Understanding the diffrence between FF and EF-S - Question

[koolman]

Can some of the more tech oriented members, please explain in layman's terms, what the difference is between FF and crop lens mounts, advantages and disadvantages of each type of mount, why crops can take EF and FF cannot take EF-S? Thank you. I have heard/read all kinds of partial descriptions, but still don't have a clear picture.

[rpt]

Can some of the more tech oriented members, please explain in layman's terms, what the difference is between FF and crop lens mounts, advantages and disadvantages of each type of mount, why crops can take EF and FF cannot take EF-S? Thank you. I have heard/read all kinds of partial descriptions, but still don't have a clear picture.

Here are some links. Google is a good friend!

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/camera/canon-digital-slr/EF-EFS-lens.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EF-S_lens_mount
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/efs-10d.html
http://jefflynchdev.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/understanding-the-differences-between-canons-ef-and-ef-s-lenses/

[Marsu42]

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/efs-10d.html

I always liked that one ... those were the pioneering days of dslr photography when people didn't just upgrade to the next, latest and greatest thing if they found their pictures to be lacking :-)

[rpt]

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/efs-10d.html

I always liked that one ... those were the pioneering days of dslr photography when people didn't just upgrade to the next, latest and greatest thing if they found their pictures to be lacking :-)

That one is particularly tempting. Thankfully my rebel is 800km from me with my daughter and so the lens (and my 5D3) is safe

[neuroanatomist]

Capsule version - EF-S lenses project a smaller image circle, which covers an APS-C sensor but it too small for an APS-H or FF sensor.  The advantage is that a smaller image circle means smaller elements (in the case of wide angle lenses), easier to design lenses, and thus lower costs.  Most of Canon's EF-S lenses also have a short back focus (meaning a shorter physical length of the lens, Nikon and 3rd party lenses don't), which means a mirror larger than that for an APS-C sensor will hit the lens, so they designed the mount to prevent that from happening.

[koolman]

Capsule version - EF-S lenses project a smaller image circle, which covers an APS-C sensor but it too small for an APS-H or FF sensor.  The advantage is that a smaller image circle means smaller elements (in the case of wide angle lenses), easier to design lenses, and thus lower costs.  Most of Canon's EF-S lenses also have a short back focus (meaning a shorter physical length of the lens, Nikon and 3rd party lenses don't), which means a mirror larger than that for an APS-C sensor will hit the lens, so they designed the mount to prevent that from happening.

Thank you short, sweet, and to the point (as always) !