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Home Lenses Canon Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM review
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Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM review Hot

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Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM review
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Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM review
Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM review
Editor rating
 
 4.0 User rating
 
 4.6 (25)

Overview

This telephoto macro lens is capable of close-ups up to 1X without any adapter. It is ideal for photographing insects and small animals, where a long working distance is desirable, as minimum focusing distance is 0.48m. Three UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass lens elements (2nd, 4th & 11th) correct secondary spectrum and ensure sharp definition at all subject distance. By employing floating construction, lens extension is reduced and f value fluctuation is minimized. A ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor) provides silent AF and full-time manual focusing. As the lens length does not change during focusing, accessories such as Macro Ring Light at the front end of the lens, can be easily operated. Maximum magnification can be increased either 1.4X or 2X by using Extender EF1.4X or EF2X.

 

Depth of Field Data

Depth-of-Field Data for EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
[unit:m]
D F3.5 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 32
ND FD ND FD ND FD ND FD ND FD ND FD ND FD ND FD
Inf. 257 Inf. 232 Inf. 164 Inf. 116 Inf. 82.2 Inf. 58.2 Inf. 41.3 Inf. 29.4 Inf.
5 4.914 5.089 4.905 5.099 4.886 5.142 4.812 5.203 4.740 5.293 4.640 5.427 4.507 5.624 4.331 5.933
2 1.988 2.012 1.987 2.014 1.981 2.019 1.974 2.027 1.963 2.038 1.948 2.055 1.928 2.079 1.900 2.113
1.2 1.196 1.203 1.196 1.204 1.194 1.206 1.192 1.208 1.189 1.211 1.184 1.216 1.178 1.223 1.170 1.233
0.84 0.837 0.841 0.838 0.842 0.838 0.842 0.837 0.843 0.836 0.844 0.834 0.846 0.831 0.849 0.828 0.853
0.66 0.659 0.661 0.659 0.661 0.659 0.661 0.659 0.662 0.658 0.662 0.657 0.663 0.656 0.664 0.654 0.666
0.57 0.5696 0.5704 0.5696 0.5705 0.5694 0.5706 0.5691 0.5709 0.5687 0.5713 0.5682 0.5718 0.5675 0.5726 0.5664 0.5737
0.51 0.5093 0.5103 0.5097 0.5103 0.5096 0.5104 0.5094 0.5106 0.5092 0.5108 0.5088 0.5112 0.5083 0.5117 0.5076 0.5124
0.48 0.4798

0.4802

 0.4798 0.4802 0.4797 0.4803 0.4795 0.4805 0.4793 0.4807 0.4791 0.4809 0.4787 0.4813 0.4781 0.4819
* D = Focusing Distance ND = Near Distance FD = Far Distance Inf. = Infinity

Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications

Lens Type Prime
Lens Special Features Macro
IS / VR / OS None
Canon L Class Yes
Min Focal Length (mm) 180
Max Focal Length (mm) 180
Number of Elements 14
Element Groups 12
Max Aperture 3.5
Minimum Aperture 32
Diaphragm Blades 8
Closest Focus Distance (m) 0.48
Maximum Magnification 1
Filter Type Screw In
Filter Diameter (mm) 72
Diameter at widest (mm) 82
Lens Length (mm) 187
Weight (g) 1090

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Editor review

Canon EF 180mm f3.5 L

Overall rating: 
 
 4.0
Sharpness:
 
 4.0
Build Quality:
 
 5.0
AF Speed:
 
 3.0
Value for Money:
 
 4.0
Reviewed by lee
December 03, 2007
View all my reviews
 
This solidly-built lens gives the impression that it will last a lifetime. It's supplied fitted with a slighly chuncky tripod colllar that can only be removed with the lens off the camera. A control panel on the left of the barrel, just in front of the collar, has two switches, one for the AF/MF and the other a focus limiter that can switch from the full range off 0.48m-infinity to 1.5-infinity. Autofocus is achived by an untrasonic motorand is almost silent. However, as with most macro lenses, tracking through the full focus range is still slow although the limiter does speed up the process a tad. Optically, this is a fine performer. especially at the center where picture quality is impressive even at its wides aperture. Performance peaks at f/8 where the center and the edges are closly matched. Image quality falls away with further stopping down, but good news is that the center and the edges stay closely linked. Contrast and colour rendition are of a very high level, as youwould expect from a lens at this price point. Distortion is so well controlled that there's nothing visible to the naked eye.



Verdict:

This is a hefty lens with a price tag to match. However, for the money you do get a high-quality optic that's built to last.



