IRIX EF 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Review

The Canon IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro is a bit of a specialist. It's a full-frame, 150mm prime lens that can focus close enough for 1:1 macro shots, but it's also long enough to be a solid portrait lens. At 839 grams, it's not a walk-around lens you'll casually toss in your bag. This thing is built for a specific job: getting detailed shots of small subjects from a comfortable working distance, or flattering portraits with nice background separation. What makes it interesting is that combination of focal length and macro capability in a native Canon EF mount. You're not adapting a lens or using extension tubes. It's a dedicated tool that does two things pretty well.

Optically, it scores in the 75th percentile, which is respectable. The bokeh is rated even higher at the 71st percentile, so out-of-focus areas should look smooth and pleasing, a big plus for portraits. The 1:1 magnification means you can fill the frame with a subject that's the same size as your sensor, which is the gold standard for serious macro work. The 345mm minimum focus distance (about 13.5 inches) is a key spec. It means you can be over a foot away from your subject and still get that life-size magnification. That's great for skittish insects or for not casting a shadow on your subject. The f/2.8 aperture is fast enough for decent light gathering and shallow depth of field, but it lands in the 53rd percentile, so it's not class-leading in speed.

At around $396, the value proposition is clear. You're getting a dual-purpose macro and portrait lens for less than the price of most dedicated macro lenses from first-party brands. Canon's own 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS costs more than twice as much. You're trading away stabilization, weather sealing, and arguably some build quality and autofocus speed for that lower price. If your budget is tight and you need both 1:1 macro and a medium telephoto, this lens covers both bases for a very reasonable sum.

The competitors listed are mostly wide to normal prime lenses (35mm, 55mm), which are completely different tools. A more apt comparison would be the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro or the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (non-L). The Sigma is sharper, has better autofocus, and is built for mirrorless, but it's also more expensive. The Canon 100mm f/2.8 non-L is closer in price and has USM autofocus, but it's not quite as long and lacks the IRIX's 150mm focal length for portraits. The trade-off with the IRIX is that extra reach. You get more working distance for macro and more compression for portraits, but you accept slower autofocus and no stabilization. If you shoot mostly static subjects or use manual focus for macro, the IRIX's weaknesses matter less.

Get this lens if you're a Canon DSLR shooter on a budget who wants to do both macro and portrait work, and you value that extra working distance the 150mm provides. The optical quality is good, the bokeh is nice, and the price is right. Just be ready to use a tripod or bump up your ISO to compensate for the lack of stabilization. Skip this lens if you need fast, reliable autofocus for moving subjects, if you shoot in challenging environments and need weather sealing, or if you want a single, versatile lens to do everything. This is a specialist, not a generalist.