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Whats your lens buying strategy now? Buy EF or wait for RF?

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Retzius

Retzius

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Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
 
Retzius said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
(a) I don't see RF as inevitable. YMMV

(b) even if it is, I still hold to my rule: "buy the lens(es) you need for the camera you have."

(c) RF or no RF, it always makes sense to rent an expensive lens if you only have rare or occasional use for it. For lenses you commonly use, see (b) and (d).

(d) if I had an R, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for R versions of, or spend way too much renting, every day lenses like 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8/4, 70-300, 100 macro, etc. I'd get and use the EF lenses with the R.

IMHO, YMMV

--
Unapologetic Canon Apologist :-)
 
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Retzius said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
Where did you get this inevitable transition information? Even if it were true, it would be many years away and the current R OEM adapter would solve the use issue. Canon just released several new high end EF lenses with more on the way... the two 70-200’s, 400F2.8 lll and 600 F4 lll. The 300 F2.8 and 500 F4 llls are coming.

No worries here.
 
I still have a mix of EF and RF bodies, and I'm not selling the EF bodies any time soon. I *would* like to get an RF 24-105 (even though I have an EF 24-105 v1) and I'd definitely consider an IS/RF version of a 24-70/f.28L - I'll stick with my EFs for now.
 
Im not a lens collector and I have all the lenses I want and need. I'm convinced my next body will be mirrorless so i'll use my current lenses with adapters and upgrade as RF replacements become available.

--
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/edraderphotography/
 
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Retzius said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
Currently I own an 80D an the M5 and a couple of EF, EF-S and EF-M. But I plan to switch my 80D for an R camera in the next 1-2 years.

I won’t buy any EF-S anymore. There aren’t any interesting ones anyway.
I suppose I won’t buy any EF-M anymore, maybe just switch existing ones.

New needs I will try to cover with RF or EF only. For special purposes EF lenses with the filter-adapter seems to be perfect (wide angle, video, timelapse).
 
Retzius said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
The EF mount is basically already dead. Many people are still in denial, believing it will be a long and slow process, if at all. But this is 2018. And it will move quickly from here on. That’s my take on the matter

So I would personally recommend you to invest in the future, which spells RF.

(and the colours and overall image quality that the R produces in general is simply stunning)
 
I have 2 DSLRs and a set of great EF lenses, with my most used combo being the 7D2 and EF300mm F2.8 II and 1.4xIII - which is my main birding kit.

I’ve been on the fence regarding the 500mm F4 II since before the RF announcements, with my concerns being its size and price. But since the RF announcements I’ve gone cold on buying any new EF lenses.

An announcement by Canon on their DSLR roadmap would definitely help here. If there is to be a 7D3 then the 500mm F4 will be back on the cards. However if the 7D2 successor is to be an EOS M model, or the much debated APS-C EOS R then there’s no way I’ll buy another EF lens and I’ll sit back and wait for a native mount lens for birding.

Peter
 
Fog Maker said:
Fog Maker said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
The EF mount is basically already dead. Many people are still in denial, believing it will be a long and slow process, if at all. But this is 2018. And it will move quickly from here on. That’s my take on the matter

So I would personally recommend you to invest in the future, which spells RF.

(and the colours and overall image quality that the R produces in general is simply stunning)
Click to expand...
Clever words... As people are full of money will trow out their EF lenses and their gear to buy quickly R bodies of 2500 € and expensive RF lenses. .....
 
My present strategy can be summarized as watchful waiting. I had recently started to upgrade my older EF lenses, but as I see Canon heavily investing in its new EF-R lign, I'm getting quite confused about the future of Canon's DSLR and EF mount lenses.
 
Currently I am waiting to see more RF plans coming up. Depending on this I will adjust my lens park as needed.

My current setup is OK and works well with the adapter.

I think Canon will ramp up the RF lenses in a similar way to Sony. Here my prediction.

RF 50, RF35 we already have. Sony had the 55Z and the 35F28 at start

RF24-70F4, RF70-200F4 likely next year, plus eventually a 24mm prime. In 2020 you‘re going to see the first long lens, RF100-400 plus the F2.8 lenses. In 2021 I guess we get the 300F4

If the lenses are as good as the current ones released, where the RF 24-105 is sharper than its EF peers, the you slowly will see less EF lenses to be released.

What is much better than with Sony in 2013, the adapted lenses work stellar. This was never the cases with the A-Mount lenses on the A7 series.

I guess until 2020 we will have to plan for EF, most specifically with regards to long lenses.
 
Retzius said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
I bought earlier this year a Sigma 24 and 50 Art, which was before the announcement of the EOS R. I have no regrets since there would be no alternatives for those lenses in native RF mount anyway. The 50/1.2 RF is impressive but too expensive for my taste.

If I'd buy the EOS R next year I can pretty much leave the EF adaptor on all the time, since all my lenses are EF.

--
https://www.instagram.com/just_lighthunter/
 
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Ulan said:
My present strategy can be summarized as watchful waiting. I had recently started to upgrade my older EF lenses, but as I see Canon heavily investing in its new EF-R lign, I'm getting quite confused about the future of Canon's DSLR and EF mount lenses.
Click to expand...
In this matter, Canon prooves once again that is not a serious brand. They are selling R bodies as "the future", but don't say anything about the future of DSRL and EF lenses showing a total disregard to people who have invested a lot of money in EF lenses and gear. This is my opinion.
 
