Can I use Canon EF Lenses on my Canon EOS 450D

Most Canon digital SLR cameras can mount two different types of lenses. These different mount types are called the Canon EF Lens, and the Canon EF-S Lens (also often called Canon EFS Lenses). Most Canon dSLR cameras can mount both types of lenses, however there are some digital SLR's from Canon that can only mount the Canon EF Lens.

The good news is that your Canon EOS 450D camera can mount both types of Canon lenses however there are some important differences between the two lens types that may well have an influence on which lenses you decide to buy.

Differences between Canon EF Lenses and Canon EF-S Lenses

The Canon EF Lenses are designed to work with the more expensive Canon dSLR cameras such as the Canon 5D and Canon 1D Mk III. These cameras are known as 'full frame' cameras which means they match the older film dSLR's that took photographs on 35mm film. What this means is the image you see through the camera's viewfinder when using a 'full frame' camera is the image that is actually transferred to the camera's memory file and can then be printed or saved at a later date.

Canon EF-S lenses are designed to work with the less expensive Canon dSLR's such as the Canon 450D, Canon 1000D and Canon 50D. These digital camera's do not shoot in full frame mode but instead use a 'crop ratio' that actually removes a part of the image you see when looking through the viewfinder when you take the photograph if you're using an EF lens. The Canon EF-S lenses are already pre-built to take this crop ratio into account so the image you see when using an EF-S lens on your Canon 450D is the image that is saved to the camera's memory file.

Canon EF Lenses are more expensive than EF-S Lenses

Another factor when considering which Canon lens to purchase is that the Canon EF Lenses are generally more expensive than the equivalent EF-S Lenses. This increased cost takes into account the larger focal frame of the lens as well as other factors such as the speed of the lens and noise during operation.

Which lens type is better for my Canon 450D?

The answer to this question all depends on where you see yourself going with your digital photography. By purchasing a Canon 450D dSLR you've already made the decision to step beyond what a standard compact digital camera can do into the exciting world of SLR photography. If you see yourself continuing to develop your photography skills with the possibility of becoming a professional or semi-pro photographer one day then you will eventually outgrow your Canon 450D and consequently may wish to invest your money at this stage in the more expensive Canon EF lenses from the beginning.

However if you are unsure where your photography hobby is going at this stage, or don't envisage having the financial muscle to purchase expensive camera lenses in the future then the less expensive Canon EF-S lenses may be a more viable choice at this stage. Perhaps you see your Canon 450D as just a super charged camera for general use? If this is the case then you probably won't make a big investment in additional lenses.

Should I buy EF or EF-S lenses?

Let's remember that the Canon 450D is designed to work best with the Canon EF-S lenses and these are less expensive than the EF lenses. If you use a Canon EF lens on your Canon 450D you'll lose part of the image when you take the photograph. Generally this cropping effect may have little or no effect on you however if you're serious about your photography then you may lose important elements of your photograph.

In the end it all comes down to what you want from your photography. I have stuck with EF-S lenses for my Canon 450D at this stage as I don't see myself spending the thousands necessary on either the more expensive EF lenses or the full frame camera's such as the Canon 5D MKII. This isn't to say that at some point in the future I wouldn't do this, in fact I'd love to own a Canon 5D or above but should I do this my investment in EF-S lenses would not be transferable.