EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM – 1:1 macro with reach

The natural world is the natural home for this lens. With full life-size subject magnification, this lens is perfect for capturing dramatic close-ups of plants, insects and shy animals without getting too close. A favourite lens for those wishing to capture the beauty of a butterfly’s wings, dramatic close-ups are this lens’ forte.

Who is it for?

Originally designed for dentists, the 180mm focal length allows them to get life-size magnification of a patient’s teeth without having to get right into their mouth. However, wildlife photographers trying to photograph nervous subjects at high magnifications are much more commonly associated with this lens now. The longer focal range allows you to still obtain full 1:1 reproduction without having to get too close and risk scaring your subject away.

Key features

Focal length and maximum aperture: 180 mm 1:3.5
Lens construction: 14 elements in 12 groups
Diagonal angle of view: 13°- 46°
Focus adjustment: Inner focusing with USM
Closest focusing distance: 0.48m/1.6ft
Filter size: 72mm

The internal focus system improves handling and since the lens does not change physical length when focusing, it removes the danger of accidentally bumping into your subject with the front of the lens.

When not shooting up close to your subjects, the ring-type USM autofocus provides a fast and silent response. If you find you want to adjust the focus point manually, then the full-time manual focus allows you to do so, without first having to turn off autofocus.

Since lighting can be an issue when shooting macro subjects, both the Canon MR-14EX and Canon MT-24EX macro flash units can be used with this lens to provide both focusing lights and flash light directly onto the subject.

If life-size magnification is not enough for your needs, then the lens can also be used with the EF1.4x II or EF2x II extenders to give maximum magnifications of 1.4x life-size and 2x life-size respectively.

USM autofocus
A ring-type USM autofocus motor means you can focus quickly, near-silently and with precision. It also provides full-time manual focus so that you can adjust the focus with the focus ring, without first having to switch the lens to manual focus. This allows you to adjust the focus accurately to ensure it is exactly where you want it to be for the most creative control possible.
UD lenses
Three Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) glass elements correct secondary spectrum, and a floating lens construction helps to provide sharp images throughout the focus range.

Angle of view (horzntl, vertl, diagnl)	11°25', 7°40', 13°40'
Lens construction (elements/groups)	14/12
No. of diaphragm blades	8
Minimum aperture	32
Closest focusing distance (m)	0.48
Maximum magnification (x)	1.00
AF actuator	USM¹
Filter diameter (mm)	72
Max. diameter x length (mm)	82.5 x 186.6
Weight (g)	1,090
Magnification - Extension Tube EF12 II	1.09 - 0.07
Magnification - Extension Tube EF25 II	1.21 - 0.15
Lens hood	ET-78II
Hard case	LH-D24C
Soft case	LZ1324