Canon EF lens mount

The electronic contacts (gold-plated) of an EF mount lens.

Introduced in 1987, the EF lens mount is the standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family of SLR film and digital cameras. EF stands for "Electro-Focus": automatic focusing on EF lenses is handled by a dedicated electric motor built into the lens. Mechanically, it is a bayonet-style mount, and all communication between camera and lens takes place through electrical contacts; there are no mechanical levers or plungers.

In 2003, Canon introduced the EF-S lens mount, a derivative of the EF mount that is strictly for digital EOS cameras with APS-C sensors released after 2003. EF lenses can be mounted on EF-S bodies but EF-S lenses cannot be mounted on EF bodies. In October 2012, Canon introduced the EF-M lens mount, a derivative designed exclusively for mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILCs) with APS-C sensors. EF and EF-S lenses can be mounted on EF-M bodies via the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M.^[1]

Canon claims to have produced its 100-millionth EF-series interchangeable lens (including those for their cameras from other companies), for EOS cameras, on 22 April 2014. Sources including EF-S and Cinema lenses).^[2]

History

Number of Canon EF lenses sold over time (red), compared with Nikon F mount lenses (blue)

The EF mount replaces its predecessor, the FD mount. The standard autofocus lens mounting technology of the time used a motor in the camera body to drive the mechanics of the focus helicoid in the lens by using a transfer lever. The key innovation of the EF series was to use a motor inside the lens itself for focusing. This allowed for autofocusing lenses which did not require mechanical levers in the mount mechanism, only electrical contacts to supply power and instructions to the lens motor. The motors were designed for the particular lens they were installed in.

When the EF mount was introduced in 1987, it had the largest mount diameter (54 mm internal) among all 35 mm SLR cameras.^[3]

The EF series includes over sixty lenses. The EF series has encompassed focal lengths from 8 to 1200 mm. The EF-M mount was introduced with two lenses, a 22mm prime and an 18–55mm zoom.^[1] Many EF lenses include such features as Canon's ultrasonic motor (USM) drive, an image stabilization system (IS), diffractive optics (DO) and, particularly for L-series lenses, fluorite and aspherical lens elements.

Versatility

The EF mount of a Canon EOS 50

Electronics of an EF-S lens

Its large diameter and relatively short flange focal distance of 44.0 mm allows mechanical adaptation of EF camera bodies to many types of non-EF lenses.^[4] It is possible to mount lenses using the Nikon F mount, Olympus OM, Leica R and universal M42 lens mounts (among others) by the use of a mechanical adapter. Conversely, parfocal adaptation of EF lenses to non-EF camera bodies is not generally possible with only a mechanical adapter.

Lenses for the earlier Canon FD lens mount are not usable for general photography on an EF or EF-S mount camera, unless adapters with optical elements are used because they are made for a flange focal distance of only 42.0 mm. Infinity focus would be lost with an adapter which lacks optical elements. The Canon FD-EOS adapter is rare and is only usable with certain FD telephoto lenses. With a manual connection, the aperture and focus controls of the lens cannot be controlled or read from the camera; the lens must be focused manually. Since the only possible metering is through-the-lens, the lens must be manually stopped down to accurately meter at anything less than full aperture. (This is called stop-down metering.) With the introduction of the Canon EOS-M mirror-less digital camera, an inexpensive adapter allows the full use, including infinity focusing, of nearly all FD and FL lenses.

For other lens types, an adapter would act as an extension tube, causing the lens to lose the ability to focus to infinity. Alternatively, the lens adapters would include optical elements and act as weak teleconverters, as well as possibly losing optical quality.

Third-party lenses

Compatible third-party lenses with the EF lens mount are manufactured by Samyang, Schneider, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, and Carl Zeiss. The manufacturers of these lenses have reverse engineered the EOS electronics. The use of these lenses is not supported by Canon. Sometimes compatibility problems arise, as no third party has access to Canon's specifications for camera to body communication.^[5] These compatibility issues mostly occur when using a newer body with an older third-party lens. Over time, most of these issues have been resolved by the major third-party brands.

Controls and features

An EF lens showing its different controls and features

Canon EF lenses typically have a number of controls, switches and physical features, used by the photographer to control the lens. The types and number of the controls can vary from lens to lens. With the most basic lenses having only a few, to the most complex having over a dozen different controls and switches.

