Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Interchangeable Lens Review

Specification

• Focal length 60mm
• Max Aperture f/2.8
• Min Aperture f/32
• Filter size 52mm
• Elements/groups 12/8
• Closest focus 0.2m (1:1)
• Dimensions 73x69.8mm
• Weight 0.335kg
• Hood ET-67B (Not supplied)
• Mount Canon EF-S
• Price (RRP) £319.99p

Build and Handling
As is normal with Canon’s mid range lenses the build of the EF-S 60mm Macro is certainly up to the job. Being a prime lens the operation is simple with only an AF/MF switch and a manual focus ring to control proceedings. The AF/MF switch is in the usual place, just to the left of centre near the mount. The mount is the EF-S that sports a white spot as opposed to the more normal red one of the standard EF mount. The lens can only be used on the 20D, 300D and 350D Canon cameras that support this mount.

Centrally placed on the barrel is a generously sized distance window, which is, by convention, marked in metres and feet. However, there is an additional row of markings indicating the reproduction ratios that you are achieving at that setting, ranging from full 1:1 through to 1:5 at the 0.44m(1.43ft) mark. For some, this may well prove useful and is a nice touch. The manual focus ring, which can be used to over-ride the autofocus without switching, is generous enough for even the largest of hands and, as is fairly normal for Canon lenses, is nicely torqued.

For a Macro lens, the autofocus is quiet and surprisingly quick, a product of the USM mechanism. All of the focussing is carried out internally giving the added advantage that the lens neither extends in length nor does the front element rotate in operation. This makes the use of filters in the 52mm thread a much simpler operation. There is provision for mounting the ET-67B lens hood, although this is an extra.

Optical Quality
One of the problems emerging with Canon’s EF-S series of lenses is that you don’t really know what you are getting in performance terms apart from going by the price differences. They all have the same nomenclature so the EF-S 18-55mm ‘kit’ lens is grouped with the excellent EF-S 10-22mm and no one will argue that that they are not worlds apart. This offering of the EF-S 60mm Macro, like it’s price, falls somewhere in between the two. Distortion has been well handled with a figure of –0.237% indicating a very slight pincushion that is almost undetectable with the Mk 1 eyeball.

Chromatic aberrations have been well sorted and are well within acceptable limits right across the frame and throughout the aperture range. Contrast is also well up to Canon’s high standard and is the area where they win a lot of their following, but, for a newly designed lens, the resolution is slightly disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, it is adequate for the cameras it is designed for and will give pleasing results, as it did for me. Where it does score well is wide open at f/2.8, which, along with the 7-blade diaphragm and the ideal focal length, bodes well for portrait photography and other areas where a nicely blurred background is required. Another plus is the ability to shut the aperture down as far as f/32, unusual on an f/2.8 lens and a bonus for those who want maximum depth-of-field.

Shot at f/16, the front of the lens was only 85mm from the subject for this 1:1 image. As with the single portrait, the perspective given by this lens is just as pleasing in this group shot and saves the need to have a large studio or taking the shot from halfway out of the door. Again, 1/125sec at f/4, ISO200.

The EF-S 60mm is an ideal focal length for portrait photography on the 1.6x crop sensors it is designed for. 1/125sec at f/4 and ISO200. All three shots taken on a Canon 300D.

Click on each comparision photo below to view full size versions

60mm set at f/8

60mm set at f/2.8

Below is our lens test data. To find out how to use these graphs look at this article: How we test lenses

Verdict
I wait to be convinced about Canon’s commitment to the EF-S mount and the restricted number of cameras that it will fit. However, if you own one of them and do not plan to upgrade to full frame in the future then this is a capable and versatile lens. Remember, however, that the minimum focus distance is measured from the sensor plane and to get a 1:1 ratio picture the front of the lens will only be some 85mm from the subject. On an APS-C sensor though, it does seem the ideal focal length for portraits and may well find a good deal of favour in that discipline.

In summary, the positive points of the EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM are:
Excellent autofocus. Both quick and quiet.
Good control of distortions and CA. Good contrast.
Good wide open performance and stops to f/32
Ideal focal length for portrait work (on cameras it is designed for)

The negative points are:
Resolution slightly disappointing for a modern lens (although adequate for job)
No lens hood supplied.
Restrictive mount.

Check out the latest price on the EF-S 60mm USM lens here

Test by Ian Andrews www.wildaboutkent.co.uk