Canon 180mm f/3.5 L USM macro EF Review Round-Up
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Photo Zone:
The Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 USM L macro is an interesting lens with a very good optical performance and exceptional mechanical qualities. Nonetheless the lens wasn’t really able to fulfill the high expectations associated with a Canon L grade lens – there’re even some zoom lenses performing better in terms of resolution. Beyond the resolution aspect the lens showed pretty perfect performance figures – minimal vignetting, next to non-existent distortions and marginal chromatic aberration. The bokeh, the quality of the out-of-focus blur is relatively decent although not stellar. The AF performance of the lens is a bit of a mixed bag. If the in-focus point is in a relatively close proximity to the current setting the AF is fast. However, if the camera has no guidance where to go the AF is extremely slow. That said AF speed isn’t really relevant for pure macro photography where you tend to use manual focusing anyway. Macro photographers will certainly appreciate the “true” IF design (constant physical length) as well as the increased working distance compared to the EF 100mm f/2.8 USM macro. If macro capabilities aren’t on your wish list you may prefer to look elsewhere though. READ FULL REVIEW