Why are Canon EF-S lenses so slow

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/22/2004 01:42:26 PM · #1

It seems to me like the lenses thusfar made by Canon are somewhat slow. Is that the case or for their capabilities actually pretty average?
thanks!

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

12/22/2004 01:43:32 PM · #2

What do you mean by slow?

Prof_Fate

12/22/2004 01:44:14 PM · #3

THe EF-S are for the Rebel, a low end camera. I think they work on the 20D...not sure.

Cost - they are assuming a person buying a $1000 camera is not going to spend $1000 on a lens, so to keep the price down the lens is slow(er).

I would expect to see faster ones as time goes on.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/22/2004 01:46:16 PM · #4

Canon has a whole range (the largest among SLR manufacturers) of fast lenses that go from f/1.0 to the standard f/2.8 fast L-lenses. Not sure what you are asking.

Prof_Fate

12/22/2004 01:51:21 PM · #5

Originally posted by doctornick:

Canon has a whole range (the largest among SLR manufacturers) of fast lenses that go from f/1.0 to the standard f/2.8 fast L-lenses. Not sure what you are asking.

The EF-S lenses are 3.5 or 4.0 - not particularly fast.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

12/22/2004 01:53:41 PM · #6

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

The new EF-S lenses are not particularly cheap.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/22/2004 01:55:55 PM · #7

By "slow" I assume you mean none of the lenses have an aperature which goes bigger than 3.5. Yes, that is the case, but I don't understand the rest of the question, either.

Are you asking if they are going to be making EF-S lenses with a bigger f-stop, or are you asking about the quality of the current 3 EF-S lenses?

Originally posted by colema19:

Is that the case or for their capabilities actually pretty average?
thanks!

Message edited by author 2004-12-22 13:56:41.

Nelzie

Canon EOS-30D

12/22/2004 02:01:29 PM · #8

Originally posted by Azrifel:

The new EF-S lenses are not particularly cheap.

I agree with you there. Personally, I am not willing to spend anywhere near $600 on a lense anytime soon. I have to build up some peripheral hardware and my skills with what I have before I run out and spend that much on a lense.

At that point, I doubt I will be interested in the limited use EF-S lenses...

Message edited by author 2004-12-22 14:02:28.

12/22/2004 02:02:44 PM · #9

Sorry I wasn't clear enough first time out. Yes by slow I meant none have f-stops larger then 3.5 I think.

but I am still a newb and I wasn't sure if for the 3 EF-S lenses there are, if those are pretty "average" numbers for the given class of lens.
For refence, the EF-S lenses are:
Zoom Super Wide Angle 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Autofocus Lens
Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Autofocus Lens (this is the kit lens on the 20D and 300D)
Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens

doctornick: ef-s lenses are designed specifically for the smaller sensor of a digital camera compared to 35mm, so there is no magnification effect. I think the 300D and 20D are the only cameras that support them right now(or does the 10D as well?)

and I suppose in the larger sense, does it seem like canon is going to improve on the ef-s lenses or what? It seems funny to me to develop ef-s if they are just going to get sensors the same size as 35mm eventually. and also seems funny that the earliest available lenses are sorta ho-hum as well if you are trying to get more serious people into it and support it more.

Message edited by author 2004-12-22 14:07:50.

12/22/2004 02:10:27 PM · #10

Originally posted by colema19:

there is no magnification effect

yes there is ... which is to say compared to a 35mm film camera, the ef-s lenses "seem" longer.

18mm ef-s lens on a rebel will not look the same as an 18mm lens on a film camera ... 1.6x still applies

12/22/2004 02:16:25 PM · #11

further reading

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

12/22/2004 02:17:16 PM · #12

OK I think I understand the nitpick. but isn't EF-S specifically intended to counter the manification effect?

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

12/22/2004 02:20:52 PM · #13

Originally posted by colema19:

OK I think I understand the nitpick. but isn't EF-S specifically intended to counter the manification effect?

It is but the lens specs are quoted in 35mm equivalent terms, just as all digital cameras (or most to be sure) are.

Message edited by author 2004-12-22 14:21:39.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/22/2004 02:24:42 PM · #14

Originally posted by orussell:

Originally posted by colema19:
OK I think I understand the nitpick. but isn't EF-S specifically intended to counter the manification effect?

It is but the lens specs are quoted in 35mm equivalent terms, just as all digital cameras (or most to be sure) are.

EF-S are 35mm equiv right? But the distinction has to be made since we can stick an EF lens on too, but then the 35mm ratings are off by the mag factor so while the number on EF-S is right for a 300D or 20D, it's not for EF on those cameras right?

Gauti

Canon EOS-7D

12/22/2004 02:32:20 PM · #15

As I understand it the EF-S lenses are designed to take advantage of the fact that CMOS sensors are smaller than 35mm film surface and that the mirror is smaller. So the lens can go further into the body and does not have to produce as large image on the photo-capturing surface (film or sensor).

Edit: there is no magnification effect. it's better understood as the crop factor. your Field of View gets smaller by 1.6x as it would if your lens was 1.6x longer.

Message edited by author 2004-12-22 14:33:53.

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

12/22/2004 02:35:20 PM · #16

Originally posted by colema19:

Nope, a EF-S lens at 17 mm has exactly the same magnification as an EF lens at 17 mm.

You will find that the efs lenses are optimized for the sensor size, and are therefore smaller and perhaps lighter, making them more comfortable to use as an everyday lens.

As a reply to an earlier post, No the EF-S lensed don't work on the 10-D