APERTURE NOTES

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Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM: Canon's 1.4x macro with an SA control ring

A stabilized L-series macro that goes past life-size, to 1.4x, for Canon's full-frame RF bodies. Launched at $1,399 in 2021.

October 15, 2026 · Lens · Evergreen guide

Related on site: Need a body for it? See our Canon EOS R5 review (the body Canon rates for 8 stops with this lens) or the Canon EOS R6 Mark II guide. A lighter close-up option: the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM.

The black Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM lens with its hood, standing upright on a dark studio surface
Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM with its hood.
Photo: Henry Söderlund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

HIGHLIGHTS

Canon announced the RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM on April 14, 2021, at $1,399. Canon says it's the first RF lens it designed specifically for macro, and the world's first medium-telephoto macro lens to reach 1.4x magnification. That means subjects can appear larger than life on the sensor, at a 0.26 m minimum focus distance. Inside are 17 elements in 13 groups and a 9-blade aperture, with Super Spectra Coating and a fluorine-coated front element.

Its unusual feature is the SA (spherical aberration) control ring. Turning it changes the character of the foreground and background blur, or gives a soft-focus look. Dual Nano USM motors drive the AF, and optical IS is rated at 5 stops (CIPA, on an EOS R), or 8 stops coordinated with in-body stabilization on an EOS R5, with Hybrid IS for close-up work. It has a customizable control ring and L-series dust and water resistance, takes 67 mm filters. Canon Europe lists it as not compatible with Canon's extenders or EF12 II / EF25 II extension tubes. Canon U.S.A. gives the weight as 730 g; Canon Europe lists 685 g.

Our gallery comes from six photographers: an Amanita augusta mushroom (the photographer's own focus stack), a backgammon board and dice, a cat at f/2.8, a wall lizard peeking between boards, a poplar hawk-moth and the jaws of a pair of pliers. They were shot on EOS R5, R5 Mark II, R6 and R6 Mark II bodies.

The story

Canon U.S.A. announced the RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM on April 14, 2021, saying it was scheduled to be available in July 2021 for $1,399.00 (Canon U.S.A.).

Canon called it the world's first medium-telephoto macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1.4x.

Specifications

Key specs for the Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, from Canon U.S.A.'s specification sheet and April 14, 2021 release and Canon Europe's specifications page. Source for each row in brackets.

Format / mountFull frame; Canon RF mount [Canon U.S.A.]
Aperturef/2.8 maximum, f/32 minimum; 9 blades [Canon U.S.A.]
Optics17 elements in 13 groups; Super Spectra Coating; fluorine-coated front element [Canon U.S.A.]
Close focus / magnification0.26 m (10.2 in); 1.4x [Canon U.S.A.]
SA control ringAdjusts spherical aberration to change bokeh character or soften focus [Canon U.S.A.]
AutofocusDual Nano USM [Canon]
StabilizationOptical IS, 5 stops (CIPA, EOS R); 8 stops coordinated with IBIS (EOS R5); Hybrid IS for close-ups [Canon U.S.A.]
SealingDust- and water-resistant (L series) [Canon U.S.A.]
Filter67 mm [Canon U.S.A.]
Extenders / tubesNot compatible with extenders or EF12 II / EF25 II [Canon Europe]
Size81.5 × 148 mm [Canon U.S.A.]
Weight730 g per Canon U.S.A.; 685 g per Canon Europe [Canon U.S.A., Canon Europe]
Announced / priceApr 14, 2021; $1,399.00 (US) [Canon U.S.A.]

Sample photos

Six photos taken with the Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM on Canon EOS R bodies by six photographers, shared on Wikimedia Commons and Flickr under Creative Commons licenses or in the public domain. Each caption gives the settings the file records. Select a photo to enlarge it. More samples from Canon

An orange-brown capped Amanita mushroom with a pale stem rising from bright green moss
f/4, ISO 400, 1/8 s: an Amanita augusta, the photographer's own focus stack (Canon EOS R5).
Photo: Casey Helton via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
Red and white dice on the green and red points of a backgammon board, shot close up
f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/50 s: a backgammon board close up (Canon EOS R5).
Photo: Donald Olszewski via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)
A spotted brown cat looking up from a pale floor, with the background softly blurred
f/2.8, ISO 2500, 1/100 s: a cat at f/2.8 (Canon EOS R5).
Photo: Henry Söderlund via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (resized)
A small brown lizard peeking out from a gap between weathered wooden boards
f/4.5, ISO 1000, 1/2500 s: a wall lizard between boards (Canon EOS R5 Mark II).
Photo: th_norge via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)
A grey-brown poplar hawk-moth with scalloped wings resting on a wooden surface
f/10, ISO 640, 1/400 s: a male poplar hawk-moth (Canon EOS R6).
Photo: Charles J. Sharp via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
The toothed jaws of a pair of steel pliers resting on rough asphalt, shot close up
Pliers up close (Canon EOS R6 Mark II, per the Flickr EXIF page; the file carries no settings).
Photo: Steve Rainwater via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)

Canon: Launched at $1,399.00 in 2021 (US).

Verdict

Who it's for: Canon full-frame RF shooters who want autofocus macro beyond life-size, strong stabilization and L-series sealing, plus a 100mm for portraits.

The SA control ring adds a creative option no other Canon macro has; skip it if you need extender or EF extension tube compatibility.

Pros

  • 1.4x magnification at 0.26 m
  • SA control ring for bokeh character
  • 5-stop IS (8 with an EOS R5); Hybrid IS
  • Dual Nano USM AF; L-series sealing

Cons

  • Not compatible with extenders or EF extension tubes
  • 730 g per Canon U.S.A.
  • The SA ring takes practice
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