ef lenses vs EF-S which is better

[Mchava]

So what is the difference between the two. I know that the EF-S are the newer style but how good are the EF. I just got an XTI and saw that the EF lenses are cheaper on ebay and in camera store. Thanks in advance.

Mario

 

[MGB]

These are Canon designations given to thier own lenses and intended to show differences in the lens series. As I understand it, EF-S lenses are specifically designed for cropped sensor digital SLR's, not full frame bodies digital or film, so they are optimised for the XTi, 20D, 30D, 40D.
EF lenses can be used by any digital or film SLR, so thier big advantage is they can be used on all Canon bodies, not just some digital. If your ever going to upgrade to a different Canon body, the EF range will be more versatile.

 

[Saiyan]

As was said EF-S lenses will not work with the full frame bodies like the 5D or the 1D's. So if you ever plan to upgrade to full frame stick with EF lenses. If not you can get any lens but the focal length on the EF lenses will be greater with a cropped sensor DSLR. I don't know the exact ratio but a 100mm EF lens on a cropped sensor will behave more like a 130mm due to the sensor only seeing the middle portion of the lens.

 

[Mchava]

thanks but I dont think that I will ever need anything bigger then a 10meg. So are the lenses the same or are there any difference in optical quality?

 

[Saiyan]

I would say they are both comparable lenses. The better quality would come from the L series lenses which will work with any of the Canon cameras. I have used both and have no complaints with either. I guess it is all up to the focal length you are looking for.

 

[jeffbrig]

In general, there are many more top quality lenses in the EF lineup (typically the L series). Of course, these lenses are all very expensive, as are all quality lenses. There are also a lot of very average lenses in the EF series, and these sell for much less money.

EF-S lenses also range from the inexpensive 18-55 to the better and much more expensive 10-22 and 17-55 f/2.8.

The good news is that any camera body that can use EF-S can also use all of the EF lenses. And many of the best EF lenses (L series) do not have EF-S equialents.

 

[Blazer88]

And one EF-S lens (17-55 F/2.8 IS) doesn't have a comparable L series

 

[Mchava]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11609784#post11609784 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blazer88
And one EF-S lens (17-55 F/2.8 IS) doesn't have a comparable L series

yeah but at the price of two new xti is a little steep for me right this moment. what other good lenses would you folks recommend in both the EF and EF-S series

 

[Dino]

As has pretty much been said, EF-S are simply Canon's lenses optimized to be used with Canon's crop sensors - SPECIFICALLY 20D AND LATER. You cannot use EF-S lenses with the 10D and older cameras even though they are in fact crop sensors too (many people miss that, and if you try it'll take one click and you'll either be paying big bucks for repair or just buying a new camera ).

As far as optical quality it depends on the specific lens and your use for it. There are great lenses in both lines, and in fact some lenses in the EF-S lines can be just as good or perhaps better than some of the L lenses. It all comes down to what you're shooting and what you need, and also what your definition of optical quality is.

 

[swjim]

I agree with dinoman, we can offer some suggestions but we'll need to know what you like to shoot and what your budget is.