Canon EF v EF-S lenses and thread size

[John Hallas]

Looking for a bit of clarification here.
The EF is the older style fitting can be used on a DLSR (400D in my example). However the EF-S is the new style suited specifically for the DLSR and cannot be used on EF cameras. Correct me if I am wrong.

I fancy EF 28mm f/2.8 for my 400D as it can be bought quite chepaly either new or secondhand. I cannot afford the EF-s 10-22mm USM lens which costs about 4 times as much.

The EF 28mm has a 52mm thread and my std EF-S 18-55mm lens has a 58mm thread.

How important is thread size and why do they vary between same brand lenses.

Any thoughts on the EF 28mm f/2.8 as a purchase. Any better reccommendations at sub £200 (new or s/h)

Thanks

John

[postcardcv]

EF lenses can be used on any Canon EOS camera (film or digital) where as EF-S lenses only work on DSLRs with the APS-C size sensor (1.6x crop cameras). Thread size is effected by the size of the front element and only matters if you want to use filters. As for the 28 f2.8, it's a nice little lens and is nice for portraits on a crop camera.

[John Hallas]

Thanks for the prompt reply. Not really interested in portraits, thinking more of architectural/record shots

[Adey Baker]

Just to add that EF-S lenses only fit the 1.6x crop cameras from the 300D onwards (ie not D30, D60 and 10D)

[robski]

An explaination of EF-s mount based on when the format was first introduced

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...s/efs-10d.html

I had a Canon 28mm f2.8 and to be honest I was not that empressed with it for a prime lens. Heavy CA (Colour fringing) on the edge of the frame. I've had zoom lens which perform better than this beast.

It's field of view is equivalent to a normal lens 50mm using a full frame 35mm camera on the 400D. i.e not wide angle. 28mm x 1.6 = 44.5mm

A cheaper alternative to the Canon 10-22 is the Sigma 10-20 but your be lucky to get at sub £200.

Are you suffering with too much distortion with the 18-55 ? or is it not wide enough to get tall building into view ?

I see that ebay is currently showing some Canon 24mm EF F2.8 in this price range. Photozone review/test show better results than for the 28mm f2.8.

I would avoid secondhand old models of Sigma as they may not work correctly on newer Canon DSLR due to electronic incompatibilities.



Trying to find a sub £200 good quality wide angle is not going to be easy.