Your favorite lens or combo for EOS M series camera

I recently got myself an M5 to replace my original M for travel. I have so far only used it with M lenses (11-22, 18-150 and 22/2.0) but I also own an EF adapter. I am wondering what your favorite lens or lens combo is for this camera, including EF-M, EF-S and EF.

Heya,

I pretty much only bought into the M system with the original EOS-M because of the 22mm F2 STM. It's a gem of a lens. And having a large sensor in a small body, APS-C, with a fast very sharp prime with good ISO performance and a really easy interface, yet still can go in your large pocket, without being a smaller sensor format camera, is why I got it. They were practically being thrown away at $150~180 for the M+22 for a long while. If I had to pick another lens right now, it would probably be the Rok 12mm F2 EF-M. I actually don't like using large lenses with the EOS-M with the EF adapter. It totally defeats the point of the small body and is very awkward for me since it really isn't meant to be held like a dSLR or anything, and those big lenses you can adapt really make it hard to hold thing snicely. I prefer small wide lenses with it.

Very best,

Thanks for your input. I can only agree that the 22mm is an excellent lens that keeps the setup very compact. I just feel that there are times when I need wider or longer lenses. The 11-22 is another great M lens and even the 18-150 is decent for vacations, but it is too slow for low light or background separation. That's probably the lens I want to replace or complement in my M kit...

I also like the 22mm and the 11-22.

A friend has the ef-m 55-200 and doesn't like it. When handheld, he can't keep it steady enough to focus. I've tried it briefly and had the same problem. Also tried handheld with longer EF lenses and the adapter and had the same result.

I welded the 22mm on my M3.

The 22 will definitely be in the bag. The 11-22 and 18-150 both work great and are a good combo, I just wish Canon produces a longer prime or even fast zoom with M size.

My M kit (which often includes both the M5 and IR converted M) always has the following lenses in it: 22/2.0, 11-22, and 50 1.8 STM. The fourth lens is either the 18-55 or 18-150 depending on what I've left where.

I used the EF-M 18-55mm the most with my M3, followed by the 28mm Macro with the built in macro light. I was really happy with the 18-55, finding it both quick to AF and sharp, just wished it had a closer MFD.

-Joe

For some reach on the M5, I find the 55-250 STM with adapter works great. Still light and compact enough, quick and delivers very decent quality. A few samples in my gallery.

When I had an M system, and if I were to reacquire something similar, it would be for the 22/2, although the 18-55 was quite usable too.

400 DO II + 2xTC. Not for lightness, but can deliver more accurate AF than my 7DII in some situations. The tracking and 7fps makes it actually useful for certain birding situations. Also can move the AF point anywhere in the frame while shooting at f8.

I love the 22mm pancake on it.

Like Malveaux, I do not see the point in using my larger EF lenses with the EOS M. It defeats one of the main features of the camera -- it's compact size. A friend has the EF adapter, so I gave it a try with a couple of my EF lenses and found it awkward.

I currently have two EF-M lenses -- the 22mm pancake and 18-55mm. The pancake works great for indoors or when I want to slip the camera in a pocket. The 18-55 works well as a lightweight walk around during hikes. Since this combo will not fit in my pants pocket, I use a SpiderHolster Black Widow to carry around the M + 18-55mm.