This is a list of the different controls and switches found on most Canon EF lenses, along with a detailed description on what they are used for.

Lens mount index: This marking is found on all EF lenses. It is used for matching the EF lens mount to the mount on an EOS body, so one can connect the lens to the body quickly. On EF lenses, this is a raised, round red mark, while on EF-S lenses it is a square white mark.

Focusing ring: This control, found on most EF lenses, is used for focusing the lens. It is usually a ring on the lens body, that can be turned. On some lenses, such as the Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens, this is simply the inner lens barrel.

Zoom ring: This control is found on most EF zoom lenses. It is used for changing the focal length of the lens. The zoom ring usually has certain, common, focal lengths marked on it. To set the zoom ring to any given focal length, one must turn the ring so that the marked focal length matches the zoom index. The zoom index is typically a white, or black, line found next to the zoom ring.

Distance scale of an EF lens

Distance scale window: This feature is found on many EF lenses. This feature, while not a control or switch, is useful to the photographer for determining, or setting, the lens's focus distance. It is used in conjunction with the Focusing ring. When rotated, the distance scale will also rotate to show the changing focus distance. On some lenses the distance scale also has an infrared index. These are shown as red markings below the distance scale. This is used for making focus adjustments when the photographer is doing infrared photography, as lenses typically focus infrared light at a different point than visible light, and therefore achieving correct focus using visible light will result in an out-of-focus infrared image. To make an adjustment, first focus the subject, then turn the Focusing ring so it matches the corresponding infrared index mark.

Focus mode, and focusing range switches

Focus mode switch: This switch is found on most EF lenses that have an autofocus feature. It is used for setting the lens to either autofocus mode, or manual focus. When set to autofocus mode (AF), the lens will autofocus when directed to by the camera. When set to manual focus (MF), the lens is focused using the Focusing ring. Some lenses support full-time manual focusing (FT-M), which allows the photographer to focus the lens manually even with the mode switch set to AF, without damaging the lens (as could happen if a lens without FT-M is manually focused while in AF mode).

Focusing distance range limiter switch: This switch is found on most longer focal length lenses, and macro lenses. It is used for limiting the focusing distance range of the lens when using it in autofocus mode. Most lenses have two settings; these are usually full focus range (from minimum focus distance to infinity), and distant focus range (from half way point of focus range to infinity). Other lenses have three settings, with the additional setting usually being near focus range (from minimum focus distance to half way point of focus range). Longer focal length lenses and macro lenses have a relatively long travel distance for the focusing mechanism inside the lens; this feature shortens the autofocus time. When the photographer knows they will not need a certain part of the focus distance range, limiting it will help shorten the autofocus time, and possibly prevent "focus hunting".

Soft Focus Ring: This ring is found only on the 135 mm 'Soft Focus' prime lens, and enables a variable soft focus effect from completely sharp (0) to very soft (2), although it has little effect when used with apertures over f/5.6. Although the ring can be set to any position, two 'stops' are implemented at positions 1 and 2.

Both types of image stabilizer switches

Image stabilizer switch: This switch is found on all EF lenses that feature an image stabilizer. It is used for turning the image stabilizer "on"( | ), or "off"( o ).

Image stabilizer mode switch: This switch is found on many EF lenses that feature an image stabilizer, particularly those of longer focal lengths. The switch has two settings on most lenses: Mode 1 and Mode 2. The newest IS Mark II versions of certain EF super telephoto lenses (the 300mm f/2.8L,^[6] 400mm f/2.8L,^[7] 500mm f/4L,^[8] and 600mm f/4L^[9]), plus the 200–400mm f/4L IS^[10] and 100–400mm f/4–5.6L IS II,^[11] have a third setting, Mode 3. Mode 1 is normal mode, used for typical photography, where the subject does not move. Mode 2 is used for panning; this is useful for sports or wildlife photography, where the subject moves constantly and one will need to pan. Mode 3, intended to track action, is similar to Mode 2 in that it ignores panning; however, it only applies stabilization when the shutter is released—the viewfinder image is not stabilized.^[9] One should not use Mode 1 for panning as this will typically cause blurred photographs; the image stabilizer will attempt to correct for all motion, including the panning motion, but cannot do so due to the limited range of motion of the IS mechanism. Older lenses that have an image stabilizer, but do not feature this switch, are permanently in Mode 1. Some newer lenses, such as the Canon EF-S 18-200mm lens, are able to detect if they are being panned in either axis and will automatically disable the stabilization for the axis parallel to movement and therefore do not require this switch.

