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

[Arthur Stanley Jefferson]

Just a thought, ….could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies…

...to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

…are the EF lenses we own, that make the transition to RF affordable, a problem to Canon and will they phase out the compatibilityover time?

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Just a thought, could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies….to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

They could, because the EF-RF adapter is just a dumb adapter - all the protocol conversion is done by the camera, which knows how to communicate with an EF lens. It would clearly be possible to remove this feature. It wouldn't even have to be a future body - it could be done with a firmware update.

But whether they would is a different question. I think it would be the final straw for many people, who are already frustrated that Sigma, Tamron and others are locked out by Canon's closed system. If I was locked out of my EF 100L Macro, for example, that would be the last time I ever used a Canon body.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevebalcombe/ or
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/stevebalcombe/popular-interesting/

 

[mikedemo]

Just a thought, could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies….to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

Chances are low that they would do that. IMHO. The fact that they made an adaptor for EF glass is proof positive they are not going to eliminate compatibility with their EF glass. They will however stop making EF glass in the near future.

 

[Canon_Guy]

Just a thought, could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies….to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

They could, because the EF-RF adapter is just a dumb adapter - all the protocol conversion is done by the camera, which knows how to communicate with an EF lens. It would clearly be possible to remove this feature. It wouldn't even have to be a future body - it could be done with a firmware update.

But whether they would is a different question. I think it would be the final straw for many people, who are already frustrated that Sigma, Tamron and others are locked out by Canon's closed system.

Sigma, Tamron and others are not locked out from Canon. They work flawlessly or R cameras via adapter.

And to the topic: shutting down EF lenses from R cameras is very unlikely due to really huge penetration of EF lenses to R systems. That is baused also by a lack of RF equivalents to many important EF lenses (Canon and 3rd party).

If I was locked out of my EF 100L Macro, for example, that would be the last time I ever used a Canon body.

I would do the same if I could not use my EF lenses to which RF has no equivalent.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevebalcombe/ or
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/stevebalcombe/popular-interesting/

 

[José B]

Just a thought, ….could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies…

...to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

…are the EF lenses we own, that make the transition to RF affordable, a problem to Canon and will they phase out the compatibilityover time?

I doubt it, that’s why they selling the adapter. Also if I buy the R6MKII soon I plan to keep it for a long time with my EF lenses. Last time I bought a Canon camera was the 5DS in 2015.

 

[jboyer]

What is happening, though, is the end of EF developement. And, most likey, the end of lesser bought EF lenses.

There is a difference between slowly dying a 'brand/line' and prohibiting its use.

The universe of EF lenses (Canon and third party) is immense. By allowing an R body to use some of this universe is a + for Canon R owners. And a great selling point for those 'upgrading' into the line.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Just a thought, could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies….to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

They could, because the EF-RF adapter is just a dumb adapter - all the protocol conversion is done by the camera, which knows how to communicate with an EF lens. It would clearly be possible to remove this feature. It wouldn't even have to be a future body - it could be done with a firmware update.

But whether they would is a different question. I think it would be the final straw for many people, who are already frustrated that Sigma, Tamron and others are locked out by Canon's closed system.

Sigma, Tamron and others are not locked out from Canon. They work flawlessly or R cameras via adapter.

You know perfectly well what I mean, no need to be one of those internet ####s. Sigma and Tamron are locked out of the RF mount.

And to the topic: shutting down EF lenses from R cameras is very unlikely due to really huge penetration of EF lenses to R systems. That is baused also by a lack of RF equivalents to many important EF lenses (Canon and 3rd party).

If I was locked out of my EF 100L Macro, for example, that would be the last time I ever used a Canon body.

I would do the same if I could not use my EF lenses to which RF has no equivalent.

 

[gavin]

No. They want their installed base to shift to RF camera. People will replace EF to RF over time.

 

[Canon_Guy]

Just a thought, could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies….to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

They could, because the EF-RF adapter is just a dumb adapter - all the protocol conversion is done by the camera, which knows how to communicate with an EF lens. It would clearly be possible to remove this feature. It wouldn't even have to be a future body - it could be done with a firmware update.

But whether they would is a different question. I think it would be the final straw for many people, who are already frustrated that Sigma, Tamron and others are locked out by Canon's closed system.

Sigma, Tamron and others are not locked out from Canon. They work flawlessly or R cameras via adapter.

You know perfectly well what I mean,

I do. And that is why it is strange for me why you wrote it that way which implies something which is not true.

no need to be one of those internet ####s. Sigma and Tamron are locked out of the RF mount.

