Photography and Canon Basics
My Canon Camera
- Used Canon EOS r50v as reference
- YouTube ref
Mounts
Canon uses two main types of lens mounts for its interchangeable-lens cameras: EF Mount (for DSLRs) and RF Mount (for mirrorless cameras).
| Feature | EF Mount | RF Mount |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 1987 | 2018 |
| Designed For | DSLR Cameras (with mirrors) | Mirrorless Cameras (no mirrors) |
| Flange (Sensor-to-Mount) Distance | 44mm | 20mm (shorter for compact design) |
| Communication Pins | 8 | 12 (faster data transfer) |
| Compatibility | EF & EF-S lenses | RF, RF-S, and EF (with adapter) |
| Autofocus Performance | Fast (older tech) | Faster and more precise |
| Typical Cameras | EOS 5D, 6D, 90D, Rebel series | EOS R, R5, R6, RP, R10 |
NOTE
EF lenses can be used on RF mounts via an adapter, but RF lenses cannot be used on EF mounts.
This is because RF lenses are designed to sit closer to the sensor (thanks to mirrorless design), and EF bodies (which have mirrors) can't support that. The EF-to-RF adapter, on the other hand, simply fills that space gap and maintains communication between the camera and lens on RF camera bodies.
Sensor Size
Canon cameras mainly come in two sensor formats: Full Frame and APS-C (Crop Sensor). Each affects how your photos look, how lenses behave, and how much light the camera can capture.
The APS-C sensor is smaller and so it captures a smaller portion of the image projected by the lens.
A 50mm lens on a Canon APS-C camera gives a field of view equivalent to an 80mm lens on a Full Frame camera.
| Feature | Full Frame Sensor | APS-C (Crop) Sensor |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 36mm × 24mm (same as 35mm film) | ~22.3mm × 14.9mm |
| Crop Factor | 1.0x (no crop) | 1.6x (zooms in slightly) |
| Field of View | Wider | Narrower (due to crop) |
| Low-Light Performance | Better (larger pixels) | Moderate |
| Depth of Field | Shallower (better subject isolation and blur) | Deeper (more image in focus) |
| Camera Examples | EOS R5, R6, 5D Mark IV | EOS R10, R50, 90D, Rebel T8i |
| Ideal For | Professional work, landscapes, portraits | Travel, wildlife, beginners |
NOTE
- Full Frame lenses (EF/RF) can be used on both Full Frame and APS-C bodies.
- APS-C lenses (EF-S/RF-S), however, can only be used on APS-C cameras because they project a smaller image circle that doesn’t fully cover a Full Frame sensor — this would result in dark corners (vignetting).
Image Stabilization
Image Stabilization (IS) reduces blur from camera shake — crucial when shooting handheld, especially in low light or at long focal lengths. Canon uses different stabilization systems across its cameras and lenses.
| Type | Description | Found In | Works With | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optical IS (Lens-based) | Physical movement of lens elements to counteract shake | Many EF & RF lenses | Any camera body | Reliable, no image quality loss | Adds cost & weight to lenses |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Sensor shifts to compensate for movement | EOS R5, R6, R7, R8, etc. | All lenses | Works even with non-stabilized lenses | Can increase body size/cost |
| Digital IS | Software-based stabilization (cropping & correction) | Mostly in video mode | Any lens or camera | Useful for handheld video | Slight loss of image quality due to crop |
TIP
The best results come when Optical IS and IBIS work together, offering up to 7–8 stops of shake reduction in some Canon mirrorless models.
Exposure Triangle
TBD
Modes
TBD
Topics to Cover
- VND filter
- Focal Length
- USM, STM, VCM, Nano USM, L Series
- Macro lens
- Telephoto lens
- Zoom lens
- Fish Eye lens
- Astro Photography
- Weather-sealed
- Drip Resistance