Adapting Ef Lenses To Mirrorless Cameras: A Guide

Canon has moved on from DSLRs to focus on mirrorless cameras. This means that if you're upgrading your camera, you'll likely be moving to a mirrorless model, which requires a new lens mount. However, you don't need to worry about your existing lenses becoming obsolete, as Canon has made it possible to use your EF and EF-S lenses on their new mirrorless cameras with an adapter. This is good news for photographers who have a collection of lenses and don't want to invest in an entirely new set. While RF lenses are often shorter and lighter than EF lenses, there are many more EF lenses to choose from. Canon has also released RF-mount cameras with APS-C sensors, along with matching lenses, adding to the versatility of the RF mount.

Canon EF lenses can be used with mirrorless cameras with an adapter

If you're looking to use Canon EF lenses with a mirrorless camera, you're in luck! It is possible to use Canon EF lenses on mirrorless cameras with the help of an adapter. This is good news for photographers who are transitioning from DSLRs to mirrorless systems and want to continue using their existing lenses.

To use Canon EF lenses on a mirrorless camera, you will need to purchase a lens mount adapter that is compatible with your specific camera model. Canon offers several different adapters, including the Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M, the Viltrox Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M, and the Canon Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter. It is important to ensure that the adapter you choose is designed for Canon products and is compatible with your camera's mount type.

When using an adapter with your EF lenses, there may be some drawbacks to consider. The additional size and weight of the adapter can be a disadvantage, especially when compared to smaller and lighter RF lenses. Additionally, using an adapter may affect the autofocus speed, burst shooting capabilities, and maximum frame rate of your camera. However, in some cases, the autofocus performance of EF lenses on mirrorless cameras can be better than on DSLRs.

It is worth noting that while Canon EF lenses can be used on mirrorless cameras with an adapter, there are also native RF lenses designed specifically for mirrorless cameras. These RF lenses offer several advantages, including improved size and weight savings, faster burst shooting speeds, and enhanced autofocus performance. However, they tend to be more expensive than their EF counterparts.

In conclusion, Canon EF lenses can be used on mirrorless cameras with the help of an adapter, allowing photographers to continue using their existing lenses while enjoying the benefits of a mirrorless system. However, there are also native RF lenses available that can further enhance the performance and capabilities of mirrorless cameras.

Canon has two mirrorless mounts: EF-M and RF

Canon has two mounts within its mirrorless line: the EF-M mount and the RF mount. The EF-M mount was initially designed for APS-C sensor cameras, while the RF mount was for full-frame sensors. However, this has changed slightly, and now the RF mount is more versatile, accommodating both full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras.

The EF-M mount has a flange focal distance of 18 mm, while the RF mount's flange focal distance is 20 mm, a significant reduction from the EF and EF-S mounts' 44 mm. This reduction in back focus distance in the RF mount means that lens designers no longer have to account for the camera's reflex mirror mechanism, allowing for new optical designs and more compact and lightweight lenses.

Canon has made it possible to use EF and EF-S lenses with all of its new mirrorless cameras by using an adapter. There are a few options for adapters, including the Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M and the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. It's important to ensure you get an adapter designed for Canon products, as there are different adapters for different camera brands.

Canon EF-S lenses can be used on RF mount full-frame mirrorless cameras with an adapter

Canon EF-S lenses are designed for Canon APS-C DSLRs and are not compatible with full-frame DSLRs. However, with an adapter, you can use Canon EF-S lenses on RF mount full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Canon has two mounts within its mirrorless line: the EF-M mount and the RF mount. The EF-M mount was initially designed for APS-C sensor cameras, while the RF mount was designed for full-frame sensors. However, Canon has since released RF-mount cameras with APS-C sensors, along with compatible lenses (RF-S lenses).

To use Canon EF-S lenses on an RF mount full-frame mirrorless camera, you will need an adapter. Suitable adapters include the Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M, Viltrox Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M, Canon Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter, Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, and Commlite Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Ensure that the adapter you choose is designed for Canon products, as there are various adapters available for different camera brands.

When using an EF-S lens on a full-frame RF mount camera with an adapter, the camera will automatically crop the image to compensate for the APS-C lens, using only a portion of the image sensor. This results in a crop factor of 1.6x, leading to a loss of approximately two-thirds of the pixels. For example, the EOS-R sensor with 30 megapixels becomes 11.6 megapixels when using an EF-S lens with an adapter. Therefore, when using adapters with EF-S lenses on RF cameras, consider the potential impact on image quality.

Canon EF-M lenses cannot be used on RF mount cameras

Canon EF-M lenses are designed for exclusive use with the Canon EOS M mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. The EF-M lens mount is one of Canon's two new systems for mirrorless cameras, the other being the RF mount. The EF-M lens mount was introduced in 2012 and discontinued in October 2023.

The EF-M lens mount has an 18mm flange focal distance and a 47mm throat diameter. It is designed for use with an APS-C-sized image sensor and features a crop factor of roughly 1.6, similar to the EF-S lens mount.

While Canon EF and EF-S lenses can be used with an adapter on the EOS M, EF-M lenses cannot be used on RF mount cameras. This is because the adapter solution is not backward-compatible with Canon's DSLR cameras, meaning M lenses cannot be put on a non-M DSLR.

Therefore, if you are looking to use EF-M lenses, you will need to use a Canon EOS M camera.

Canon RF lenses are lighter than EF lenses

If you're looking to adopt EF-S lenses for your mirrorless camera, you're in luck! You can use Canon EF/EF-S lenses on mirrorless Canon cameras, but you will need to use an adapter. Canon has two mounts within its mirrorless line: the EF-M mount and the RF mount. The EF-M mount is for APS-C sensor cameras, while the RF mount is for full-frame sensors.

Now, when it comes to Canon RF lenses being lighter than EF lenses, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, RF lenses are designed for mirrorless cameras, which means they don't need to leave space for mirror movement. This gives more flexibility in lens design and makes it easier to optimize image quality. As a result, RF lenses can be designed with a shorter back focus distance, making them smaller and lighter than equivalent EF lenses.

For example, the RF10-20mm f/4L IS STM lens is over 50% lighter and significantly smaller than its predecessor, the RF11-24mm f/4L USM. This is despite the RF10-20mm lens adding an image stabilizer unit and achieving a wider field of view. So, if you're looking for a more compact and lightweight lens option, RF lenses are a better choice than EF lenses.

Additionally, RF lenses offer better functionality and control than EF lenses. They have an electronic control ring and focus ring, which can be customized to suit your preferences. The increased number of electronic connection pins in RF lenses also allows for faster communication between the lens and camera body. This enables more sophisticated control of various settings, such as focusing, zooming, aperture, and image stabilization.

In terms of cost, RF lenses tend to be more expensive than EF lenses. However, it's important to consider the benefits of RF lenses, such as improved image quality, higher functionality, and better cross-compatibility. If you're looking to upgrade your lenses and want to take advantage of the latest technologies, investing in RF lenses may be a better long-term decision.

In summary, Canon RF lenses offer several advantages over EF lenses, including improved image quality, compactness, and better control. While they may be more expensive, the benefits they offer can enhance your photography experience, especially when paired with a mirrorless camera.

Frequently asked questions