus. 1:1 on a 20d or 300d is nice and the lens is very sharp -even wide open. Its good comapct all around lens as well.

1:1 internal focus smooth operation

doesnt work on my film body but that ok since im shooting 90% digital now

50f2.5 ef 60f2.8 af nikkor

none so far