Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM

Comment

The Canon EF-s 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM is optimized for macro photography and only fits Canon APS-C cameras like the EOS 80D and Rebel series. Here are my thoughts on this lens after a couple weeks of use: The reason to buy this lens over the excellent EF 40 2.8 STM or EF 35 3.0 is for the macro mode. Being able to quickly take a tight closeup of a tiny flower, coin or insect is great. However, realize at 1:1 the front element is only about one inch from the subject. That’s okay for inanimate objects but not wee moving critters. Also, a one inch working distance blocks most ambient light, so the integral LED ring light is essential. The LED light, activated with a button on the barrel, is handy albeit only bright enough for a macro subject a few inches from the lens. You’ll still need stronger external illumination once beyond the high magnification macro range. BUILD: Although lightweight—190g—construction seems reasonably robust: sturdy plastics in barrel and metal mount. For a 1.0x macro lens it’s compact but considerably larger than an EF 40 2.8 STM. Focus distance and depth of field marks are absent from this lens. A quasi lens hood is provided, the ES-27, but is silly small. It’s sturdy aluminum but more of a fat 49mm filter adapter. I’d rather have a normal sized twist-on hood but at least a hood was provided. IMAGE QUALITY: Wide open its sharp and vivid but oh so slightly soft in the corners. Bokeh is pleasantly smooth in defocused areas. By F4.0 it’s pin sharp across the frame. It’s surprisingly flare resistant and landscapes with prominent horizons and/or vertical lines have no noticeable distortion. In short, image quality is very good open wide and excellent a stop down. AUTO FOCUS is peppy for a macro lens but slower than typical USM zoom. Most significantly, AF is accurate and rarely misses on my 80D. Focus is buttery smooth and great for touchscreen pulls during video. The focus motor is inaudible to my ears. Like other STM lenses, manual focus is "focus-by-wire"; i.e., the MF ring activates the focus motor but isn’t mechanically coupled to the lens. MF is only active when the shutter button is half-depressed. The MF ring is small but grippy and a lot better than the MF ring on my EF 40 2.8 STM. IMAGE STABILIZER (IS) yields about three stops of additional hand holdable range for normal photography. IS is quiet and isnt audible on video when using built-in mics. However, unless you can brace you hand on something, most photographers will need to use a tripod when at full macro magnification. FINAL BLURB: I want excellent image quality in an easy to carry package. And the EF-s 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM hits that mark, making it a great lens for macro on my 80D. While it works fine for general photography it isn’t especially fast nor can it zoom. So if you’re not into macro, this lens is not for you. I found it a dream for quick photos of small flat objects—coins, documents and art work—as there is virtually no distortion in both macro and normal ranges and the IS allows sharp images without busting out my tripod all the time. All in all a wonderful lens for macro loving photgraphers.

Show more

Comment

I am in love with these Lens, i was originally going to buy a $20 macro attachment from amazon but instead i took a leap and just bought these lens and they are amazing. I have a canon t3i and it’s just such a versatile lens. Good for up close, portraits and landscapes. None of these pictures have been messed with except for the picture with the bridge, i saturated that one a bit. It’s easy to use, quiet, and so light. Good material and the light is a really cool feature. I’m just in love and don’t regret spending $300 i didn’t have

Show more

Comment

Incredible. Macro shots are near microscopic, the LEDs provide enough light on their own out to about 6” or so for fast sharp macros at 2.8. This may be classified as a macro, but it does an incredible job at portraits, with great bokeh. I use this as my main video lens. The focus is absolutely silent. I mean it, no discernable vibration, no sound at all. You wouldn’t know it was focusing unless you were watching the viewfinder. I have yet to find any flaws with this lens whatsoever. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Canon knocked it out of the park and into low earth orbit wit this lens.

Show more

Comment

This works great and as described. Very pleased with the quality. I wanted something that would give me more detail (wood grain, details in floor finish, details in table finish, etc.) that I cannot get today with my 50mm lens. Just a word of caution, I bought directly from "Amazon.com Services" and it was shipped in an envelop padded mailer. When I buy a camera lens from B&H camera, they always ship a lens in a box. I am lucky it arrived with no damage. This will be the last lens I buy from Amazon.com Services.

Show more

Comment

I primarily use "L" lenses but this lens packs a punch and delivers! I need a macro for vacation yet didnt want to spend the traditional $$$$ for a Canon macro L series. I have it paired with a Canon Rebel T6i and this lens allow me to get up close shots and the LED light a added feature especially if shooting in doors and inches away from the suject! The lens cover for the light is metal and it screws on. This lens exceeded my expectations!

Show more

Comment

Not the ideal focal length for macro, but it opens up opportunities with the short MFD. I use it in place of a 50mm for daily photography on a crop sensor (about the equivalent relative to full frame). The little hood is cute and the macro light has come in handy a couple times for super close macro work. Its a nice AOV for video and the IS is handy even at this focal length when on the move. Widest aperture is adequate for low light and bokeh, but I havent tested it against other lenses for the latter. Focusing is quick and silent. Not much else to say. Great lens!

Show more

Comment

Very sharp affordable macro lens. If you use it outside though the built in light is too weak to do much except under very dark conditions. I was hoping it would at least provide some fill, but it doesnt have any effect under normal outdoor lighting. It is really for indoor use in dark conditions. Great idea if it was 5X brighter.

Show more

Comment

All of the Cheap Canon Prime STM lenses worth every penny (24mm, 35mm, 40mm and 50mm). My favorite used to be the 40mm, i found it was the best focal distance in my aps-c Canon camera, which translates to a 64mm. But then I bought the 35mm. And now It is my favorite of the 4 The IS is perfect but not the best fo macro; the focus ring is incredible smooth; the focus sistem makes no sound (that was the thing that shook me the most); with the f.2.8 you get nice background separation; And a true 1:1 magnification directly out of the lens. But I gotta say that this is not only a Macro lens, but a general porpouse, especially with that 56mm APS-C equivalent. The IS improves video capabilites. The only con: That led light, I only found it useful as a focus aid for macro (Only), and for taking photos I use an external flash. Also If you dont want to cover de LED with the little hood adapter, you can use 27mm filters.

Show more

Comment

Great new Canon lens! I can use it as a light walkabout lens, and also have macro capability when I feel like it. IS helps with that. Hand-held macros at a short distance required multiple attempts and some getting used to, but at the end I was able to capture some cool shots of random insects in the back yard as well as flower close-ups. Built-in light really helps with macro. I feel that this is a much better value than the new nifty-fifty, and the 35mm field of view on a crop sensor camera is great for everyday shooting. AF is fast and silent.

Show more

Comment

Interesting lens with its own Macro lighting. I bought it for the image stabilization, and the 50mm equivalent. I dont think Ive found another nifty-50 equivalent focal length with I/S.

Show more