Autofocus stop buttons: These buttons are found on some super telephoto EF lenses, evenly spaced around the front collar of the lens. They are used for temporarily stopping the autofocus feature of the lens. Only one button needs to be pressed to activate the feature. To use this button, one must first have the autofocus active, then when one wishes to halt autofocus, one presses and holds the button. To resume autofocus, one releases the button. Some newer bodies allow these buttons to be assigned to perform other functions; for instance, the Canon EOS 7D allows the photographer to set these buttons to perform any of six functions.

Focus preset: The focus preset feature is found on most super telephoto EF lenses. The focus preset feature uses one switch, one button, and one ring. It is used for presetting a given focus distance into memory, so that the photographer can quickly recall the focus distance, without the need for autofocus. The switch has three settings "off"( o ), "on"( | ), or "on with sound"( ((- ), and is used for turning on the feature, and deciding if sound is desired. The "set" button is used for saving the focus distance into memory. The focus preset ring is used for recalling the memory save point. It is a thin knurled ring, usually located in front of the Focusing ring. To use this feature, one must set the switch to either "on" or "on with sound", focus the lens to the desired distance, then press the "set" button. After this, when the feature is turned on, the photographer can turn the focus preset ring, and the lens will recall and focus quickly to the distance that was saved. This feature is useful for sports and birding photography (for instance, to allow rapid focusing on the goal or on a spot where the birds may perch).

Rear gel filter holder on an EF lens

Filter mounting: This mount is used for attaching filters to EF lenses. There are three types: front threaded mount, inner drop-in mount, and rear gelatin holders. Front threaded filters are used on most lenses, and are attached by threading and tightening the filter. Inner, drop-in filter mounts are used on super telephoto EF lenses. They are attached by first pressing the two buttons on the filter mount, and pulling it out. Then either a round threaded filter is attached, or one can use a gelatin filter. Rear gelatin filter holders are used by cutting out a sheet of gelatin, to the size shown on the back of the lens and then sliding it into the holder. Filter mounts are useful for all types of photography, and every EF lens has either one or two of the three types used.

Lens hood mount: This feature is found on most EF lenses. This mount is used for attaching the lens hood. The hood mount is of a bayonet style on most EF lenses, though a clip-on style hood mount is used for a small selection of current lenses.

Tripod collar: This feature is found on most longer focal length lenses, and macro lenses. The tripod collar is used for attaching the tripod ring. There are two main styles of tripod rings. One type is opened up, placed on the lens' tripod collar, then closed and tightened. The other type does not open, but instead is slid up the lens from the mount end (which can only be done when the lens is not mounted on a camera body) and tightened. To set the tripod ring so that it is level with the lens, rotate the ring until the index mark on the tripod ring matches the index mark on the distance scale. The tripod ring is used for attaching a tripod/monopod near to the point of balance of the lens-body combination, more conveniently than the camera body. In the case of larger and heavier lenses, there is also less strain on the lens mount if the body is supported by the tripod-mounted lens than if the lens were to be supported by a tripod-mounted body.

Related technologies

With the release of the EOS 300D Canon introduced a variation on the standard EF lens mount called EF-S. The "S" stands for "Small image circle". EF-S uses the standard EF bayonet mount, but with minor physical alterations which prevent EF-S lenses from being mounted on bodies which do not support them.

There are a couple of benefits to EF-S lenses, both related to the smaller (1.6x or APS-C) sensor size. One is that since a lens designed for a smaller sensor need only project an image circle large enough to cover the small sensor, the lens itself can be smaller; it can therefore also be lighter and have lower materials costs, since the lens elements, made of relatively heavy and expensive optical glass, will be smaller than in a comparable full-frame lens. Such a lens, if used on a body with a larger sensor, would leave the outer portions of the sensor outside its image circle, and therefore they would be black, but since EF-S lenses will not physically mount on incompatible bodies, this problem is avoided.

