USING CANON EF LENSES WITH EOS R BODIES

Using Canon EF lenses with EOS R bodies

Tempted by the new Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras but worried about all your Canon EF lenses gathering dust? In this article, we’re going to be running through the adapter options for mounting EF lenses to EOS R bodies and explain how you really can get the best of both worlds.

We know that it does sound too good to be true. The idea that you might be able to bring all any old EF lenses with you when migrating to a new system, and have everything work just as it’s designed to may seem a pipe dream.

Photographers have been swapping lenses between systems for many, many years now, but it is generally accepted that this will involve a trade-off in terms of features and functionality. Things like autofocus or image stabilisation will either work less effectively than usual, or simply not work at all.

Canon’s new EOS R system, however, is a different story.

With the introduction of the full-frame mirrorless cameras such as the Canon EOS R. Canon turned many heads and signified that it was taking mirrorless seriously. This was a serious tool for serious professionals, and was clearly built and marketed as such – but many pros worried about their considerable collections of EF compatible lenses. Was Canon asking them to effectively throw these investments in the trash and start again?

Short answer: no.

Do Canon EF lenses work with EOS R camera bodies?

It was a given that Canon would produce an EF to EOS R adapter, however what’s impressive is just how comprehensive a job they’ve done of ensuring the lens and cameras can communicate.

This is not a coincidence. Canon has specifically designed the EF and RF systems to be what it calls “bilingual”. When most lenses are adapted between systems, the device is converting the electronic signals from one device to the other.

Even when the communication is sophisticated enough for the devices to understand each other thanks to the latest firmware updates, it still has an inherent latency, which causes lag and impacts on performance. On EF-EOS R adapters, the information can pass straight through.

What this means in practice is that, for the vast majority of models, everything that your EF lens can do on an EOS body, it can also do on an EOS R body when they are connected using an adapter. Indeed, now that the cameras have been around for a couple of years, photographers have been able to test them out. Some are even reporting that, anecdotally, their EF lenses seem to perform better with the Canon R, with faster autofocus.

The Canon EOS R bodies are able to store a large number of lens profiles in their internal memory, allowing them to correct known aberrations and distortions in many EF lenses, back to the 1990s. This functionality can be disabled if you don’t require it and it won’t overpower the character of an old lens if you’re going for a specific “look” over technical perfection.

The compatibility really does extend right across the range of EF lenses. You might be wondering, out of more than 150 EF lenses made by Canon, how many have functions that don’t work when they’re paired with EOS R bodies? Answer: eight.

In all cases, it’s a pretty minor thing – the Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 PZ lens from 1991 can’t use its Power Zoom when paired with EOS R, and the AF Stop button doesn’t work on seven telephoto prime lenses from the late 90s and early 00s. In all other respects, EF lenses work on EOS R bodies exactly as they were designed to work on the original DSLRs.

From left to right: EF-EOS R standard adapter, Control Ring adapter, Drop-in filter adapter.
EF-EOS R adapters

The EF-EOS R adapter range is made up of three models, each of which is a little different. Let’s take a look at the main features of each one…

Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter

This is the simplest, most affordable mount adapter for converting EF lenses to EOS R bodies. It allows for full communication between lens and camera, meaning all functionality like AF points and image stabilisation will work as advertised.

Lightweight and compact, the EF-EOS R mount adapter contains no optical elements, so it won’t compromise the quality of even the sharpest L-series lenses. It’s also dust- and water-resistant, so if you’re using the more rugged lenses in harsh weather conditions, the adapter won’t be a weak spot in your setup.

Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Similarly to the standard EF-EOS R Mount Adapter, the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R converts EF lenses to EOS R bodies with no lag or optical elements to compromise quality, and is also equipped with weather sealing.

The key difference, as the name implies, is that this Canon EF adapter comes with a customisable control ring, and it’s not hard to see why many photographers say this is their favourite of the three adapters. Adding a lens control ring to the setup makes using the lens incredibly intuitive. What’s especially good about this adapter is the extent to which the control ring can be customised to the individual user’s preference – essentially it mirrors the control ring found on native RF lenses.

The control ring can be programmed to adjust all the major settings, including shutter speed, ISO, aperture, exposure compensation and white balance. The ring can be set to change values positively or negatively when it’s turned to the right or left. It can also be set to only kick in when the shutter button is half-depressed, if you’re concerned about accidentally knocking it at a crucial moment.