Retzius said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
As others have said - lenses are not normally "investments" and most people when they need/afford a lens - buy what they want for a photographic purpose......

I cant see any reason not to buy a EF great white - like a EF 600 f/4 II - who would notice the adaptor on that rig anyway? Especially as new great whites in EF mount are coming.

But I'd not buy a EF 50 f/1.2 given how much better the reviews seems to claim the RF 50 f/.2 is (not that I own either) and I might wait also for the price of the RF 24-105 to come down and then sell my EF 24-70 f/4 which I'm not that keen on.

Canon seem to provide a very effective adaptor with no penalty - so unless an optical advantage of a RF lens (like the 50 1.2) and likely new wide angles - why worry about having adapted EF medium term?

When will canon cease adapted EF lens compatibility on EOS R ??- suspect that will be a long way - completely different to the FD to EF transition.

Exciting times and more choice - will take Canon a while to make as many RF lenses as EF lenses and I'm not suspending my photography for 5 years waiting.
 
Retzius said:
Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.
Click to expand...
Renting? Not cheap in the UK unless literally for a few days here and there - and I like to get to know my kit pre key shoots....

Is it not better to buy a good used copy of some lenses at good price and then sell eventually when not needed? Even if you only get back on Ebay half what you paid, in many cases that would cover several rentals? Also done this with cameras for say a couple of months - buy, use then sell, covered during this time by dealer warranty.
 
Retzius said:
What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
The world has moved on and I personally don't care what they are doing with their mirrorless system (not for now at least). What Canon did in 1987 however was - unknowingly - to create the most universal of all lens mounts. There are now adapters to use all these hundreds upon hundreds of lenses, with AF, on every mirrorless platform out there (if not the Z... yet). More incredible is the further ability to use EF lenses with larger imaging circles (the 35LII and all 85mm+ L primes, the TSE lenses, and the Sigma art series) on the medium format GFX system and adapted with view cameras like the Cambo Actus. Due to the reduced flange size going forward, this is something that will never happen again. Every native mirrorless mount lens is practically limited to its own camera system as there just isn't room to adapt. I am using the Sigma 105 on three different camera systems, my 5D2 for fast candid work, the A7II for posed (eye-AF) and IBIS low light, and the GFX for medium format high-resolution ultra-shallow DOF work.

Granted, the adapted approach isn't always ideal (AF issues perhaps, lenses tend to be bigger than they need be, and the inevitable advancement in optical formulas for native mirrorless optics), but as long as FF cameras exist, so will the potential to use EF mount glass.

I am buying few lenses these days, but I hope EF lives on for a while at least. Maybe Canon can update their 17 and 24 TSE lenses one last time knowing they will get most of their sales for use on non-EF cameras. It seems that the 50TSE has an 82mm image circle (a 26mm f1.47 equivalent!!!), so I imagine I will be using it even on future 645 mirrorless system cameras.
 
rodamon said:
Fog Maker said:
rodamon said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
The EF mount is basically already dead. Many people are still in denial, believing it will be a long and slow process, if at all. But this is 2018. And it will move quickly from here on. That’s my take on the matter

So I would personally recommend you to invest in the future, which spells RF.

(and the colours and overall image quality that the R produces in general is simply stunning)
Click to expand...
Clever words... As people are full of money will trow out their EF lenses and their gear to buy quickly R bodies of 2500 € and expensive RF lenses. .....
Click to expand...
 
Fog Maker said:
rodamon said:
Fog Maker said:
Fog Maker said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
The EF mount is basically already dead. Many people are still in denial, believing it will be a long and slow process, if at all. But this is 2018. And it will move quickly from here on. That’s my take on the matter

So I would personally recommend you to invest in the future, which spells RF.

(and the colours and overall image quality that the R produces in general is simply stunning)
Click to expand...
Clever words... As people are full of money will trow out their EF lenses and their gear to buy quickly R bodies of 2500 € and expensive RF lenses. .....
Click to expand...
That’s why adapters were released already at launch.
Click to expand...
Yes, adapters were released at launch. And for what purpose? Yes, for full compatibility between EF and R.

What makes you think that is going to change? Today’s EF will fit the same R mount tomorrow. Canon will develop R specific lenses, but that doesn’t change the fact that EF will still work just as well on R bodies. It’s not like the switch from FD to EF.
Fog Maker said:
Camera gear is expensive indeed, So many times you’d better think twice. And it’s obvious where the future is heading. So I stand by my advice.
Click to expand...
The Future.? If it’s anything like the current release, there is no reason for me to even consider an R body. It doesn’t fit my needs. Additionally, many people do not care for mirrorless. To assume that Canon will completely abandon DSLRs is premature. If there is a demand, they will continue to manufacture.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/128728392@N05/albums/72157648429825829
 
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I have more lenses than I really need so I don’t plan to buy any additional lenses for now.

The EF lenses gives me the freedom to pick and chose among the current and future mirrorles cameras so I’ll stick to those.
 
Retzius said:
Hello all.

Can't decide whether to keep buying EF lenses as I need them or just rent for specific situations and wait for the inevitable RF replacements.

What is your long term strategy now that the transition to RF is inevitable?
Click to expand...
Keep buying EF and EFS glass for my cameras. Old glass isnt all of the sudden going to stop working just because the RF mount is here .

For the foreseeable future I donf see myself buying FF mirrorless. There is absolutely no need for me.
 
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