The second benefit is that, since a body with a smaller sensor can use a smaller mirror, the rear element of the lens can extend somewhat into the body without danger of being struck by the mirror. Particularly for a wide-angle lens, this gives the lens designers more freedom in designing the lens' optical formula.

Note that even though the first four models of the 1D line of Canon EOS cameras have a 1.3x crop sensor, they are not compatible with EF-S lenses. The most recent entry in the 1D line, the 1D X, is full-frame.

The release of the Canon EOS M, the company's first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, saw the introduction of another variation on the standard EF mount, called EF-M (with the "M" presumably standing for "mirrorless"). Because Canon reduced the flange focal distance from that of its EOS DSLR line, the mount was altered so that EF and EF-S lenses cannot mount directly on EF-M bodies. Canon supplies an optional adapter that allows both EF and EF-S lenses to be mounted on EF-M bodies.^[1]

Ultrasonic motor drive

Ultrasonic logo

Ultrasonic motor (USM) lenses appeared with the introduction of the EF 300 mm f/2.8L USM lens in 1987. Canon was the first camera maker to successfully commercialise the USM technology. EF lenses equipped with USM drives have fast, silent and precise autofocus operations, and consume less power compared to other AF drive motors.

There are three types of USMs: ring-type USM, micromotor USM, and Nano USM. Ring-type USM allows for full-time manual focus (FT-M) operations without switching out of AF mode. Micromotor USM is used to bring down the cost of the lens. It is possible to implement FT-M even with micromotor USM; however, it requires additional mechanical components, and the vast majority of micro-USM lenses do not offer such capability. Nano USM was introduced in 2016 with the release of Canon's latest iteration of the EF-S 18–135mm lens. It is intended to offer the AF speed of ring-type USM with the quietness of STM mechanisms (see below).

Some older USM lenses are identified with a gold ring and the label "Ultrasonic" printed in gold on the lens barrel. All L lenses which have USM do not have the gold ring, but the red ring which denotes them as an L lens. However, they have the label "Ultrasonic" printed in red on the lens barrel.

Stepping motor

Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens

Canon announced Stepping motor (STM) lenses first in June 2012, alongside the EOS 650D/Rebel T4i/Kiss X6i.

Canon stated that this technology allows smooth and silent autofocus, and with compatible bodies (the first of which is the 650D) will provide continuous autofocus in live view and video.^[12] Unlike USM, STM lenses use focus-by-wire to enable full-time manual mode. Two main disadvantages are linked to focus-by-wire: First, the need to computationally process the input before the intended action is executed leads to a sometimes perceptible lag. Second, using the motor requires power, so when an STM lens is not connected to a camera or the camera is switched off, changing the focus is impossible.

All EF-M lenses introduced to date—the EF-M 22mm pancake prime and EF-M 18–55mm zoom introduced with the EOS-M,^[1] plus the later 11–22mm, 15–45mm, and 55–200mm zooms—feature STM technology.

All stepping-motor lenses are marked with the letters "STM" on the front of the lens as part of the model designation.

Image stabilizer

The image-stabilized Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM lens

The image stabilization (IS) technology detects handheld motion and optically corrects it. It only corrects handheld motion; if the subject of the photograph is moving, IS will not stop it. It also can only stabilize so much motion, ranging from two to five stops, depending on the specific IS in the lens. Canon has released several versions of the IS system, including the following:

• The first version, first used in the 75-300mm lens (1995), takes approximately one second to stabilize, provides approximately two stops of stability, is not suitable for use on a tripod, or for panning.
• The 300mm f/4L IS USM lens, released in 1997, adds IS Mode 2, which detects whether panning is taking place horizontally or vertically, and only compensates for vibration in the plane perpendicular to the plane of panning.
• In 1999, with the release of the IS super-telephoto lenses (300mm f/2.8L through 600mm f/4L), tripod detection was added, so that the lens could be used on a tripod with IS turned on.
• In 2001, a new version of the Image Stabilizer was created for the 70–200mm f/2.8L. This version takes approximately 0.5s and can be stabilized up to three stops.
• In 2006, the 70–200 mm f/4L IS USM was released with an Image Stabilizer which allows up to four stops of stabilization.^[13]
• In 2008, the 200mm f/2L IS USM was released with a new version of IS which allows up to five stops of stabilization.^[14]
• In 2009, the 100 mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM became the first Canon lens with a Hybrid Image Stabilizer.^[15] In addition to correcting angular movement, Hybrid IS also corrects for shift movement.^[16]
• In 2011, with the release of the 300mm f/2.8L IS II and 400mm f/2.8L IS II, IS Mode 3 was added. This mode is similar to Mode 2, except that stabilization is applied only when the shutter is released.
• Some newer lenses include an Image Stabilizer which can automatically detect whether the user is panning and respond accordingly, and therefore these lenses do not have an IS mode switch.