Canon Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

The third option of mount adapters for EF-EOS R is an interesting one, allowing for the use of a select number of drop-in filters. This is especially useful if you’re planning to shoot with a lot of larger lenses or wide-angles with a bulbous front element that doesn’t allow for the easy attachment of filters on the front.

While it doesn’t have the control ring option, this adapter does have all the functionality of the other adapters – it retains full autofocus and image stabilisation capabilities of the attached lenses, and also has the same dust- and weatherproofing.

Below are the filters you can use with this mount adapter

Canon Drop-In Variable ND Filter A: This variable ND gives you tremendous flexibility in controlling the amount of light reaching the camera, with a variable ND effect that runs from 1.5 stops all the way up to 9 stops. Use wider apertures or slower shutter speeds even in bright light conditions, and easily alter the intensity of the ND effect with the rotating wheel.

Canon Drop-In Circular Polarizing Filter A: Minimise reflections and glare with this drop-in polariser, which also has a rotating wheel that allows the user to modulate the intensity of the polarising effect. Made with high-quality glass, it ensures that the final image is still pin-sharp

Canon Drop-In CL Filter: This is a clear filter that’s used if you want to use the adapter without any of the above filter effects. Made from high-quality glass, it’s designed to effectively transmit light without any additional effects. This is useful if you want to have the option of using or not using the Drop-In filters without having the hassle of buying multiple adapters.

So the reality is that the best of both worlds truly is possible! We hope you’re encouraged to see the possibilities of shooting with EF glass and EOS R bodies, but if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team! You can email sales@fixationuk.com or call 020 7582 3294

CANON EOS R5 AND EOS R6

Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6

With the R5 and R6 Canon announced its biggest update to the mirrorless EOS R system to date. Two new full frame bodies: The 45 megapixel EOS R5 and the 20 megapixel EOS R6. Alongside the camera bodies Canon also announced four new RF mount lenses, and two teleconverters.

Both cameras are compatible with the Canon RF mount converters so you can use your stable of EF lenses with these new bodies.

[gdlr_stunning_text background_color=”#f3f3f3″ button=”Contact us” button_link=”/contact-us/” button_background=”#009bc1″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#009bc1″ title=”£200 Trade in Bonus” title_color=”#009bc1″ caption_color=”#a0a0a0″]Save on a new Canon EOS R5 or R6 when you trade-in any working interchangeable lens camera. Canon are offering a £200 trade-in bonus on top of the value of your traded in kit.
Contact our sales team for a free quote. Offer ends 14/07/2021
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To speak to the sales team about how these cameras can work for you, or to place an order, call our sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email sales@fixationuk.com

Full release info on the two camera bodies below. Read our article on the new Canon RF lenses.

Canon EOS R5: Photography without compromise

Launch Price: £4199

The Canon EOS R5 is a high resolution full-frame mirrorless camera body with high speed AF tracking technology pioneered in the EOS 1DX mark III. The EOS R5 is not only a stills machine, it can record up to 8k DCI video, and offers 4K recording up to 120fps for cinematic slow-motion footage. The camera is built around a magnesium alloy body, built to withstand heavy professional use. The Canon EOS R5 is built without compromise.

Canon EOS R5 key features
  • 45 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor : Capture extraordinary detail, right up to ISO 51,200
  • 20 fps : Silent electronic shutter. Shoot faster and capture the perfect moment.
  • Full Frame 8K RAW video : Superb resolution and dynamic range
  • 4K video up to 120fps : For outstanding slow motion effects
  • Up to 8 stop Image Stabilisation : Shoot handheld with very long shutter speeds
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in : For wireless LAN image transfer
  • Magnesium Alloy body and chassis

Canon EOS R6: High speed for every story

Launch Price: £2499

The Canon EOS R6 is a lower resolution body, with a higher sensitivity range. Ideal for low light photography and video. The in-body image stabilisation system works with Canon Image Stabilisation lenses to offer up to 8 stop stabilising power for smooth footage, and pin sharp images. The EOS R6 is compatible with the Canon RF lens range and the wider EF range (with a Canon mount adaptor) which makes up to 68 current full-frame optics available for limitless creative expression.

