Controls and features Canon EF lens mount

an ef lens showing different controls , features

canon ef lenses typically have number of controls, switches , physical features, used photographer control lens. types , number of controls can vary lens lens. basic lenses having few, complex having on dozen different controls , switches.

this list of different controls , switches found on canon ef lenses, along detailed description on used for.

lens mount index: marking found on ef lenses. used matching ef lens mount mount on eos body, 1 can connect lens body quickly. on ef lenses, raised, round red mark, while on ef-s lenses square white mark.

focusing ring: control, found on ef lenses, used focusing lens. ring on lens body, can turned. on lenses, such canon ef-s 18-55mm lens, inner lens barrel.

zoom ring: control found on ef zoom lenses. used changing focal length of lens. zoom ring has certain, common, focal lengths marked on it. set zoom ring given focal length, 1 must turn ring marked focal length matches zoom index. zoom index typically white, or black, line found next zoom ring.

distance scale of ef lens

distance scale window: feature found on many ef lenses. feature, while not control or switch, useful photographer determining, or setting, lens s focus distance. used in conjunction focusing ring. when rotated, distance scale rotate show changing focus distance. on lenses distance scale has infrared index. these shown red markings below distance scale. used making focus adjustments when photographer doing infrared photography, lenses typically focus infrared light @ different point visible light, , therefore achieving correct focus using visible light result in out-of-focus infrared image. make adjustment, first focus subject, turn focusing ring matches corresponding infrared index mark.

focus mode, , focusing range switches

focus mode switch: switch found on ef lenses have autofocus feature. used setting lens either autofocus mode, or manual focus. when set autofocus mode (af), lens autofocus when directed camera. when set manual focus (mf), lens focused using focusing ring. lenses support full-time manual focusing (ft-m), allows photographer focus lens manually mode switch set af, without damaging lens (as happen if lens without ft-m manually focused while in af mode).

focusing distance range limiter switch: switch found on longer focal length lenses, , macro lenses. used limiting focusing distance range of lens when using in autofocus mode. lenses have 2 settings; these full focus range (from minimum focus distance infinity), , distant focus range (from halfway point of focus range infinity). other lenses have 3 settings, additional setting being near focus range (from minimum focus distance halfway point of focus range). longer focal length lenses , macro lenses have relatively long travel distance focusing mechanism inside lens; feature shortens autofocus time. when photographer knows not need part of focus distance range, limiting shorten autofocus time, , possibly prevent focus hunting .

soft focus ring: ring found on 135 mm soft focus prime lens, , enables variable soft focus effect sharp (0) soft (2), although has little effect when used apertures on f/5.6. although ring can set position, 2 stops implemented @ positions 1 , 2.

both types of image stabilizer switches

image stabilizer switch: switch found on ef lenses feature image stabilizer. used turning image stabilizer on ( | ), or off ( o ).

image stabilizer mode switch: switch found on many ef lenses feature image stabilizer, particularly of longer focal lengths. switch has 2 settings on lenses: mode 1 , mode 2. newest mark ii versions of ef super telephoto lenses (the 300mm f/2.8l, 400mm f/2.8l, 500mm f/4l, , 600mm f/4l), plus 200–400mm f/4l , 100–400mm f/4–5.6l ii, have third setting, mode 3. mode 1 normal mode, used typical photography, subject not move. mode 2 used panning; useful sports or wildlife photography, subject moves , 1 need pan. mode 3, intended track action, similar mode 2 in ignores panning; however, applies stabilization when shutter released—the viewfinder image not stabilized. 1 should not use mode 1 panning typically cause blurred photographs; image stabilizer attempt correct motion, including panning motion, cannot due limited range of motion of mechanism. older lenses have image stabilizer, not feature switch, permanently in mode 1. newer lenses, such canon ef-s 18-200mm lens, able detect if being panned in either axis , automatically disable stabilization axis parallel movement , therefore not require switch.

autofocus stop buttons: these buttons found on super telephoto ef lenses, evenly spaced around front collar of lens. used temporarily stopping autofocus feature of lens. 1 button needs pressed activate feature. use button, 1 must first have autofocus active, when 1 wishes halt autofocus, 1 presses , holds button. resume autofocus, 1 releases button. newer bodies allow these buttons assigned perform other functions; instance, canon eos 7d allows photographer set these buttons perform of 6 functions.

focus preset: focus preset feature found on super telephoto ef lenses. focus preset feature uses 1 switch, 1 button, , 1 ring. used presetting given focus distance memory, photographer can recall focus distance, without need autofocus. switch has 3 settings off ( o ), on ( | ), or on sound ( ((- ), , used turning on feature, , deciding if sound desired. set button used saving focus distance memory. focus preset ring used recalling memory save point. thin knurled ring, located in front of focusing ring. use feature, 1 must set switch either on or on sound , focus lens desired distance, press set button. after this, when feature turned on, photographer can turn focus preset ring, , lens recall , focus distance saved. feature useful sports , birding photography (for instance, allow rapid focusing on goal or on spot birds may perch).

rear gel filter holder on ef lens

filter mounting: mount used attaching filters ef lenses. there 3 types: front threaded mount, inner drop-in mount, , rear gelatin holders. front threaded filters used on lenses, , attached threading , tightening filter. inner, drop-in filter mounts used on super telephoto ef lenses. attached first pressing 2 buttons on filter mount, , pulling out. either round threaded filter attached, or 1 can use gelatin filter. rear gelatin filter holders used cutting out sheet of gelatin, size shown on of lens , sliding holder. filter mounts useful types of photography, , every ef lens has either 1 or 2 of 3 types used.

lens hood mount: feature found on ef lenses. mount used attaching lens hood. hood mount of bayonet style on ef lenses, though clip-on style hood mount used small selection of current lenses.

tripod collar: feature found on longer focal length lenses, , macro lenses. tripod collar used attaching tripod ring. there 2 main styles of tripod rings. 1 type opened up, placed on lens tripod collar, closed , tightened. other type not open, instead slid lens mount end (which can done when lens not mounted on camera body) , tightened. set tripod ring level lens, rotate ring until index mark on tripod ring matches index mark on distance scale. tripod ring used attaching tripod/monopod near point of balance of lens-body combination, more conveniently camera body. in case of larger , heavier lenses, there less strain on lens mount if body supported tripod-mounted lens if lens supported tripod-mounted body.