And to the topic: shutting down EF lenses from R cameras is very unlikely due to really huge penetration of EF lenses to R systems. That is baused also by a lack of RF equivalents to many important EF lenses (Canon and 3rd party).

If I was locked out of my EF 100L Macro, for example, that would be the last time I ever used a Canon body.

I would do the same if I could not use my EF lenses to which RF has no equivalent.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevebalcombe/ or
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/stevebalcombe/popular-interesting/

 

[Sittatunga]

Just a thought, could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies….to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

They could, because the EF-RF adapter is just a dumb adapter - all the protocol conversion is done by the camera, which knows how to communicate with an EF lens. It would clearly be possible to remove this feature. It wouldn't even have to be a future body - it could be done with a firmware update.

But whether they would is a different question. I think it would be the final straw for many people, who are already frustrated that Sigma, Tamron and others are locked out by Canon's closed system.

Sigma, Tamron and others are not locked out from Canon. They work flawlessly or R cameras via adapter.

You know perfectly well what I mean, no need to be one of those internet ####s. Sigma and Tamron are locked out of the RF mount.

Canon did their best to lock them out of EF mount, and FD mount before that, too. Sigma only became fully usable with EF mount after their dock made their lenses user updatable. But Canon have a lot more to lose than they have to gain by making RF mount cameras incompatible with their own EF lenses.
And Sigma will eventually find a way, but they need to be right first time. I use 30 year old Canon EF lenses on RF and EF-M mounts but I'd think twice about using a 15 year old Sigma.

 

[VanDyck]

When I purchased my first DSLR, a Canon 5D in 2008, word was that EF mount lenses used with film cameras would be compatible with the 5D, although with manual focus in some or all cases.

Being new to Canon at that time, I did not have an arsenal of lenses, but reflecting on the new technology creating a bridge to past tech was a reassuring thought.

We're now at a similar point in the evolution of Canon tech. The fact that Canon has produced not one but three versions of EF to R adapter again provides a deep sense of reassurance, bridging the past wth the present.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Just a thought, ….could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies…

...to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

…are the EF lenses we own, that make the transition to RF affordable, a problem to Canon and will they phase out the compatibilityover time?

That would be about the time I switch too Sony.

 

[Mark B.]

Just a thought, could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies….to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

They could, because the EF-RF adapter is just a dumb adapter - all the protocol conversion is done by the camera, which knows how to communicate with an EF lens. It would clearly be possible to remove this feature. It wouldn't even have to be a future body - it could be done with a firmware update.

But whether they would is a different question. I think it would be the final straw for many people, who are already frustrated that Sigma, Tamron and others are locked out by Canon's closed system.

Sigma, Tamron and others are not locked out from Canon. They work flawlessly or R cameras via adapter.

True; but I think there may be a small chance of Canon cutting off it's nose to spite it's face by changing protocols to lock out 3rd party EF as well as their own EF. I don't think it's likely, but it is not impossible.

 

[RDKirk]

Just a thought, ….could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies…

...to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

…are the EF lenses we own, that make the transition to RF affordable, a problem to Canon and will they phase out the compatibilityover time?

Right now, Canon is dependent on the current mass of EF lenses to keep the R cameras a viable choice.

Back when Canon's "big bang" transition from the FD mount to the EF mount instantly obsoleted all the FD lenses, there was no decent alternative to the EF mount. The EF mount was vastly superior at that moment to the fiddling-around Nikon was doing trying to automate their F mount, and Nikon was the only professional alternative at the time.

Today, if Canon had tried the same "big bang" obsolescence of the EF mount, darned near all of us would have fled to other manufacturers. There would have been no reason not to.

If they're going to shut down 3rd party manufacturers from making R-mount lenses, they are definitely committed to keeping R-mount cameras compatible with the legacy stockpile of EF lenses at least until they've got a true range of R-mount lenses.

 

[Arthur Stanley Jefferson]

No. They want their installed base to shift to RF camera. People will replace EF to RF over time.

I agree they want their base to shift to RF, but I personally wouldn’t replace my EF lenses for more expensive RF lenses unless they broke or stopped working well.

I just have a uncomfortable suspicion that Canon may make more of the popular competing EF lenses less compatible. Perhaps they might not focus quite as quickly or reliably in the future! This would drive sales to RF lenses.

I imagine it would be a subtle slow, but gradual transition, starting with older lenses, firmware could easily be implemented to do this on each new RF body release.

It sounds unethical, but Canon could argue that the older lenses have simply reached their technical end of life compatibility, rather than been retired via a firmware.

….I suppose you could argue, why would Canon not do this? The thousands of EF lenses that are being used and traded secondhand do not bring any new money in, and they are already concerned enough to block 3rd party lens makers from the RF mount.