Canon EOS R6 key features
  • 20 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor : ISO up to 102,400 for superior low light images
  • High speed continuous shooting
  • 20fps Silent electronic shutter. 12fps Mechanical shutter
  • 4K UHD Video
  • Up to 8 stop IS
  • Shoot handheld with confidence
  • Magnesium alloy chassis with poly-carbonate body


For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call the sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

CANON RF TELEPHOTO AND PORTRAIT LENSES

Canon RF telephoto and portrait lenses

Today Canon announces its biggest update to the mirrorless EOS R system to date. Alongside two new full-frame bodies Canon has launched four new RF mount lenses, and two teleconverters. The Canon RF lens count is now 15 strong.

Read our close up article on the RF lenses vs EF lenses to discover the benefits of the RF system.

To speak to our sales team about how the lenses can work for you, or to put your name on our order list, call us on 0207 582 3294 or email sales@fixationuk.com

The Lenses released are:

RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM

Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro STM lens
RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM is perfect for portraiture, and features a wide F2 aperture for smooth backgrounds. There are wider f-stop 85mm lenses out there but the f2 is more lightweight and compact, only 500g and 78 x 90.5cm.
Beyond portraiture, the RF 85mm f2 has a close focus distance for capturing macro details and it also has in-lens image stabilisation.

Perfect for Portraits

85mm is a flattering focal length for portraits. You can shoot full-length and headshots from a comfortable distance, and your portraits will benefit from smooth background blur from the rounded 9-blade aperture that opens to f/2. The rounded aperture will make your subject stand out sharp against a smoother background.

Image Stabilisation

Canon has an IS system with a strong reputation. RF 85mm f2 macro IS STM offers 5 stops of compensation powered by the high speed communication between EOS R bodies and RF lenses, one of the key benefits of the R system. You will be able to choose longer exposures without motion blur affecting your final image.

0.5x Macro for stunning detail

Shoot clear close-ups with the close focusing distance of 35cm. Wedding photographers capturing a perfect glass of bubbly, diamond rings, flowers and fabrics. The sharpness of macro images is enhanced by the lens aperture closing to f/29. This increases the depth of field for edge to edge sharpness when shooting macro subjects. The maximum magnification is 0.5x

Lens control ring

The Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM lens has a lens control ring which allows direct control over Shutter speed, Aperture or ISO settings for quick changes without moving your hand from the lens.

RF 85mm f2 IS STM launch price £649
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call our sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

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RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM

Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM is the ultimate in flexible super-telephoto photography. It has the power to capture sport, wildlife and news images of the highest quality. The lens will go even further with the new 1.4x and 2.0x extenders released today as well. Ideal for a compact travel telephoto kit.

Image Stabilisation: A new benchmark

The five stop IS system helps ensure you create crisp images throughout the zoom range, to the full extension of 500mm. When combined with the EOS R5 and EOS R6 bodies with new IBIS systems, greater levels of stability are possible. Canon have stated that this lens surpasses the best technology in the EF (DSLR) lens range. We are excited to see this in action at Fixation as Canon IS lenses have long been known for their excellent image stabilisation system, used by stills photographers and videographers alike.

L-Series

Canon L-series lenses are built to the highest quality for professional use. Beyond the build the optical elements are made of the best possible materials including six UD (ultra-low dispersion) elements, one Super UD lens, and ASC (Air Sphere) optical coatings for unrivalled contrast and sharpness. The lens has dust and water seals, plus a heat shield coating to make it more durable in extreme conditions.

Dual Nano USM Focus Motor

The Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM lens has two focus motors. One drives the main focus mechanism and the second operates the floating elements which can move counter to the main focusing movement. Floating lens groups correct aberrations and allow for more compact optical designs. The dual motor system allows high speed focus, improved close focus and a relatively compact construction. The Nano USM motors are very precise for excellent locking and tracking focus for stills and video.

RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM launch price £2899
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call the Fixation sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

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RF 600mm f11 IS STM

Canon EF 600mm f11 IS STM lens shown fully extended and compact
The RF 600mm f11 IS STM lens is part of an interesting new range from Canon within the RF lineup. The 600mm and the 800mm announced today are super-telephoto prime lenses based on DO (Diffractive Optic) lens technology making compact and lightweight lenses that fill the frame with distant subjects.

