What is the difference between Canon EF-S, EF, and EF 'L' Lenses?

Answer 1

EF lenses fit on all current Canon cameras. They have a red dot on them showing where to line them up with the camera body. They are the standard lens. Good, usually.

The EF-S are meant for the Canon EOS Rebel cameras, which includes the 300D, 350D, 400XTi, and the pro-sumer 20D and 30D. They do not work on the full-frame 5D. They have a white dot on them showing where to mount them on the camera. The 10-22mm lens ($600-800) is one of the finest, non-L series, they have made.

The L-series is the low light dispersion and very rugged lens series. Usually they have a red ring on the lens. The body of the lens is often (but not always) cream colored. These lenses are very professionally done. You can see them at football games for the sports photographers on the sidelines. I own a 100-400mm image stabilized L lens. Put down $1500 for it, used. Canon L-lenses are the best there is.

Answer 2

The IS lenses are weather sealed. The non-IS lenses are not. The older IS lenses are pretty sharp, the non-IS lenses, particularly the non-IS f2.8 is very very sharp. The Mk2 2.8 IS lens is sharper again, but at a price premium. The f2.8 lenses obviously give you a shutter stop faster under the same conditions, as these lenses primary application is sport and nature, that extra speed can be very useful. The IS lenses let you use slower shutter speeds without shake (claimed up to 4 stops in the latest versions) but by that point subject motion blur is likely to be an issue, especially at 200mm, the lens simply cannot counter-act this. My pick of the bunch would be the original f2.8 non-IS and a manfrotto 580B monopod. Best bang per buck. All canons 70-200s are exceptional lenses. The f2.8 IS mk2 is the best, but at a very serious price. The f2.8 non-IS is the best image quality and best sports lens for the cash. Do bear in mind that the f4 lenses are 67mm threads, the f2.8s are 77mm. Big difference in filter prices, especially if you are looking at a polariser. The f2.8s come with a tripod / monopod ring as standard (they are bigger and heavier) you need to buy one for the f4s if you require it.

Answer 3

EF is Canon's replacement for the older FD mount. The EF-L is their "luxury" line of lenses, typically very expensive but basically are just really nice EF lenses. EF-S lenses, however, are different in that they fit just a couple of Canon cameras, the EOS 300D and the 20D. EF and EF-S do not appear to be interchangable.

Answer 4

A newer version