All EF lenses that support IS have the words "Image Stabilizer" written on the lens. On some of Canon's larger telephoto lenses, the words "Image Stabilizer" are etched onto a metal plate affixed to the lens.

Diffractive optics

The green-ringed EF 70–300 mm f/4.5–5.6 DO IS USM

Diffractive optics (DO) are special lens elements that are used in some lenses. DO lenses are usually smaller and lighter and are better at handling chromatic aberration, compared to conventional lenses of similar focal length and aperture value. They are more expensive to make. Only the EF 400 mm f/4 DO IS USM, its updated Mark II version, and the EF 70–300 mm f/4.5–5.6 DO IS USM contain DO elements. DO lenses have a green ring on the barrel.

L-series lenses

Top range Canon EF lenses are designated "L-series", or "Luxury" lenses.^[17] L series lenses are compatible with the full range of EF or EF-S mounts and as they are aimed at the high-end user, most also include environmental or weather sealing and a constant maximum aperture. All L lenses are supplied complete with a hood and pouch, which are not included with non-L lenses. Distinctive visual cues include a red ring around the lens and an off-white colour on longer-focal-length models. The latter, as well as looking distinctive, also helps to reflect light and reduce heat absorption.

All L lenses include at least one fluorite or ultra-low-dispersion glass element, and/or certain types of aspherical elements. Other mechanical characteristics of L lenses (but not exclusive to them or present in all L lenses) are the use of an ultrasonic motor (USM) for focusing (particularly in recent years) and image stabilization (IS).

Owning a number of L-series lenses along with at least two professional EOS camera bodies is a requirement for admittance into the Canon Professional Services in most markets (for example, three for Europe^[18] and Australia,^[19] two for Malaysia^[20] and Singapore^[21] and one for Hong Kong).^[22]

However, in the United States, CPS eligibility requirements were changed in 2011 to a points-based system, in which each piece of professional-level equipment is assigned a point value, with a photographer's total determining eligibility for a given membership level. All current camera bodies apart from the Rebel series can be used to meet membership requirements. Eligible lenses include all L lenses, both DO lenses, many mid-range EF non-L lenses, and several EF-S lenses. In fact, an American photographer can qualify for CPS membership by owning bodies only, or lenses only.^[23]

Communication protocol

The communication protocol between the camera is 8-data-bit, 1-stop-bit SPI (mode 3). The pins, from right to left on the lens, are:

Canon EF mount pins^[3][24]

Name	Function	Notes
VBat	+6 volts to power internal lens focus motors	Present on all EOS bodies and lenses
P-Gnd	Power ground
P-Gnd
VDD	+5.5 volts Digital logic power
DCL	Data from camera to the lens (MOSI)
DLC	Data from the lens to the camera (MISO)
LCLK	Camera body generated clock signal (SCLK, CPOL=1)
D-GND	Digital logic ground
COM1	Teleconverter common[25][26][27]	Only on most L-series and some macro lenses
EXT0	Short to COM1 for 'Life Size Converter' and x1.4 teleconverter
EXT1	Short to COM1 for x2 and x1.4 teleconverter

The information from the lens is used by the camera body for focusing and metering, and with digital camera bodies it is used to record the lens parameters in the Exif data in the images.

All L series primes 135mm or longer, the 400mm DO, the 70–200mm zooms, the 100–400mm zooms, the 200–400mm zoom and the 50mm Compact Macro have three additional communication pins. These additional pins are used by the Canon Extender EF adapters and the Life-Size Converter EF to indicate to the lens the change in focal length so that it is able to report the correct focal length and aperture to the camera body when mounted on a teleconverter. The lens also reduces autofocus speed when a teleconverter is attached to improve autofocus accuracy.

