Canon EF-S lenses best for Canon crop cameras?

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gazzag

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As EF-S lenses only work with crop cameras, does it follow that they have characteristics that make them better to use with crop cameras than EF lenses? Or this just about branding and price pointing within Canon's range?
 
I think the main property is the focal lengths. Those are more suited at the wider end due to the effect of the crop/field of view.

I don't see any reason why they can't be built to 'L' standards so pricing and build may very well be a consideration in keeping costs down.
 
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i think the main reason for using an ef-s range lens over a ef lens is simply being able use the wider focal lengths which would normally be eliminated by the crop factor.

it is generally recognised that whilst the build quality of most ef-s lenses isn't up to 'l' series specs, optically there are some gems out there. the 17-55 2.8 and 10-22 3.5-4.5 are two such lenses.
 
gazzag said:
As EF-S lenses only work with crop cameras, does it follow that they have characteristics that make them better to use with crop cameras than EF lenses?
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EF-S lenses cast a small image circle for an APS-C sensor, not the larger one for 35mm full frame.

The lens can therefore be proportionally smaller and lighter than one designed for full frame, and consequently better suited for use on smaller crop bodies. Less glass, so less work for the AF motor to do, and presumably better battery life. Cuthbert's already pointed out that it makes it easier to build them at smaller focal lengths to allow a wider angle of view on a cropped sensor.

The EF-S 10-22, for example, is often said to be of 'L' qualit in regard of the results it delivers, though the build quality is perhaps not quite up to the standard expected of a Canon lens with a red stripe. There are many regular EF lenses that it will put to shame.
 
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Thanks chaps. I've always understood the 1.6x maths but not really beyond that.

So are you saying that, say, 50mm on an ef-s lens captures the image differently to 50mm on an ef lens?

Edit: Keyed this before Musicman's reply.
 
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gazzag said:
Thanks chaps. I've always understood the 1.6x maths but not really beyond that.

So are you saying that, say, 50mm on an ef-s lens captures the image differently to 50mm on an ef lens?
Click to expand...

No - ef lens capture the same image as a EF-s lens when mounted on a crop body
 
EF-S gives you similar quality at lower price as it doesn't need to illuminate a big sensor. In reality, it's only the 10-55/10-85 range where EF-S lenses have similar quality to L glass (i.e. you buy the 70-200 F4L if you want a quality long range zoom)...
 
Because an EF-S lens doesn't have to cover a full frame sensor area (which is 2.5x bigger than crop format) the lens can be redesigned to do other things.

Example: Canon EF 17-40L f/4 compared to the EF-S 17-55 and 15-85. More range, or far more range, or f/2.8, and both have IS. Damn sharp too.

The optical benefits of the smaller format run out quite quickly at longer focal lengths though.
 
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