Noob technical lens compatibility question.. (canon lenses)

[ematic]

Hi folks. I will keep this short, so we can get to the point.

I have a rather large SLR 35mm collection. I am selling most (shameless plug), but have decided to keep one body and one lens. (just for fun). Its just a Canon EOS 3000 package with the EF 28-85mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens. (not the pro stuff, I know, but I shoot with what I can afford!)

Anyway, so here's my question. I am intending on purchasing a good DSLR soon, and I am set on either a Canon 7D or even a 5D Mk II (used probably). I have been pinching pennies, and this is sort of a little dream of mine.

Now, while I get the body, I will probably have to save a little to get myself the lens I want for it as well (Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8).

For the time being, if I buy the body, does anyone know if I can use the 28-85mm lens with either of the two bodies as a temporary way of snapping pics and learning the camera, before I drop the cash on the better lens??

Meaning, I have no idea how many connectors there are in the 7D or 5D body, and if all the functions will work, etc.

(to tide me over, so to speak).

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[PJL]

Here's how it works:

A 1.6 crop frame sensor digital camera (the Canon 7D or cheaper) can use any Canon EOS glass, EF or EF-S.

The 1.3 crop frame sensor or full frame sensor digital cameras (5D, 1D, and 1Ds series) can only take EF series glass.

So your old EOS EF series lenses will work on any current Canon digital, but if you opt for the 5Dm2, the EF-S lens you're looking at will not work with it.

 

[Big Mike]

Yes...PLJ nailed it.

Any EF lens will work with any EOS camera...film or digital. EF-S lenses are made to work only with some digital bodies (7D, 60D, Rebels etc).

A short explanation of the 'crop factor' may be prudent at this point.
Lenses project an image circle into a camera. The film or digital sensor record that image. Most DSLR cameras have a digital sensor that is smaller than 35mm film, so when the lens was designed to cover something the size of 35mm film (EF lenses), the digital sensor only 'sees' the middle section of the image circle...and the edges are cropped off by the camera. For Canon cameras (7D and lower), the factor is 1.6. That means that if you use a 50mm lens on a 7D, it will feel like an 80mm lens did on your film camera.
This also means that your 28-85mm lens, when used on a 7D (or 60D, rebel etc) will 'feel' like a 45-128mm lens. That's great if you like tighter shots, but it sucks if you like a wider angle of view.
That's why EF-S lenses tend to be shorter/wider lenses. The EF-S 17-55mm, on a 7D, would give you the same view that your 28-85mm gives you on your film camera.
Note that using these 'crop bodies' doesn't actually give you a longer focal length...it just crops the edges of the image circle, giving you a narrower field of view.

 

[ematic]

You guys are awesome! Thanks for that, I was not aware of the EF-S not working with the 7D. (typo: I meant to type 5D here)

So I would be better off going with (later on), a Canon EF 24-70mm Lens for it to be compatible with all bodies, correct?

Alrighty, so my current EF lens would (for now) work with whatever I choose from the EOS family.... Good news!

Thanks again! If anyone wants to add anything else, feel free to shoot!

 

[enzodm]

You guys are awesome! Thanks for that, I was not aware of the EF-S not working with the 7D.

No: EF-S does not work with 5D, but it works with 7D.

 

[ematic]

WOOPS! TYPO! I meant to type 5D! Sorry, good thing you caught that there (too man letters and numbers)