There's a common misconception - one needs BOTH a DX Body AND an FX Body ... why? (Page 16): I had a feeling they were, when you mentioned the 24-105 ... I don't think Nikon has that...

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Photographer Jim wrote:

All of my lenses are Canon L series lens and are compatible with any Canon EOS body, regardless of sensor size. All were purchased before I acquired the crop body. I have never seen a need or advantage to purchasing additional lens that are design for use on crop bodies exclusively, especially considering Canon touts their L lenses as their best.

I had a feeling they were, when you mentioned the 24-105 ... I don't think Nikon has that one. Their lenses are 24-70, 24-85 and 24-120 ....

Interesting - since their DX lenses in that range - are 18-105, and now - 18-140 ....

But, this does bring us full circle - kinda. As it DOES point out the difference between the two schools of thought ....

Nikon lenses all seem to be specified for DX or FX Bodies. All Canon EF lenses can be used on either APS-C or FF bodies, whilst EF-S lenses - shouldn't be.

In a sense, they're both laying down the law as to what goes where, but Canon's policies (and, therefore - 3rd Party ones, too) are a lot more liberal ....

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Chris T wrote:

I had a feeling they were, when you mentioned the ... (show quote)

I think you may be confused still. Canon's policy is that EF-S cannot be used on FF cameras. Period.

I believe Nikon and Pentax have the same rules with respect to this question. You may use any lens on any camera. If the lens would vignette {not cast light on entire sensor}, which typically is true when using a "DX" lens on an "FX" camera, the camera will reduce the amount of sensor used so all of the sensor in use receives light from the lens.

For all three brands, using an "FX" lens on a "DX" camera is up to the user - it will work fine as is.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

rehess wrote:

I think you may be confused still. Canon's policy ... (show quote)

Actually, NO, RE ... you're the one who's confused!!! ... THIS is what I wrote: All Canon EF lenses can be used on either APS-C or FF bodies, whilst EF-S lenses - shouldn't be.

It would seem Nikon has an array of DX Lenses (beyond the 70mm zoom start) which they feel should ONLY be used on DX Bodies. Read back in the thread!

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Chris T wrote:

Actually, NO, RE ... you're the one who's confused!!! ... THIS is what I wrote: All Canon EF lenses can be used on either APS-C or FF bodies, whilst EF-S lenses - shouldn't be.

It would seem Nikon has an array of DX Lenses (beyond the 70mm zoom start) which they feel should ONLY be used on DX Bodies. Read back in the thread!

Well, for what it is worth, rehess is actually technically accurate here. Canon EF-s lenses can’t be used on Canon FF cameras. The mounts are different, and will only allow mounting to their crop bodies. It’s more than a recommendation about what should or shouldn’t be done; it’s an actual physical restraint.

Which is one of the reasons I have never bought any of their EF-s lenses. For me they would be duplications with limited utility, and an unnecessary financial drain.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Photographer Jim wrote:

Well, for what it is worth, rehess is actually technically accurate here. Canon EF-s lenses can’t be used on Canon FF cameras. The mounts are different, and will only allow mounting to their crop bodies. It’s more than a recommendation about what should or shouldn’t be done; it’s an actual physical restraint.

Which is one of the reasons I have never bought any of their EF-s lenses. For me they would be duplications with limited utility, and an unnecessary financial drain.

This is a fallacy, that continues to be perpetuated, on this site. The fact is - an EOS Mount - is an EOS Mount. Any EOS lens can be mounted on ANY EOS camera.

There is no difference! ... If you are not sure, try it, yourself. You will be quite surprised, I assure you.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Chris T wrote:

This is a fallacy, that continues to be perpetuated, on this site. The fact is - an EOS Mount - is an EOS Mount. Any EOS lens can be mounted on ANY EOS camera.

There is no difference! ... If you are not sure, try it, yourself. You will be quite surprised, I assure you.

Maybe we're disagreeing on some term but don't recognize it. All I can tell you is that i have tried, and I simply can not mount any Canon EFs lens on my 5d full frame body. I can, on the other hand, mount the EFs lenses on my crop body 7D. My EF lenses will work on either. Canon themselves specify on their page for the 5D that it is "compatible with EF lens ( excluding EFs lens)"

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-5d-mark-iii-body-refurbished

You'll find the same specification on all Canon bodies having a full frame sensor.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Photographer Jim wrote:

Maybe we're disagreeing on some term but don't rec... (show quote)

Okay, then ... where the discrepancy arises is this - with Third Party EOS lenses - there is NO difference ... try it that way ....

