DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Will Canon allow EF lenses to work on future RF bodies?

Started 1 month ago | Discussions thread
Robert Krawitz Contributing Member • Posts: 840
Re: Will Canon allow EF lenses to work on future RF bodies?
1

sportyaccordy wrote:

I think EB is speaking to the broader point that adapting lenses shouldn't even be a huge concern ~5 years into a system. It's not for Nikon which launched around the same time. And ironically Sigma began launching lenses for Sony FE around 5 years from launch. So it's just kind of weird that RF users have to keep looking backwards instead of forwards. It's great to retain use of EF glass but it almost seems necessary to build out a full kit for many people.

It takes many years to design and build an extensive portfolio of lenses.  Canon made the strategic choice to focus on RF lenses that could differentiate themselves from EF lenses rather than to build that whole portfolio at once.  For example, they have lenses like the 100-500, 600 f/11, 800 f/11 (all of which are too slow to focus on EF bodies), the f/2 zooms, and more compact versions of the basic lenses where the shorter flange distance opened possibilities that could not easily be realized on the EF mount.

Otherwise, their strategy has been to rely on EF lenses and only gradually replace them with RF ones.  Nikon and Sigma more or less had to release new lenses very quickly.  Canon didn't, because the RF mount is intrinsically back compatible with the electronics and protocols of the EF mount.

 Robert Krawitz's gear list:Robert Krawitz's gear list
Canon EOS M Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS R7 Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM +5 more
Post (hide subjects) Posted by
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow