Canon's EF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM lens is the first to incorporate a new Hybrid IS system, which corrects for both rotational and linear camera shake. The new technology builds on the company's widely-employed Image Stabilizer, and is said to be particularly effective for subjects shot at close distances, which, according to Canon, is traditionally where standard image stabilisation systems struggle.

Back in July, Canon took the distinctly unusual step of announcing a new technological development completely in isolation from any products. The subject was a novel 'Hybrid' optical image stabilization system designed to compensate for two distinct types of camera shake.

This 100mm lens from Canon costs around £779 and provides life-size magnification at its closest focus, image stabilisation, weather-sealed construction and an ultrasonic focusing motor. This is not the only 100mm Macro lens Canon produce. The older version without the 'L' designation lacks an image stabiliser, but only costs £439.

More than three years after Nikon's groundbreaking 105mm f/2.8 VR macro, Canon has shot back with a $1,000 (street) fullframer, its first 1:1 close-up lens with image stabilization. A new "hybrid" stabilization system, it compensates for horizontal and vertical camera shake (shift and pitch), and also tackles slight camera tilts (what Canon calls "angular" movement, usually called "roll").

Brought to you by www.digitalrev.com. We tested the new Canon Macro 2.8L IS lens to see if it's worth the extra over the non-L non-IS version. Pricing Reference: http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-100mm-f-2/NzQzNw_A_A

Stunning MTF performance * Full-frame coverage * Internal focussing * Dust-sealed construction There has always been a good case for saying that optimum performance is achieved when a lens is designed for one specific purpose: versatile lenses are great for versatility but if you have a particular application in mind then it is always best to seek out a lens that was designed for that specific purpose.