EF lens + adapter vs RF lens

[vegget]

I have a Canon R6 MII and I want to get the 100mm macro lens. Looks like I can get the EF version + plus the adapter and save 150 dollars over the same lens in RF. A lot of people talk about the adapter being a good business when you already have EF lenses but I don't have any. Does it make sense? I feel this adapter will save me money in the future with other cheaper EF lenses. Or should I stick to RF lenses and spend a little more because they are better...? I have no idea. Thanks!

[Tronhard]

As always, much depends on several elements, and I submit that the best response is to get you to answer the following questions for your own situation.
1.  Your budget constraints and long-term intentions
2. What demands on your lens choice your subjects will make - the question you need to consider is what does an RF lens offer that and EF adapted lens will  not?
3. What will you produce?  The creation of images for social media, digital display and small to medium prints are less demanding than producing large, highly-detailed prints.

[March411]

vegget, welcome to the site.

Owning several EF lenses and the Canon adapter I can say that the lenses mounted on an R body perform fantastic. As well as my RF lenses as it relates to focus speed and IQ. 

With that being said when I purchase new I am going with RF glass. EF lenses are moving towards end of life you need to consider maintenance and support if something happens to a lens. At some point parts availability and overall support will be a challenge. There is a lot of great EF glass still available both new and used but overall it may be best to spend a little more and purchase RF lenses for the long term.

[ebiggs1]

"I can get the EF version + plus the adapter and save 150 dollars over the same lens in RF."

I would do it. It will give you the best of both worlds. The ability to use good deals on EF and despite what some seem to think, you can still use RF lenses. Just because you buy the adapter doesn't mean you are cemented in EF for the future.

"EF lenses are moving towards end of life you need to consider maintenance and support... At some point parts availability and overall support will be a challenge."

Maybe, maybe not. I suspect parts will be there for years and years. Even when Canon no longer offers service private shops will still have them and will service them. I just ordered a new rear lens housing for an older EF lens from Alibaba.

[March411]

Hey Ernie what is the turn time on orders from Alibaba? I saw some batteries listed and it said 7 days but I have heard stories.....

Never ordered from them but they pop up all the time.

[ebiggs1]

"Hey Ernie what is the turn time on orders from Alibaba?"

Marc it is terrible, it gives the old expression slow boat from China a new meaning. And, plan ahead, good advice! However they may have some items stored here in the US so they seem to come somewhat faster. I doubt camera/lens parts are any of those.

The parts I have gotten are Canon but I doubt the batteries will be so be careful there. I've never ordered a battery from them. As a general rule I don't like or use or recommend off brand batteries. However I got several off brand batteries for my 18 volt Dewalt drill that Dewalt does not make any longer. These batteries seem to be as good as any Dewalt battery I have. They even have a charge level indicator which is nice but otherwise I can't tell any difference.

[justadude]

There are so many people trading their EF lenses for RF these days that you can find some great deals on EF lenses.  I have both EF and RF lenses, and the basic Canon EF to RF adapter.  My old EF lenses work just as well on my RF bodies as they did on the old EF bodies.  While they don't take advantage of all of the new autofocus options available to RF lenses, they do take advantage of a few - so you could say they perform a little better... plus with the better sensors in the RF bodies, the image quality is better than when I used the same lenses on EF bodies.