topic Re: Canon DSLR lenses in EF & RF Lenses

Canon DSLR lenses

thirdherd — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 00:45:51 GMT

I've recently purchased a Canon 6D Mark 2 full frame. This is my first Canon acquisition and need to familiarize my self

with their lenses. So.....what should I be looking for to ensure I'm getting a lens that will work on a full frame? I noticed the mount description is EF, are there others and lenses listed as IS II USM? I live in a very rural area and trips to a Canon dealer are rare events and so I purchase online.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

Waddizzle — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 02:10:48 GMT

@thirdherd wrote:
I've recently purchased a Canon 6D Mark 2 full frame. This is my first Canon acquisition and need to familiarize my self
with their lenses. So.....what should I be looking for to ensure I'm getting a lens that will work on a full frame? I noticed the mount description is EF, are there others and lenses listed as IS II USM? I live in a very rural area and trips to a Canon dealer are rare events and so I purchase online.

Stick to Canon lenses. Only buy third party lenses when Canon does not offer a similar lens, which is actually quite rare, considering Canon’s wide range of lenses.

Only buy Canon lenses with model numbers that start with “EF”, and not “EF-S.” EF-S lenses are specifically designed for APS-C sensor camera bodies. EF-S lenses will not mount properly on a fulll frame body, and will in fact damage the camera.

The ending model numbers describe the lens features. “IS” describes Image Stabilization. “USM” describes the focusing motors, “Ultra Sonic Mototrs.” The “II” designation identifies a Mark II verision, or a release II version, of a lens. Lens technology has improved over the years, but not quite so much for popular focal lengths.

I would recommend buying Canon “L” series lenses. The image quality is jaw dropping for most of them. Most of the “EF” lenses, which are not “L” series, are older designs. Canon “L” series generally have better IQ, and are built to last. One of the most popular starter lenses for a full frame body is the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. Notice the “L” in the aperture spec. Canon just recently released a Mark II version of this venerable lens earlier this year.

However, there are a few gems that are not “L” series lenses. One such lens is the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM. Another is the latest version of the “nifty fifty”, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens. Notice how neither of these lenses has an “L” in the aperture spec.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

ScottyP — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 02:30:13 GMT

Any Canon EF lens. Not Canon EF-s or EF-m lenses.

Also any 3rd party lens made for Canon cameras with the full frame mount and not the crop sensor mount.

Lenses made by 3rd parties can be a cost effective way to good glass. Read reviews and see which ones have good optics. Small differences on a test chart make no real life difference in image quality. Autofocus may suffer in 3rd party lenses but not typically to a degree noticeable by amateurs outside of challenging sporting events.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

ebiggs1 — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 07:58:13 GMT

"Stick to Canon lenses."

Although my blood runs true to Canon, if you do that strictly, you will miss out on some superb lenses. You need to buy lenses that fit your need. One of those requirements could be cost. Most 3rd party lenses cost considerably less than Canon does. SOmetimes they are as good or better. An example might be the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens vs Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 Pro FX Lens for Canon. The Tok is just as sharp about the same level of distortion and is less than half the price.

There are a few off brand lenses that are actually better than the Canon offerings but the Canon is still the best choice. An example might be the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF. The Siggy is considered the sharpest 50 made. I agree but it ain't no equal to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L.

Last example might be the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens for Canon EF. Canon has rumors that they were going to offer a lens similar to this big Siggy but it hasn't come to pass. Yet !

So choose wisely. Stick with Canon is good advice but not solely.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

thirdherd — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 12:27:12 GMT

Thanks for the info. Knowing the guidelines is what I was after. I also shoot Nikon and much of the advice here is mirrored in the Nikon community. Stick with Nikon/Canon lenses. I do own a Tokina wide angle that I'm very pleased with. At any rate I do have the 24-105 kit lens in the F4 version and see myself duplicating my Nikon collection. A ?-300 telephoto, a wide angle and a couple of primes, 50/85. Thanks again for the explanation the Canon family of lenses. I look forward to learning the Canon system.

