Re: Your typical EF to RF upgrade thread: Canon EOS R Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (2024)

FAQs

Why did Canon change from EF to RF? ›

This has come about because EF-mount DSLRs had to be designed around the camera's reflex mirror mechanism, but RF-mount cameras are mirrorless, which allows lens designers to prioritise optical performance and makes new optical designs possible.

Caution: Can be used only on EOS R series cameras

RF/RF-S lenses will not fit EOS DSLR cameras or EOS M series mirrorless cameras. This is because the lens mount is different. EOS DSLRs use the EF mount, and EOS M series cameras use the EF-M mount.

Transitioning from a Canon DSLR to a mirrorless system often brings up another critical question: Does the Canon EF to RF adapter reduce quality? From my experience, the simple answer is no. The standard EF to RF adapter and its variant with the control ring are designed with no additional elements inside.

In general, the new Canon RF lenses are considerably sharper than their predecessors in EF mount at equivalent focal lengths and apertures, thanks to the wider throat and reduced registration distance, which allows lens designers to design the lenses for optimal performance rather than accommodate the limitations of ...

Mounting an RF lens on an EF body requires the use of an adapter. Canon introduced the RF lens mount with their mirrorless cameras, while the EF mount has been used on their DSLR bodies for many years. As a result, if you want to use an RF lens on an EF body, you will need to purchase the Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter.

There's a reason for this, and that is: Canon has quietly discontinued 30 DSLR lenses – including Canon EF / EF-S DSLR lenses. With the introduction of Canon's full-frame RF-Mount mirrorless cameras in October 2018, Canon has been focusing on Canon mirrorless cameras.

"The Canon RF 70-200mm F2. 8L IS USM is about a third lighter than the equivalent EF lens. It's very short when it's retracted, so it's very practical for packing, plus it attracts less attention when you are walking around, which is important for my style of photography.

A common question regarding third-party optics is why Canon has been so unwilling to allow companies, even reputable ones like Sigma and Tamron, to make optics for its RF mount. When asked, Tokura provided an unexpectedly honest answer: it's just business.

RF-mount lenses are not compatible with EF, EF-S or EF-M mount camera bodies.

The EOS 650, the very first EOS SLR camera, was launched two years later on March 1, 1987, which also marked the 50th anniversary of Canon's founding. The camera featured the newly-developed EF mount. The name “EF”, which stands for electro focus, emphasises the adoption of a fully-electronic focusing technology.