List of EF lenses

The following is a list of EF lenses made by Canon. The "I", "II", "III" Roman numeral suffix after the focal length(s) indicates the generation number. While I is used in the table below, it is never used in official Canon model numbers; the original model lacks a Roman numeral and only the second and subsequent generations have them. Roman numerals are used only when the entire model designation—focal length(s), aperture, IS, DO, L status, and motor mechanism—is identical from one version to the next. This means, for example, that when Canon introduced IS to lenses whose prior versions lacked that feature (24mm, 28mm, 35mm IS primes in 2012, 16–35mm IS zoom in 2014), the first IS versions lacked Roman numerals.

The EF lenses are grouped below by their focal lengths:

• Zoom: for zoom lenses that have a range of focal lengths
• Prime: for prime lenses that have a single focal length

Zoom

Canon EF 35–70 mm f/3.5–4.5 lens

Focal length	Aperture	Introduction	USM	IS	L-series	DO	Filter size
8–15 mm (fisheye)	f/4	2010	Yes	No	Yes	No	none
11–24 mm	f/4	2015	Yes	No	Yes	No	rear
16–35 mm I	f/2.8	2001	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
16–35 mm II	f/2.8	2007	Yes	No	Yes	No	82mm
16–35 mm IS	f/4	2014	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
17–35 mm	f/2.8	1996	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
17–40 mm	f/4	2003	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
20–35 mm	f/2.8	1989	No	No	Yes	No	72mm
20–35  mm	f/3.5–4.5	1993	Yes	No	No	No	77mm
22–55 mm	f/4-5.6	1998	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
24–70 mm	f/2.8	2002	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
24–70 mm II	f/2.8	2012	Yes	No	Yes	No	82mm
24–70 mm	f/4.0	2012	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
24–85 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1996	Yes	No	No	No	67mm
24–105 mm	f/4	2005	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
24–105 mm STM	f/3.5-5.6	2014	No	Yes	No	No	77mm
28–70 mm	f/2.8	1993	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
28–70 mm II	f/3.5-4.5	1988	No	No	No	No	52mm
28–80 mm	f/2.8-4	1989	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
28–80 mm	f/3.5-5.6	1996	No	No	No	No	58mm
28–80 mm II	f/3.5-5.6	1999	No	No	No	No	58mm
28–80 mm I	f/3.5-5.6	1991	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–80 mm II	f/3.5-5.6	1993	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–80 mm III	f/3.5-5.6	1995	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–80 mm IV	f/3.5-5.6	1996	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–80 mm V	f/3.5-5.6	1999	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–90 mm II	f/4-5.6	2003	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–90 mm III	f/4-5.6	2004	No	No	No	No	58mm
28–105 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1992	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–105 mm II	f/3.5-4.5	2000	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–105 mm	f/4-5.6	2002	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28–135 mm	f/3.5-5.6	1998	Yes	Yes	No	No	72mm
28–200 mm	f/3.5-5.6	2000	Yes	No	No	No	72mm
28–200 mm	f/3.5-5.6	2000	No	No	No	No	72mm
28–300 mm	f/3.5-5.6	2004	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
35–70 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1987	No	No	No	No	52mm
35–70 mm	f/3.5-4.5A	1988	No	No	No	No	52mm
35–80 mm III	f/4-5.6	1995	No	No	No	No	52mm
35–80 mm	f/4-5.6	1992	Yes	No	No	No	52mm
35–80 mm PZ	f/4-5.6	1990	Yes	No	No	No	52mm
35–105 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1987	No	No	No	No	58mm
35–105 mm	f/4.5-5.6	1992	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
35–135 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1988	No	No	No	No	58mm
35–135 mm	f/4-5.6	1990	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
35–350 mm	f/3.5-5.6	1993	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
38–76 mm	f/4.5-5.6	1995	No	No	No	No	52mm
50–200 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1987	No	No	No	No	58mm
50–200 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1988	No	No	Yes	No	58mm
55–200 mm II	f/4.5-5.6	2003	Yes	No	No	No	52mm
70–200 mm	f/2.8	2001	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
70–200 mm II	f/2.8	2010	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
70–200 mm	f/2.8	1995	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
70–200 mm	f/4	2006	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	67mm
70–200 mm	f/4	1999	Yes	No	Yes	No	67mm
70–210 mm	f/3.5-4.5	1990	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
70–210 mm	f/4	1987	No	No	No	No	58mm
70–300 mm	f/4.5-5.6	2004	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	58mm
70–300 mm	f/4-5.6	2005	Yes	Yes	No	No	58mm
70–300 mm	f/4-5.6	2010	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	67mm [28]
75–300 mm	f/4-5.6	1995	Yes	Yes	No	No	58mm
75–300 mm II	f/4-5.6	1991	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
75–300 mm III	f/4-5.6	1999	No	No	No	No	58mm
80–200 mm	f/2.8	1989	No	No	Yes	No	72mm
80–200 mm	f/4.5-5.6	1992	Yes	No	No	No	52mm
80–200 mm II	f/4.5-5.6	1990	No	No	No	No	52mm
90–300 mm	f/4.5-5.6	2003	No	No	No	No	58mm
90–300 mm	f/4.5-5.6	2002	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
100–200 mm	f/4.5A	1988	No	No	No	No	58mm
100–300 mm	f/4.5-5.6	1990	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
100–300 mm	f/5.6	1987	No	No	No	No	58mm
100–300 mm	f/5.6	1987	No	No	Yes	No	58mm
100–400 mm	f/4.5-5.6	1998	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
100–400 mm II	f/4.5-5.6	2014	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
200–400 mm	f/4	2013	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear

