Affordable Macro Photography with the Pergear 100mm f/2.8 2X Magnification Ultra Macro Lens

Investing in a high-end macro lens may not make sense if you only occasionally use it. Enter the Pergear 100mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro lens, which offers 2X magnification, full frame coverage, and a surprisingly affordable price tag of $260. But does this lens deliver the performance you need?

Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this comprehensive video review takes a close look at the Pergear 100mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro lens and its strengths and weaknesses. The lens boasts an all-metal construction, giving it a solid, professional feel. Its compact design—just 71 mm in diameter and 157.6 mm in length—makes it manageable for a macro lens. While the weight of approximately 790 grams adds some heft, it’s a reasonable trade-off for its durability. Abbott notes that the lens is entirely manual, with no electronic communication to the camera. This means no EXIF data or automatic focus confirmation, which may require extra care during shooting.

Key Specs

• Magnification: 2x
• Format: Full frame
• Lens Construction: 14 elements in 9 groups
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
• Diaphragm Blades: 13, offering smooth bokeh
• Closest Focusing Distance: 0.3 meters
• Filter Diameter: 67 mm
• Lens Mounts Available: E, Z, L, RF, EF
• Weight: About 790 grams

The Pergear lens performs best in the macro range, where its optics are optimized. Abbott highlights its sharpness at 2x magnification and its ability to create beautiful background blur. He also points out that the lens is highly sensitive to lighting conditions, with flare and light leaks becoming noticeable in backlit scenes. While some photographers might see this as a drawback, Abbott suggests these effects can be used creatively in certain scenarios.

In practical use, Abbott discusses challenges with focusing, particularly when transitioning from macro distances to infinity. The focus throw is narrow for distant objects, requiring precise adjustments. However, within the macro range, focusing is more straightforward, aided by the lens's de-clicked aperture ring, which allows for smooth exposure changes.

Abbott also evaluates the image quality, noting that chromatic aberration and distortion are minimal. The lens maintains decent sharpness, especially in the mid-frame, though it’s not the sharpest macro lens available. Contrast is adequate but improves significantly when stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Abbott.