The advantage to using an EF-S lens is that there are more wide angle lenses available. Such as the 10-22. To get the equivalent angle of view on an APS-C sensor, you will need a significantly wider lens (multiply the lens focal length by 1.6 to get the equivalent angle of view)..

DIPics.

Michael Driver wrote:.

I've been interested in photography for awhile now and I am about tomake my first purchase. The camera that I am interested in is the EOS40D. My question is regarding lens selection. I understand that if Ipurchase EF-S type lenses I will not be able to use them on a fullframe camera down the road such as a 5D. I also understand thatlenses make up the large part of your investment, more then thebodies. I just want to make sure I get it right from th beginning.Also, I know you can use EF lenses on the 40D but is there adisadvantage to not using a EF-S type lens on this body.

Thanks for the help and please let meknow if I am way off base. This is all still pretty new to me..

Mike..

If you had an EF-S lens, there is no guarantee that you would indeed add a FF camera later (they will always be more expensive); and, even if you do add a camera like the 5D later you likely will keep the 40D for a second body..

Since nearly all Canon DSLRs by quantity will be EF-S mount cameras there will be plenty of second hand market into which to sell any EF-S lens..

-gt..

Thanks for the good info guys. Sounds like I can't really go wrong...

Just to clarify ? .

Does this mean that the EF-S lens when it states 17-85 is in fact shooting at a 35mm equivalent of 17-85 or is it still effected by a crop factor of 1.6 in Canon's case ie: 28-136 ? .

Thanks..

Focal length on lens is generally actual focal length, regardless of image projected. So multiply as usual...

Ef-s lenses are designed to match up well with crop bodies in terms of focal lengths so I say take advantage of them (I have the 10-22 and 60 macro for my 30D). supposedly if you use an EF lens on a crop body you are only using the sweet spot of the lens so it will work even better (you avoid potential issues around the edges)..

Tamron makes a 17-50f2.8 for crop bodies that is popular. and the other day I was looking at a sigma 30f1.4 in the shop...

RE>but is there a disadvantage to not using a EF-S type lens on this body.<.

Some lenses are available as EF-S lenses only, and these lenses have whatever advantages their design creates. And there;'s no non-EF-s alternative..

But usually there's something close..

But the lens you buy to fit your camera today will act very differently if you decide in the futre to buy a different format camera..

For instance, a 35mm lens on your about-to-be-bought 40D is a normal lens. Buy a 6D or whatever Canon calls it's full frame camera int he future, and this 35mm lens turns into a wide angle..

When you bought your car did you carefully choose one where you could put the tires on the next car you buy, too?.

Just buy what you want. Full frame, incidentally, is no big deal, unless you are a Canon shareholder..

BAK..