Two EF lenses and an EF-S lens (center).

Prime

Focal length	Aperture	Introduction	Macro	USM	IS	L-series	DO	Filter size
14 mm	f/2.8	1991	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	gel
14 mm II	f/2.8	2007	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	gel
15 mm (fisheye)	f/2.8	1987	No	No	No	No	No	gel
20 mm	f/2.8	1992	No	Yes	No	No	No	72mm
24 mm	f/1.4	1997	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
24 mm II	f/1.4	2008	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
24 mm	f/2.8	1988	No	No	No	No	No	58mm
24 mm IS	f/2.8	2012	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	58mm
28 mm	f/1.8	1995	No	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
28 mm	f/2.8	1987	No	No	No	No	No	52mm
28 mm IS	f/2.8	2012	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	58mm
35 mm	f/1.4	1998	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
35 mm II	f/1.4	2015	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
35 mm	f/2	1990	No	No	No	No	No	52mm
35 mm IS	f/2	2012	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	67mm
40 mm	f/2.8	2012	No	No	No	No	No	52mm
50 mm	f/1.0	1989	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
50 mm	f/1.2	2006	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
50 mm	f/1.4	1993	No	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
50 mm	f/1.8	1987	No	No	No	No	No	52mm
50 mm II	f/1.8	1990	No	No	No	No	No	52mm
50 mm STM	f/1.8	2015	No	No	No	No	No	49mm
50 mm	f/2.5	1987	Yes[lower-alpha 1]	No	No	No	No	52mm
65 mm	f/2.8	1999	Yes	No	No	No	No	58mm
85 mm	f/1.2	1989	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
85 mm II	f/1.2	2006	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
85 mm	f/1.8	1992	No	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
100 mm	f/2	1991	No	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
100 mm	f/2.8	1990	Yes	No	No	No	No	58mm
100 mm	f/2.8	2000	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	58mm
100 mm	f/2.8	2009	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	67mm
135 mm	f/2	1996	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
135 mm (SoftFocus)	f/2.8	1987	No	No	No	No	No	52mm
180 mm	f/3.5	1996	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	72mm
200 mm	f/1.8	1988	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	48mm rear
200 mm	f/2.0	2008	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
200 mm	f/2.8	1991	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
200 mm II	f/2.8	1996	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	72mm
300 mm	f/2.8	1987	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	48mm rear
300 mm IS	f/2.8	1999	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
300 mm IS II	f/2.8	2010	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
300 mm	f/4	1991	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
300 mm IS	f/4	1997	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	77mm
400 mm	f/2.8	1991	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	48mm rear
400 mm II	f/2.8	1996	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	48mm rear
400 mm IS	f/2.8	1999	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
400 mm IS II	f/2.8	2011	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
400 mm	f/4	2001	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	52mm rear
400 mm II	f/4	2014	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	52mm rear
400 mm	f/5.6	1993	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	77mm
500 mm	f/4.5	1992	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	48mm rear
500 mm IS	f/4	1999	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
500 mm IS II	f/4	2011	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
600 mm	f/4	1988	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	48mm rear
600 mm IS	f/4	1999	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
600 mm IS II	f/4	2011	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
800 mm	f/5.6	2008	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	52mm rear
1200 mm	f/5.6	1993	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	48mm rear

1. 0.5× magnification only. When paired with the "Life-Size Converter EF", a separate accessory, the lens provides up to 1.0× magnification but at the loss of infinity focus.

