Conclusion

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is a superb macro lens boasting class-leading magnification, outstanding sharpness, impeccable build quality and a unique Spherical Aberration Control ring.

It delivers outstanding sharpness at both the centre and edges of the frame throughout most of its aperture range, even performing brilliantly when shooting wide-open at f/2.8.

There's some vignetting which requires you to stop down by at least 2 f-stops to prevent it completely, but there's little evidence of chromatic aberrations. Distortion is very well controlled even when shooting in the RAW format when the camera body doesn't apply any automatic corrections.

The minimum focusing distance of 26cm with a maximum magnification of 1.4 provides greater than life-size reproduction, with the focus limiter switch helpfully speeding up auto-focusing at closer distances.

Considering that the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens is a dedicated macro lens, it offers quite fast and reliable auto-focusing in good light on the Canon EOS R6 camera that we tested it with, even in low-light conditions.

Manual focusing is enjoyable thanks to the generously sized focusing ring with its large throw, although we missed having the true ability to over-ride the autofocus system at any time.

As you'd expect from an L-series lens, the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM offers an outstanding level of build quality and dust and moisture resistance for added peace of mind.

It also benefits from a brand new feature, the Spherical Aberration Control ring, which changes the shape and softness of the bokeh. In practice we found it to be a little gimmicky, though, and perhaps better suited to life on a portrait rather than macro lens.

Compared to its EF DSLR predecessor, the new RF mirrorless version of the Canon 100mm Macro offers a closer working distance and greater magnification (1.4x vs 1x), faster auto-focusing, improved image stabilisation and even better build quality.

It is slightly bigger and heavier, though, and also quite a lot more expensive, but if you don't already own the EF version, this is definitely the one to pair with your EOS R-series camera.

Overall, we'd definitely recommend purchasing the outstanding Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM if you're even remotely interested in macro photography.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	5
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	5
Value for money	4