Conclusions at a glance

Would you recommend this Item Yes
Pros Sturdy build quality, optical performance, contrast and color
Cons Price, heavy, tripod collar could be better
 
 


User reviews

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Average user rating from: 25 user(s)

Overall rating: 
 
 4.6
Sharpness:
 
 4.6   (25)
Build Quality:
 
 4.6   (25)
AF Speed:
 
 4.6   (25)
Value for Money:
 
 4.5   (25)
 
Ratings (the higher the better)
  Sharpness*
  Build Quality*
  AF Speed*
  Value for Money*
Conclusions at a glance
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 No
 Undecided
Comments*
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180 mm macro lens

Overall rating: 
 
 4.5
Sharpness:
 
 5.0
Build Quality:
 
 4.0
AF Speed:
 
 4.0
Value for Money:
 
 5.0
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes No
Reviewed on: October 16, 2011
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Report this review
 
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

This lens is simply amazing! I don't actually own it, but I rented one for a weekend, and seeing that there's a dearth of reviews on this one, wanted to comment. The image quality can't be beat. I went to a butterflies exhibit with this lens, and I got some of the most amazing shots I've ever taken. This is quality Canon glass! The only cons are that the lens is very heavy (expect sore arms!), and I had difficulty with the auto-focus and resorted to just doing manual focus most of the time. It doesn't have IS, which is a bit disappointing given its price, but the shake isn't too bad. Obviously if you can use a tripod that's when the quality is best. I can't say enough about the image quality of this though. Photos are super sharp. I photographed a dragonfly eating an aphid or similar sized insect, and I could see the minute details on not only the dragonfly, but its prey as well. The color and saturation are simply amazing too. I'd definitely recommend this one. It's my favorite Canon lens so far.

 

Awesome quality

Overall rating: 
 
 4.8
Sharpness:
 
 5.0
Build Quality:
 
 5.0
AF Speed:
 
 5.0
Value for Money:
 
 4.0
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes No
Reviewed on: October 15, 2011
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

This is a lens with extremely sharp optics and a fairly steep learning curve before your able to take advantage of this lens' sharpness. It does NOT have Image Stabilization! As a macro, in most lighting conditions you will either have to use a good stable tripod and a slow shutter speed or a high ISO and a shutter speed at or above 500 or a ring flash. It has the sharpest MTF chart (Higher and straighter) for any lens Canon sells under 300mm and $6999.00 list price. Great lens for relatively still wildlife at medium distances. AF is not fast enough for humming birds and flying insects. I did thorough research on this lens' limitations and purchased this lens for its optical sharpness for which I gave it is 5 star rating.

 

Sharpest Lens I have ever owned!

Overall rating: 
 
 5.0
Sharpness:
 
 5.0
Build Quality:
 
 5.0
AF Speed:
 
 5.0
Value for Money:
 
 5.0
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes No
Reviewed on: August 29, 2011
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras The Canon 180mm Macro is excellent. It performs well and is a solidly built lens and the results are amazing. It is everything that I have read and performs as advertised. The benefit of this Macro is you can be 1/2 a meter from the subject - which keeps you from frightening any critters you are photographing and gives distance between the lens and subject without shadowing. In addition the people I purchased this lens from were excellent and the condition of the lens was everything they said. I have been pleasantly surprise with the whole purchase experience.

 

Sharpest Lens I have ever owned!

Overall rating: 
 
 4.5
Sharpness:
 
 5.0
Build Quality:
 
 4.0
AF Speed:
 
 5.0
Value for Money:
 
 4.0
Was this review helpful to you?
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Reviewed on: August 29, 2011
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Report this review
 
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Canon EF 180mm f3.5L Macro USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

The Canon 180mm Macro is excellent. It performs well and is a solidly built lens and the results are amazing. It is everything that I have read and performs as advertised. The benefit of this Macro is you can be 1/2 a meter from the subject - which keeps you from frightening any critters you are photographing and gives distance between the lens and subject without shadowing.
In addition the people I purchased this lens from were excellent and the condition of the lens was everything they said. I have been pleasantly surprise with the whole purchase experience.

 

Save $1000.? I think NOT

Overall rating: 
 
 1.5
Sharpness:
 
 1.0
Build Quality:
 
 2.0
AF Speed:
 
 1.0
Value for Money:
 
 2.0
Was this review helpful to you?
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Reviewed on: March 18, 2011
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Report this review
 
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Having a hard time focusing on subject, the lens goes back and forth like crazy. Manual autofocus recommended. Wish it had stabilizer. Amazing quality photo. I can't be more happy with it. Recommended if you love macro photography!

 
 
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