Do you wish to know the distinction between Canon EF vs EF-S lenses?
This could be a complicated subject, particularly for
photographers who’ve solely simply bought a Canon DSLR.
That’s why we’ve put collectively this
information–which is able to inform you all the things it’s good to find out about EF lenses, EF-S
lenses, and the variations between them.
By the point you’ve completed, you’ll know
whether or not an EF or an EF-S lens is best for you.
Understanding Lens Mounts
First issues first:
If you wish to perceive the distinction
between EF and EF-S lenses, you’ve acquired to know lens mounts.
What’s a Lens Mount?
The lens mount is the place the place a lens and a
digital camera are available in contact. Technically talking, each the digital camera and lens include
a part of the mount–and these two options mix to create a working setup.
Notice that completely different lens mounts are created by
completely different producers. A Canon lens mount is completely different from a Nikon lens
mount which is completely different from a Sony lens mount.
Additionally, observe that completely different lens mounts are created by the identical producer. This may be for essentially completely different digital camera techniques (akin to mirrorless versus DSLRs), but it surely may be for various kinds of lenses inside comparable digital camera techniques (akin to full-frame versus APS-C).
The EF vs EF-S distinction is an instance of
this final situation. Canon makes each of those lens mounts, however one is designed
to mount on full-frame DSLRs, whereas the opposite is designed to mount on APS-C
DSLRs.
A Historical past of EF Lens Mounts
EF lenses go all the way in which again to 1987, whereas
EF-S lenses are a lot newer (they had been created in 2003).
The title ‘EF’ comes from the mechanics of the
lens: EF lenses embrace an ‘Electro-Focus’ motor, which permits for digital
focus to be carried out by the lens itself.
Previous to utilizing the EF mount, Canon had been producing cameras and lenses that interfaced by way of the FD mount. This mount required that the autofocus motor be housed within the digital camera moderately than the lens.
EF vs EF-S Lenses
When EF-S lenses had been first produced by Canon within the early 2000s, many EF lenses had been already on the scene.
However what’s the distinction between these two
lens varieties?
In essentially the most fundamental sense:
EF lenses are produced for Canon’s full-frame DSLRs. EF-S lenses are produced for Canon’s APS-C DSLRs.
See additionally: High Canon EF-S Lenses for APS-C Cameras
Whereas there’s a variety of EF lenses, many
of them are designed with superior amateurs and professionals in thoughts.
However, EF-S lenses are designed to reap the benefits of the smaller APS-C sensor measurement. Canon additionally designed EF-S lenses to keep in mind the completely different wants of APS-C customers.
Can I Use EF Lenses on Crop
Sensor Cameras?
If you happen to’re making an attempt to determine whether or not to purchase an
EF lens or an EF-S lens, this can be a vital query.
Can you employ an EF lens on a crop-sensor digital camera, or do they solely work on full-frame our bodies?
See additionally: Finest Canon EF Lenses for Completely different Sorts of Images
Fortuitously, it’s doable to make use of an EF lens
on a crop-sensor digital camera. Nonetheless, there are just a few advantages and disadvantages to
keep in mind:
Advantages
First, an EF lens can have a narrower discipline
of view on an APS-C digital camera. For wildlife and sports activities photographers who require a
lot of attain, that is extraordinarily useful.
For example, a 300mm EF lens finally ends up with a discipline of view equal to a 480mm lens on an Canon APS-C digital camera.
See additionally: Finest All-Round Canon Lens
Second, EF lenses are likely to have a extra strong
construct than their EF-S counterparts. Many EF lenses, akin to Canon’s L lenses,
are constructed with professionals in thoughts, and might deal with the pains of great use.
Drawbacks
Whereas the slim discipline of view on an APS-C
digital camera could also be appreciated by some photographers, others–primarily panorama
and architectural photographers–will need the widest discipline of view doable.
So when you’re a panorama or architectural shooter, otherwise you simply need an ultra-wide angle perspective, it’s higher to make use of a full-frame digital camera with EF lenses.
See additionally: Finest Vast Angle Lens for Canon
Plus, EF lenses are way more costly than
EF-S lenses. If you happen to’re on a funds, you’ll respect the cash it can save you by
buying EF lenses as an alternative.
Can I Use EF-S Lenses on
Full-Body Cameras?
That will depend on the lens.
EF-S lenses have a tendency to stay out farther the place
they interface with the digital camera. If the mount on the EF-S lens is lengthy sufficient,
it could actually come into contact with the digital camera mirror, inflicting the digital camera to interrupt.
Nonetheless, not all EF-S lenses have this drawback. Some EF-S lenses have mounts that can interface with out damaging the mirror.
See additionally: Lens Finder: Tips on how to Select a Digital camera Lens
So, assuming that you simply’re utilizing an EF-S lens
that safely mounts on a full-frame digital camera, you’ll wish to take into consideration these key
advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
EF-S lenses are typically less expensive than the
corresponding EF choices, so an EF-S lens could be a good funds possibility.
EF-S lenses are additionally extra compact in comparison with
EF lenses, which is able to assist photographers who journey continuously.
Drawbacks
There’s one huge challenge that comes with utilizing an
EF-S lens on a full-frame physique:
They’re designed to mission the picture onto a
smaller (APS-C) sensor.
Which implies that an EF-S lens mounted onto a full-frame digital camera provides you with a heavy vignette, like this:
You’re free to crop this out in post-processing.
However along with including time to your modifying workflow, you’ll lose
pixels–which might slim your printing choices, amongst different issues.
Ought to I Purchase EF or EF-S Lenses
for my APS-C Digital camera?
When you’ve got an APS-C digital camera, then you definitely’re free
to buy both EF or EF-S lenses. Each will interface simply tremendous along with your
digital camera physique.
So it’s actually all about your wants as a
photographer.
For Sports activities and Wildlife
Images
If you happen to’re trying to do wildlife, sports activities, or hen images, then buying an EF super-telephoto lens is a good concept. There are actually no EF-S substitutes for these lenses, plus a 400mm EF lens can have the sphere of view of a 640mm lens on an APS-C digital camera.
See additionally: Finest Lens for Hen Images
For Panorama, Structure, and
Journey Images
If you wish to do any kind of images that entails a wide-angle lens, then I like to recommend EF-S lenses.
See additionally: Finest Canon Lenses for Panorama Images
Canon producers some nice wide-angle EF-S glass. And panorama photographers in addition to journey photographers usually spend hours or days within the discipline, the place a lightweight setup is important.
For Portrait and Informal
Images
If you happen to’re capturing portraits or walkaround
images on an APS-C digital camera, EF-S lenses could be a nice alternative.
They’re low-cost, they’re optically spectacular,
they usually’re small–which makes them a fantastic possibility for both of all these
capturing.
Understanding Canon EF-M Mount and
EF-M Lenses
Along with its EF and EF-S lenses, Canon
produces one other lens lineup:
EF-M lenses.
These are designed to work on Canon EOS M
APS-C mirrorless our bodies, not DSLRs.
Nonetheless, Canon provides an adapter that permits
you to mount EF and EF-S lenses on a Canon EOS M physique.
Canon EF vs EF-S Lenses: Conclusion
Hopefully, you now perceive the important thing
variations between EF vs EF-S lenses.
You also needs to perceive why EF lenses and EF-S lenses have their place, no matter your digital camera physique.
As a result of each supply some nice optics!