I hope Canon are kind, and my huge collection of EF lenses find a home on an R6mk2 or R5mk2 for many years but, I have my doubts.

 

[spec68]

Just a thought, ….could Canon slowly phase out the compatibility of EF lenses on future RF bodies…

...to increase new sales revenue from RF lenses?

…are the EF lenses we own, that make the transition to RF affordable, a problem to Canon and will they phase out the compatibilityover time?

Tech advances and leaves the old behind so long term I’m sure after there is a robust R mount catalogue Canon will discontinue the adapter and EF lens compatibility will become less of a sure thing. We see this all the time in other CE categories. Canon isn’t going to pull the plug, it’s just going to not consider EF compatibility in whatever the next Gen products at the time is, say like a R5 IV. The EF adapter was always intended as a temporary bridge to R.

 

[expro]

I believe you misunderstand Canon.

they want to ‘appleize’ their offering…

that includes all things Canon not just the r system. After all they may choose to introduce other changes too. R may not be the end.

so I am 100% confident they will support EF lenses for a very long time.

 

[Arthur Stanley Jefferson]

When I purchased my first DSLR, a Canon 5D in 2008, word was that EF mount lenses used with film cameras would be compatible with the 5D, although with manual focus in some or all cases.

Being new to Canon at that time, I did not have an arsenal of lenses, but reflecting on the new technology creating a bridge to past tech was a reassuring thought.

We're now at a similar point in the evolution of Canon tech. The fact that Canon has produced not one but three versions of EF to R adapter again provides a deep sense of reassurance, bridging the past wth the present.

That’s a great point, the adapters do support the adoption of legacy lenses…at the moment…

As others have said, it made it easy to transition to R series bodies to use with our old EF glass until Canon had time to produce a new range of RF mount lenses.

It also meant those higher end R series bodies could sell for much more as buyers could justify the higher expense, as they didn’t have to factor in new lenses immediately….great selling point.…

So now that we are invested in Canon RF mount bodies, and using our adapted EF lenses, we’ve successfully migrated into the new Canon R system….it seems like a golden age, a win win, a perfect marriage of legacy glass to modern tech. That’s what hooks me in..

I’m wary, however, that this might be a honeymoon period, and that once enough R series bodies are in circulation, perhaps Canon will slowly withdraw compatibility with EF to sell ( or rather re-sell us) what we already had, but in a new RF mount.

 

[Sittatunga]

No. They want their installed base to shift to RF camera. People will replace EF to RF over time.

I agree they want their base to shift to RF, but I personally wouldn’t replace my EF lenses for more expensive RF lenses unless they broke or stopped working well.

I just have a uncomfortable suspicion that Canon may make more of the popular competing EF lenses less compatible. Perhaps they might not focus quite as quickly or reliably in the future! This would drive sales to RF lenses.

It's really too much effort for too little and uncertain return. I think they would sell fewer lenses that way than the customers they would lose.

Canon EF lenses adapt to Nikon Z (thanks to Fringer and others) better than Nikon AF and AF-D lenses. They also adapt to and AF on L mount, Sony, Fuji and micro four-thirds. Why would Canon want to be the only Japanese manufacturer apart from Pentax that couldn't use EF lenses?

I imagine it would be a subtle slow, but gradual transition, starting with older lenses, firmware could easily be implemented to do this on each new RF body release.

In the past Canon were still trying to sell FL lenses after they brought out FD and FD lenses and cameras after they brought out EF. It's the market that has killed off Canon's previous product lines long before Canon wanted to, and I don't think that's changing now.

It sounds unethical, but Canon could argue that the older lenses have simply reached their technical end of life compatibility, rather than been retired via a firmware.

This is getting silly. It would be unethical. It would also be stupid and counterproductive.

….I suppose you could argue, why would Canon not do this? The thousands of EF lenses that are being used and traded secondhand do not bring any new money in, and they are already concerned enough to block 3rd party lens makers from the RF mount.

I hope Canon are kind, and my huge collection of EF lenses find a home on an R6mk2 or R5mk2 for many years but, I have my doubts.

 

[Arthur Stanley Jefferson]

I believe you misunderstand Canon.

they want to ‘appleize’ their offering…

that includes all things Canon not just the r system. After all they may choose to introduce other changes too. R may not be the end.

so I am 100% confident they will support EF lenses for a very long time.

I hope you are right, but I also have several Apple products that are no longer compatible with modern releases.

Eventually new bug solving firmware is not written for them anymore, so they become obsolete….then I have to buy a new Apple product…or a Samsung