Exceptions

Canon has two further types of lenses compatible with the EF mount: Tilt-shift and the 1-5x Macro lens, which are not designated EF, but TS-E and MP-E respectively. TS stands for Tilt-shift while MP stands for macro-photo. These types of lenses are not designated EF as they are manual-focus only lenses. They do, however, retain electronic aperture control as well as focus confirmation.

See also

• Canon EF-S lens mount
• Canon EF-M lens mount
• Canon FD lens mount

Notes

1. "Put Your Creativity Into Motion With The New EOS M Digital Camera" (Press release). Canon U.S.A., Inc. July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
2. Eric Reagan. "Canon Surpasses 100 Million EF Lenses Produced". Photography Bay.
3. "Canon History Hall: Birth of New-Generation Autofocus SLR Camera, "EOS"". Retrieved 12 January 2008.
4. W.J. Markerink maintains an excellent article on Camera Mounts & Registers which gives much more detail about flange focal distances and lens compatibility.
5. NK Guy (6 January 2007). "Part III – Lenses". Canon EOS Beginners’ FAQ.
6. Carnathan, Bryan (November 10, 2011). "Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
7. Carnathan, Bryan. "Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
8. Carnathan, Bryan (September 26, 2012). "Canon EF 500mm f/4 L IS II USM Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
9. Carnathan, Bryan (September 27, 2012). "Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS II USM Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
10. Carnathan, Bryan (November 18, 2013). "Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM Extender 1.4x Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
11. "Canon U.S.A. Introduces New Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens, The Compact And Highly Mobile Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM" (Press release). Canon U.S.A. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
12. "The New EOS Rebel T4i DSLR Camera Puts The Power And Creativity Of DSLR Stills And Video At Your Fingertips" (Press release). Canon U.S.A., Inc. 2012-06-08. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
13. "Canon Camera Museum 124; Camera Hall – Lenses (EF mount)". Canon.com. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
14. "Canon Camera Museum 124; Technology Hall". Canon.com. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
15. "Canon announces the arrival of the first EF lens to feature Hybrid IS". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
16. "New Canon Hybrid IS world’s first Image Stabilizer to compensate for two types of camera shake". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
17. Canon. "EF Lens System". Retrieved 1 August 2008.
18. http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/faq/view.do?catId=1002
19. "About CPS – Canon Professional Services". Canon Australia. Retrieved 11 August 2011. Note that in Australia, membership in CPS also requires that all qualifying equipment be purchased in Australia or New Zealand, as indicated on the Australian CPS terms and conditions page.
20. Customer Care – Canon Malaysia Archived 10 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
22. "Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd". Canon.com.hk. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
23. "About CPS Membership". Canon U.S.A., Inc. Retrieved 22 December 2011. To view a list of qualifying equipment, with point values, click on the "Eligible CPS Products" link.
24. "Photo.net: Canon EF focusing protocol". Retrieved 12 January 2009.
25. "Canon Extender EF 1.4x Parts Catalog" (PDF). Retrieved 5 April 2009.
26. "Canon Extender EF 2.0x Parts Catalog" (PDF). Retrieved 5 April 2009.
27. "Canon Life Size Converter Parts Catalog" (PDF). Retrieved 5 April 2009.
28. Canon. "Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM Specification". Retrieved 7 May 2015.

References

• Markerink, Willem-Jan. Camera Mounts & Registers. Retrieved on 6 November 2005.
• tiffen.com. Lens To Filter Chart. For list of filter sizes.

External links

• EF/EF-S lens chart
• Canon Camera Museum
• Canon EOS Technoclopedia: Canon EF-Lenses – a lens chart with technical specifications, comments and test references

1. http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_canon/newsroom/press_releases?pageKeyCode=pressreldetail&docId=0901e0248105d566