Diffractive Optics

DO lenses use a fine fresnel lens developed by Canon. Through the use of DO elements Canon can create compact, lightweight lenses with controlled chromatic aberration. At only 930g this lens is a powerful and easily portable telephoto solution. Don’t worry about upgrading your kit bag for a longer lens, the RF 600mm f11 IS STM contracts when not in use to a portable 20cm.

Lens control ring

The Canon RF 600mm f11 STM lens has a control ring for intuitive adjustment of Shutter speed or ISO, without taking your hand from the lens.

A super telephoto lens for all

The very competitive price of this lens makes super-telephoto optics accessible to all photographers who need extra reach.

RF 600mm f11 IS STM launch price £749
The lens hood ET-88B (not included) is £58
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call our sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

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RF 800mm f11 IS STM

Canon RF 800mm f11 IS STM lens shown fully extended and compact
The RF 800mm f11 IS STM is in the same range as the RF 600mm f11 IS lens which was also announced today. Both lenses are incredibly lightweight, compact and affordable.

Image Stabilisation

Record rock-steady stills and video with a 4-stop IS system. The excellent image stabilisation, combined with a light weight of only 1260g, makes hand-held shooting possible.

Quiet STM motor

The STM motor in the RF 800mm f11 IS STM is smooth and quiet so it will not interfere with video recording, ideal for tracking focus while recording video footage of distant wildlife, birds or for aviation photography.

Extreme compact telephoto

When not in use the lens contracts to 281.8mm in length and weighs only 1260g. 800mm is an extremely long lens capable of filling a full frame sensor with distant subjects for safari, aircraft and travel images that benefit from the compression a telephoto lens offers.

RF 800mm f11 IS STM launch price £979
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call us on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

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Extender RF 1.4x

Canon Extender RF 1.4x teleconverter
Teleconverters or extenders increase the focal length of lenses. These special optics sit between the body and lens and bridge all communications so that focus and IS systems can operate unhindered.

Extend your vision

The Canon Extender RF 1.4x boosts the focal length of compatible lenses by 1.4x for additional reach. These accessories are a lightweight addition to a photography kit bag that breathes new possibility into capturing distant subjects.

Made for RF lenses

The Extender RF 1.4x is compatible with the RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM with a mechanism to limit the zoom range to 300-500mm so the optics do not come into contact at the shorter end of the zoom. The 100-500mm is then boosted to 420-600mm. Fixed focal length lenses the 600mm and 800mm reach to 840mm and 1120mm focal lengths respectively.

Extender RF 1.4x launch price £559
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call our sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

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Extender RF 2x

Canon Extender RF 2x teleconverter
Double the focal length of your telephoto lens with a 2x teleconverter or extender. The Canon Extender RF 2x is made for RF telephoto lenses, to extend your range of options and offer maximum reach.

RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L compatible

The Extender RF 2x safely limits the RF 100-500mm zoom range to 300-500mm to ensure the optics do not clash. The lens is then boosted to a 600-1000mm zoom range.

RF 800mm f11 IS STM Compatible

Boost the focal length of the new RF 800mm lens 2x to create a 1600mm f22

RF 600mm f11 IS STM Compatible

Turn the 600mm f11 into an 1200mm f22mm

Extender RF 1.4x launch price £699
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call the Fixation sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

FUJIFILM X-T4 MIRRORLESS DIGITAL CAMERA

Fujifilm X-T4 mirrorless digital camera

The Fujifilm X-T4 is a compact mirrorless camera body with a 26.1 megapixel, APS-C sensor. New materials and new technology are employed to make the X-T4 an amazing camera with in body image stabilisation and longer battery life.

Fujifilm state that the X-T4 is the pinnacle of the X series. The 26.1 megapixel APS-C sensor will reproduce excellent details while maintaining high continuous shooting speeds and high definition 4K video recording. The Fujifilm X-T4 has launched at £1,549 in black or silver. See it for yourself in our showroom on Friday. For more information or to place an order call the sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

New developments in detail:

New developments have been made to the: Shutter unit, AF Algorithm, image stabilisation (new to the X-T series), film simulation modes, camera battery.

IBIS – In Body Image Stabilisation

Highly anticipated, an IBIS system has been on the Fujifilm photographers’ wish list for a long time. The Fujifilm X-H1 had the first version of the technology for Fujifilm, but it required a larger chassis. The X-T4 is the first X-T series body to feature the technology and the newly designed sensor stabilisation is 8x more sensitive, 30% smaller and 20% lighter than the unit found in the X-H1.

