EF-S lenses- are they a smart buy?

I'm sure this has been asked somewhere else, but I can't seem to find it in a search...

Regarding lenses such as the Canon EF-S range and Tokina, Tamron, Sigma etc equivalents that are made only for cameras with a crop factor such as the 350D and the 20D:
Are they a bad long term investment? It seems that the manufacturers keep producing them, but then have also brought out the full-frame 5D. I have a 350D (aka Rebel XT) and plan some time in the distant future to buy a second camera body. The bottom line is I’m worried about the possibility of not being able to use my full range of lenses on the second camera. My Tokina 12-24 is a digital only lens… so I know I wouldn’t be able to use that one on a full frame body. However, it seems that the “enthusiast” price range of bodies on the market at the moment aren’t full framed anyway. I wish there was a way to know which direction the manufacturers are going to go.

Has anyone else been deliberating over this? What “course of action” are you taking with your purchases?

I've always been one to live now and worry later in this regard. Canon makes some very fine EF-S mount lens as well as some of the third party ones too. I don't really see Canon abandoning the APS-C sensor anytime in the near future as a lot of Wildlife Photographers prefer the crop sensor vs the FF.

Might be a while before theres a FF sensor in the $1000 range to as its quite expensive to manufacture over the smaller one.

Hi Bluedog! (wave! ) Good point re the wildlife end of things. It's easy for me to forget the bonuses of the crop factor and the extra reach it gives me. Thanks for the reminder and your input.

Just got the efs canon 10-22. Its my first efs lens purchased. Get it!! That is neat, For the shooting I do I wont need a FF camera for a long time. 30d is next for me. Plus I love the tele on these crop cameras

I bought an EF-S lens recently, the 10-22, I have the 350D, and i intend to upgrade to the full frame 5d, but not for a ocuple of years, so why stay without the ultra wide for a couple years, the price isnt that much and I'll always have a crop factor body for a backup anyways.

Almost every EF-S Canon has put out has been quality. (I think the only one is the 18-55 which isn't anything special, but a good deal).

10-22, 17-55IS, 17-85IS, 60Macro all quality.

I'm sure you wont lose much on resale (sorta like a non-L prime). Just buy what you need, there's always a market for used lenses. And Canon is not going to abandon the 1.6x crop bodies anytime soon.

I used my 10-22mm very rarely, it was my only reason for selling it. A true gem of a lens. That said I sold it and replaced it with the 17-40L.

For as often as I needed a WA shot on my Drebel, I could just as soon use my Elan film body. As a plus I've gained a new light weight walk around lens.

I think the Canon EF-S zooms will hold their value for some time. And I expect they will be around for some time given the intro of the 17-55 EF-S IS f/2.8...

My only complaint with the EF-S lenses is L priced but not L build. My 10-22mm pretty much paid for my 17-40L purchase out right and the L came with the lens hood.

I agree with Bluedog, buy the right lens for you now. I think I will keep my 20D as a backup in the future, so, if the right lens for me now is an EF-S, I'll be fine. Maybe, if you buy full frame in the future, you will keep your 350d as a backup? I just feel that the FF compatability issue should be low on the decision making factors.

I'm actually debating about my next lens to cover my gap between by 12-24 Toki and my Canon 70-200. The things that are important to me is to have a sharp lens that either is a good prime somewhere in that gap- tha's why I looked at the Canon 35 1.4L.... or a zoom that covers some or all of the range I'm missing. I'd prefer it not to be too big and heavy as I'd like to use it for a travel lens. Also intended use for portraits. I'd like it to be unobtrusive, and hopefully I something I can take traveling without standing out like a sore thumb. A reasonable minimum focal distance is attractive too- giving me a semi-macro view of the world. Price of course comes into it too. Also I want to get the best aperture range I can get.

I'm leaning towards the Tamron new 17-50 2.8... but hard to find a lot of info about it. It's specs seem to tick a lot of the right boxes for me. It's the lightest and smallest and has the second shortest minimum focus range. I was worried about the issue of crop factor though- that's why I started this thread. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it so much!

My other option is the Tamron 28-78 2.8. Lots of good reports on this one.. provided you get a good copy. It rated middle of the road with my requirements: not too heavy, not too big and OK min focus. Also affordable.

Or finally, I go for the Canon 35mm 1.4L and buy my first prime lens. Only slightly bigger and heavier than the Tamron 17-50, it has the best minimum focus range and of course can open up to 1.4! Of course it won't have the versatility of the zooms though.

If you're willing to stand out with the 35L the 24-70L should also fit the short list, as well as the 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

I have been considering them too. They are more on the heavier and bulkier side than the other lenses I mentioned. I'm hanging out for my visit to the B&H Superstore in New York. Hopefully I'll get to try all of these lenses and get a feel for them myself. My main deliberation was over whether or not to take any of the crop-factor lenses out of the running, for the possibility that down the track I might get a 2nd camera body which is full framed. It seems from the many answers here, I shouldn't worry about it too much and I should have APS-C cameras to pick from in future market releases.

Fully agreed. Even though I am a full frame user I still keep some EF-S gear around and if I could afford it, I'd probably add a little bit more EF-S stuff! 30D.. *scratch head*

After Canon took all the pains to develop and launch the 17-55 f/2.8 IS, it would not make sense to dump the EF-S line. The lens is targeted at professional users (according to them) and comes with a professional price tag (whether or not it is worth it is a subjective value judgement). Based on the construction of the lens and the amount of exotic glass involved, I would hazard a guess that it is not exactly cheap to design and build.. Canon wouldn't throw away the R&D investment like that. It makes no sense from a business perspective. As some have pointed out, they are in the game to make money so there are sound financial reasons.

If you DO go full frame, you will be able to let go of your EF-S gear without too much of a financial penalty. In the meantime you'll be able to get great photos. I'm speaking as someone who went this route. A totally unexpected opportunity gave me a shot at full frame. No I did not suffer too much when letting go of my 10-22. Well, financially that is. Emotionally.. is a different thing

FF is not a replacement for APS-C but rather a complement. So there will continue to be an EF-S market.

The kit lens is cheap in construction and price, but represents surprisingly good value namely because the price is so low. Stop it down to f/8 and it can produce some pretty amazing results - others have taken photos with it that I simply cannot believe came out of a $80 piece of glass. As for build quality..... so many love the 50 f/1.8 which is every bit as cheap feeling, but it has superb glass.

EF-S is design only for 1.6x crop camera and I have one. So why not take the EF-S advantage? (size, weight, price). Who knows Canon might have a FF solution for EF-S lens?! (i.e. a FF body which sense EF-S lens and activate the sensor from FF to 1.6x crop, just a wide guess)

I have postponed buying a Canon FF. I am sure Canon will produce nice FFs around $1800-$2000 in some years. So I have decided to have great gear now and in four or five years, see if I am buying something new. In that case, I will sell my 20D along with my two new EF-S. But I think I can keep my gear for many years. People used to keep their stuff for so long, but now everybody go crazy about buying and selling (and that includes me). A friend of mine helped me stay calm and enjoy what I have, not being obsessed about the future (I am not saying you are).

I bought both the Tokina and the 17-85 thinking I would stick with EF-s cos I am not pro. A few months down the line.....might have to sell them. I will keep the 350 of course, we are planning a trip to Africa and it will make a great zoom camera (save swapping lenses and a 300mm = 450mm... ) after that we will see. You have to decide which way you will go and stick to it, or lose a little money when selling the lenses.