EF-S lens - any more to come?

[Calis]

Hi, I'm new here.

I've just upgraded to a 300D from my old Olympus digital compact. To start with I've got the kit lens and a 28-135mm IS (which I love!). I'd like something longer & a better wide angle sooner or later but am put off by the huge cost of the faster lenses.

Has anyone heard any rumors/anouncments/hints etc that Canon will be expanding the EF-S range and even producing some with L glass in them?

Thanks

[hmhm]

Has anyone heard any rumors/anouncments/hints etc that Canon will be expanding the EF-S range and even producing some with L glass in them?


I haven't heard any rumors or announcements.

I can speculate, though.

I think the EF-S mount and lens exists because Canon needed a cheap lens with a focal length range that made sense as an "only lens" when mounted on a 300D, to allow it to compete with the high-end digital non-SLRs with fixed lenses, like the Sony 828, etc. They needed "super-inexpensive" and "very wide-angle" and this was best accomplished via a new mount, reduced image circle, etc.

From a marketing perspective, EF-S is the "price-sensitive consumer" line, whereas the L line is the opposite, the "willing to pay for the best" pro/prosumer line. So the idea of an L lens with EF-S mount seems highly unlikely to me.

At some point you have to say that most buyers wililng to invest in a lens collection would have been willing to buy one of the more expensive bodies, which don't currently offer an EF-S mount. It will be interesting to see if something like a 10D replacement appears with an EF-S mount...

I don't think there's any value in producing telephoto EF-S lenses, so it seems to me that the only place for the EF-S mount to go would be "ultra-wide", which really doesn't coincide with the 300d market that well, but which I think is still a possibility (e.g. a 12-24). Beyond that, maybe something with a larger focal length range, like an 18-150 or something, to counter the "8x zoom" market.

If you want wider angle than the kit lens gets you, a possible choice might be the Sigma 12-24.
-harry

[Jim Larson]

At some point you have to say that most buyers wililng to invest in a lens collection would have been willing to buy one of the more expensive bodies, which don't currently offer an EF-S mount. It will be interesting to see if something like a 10D replacement appears with an EF-S mount...

I don't think there's any value in producing telephoto EF-S lenses, so it seems to me that the only place for the EF-S mount to go would be "ultra-wide", which really doesn't coincide with the 300d market that well, but which I think is still a possibility (e.g. a 12-24). Beyond that, maybe something with a larger focal length range, like an 18-150 or something, to counter the "8x zoom" market.
-harry

I concur: 10D with EF-S mount likely. More wide zooms or a mega zoom proabable.

[EXA1a]

Hi, I'm new here.

Has anyone heard any rumors/anouncments/hints etc that Canon will be expanding the EF-S range and even producing some with L glass in them?

Thanks

No rumors, just speculation:

Canon's lens strategy must be closely linked to the sensor size strategy.
Canon's 1.6x crop sensor size has meanwhile a looong history (three years now!). If they keep it for their non-professional dSLR line (means: all cameras except the top model 1Dxxx), then they will definitively bring out very good EF-S lenses for the wide angle range and maybe some light, good and fast telezooms . For WA it's not only the smaller image circle but also the closer distance from the rear element to the sensor which makes it much easier to build a great lens. And, in addition, Canon would sell a lot of new lenses to people who already own EF lenses. The benefits for the customers would be: latest technology, light weight, great WA range, great quality in the WA range.
If I were in marketing for Canon I'd go that route. Maybe they think differently...

--Jens--