Whats the difference between AF Lens and EF-S Lens for Rebel

[csondagar]

I am considering buying Canon Rebel camera. I have noticed that some vendors sell Rebel with 18-55mm AF Lens, and some with 18-55mm EF-S lens. What is the difference between these two lenses and which one is better? Thanks.

[robertwgross]

I am considering buying Canon Rebel camera. I have noticed that some vendors sell Rebel with 18-55mm AF Lens, and some with 18-55mm EF-S lens. What is the difference between these two lenses and which one is better? Thanks.

First of all, let's not confuse the Canon Rebel, which is a film camera body, with the Canon Digital Rebel (a.k.a. 300D), which is obviously a digital camera body.

Either camera body will accept all EF-type of Canon lenses, which do autofocus (AF).

There is a special version of the Canon EF lens type, and that is EF-S, and it only fits on the Canon Digital Rebel and no other camera body in the world. Commonly, the 18-55mm zoom lens is sold as part of the Digital Rebel kit.

So, all EF-S lenses and EF lenses do autofocus, and the 18-55mm zoom is the only EF-S that I am aware of.

---Bob Gross---

[csondagar]

Thank you, Bob for a quick response.

I should have made it clearer. I am considering Canon Digital Rebel.

If EF-S 18-55mm only for use with Digital Rebel then would I be better off buying EF lens?

Just seeking opinions (would not hold you accountable!). Thanks

Chets

[robertwgross]

If EF-S 18-55mm only for use with Digital Rebel then would I be better off buying EF lens?


That is a tough call.

That focal length range of 18-55mm makes it pretty handy for a typical first-time DSLR owner. For the price (roughly $100 in the kit), that is very cost-effective. On the other hand, you can use it only on the Digital Rebel and no other camera anyplace. In that respect, any EF lens would be more universal for use on this camera body or any other Canon EOS body you might have in the near future.

If you were somebody with a few EF lenses already on hand, then I would suggest to pass on the 18-55 and just use what you have. But then if you decide to sell the Digital Rebel later on, you'll want to put some kind of lens on it to help sell it, so the roughly $100 lens would make sense.

I guess for $100, it can't hurt. Some folks report that it is a decent lens, if not super great.

---Bob Gross---

[Digital Prophet]

The EF-S lens is the first lens in a new line that has a rear side that reaches further into the body than the standard EF lens. When you hold them up to one another the difference is visually obvious.

Check this link (http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/efs18-55/review/) for more detailed information. Hope that helps some.

- Digital Prophet -

[Tomsk]

There is another argument for buying the 300D/DigiReb with the 18-55mm EF-S lens.

When you (inevitably ;) ) buy a new Canon DSLR, which probably won't have an EF-S mount but a regular EF mount and also by which time you will have acquired a few more EF lenses, you can put the 18-55mm EF-S permantly on the 300D/DigiReb and use it as a spare/backup camera or sell it on.

[timmyquest]

Does this make it a true 18mm lens...i still cant figure out the advantage here.

[Tom W]

the EF-S 18-55 mm lens is an 18 to 55 mm focal length - on a camera with a sensor the size of the one in the digital Rebel, it creates a field of view similar to what a 29-87 mm line would provide on a full-frame 35 mm sensor or film. It is designed specifically for the Digital Rebel/300D and will not fit any other body. It can be physically altered (by a brave soul) to fit other Canon bodies, but it is too small a diameter to work with larger sensors or 35 mm film, and will cause severe vignetting (blacked out corners) if its used on larger sensors. Also, it may cause physical damage if it hits the reflex mirror of Canon's other camera bodies. The Rebel's mirror is designed to clear this lens.

The reason they made this lens is that it provides for an inexpensive, wide angle lens for the Digital Rebel. Since it is smaller in diameter, the material and manufacturing costs are much lower than a similar full-sized lens of this focal length would be.

[timmyquest]

The reason they made this lens is that it provides for an inexpensive, wide angle lens for the Digital Rebel. Since it is smaller in diameter, the material and manufacturing costs are much lower than a similar full-sized lens of this focal length would be

Thats all i was looking for ;-)