The world’s fastest shutter

The new shutter in the Fujifilm X-T4 can shoot up to 15 frames per second, faster at the time of writing, than any other mirrorless APS-C or larger-sensor mirrorless camera. In normal use, when shooting with live-view, the fastest speed is 8 frames per second. The shutter’s shock-absorbing structure has been re-designed to aid the IBIS system’s stabilisation. The new shutter is 30% quieter than the X-T3, and it is more durable. The X-T4 shutter is rated up to 300,000 actuations.

AF Algorithm

Tracking AF has been dramatically enhanced with double the AF tracking success rate of the X-T3. The Face / Eye AF performance has also been improved in the X-T4. This enhanced tracking makes focussing and shooting portraits easier than ever before.

ETERNA bleach bypass

This new film simulation mode emulates an alternative colour film processing technique. The result is low saturation and high contrast images straight from the camera. The technique it is based on skips a bleaching stage in traditional colour film processing which would removes the silver (black and white) particles in the film adding more grain. Fujifilm digital cameras feature a wide range of film simulation options.

Battery Life

The FujiFilm X-T4 uses a new battery, the NP-W235 has 1.5x the capacity of the NP-W126s, which powered the X-T3. In Fujifilm tests the new battery will power the X-T4 for 500 frames per charge. The optional VG-XT4 battery-grip holds two additional batteries. This can increase the battery live to 1,700 frames.

For more information, to request a quote or to place an order call the sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

FLAGSHIP CAMERAS COMPARED FROM CANON, NIKON AND SONY image

Flagship Cameras Compared from Canon, Nikon and Sony

When Nikon announced their flagship DSLR the Nikon D6 following the Canon EOS 1DX mark III and the Sony A9 II, the “big three” camera manufacturers had each released a flagship full-frame camera body in the space of six months. In this article we compare the main specifications of all three bodies.

The Nikon D6, Sony A9 II and EOS 1Dx mark III compared

We have not yet had our hands on a Nikon D6 so cannot do a working comparison of the cameras. However, now the specifications are released, we can put the stats of each camera side by side. There are some similarities as the manufacturers compete for the same audience: The cameras all feature built in wifi connectivity as well as Ethernet ports for Wired LAN connections. The resolution is low across all bodies, they are made for fast and high quality image recording, and fast transmission which a low file-size helps with. Mirrorless technology is the main differentiation in the bodies with those brands adopting newer technologies achieving higher burst rates for continuous shooting – significant for sport photography in particular.

Full write ups on the cameras are on our blog for further reading:
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/nikon-launches-the-d6/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#FFE100″ color=”#000000″]Nikon D6: Feb 12th 2020[/gdlr_button]
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/canon-launches-the-eos-1dx-mark-iii/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#BF1920″ color=”#ffffff”]Canon EOS 1DX mark III: Jan 7th 2020[/gdlr_button]
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/sony-a9-mark-ii/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#FFA500″ color=”#000000″]Sony A9 II : Oct 3rd 2019[/gdlr_button]

 

Nikon D6Sony A9 IICanon EOS 1DX mark III
Camera TypeDSLRMirrorlessDSLR
Launch Price£6,299£4,799£6,499
Sensor SizeFull FrameFull FrameFull Frame
Resolution
(Megapixels)
20.824.220.1
Video (Max)4K UHD 30p
3840×2160
XAVC S 4K 30p
3840×2160
4K Raw 59.94fps
5496×2904
ISO Range100 – 102,400100 – 5,1200100 – 102,400
Extended ISO50 – 3,280,00050 – 204,80050 – 819,200
AF Points105693191
Shooting Rate14fps20fps16fps
Memory CardsDual XQD / CFexpressDual SD UHS-IIDual CFexpress
Lens MountNikon FSony-ECanon EF
USB PortUSB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)
HDMI PortMini HDMIMicro HDMIMini HDMI
LAN Terminal1000BASE-T Ethernet1000BASE-T Ethernet1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless LAN built-inYesYesYes
Weight (g)12706781440
Size WxHxD mm160 x 163 x 92129 x 96 x 76158 x 168 x 83
Battery life (CIPA rating)35806902850
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