Mamiya 645 (2), Pentax 645N, FG-20, N8008s, N70, F4, F5, F100, D5200, D750, D6 MK II

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

Waddizzle — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 13:23:27 GMT

@thirdherd wrote:
Thanks for the info. Knowing the guidelines is what I was after. I also shoot Nikon and much of the advice here is mirrored in the Nikon community. Stick with Nikon/Canon lenses. I do own a Tokina wide angle that I'm very pleased with. At any rate I do have the 24-105 kit lens in the F4 version and see myself duplicating my Nikon collection. A ?-300 telephoto, a wide angle and a couple of primes, 50/85. Thanks again for the explanation the Canon family of lenses. I look forward to learning the Canon system.

Mamiya 645 (2), Pentax 645N, FG-20, N8008s, N70, F4, F5, F100, D5200, D750, D6 MK II

Sounds like you know what to look for.

I prefer Canon “L” series lenses over some third party lenses because the Canon lenses have dust and moisture sealing, while much of the third party competition does not. A good example is the aforementioned Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art compared to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L. The Sigma Art Series get good reviews for image quality, but they are not sealed.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

ScottyP — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 13:40:13 GMT

What has prompted you to get into Canon?

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

RobertTheFat — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 14:15:56 GMT

thirdherd wrote:
Thanks for the info. Knowing the guidelines is what I was after. I also shoot Nikon and much of the advice here is mirrored in the Nikon community. Stick with Nikon/Canon lenses. I do own a Tokina wide angle that I'm very pleased with. At any rate I do have the 24-105 kit lens in the F4 version and see myself duplicating my Nikon collection. A ?-300 telephoto, a wide angle and a couple of primes, 50/85. Thanks again for the explanation the Canon family of lenses. I look forward to learning the Canon system.

Mamiya 645 (2), Pentax 645N, FG-20, N8008s, N70, F4, F5, F100, D5200, D750, D6 MK II

For your "?-300 telephoto", you might want to consider the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with the 1.4 extender. Most of us consider the 70-200 to be the best lens available. I haven't yet used the extender very much, but so far I've seen no discernible loss of image quality.

Incidentally, the more recent 24-105 is merely an upgrade of its predecessor; both are f/4. It's the 16-35, the 24-70, and the 70-200 that come in both f/2.8 and f/4 versions.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

TTMartin — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 17:10:50 GMT

@thirdherd wrote:
I've recently purchased a Canon 6D Mark 2 full frame. This is my first Canon acquisition and need to familiarize my self
with their lenses. So.....what should I be looking for to ensure I'm getting a lens that will work on a full frame? I noticed the mount description is EF, are there others and lenses listed as IS II USM? I live in a very rural area and trips to a Canon dealer are rare events and so I purchase online.

For your 6D Mk II you'll want Canon EF lenses. You do NOT want EF-S or EF-M lenses as those are specific to Canon's APS-C cameras.

Canon lenses with the f/?L IS II USM designation are typically the newest version of that L lens. L lenses are Canon's pro-grade lenses. In my opinion the L IS II USM lenses are the best there is regardless of brand.

Canon STM lenses are the newer version of Canon's consumer lenses. There are a couple of gems in the STM lens line, that despite their price have fantastic image quality.

Two of those lenses are the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM (pancake), and EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. They both are fantastic values and don't let their low price fool you into dismissing them.

The EF 40mm f/2.8 pancake and the 6D Mk II make for a very small full frame set.

