I don't know ...

[Smitty605]

the difference between EF and EF-S lenses. Can some one explain it in a simple easy way ? Are they interchangeable ?

Thanks.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

the difference between EF and EF-S lenses. Can some one explain it in a simple easy way ? Are they interchangeable ?

Because the sensor in most Canon DSLRs is smaller than film, it is possible to make the mirror smaller. This means lenses can be allowed project further into the mirror box without any risk of damage to the mirror, and that can make lens design simpler and/or better, especially for short focal lengths. But such a lens, if accidentally fitted to a full frame camera, would break the mirror. So the projection is designed in such a way that it is a physical impossibility to fit the lens to a traditional EF mount. It requires an EF mount with a small adaptation specifically for the purpose of accepting these lenses. The adapted mount is called EF-S (S for Short back-focus). The adaptation is designed in such a way that an EF-S camera mount can still accept all EF lenses.

Since EF-S lenses fit cameras with small sensors only, the image they project can be smaller and this further simplifies some lens designs - again, this is mainly for shorter lenses.

Sigma, Tamron and Tokina also make "digital only" lenses with a smaller image circle. However they don't take advantage of the possibility of a short back-focus design and instead use the traditional EF mount. You can mount them on a full-frame camera but (in most cases) the image doesn't fill the frame.

 

[KCampbell]

You can use both types of lens on any of the "crop sensor" cameras.

You can only use EF lenses on the full frame cameras.

Kevin

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Yes, it probably would have been better if I'd added that practical summary to my more technical explanation! Unfortunately it's slightly oversimplified.

EF-S lenses can be used only on 1.6x crop DSLRs from the 300D and 20D onwards.

In practice that's not much of a restriction for most people, because it includes all current and recent entry level and XXD cameras, and the 7D. It doesn't include older 1.6x crop DSLRs such as the 10D which a beginner might be offered second hand. Also not the 1D series, which is a 1.3x crop.

EF lenses can be used on all EOS cameras.

You can use both types of lens on any of the "crop sensor" cameras.

You can only use EF lenses on the full frame cameras.

Kevin

 

[Fabian628]

EF lens = Use on all EOS canon camera (including digital and film)

EF-S = Use only on canon digital 1.6x crop camera (7D 10D-50D, digital rebel cameras)

Advanatage of the EF-S lens: The sensor of the camera used is smaller, so the image it projects can be smaller than an EF lens, so you get a smaller , lighter lens.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/41942460@N04/sets/

 

[Fabian628]

sounds a bit like EF lenses can ONLY be used on FF cameras, rather Full frame cameras can ONLY use EF lenses

You can only use EF lenses on the full frame cameras.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/41942460@N04/sets/

 

[Steve Balcombe]

EF-S = Use only on canon digital 1.6x crop camera (7D 10D-50D, digital rebel cameras)

Not the 10D.

 

[ARShutterbug]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF-S_lens_mount

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http://www.alexanderrogge.net/arshutterbug.html

 

[Michael Thomas Mitchell]

Or the D30 and D60, for that matter. I still have an old D30 around here. Took it for granted one day when I wasn't thinking and tried to mount a 17-85 EF-S on it.

EF-S = Use only on canon digital 1.6x crop camera (7D 10D-50D, digital rebel cameras)

Not the 10D.

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Michael Thomas Mitchell