I love this lens. I'd previously tried a friend's and was quite impressed with the sharpness from f2.2/2.5 onward, and the bokeh around f2.8/3.2. Upon purchasing the lens, I was overjoyed to discover both better sharpness (impressive wide open and just great by 2.2/2.5 in most circumstances) and smoother bokeh. I've also done some comparing of my lens with an 85mm f/1.8 that I used to own and I'm quite a bit more impressed with the CA performance at wide apertures with the 100mm than with the 85mm: at f/2, CA is present in high contrast situations, but not nearly as bad as with my 85mm; by f/2.5-2.8, the CA is already greatly reduced; and, by f/3.2-4, it's nearly absent. For a non-L, the contrast and color are great, as well. For the cost, size, and capability, I have yet to use a more impressive prime!

A very nice portrait lense, very fast and very clear. There is a faster 85mm lense, but I like the look of 100mm ... I just wish they had made this faster as well.

Excellent lens for the price. Fast AF and sharp all the way open at f/2. Doesn't have the image quality or AF speed of an L lens, but at a third of the price (compared to the 135 f/2L) you get one awesome prime lens. Doesn't come with a hood. I strongly recommend getting one.

I originally bought this lens for use with an Elan II film SLR back in 2003. It was extraordinary. The bokeh, focal length, and extreme background blur made it my favorite lens.

Fast forward to 2005. I bought a Canon Digital Rebel. Now my 100/2 was a 160/2. That's too long for indoor portraits and too short to be a real telephoto. It also had a lot more depth of field, and thus noticeably less background blur. Slowly, I noticed that I wasn't using it as often, or really at all. So I sold it and bought a 50/1.4.

That's the unfortunate thing with this lens. As an optic, it's excellent. Fairly sharp from f/2, good contrast, fast and silent AF, and only moderate color fringing. But the focal length is just *so* inconvenient. This 100/2 feels cramped for space indoors, but too short to get up close and personal outdoors. The optical design is also optimized for close distances, so if you try to use it for distant objects at larger apertures like a real telephoto, fine detail disappears. It's also incompatible with Canon teleconverters, though you wouldn't really want to attach one anyway.

What I used this lens for on my Elan II was flattering women. It's extremely good at that. My 50/1.4 serves a similar purpose now, but at an 80mm equivalent, it's a bit on the short side. The best option would be a 70/1.4, but alas, that doesn't exist.

If you're considering this lens, consider the 85/1.8 instead. They're similar designs, but the 135mm equivalent is just inside the standard portrait range, and you may like it better.

As an "intermediate" level photographer, I have to say that this is one of my favorite lenses. I get sharp photos every time I use it and can take shots in fairly low light. I carry this lens, as well as my 50mm 1.8, everywhere with me.

It's a heavy duty metal construction with quality glass in a single focal length. I get a ton of use out of it for "distance portraiture" when I don't know the subject and don't want to invade their personal space.

This is a favorite.

We're very happy with this lens. It produces sharp images at higher shutter speeds due to its wide aperture. You typically lose two or three stops with zoom lenses in the same price range. This is a good lens for medium telephoto applications.

Much has been said on this classic lens. My copy is spot on from the box. AF is silent and fast. I use this for children indoor head shots. 50mm doesn't give me enough room to work with and it makes my subject self-conscious...

Only the hood is of secondary quality, feels cheap and the snap-on feels unreliable. My hood on the 50f1.4 is way better, and cheaper as well.

I prefer this fast lens to the 85 1.8 - it simply produces a better portrait in my opinion. Lovely, small, light....the perfect little lens without going to an L. Highly recommend; I use as a back-up and always have it in my camera bag. Love it.

I love this lens. I bought it basically because it is the longest focal length with a really large aperture under $500 ($925 for the 135 f2 and $4800 for the 200 f2). It focuses quick and is razor sharp, even wide open (I find I shoot with it 95% of the time at f2.0). On my crop sensor 40D it acts as a short telephoto and allows me to capture great action and tight portraits with perfectly blurred backgrounds.

My one and only complaint is the lens hood attachment is not the best design. Definitely not large enough an issue to deduct a star.