Canon 6D with EF 40mm f/2.8 STM

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

thirdherd — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 17:39:47 GMT

To have a 2nd full frame and try something else. I have also reached that point in life where disposable income isn't the issue it used to be. I have zero complaints with any cameras I own, or have ever owned and I expect this one to follow suit so it's not a Ford vs Chevy issue.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

cicopo — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 19:33:25 GMT

I tried some Nikon stuff a few years ago & it didn't meet my (way less than mainstream) needs. The biggest thing you will notice between Canon & Nikon is the more diverse selection of higher end (L series) lenses. Both brands have lots of Consumer grade lenses but Nikon really didn't have anything like the L series in specific ranges I rely on.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

thirdherd — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 00:26:06 GMT

Thanks Bob, but not sure I follow completely. I got the 24-105 f4 lens which was about 500 bucks more than the other 24-105 offered, it was F3.5-5.6

I did find the 70-200 I think....1100 bucks. Does that sound right?

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

TTMartin — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 01:31:14 GMT

The excellent EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II should be closer to $2300.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

RobertTheFat — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 03:34:53 GMT

@TTMartin wrote:
The excellent EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II should be closer to $2300.

$1900 at B&H as I type this.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

RobertTheFat — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 03:44:56 GMT

@thirdherd wrote:
Thanks Bob, but not sure I follow completely. I got the 24-105 f4 lens which was about 500 bucks more than the other 24-105 offered, it was F3.5-5.6

I did find the 70-200 I think....1100 bucks. Does that sound right?

I'm not familiar with that second version of the 24-105, only with the older and newer versions of the f/4.

$1100 is about right for the 70-200 f/4L with IS. The most recent version of the f/2.8L with IS is about $800 more.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

Waddizzle — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 19:38:38 GMT

@thirdherd wrote:
Thanks Bob, but not sure I follow completely. I got the 24-105 f4 lens which was about 500 bucks more than the other 24-105 offered, it was F3.5-5.6

I did find the 70-200 I think....1100 bucks. Does that sound right?

It sounds like you have the same lens I that mentioned earlier, the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. It is the most common first “L” lens for people to own, and an excellent starter lens with a full frame body.

You really do not need anything else, except for a flash, and a fast prime, IMHO. I think everyone should have a fast prime in their collection. Take your pick: 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm. I would go for a wide angle, so i could shoot indoors without a flash.

If you are looking for a longer lens, then any of the Canon 70-200mm lenses are good. It is just that the top of the line EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is truly exceptional. Another really good lens is the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-4.6L IS II USM. Either of those lenses works really well with the EF 1.4x III extender on a 6D mark II.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

ebiggs1 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:31:12 GMT

thirdherd,

You sound like my kinda guy with that gear!

But If you have a Nikon F5 why are you using anything else? It is just a fantastic camera.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

ebiggs1 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:33:10 GMT

"A good example is the aforementioned Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art compared to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L. The Sigma Art Series get good reviews for image quality, but they are not sealed."

Neither is the ef 50mm f1.2L ! It is, however, unique and it is fantastic.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

ebiggs1 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:36:23 GMT

"...you might want to consider the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with the 1.4 extender."

I would second this as an option. I don't particularly like tel-cons but this works. But the ef 300mm f4L IS is a very nice lens with IS. I have it and I have the Brand-n version. The Canon is so much better it isn't even a contest.

Re: Canon DSLR lenses

ebiggs1 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 15:58:14 GMT

" Both brands have lots of Consumer grade lenses but Nikon really didn't have anything like the L series in specific ranges I rely on."

It is true Nikon doesn't make as many or, IMHO, lenses in the same class as Canon. Especially the "L" line. But Nikon still makes some pretty nice stuff. Nikon has the 'gold ring' just like Canon's famous 'red ring'. You have to learn a new set of jargon like ED and AFS to know brand-N. Just the facts.

The two main most lenses the 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 goes to Canon. No question Canon is better there. And they are what most people want. I would prefer to buy the Tamron offerings in this range before the Nikon.

Another point for Canon for instance there is no Nikon counter part to the ef 400mm f5.6L. No ef 50mm f1.2L and no ef 85mm f1.2L, etc. But we already gave the Canon lens line up the unquestioned top spot. Didn't we?

I know this isn't a lens reason but one very good reason to buy Canon is, Canon is nicer to its customers than Nikon is. In fact Canon is nicer than Sigma or Tamron. Don't even think Tokina!