Shutterbug57

Chris T wrote:

If your 80-200 is a Nikon FX lens, Bug ... chances... (show quote)

The SP 70-300 is a Di lens according to Tamron’s web site. They have no Di II lenses on the site with a starting length of 70mm or more. So, it may be a great lens, but it would be no different than using my 80-200 for the test as both are designed to cover FX sensors/film.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Shutterbug57 wrote:

The SP 70-300 is a Di lens according to Tamron’s web site. They have no Di II lenses on the site with a starting length of 70mm or more. So, it may be a great lens, but it would be no different than using my 80-200 for the test as both are designed to cover FX sensors/film.

Exactly, Bug .... I have that Tamron SP 70-300 VC USD Di lens, and it works fine on every one of my Canon APS-C bodies - including EOS 60D, Rebel T3, Rebel T4i.

I also have the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro (a DG lens) which works fine on my EOS 60D, EOS Rebel T4i, and EOS Rebel T3. Case closed!!!!!

Shutterbug57

Chris T wrote:

Exactly, Bug .... I have that Tamron SP 70-300 VC USD Di lens, and it works fine on every one of my Canon APS-C bodies - including EOS 60D, Rebel T3, Rebel T4i.

I also have the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro (a DG lens) which works fine on my EOS 60D, EOS Rebel T4i, and EOS Rebel T3. Case closed!!!!!

All FX lenses (with the possible exception of certain fisheye lenses that are tailored to sensor size) work on all DX bodies (assuming technological attributes match). What is your point? I thought you were trying to say DX lenses 70mm & up would work on FX bodies.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Shutterbug57 wrote:

All FX lenses (with the possible exception of certain fisheye lenses that are tailored to sensor size) work on all DX bodies (assuming technological attributes match). What is your point? I thought you were trying to say DX lenses 70mm & up would work on FX bodies.

Most Nikon DX lenses will work on Nikon FX cameras but the camera will EITHER shift to DX mode or the camera/lens will only expose the center 2/3rds of the sensor leaving an exposed circle in the middle of an unexposed area. Either way, the lenses will work but why bother. I have both DX and FX bodies and I purchase and use ONLY FX lenses on all.

Shutterbug57

dcampbell52 wrote:

Most Nikon DX lenses will work on Nikon FX cameras but the camera will EITHER shift to DX mode or the camera/lens will only expose the center 2/3rds of the sensor leaving an exposed circle in the middle of an unexposed area. Either way, the lenses will work but why bother. I have both DX and FX bodies and I purchase and use ONLY FX lenses on all.

It all comes down to the definition of “work”. You are correct in that DX lenses will “work” on FX bodies, but with limitations. The point that Chris was trying to make initially was that DX lenses of 70mm and longer would work the same as FX lenses on FX bodies. My use of “work”, probably not clearly stated, was that the lens would cover the full sensor/film plate of the camera involved.

I too have a FF body and a few DX bodies and with one exception - an ultra-wide DX lens - all my lenses are FX designed lenses. They tend to be better lenses and they work on all the cameras, however, some of the newer tech VR lenses are not fully backward compatible to the older bodies.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Chris T wrote:

Okay, then ... where the discrepancy arises is this - with Third Party EOS lenses - there is NO difference ... try it that way ....

This statement is incorrect.
It all depends on which lens you are talking about, at least with the Tamron line of lenses.

http://www.tamron.eu/lenses/

Check out the Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5 -6.3 Di II VC PZD
From Tamron website
"This lens is designed for the exclusive use with APS-C format cameras. It therefore has a smaller image circle than lenses designed for full format. If this lens is used on a full format camera, the corners of the image will be dark (ie. vignetting will occur)."

I wouldn't even try to put one on my full frame camera as the mirror would slam into it.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Shutterbug57 wrote:

It all comes down to the definition of “work”. Yo... (show quote)

From your use of language, I assume you use Nikon equipment. The strange "compatibility" that Nikon maintains with the past has already filled several threads here, and, of course, is a completely different issue.

willdell Loc: Franklin, KY

EOS is not a lens mount. EF and EF-S are lens mounts for the EOS camera system. All Canon EOS cameras will accept EF lenses. EF-S mounts are specifically for crop sensor EOS cameras. These lenses protrude deeper into the camera body creating an interference with the mirror on units equipped with full frame sensors.

Get your facts straight Chris T.