Canon EF Lenses

76 interactive lens diagrams

Canon EOS SLR and DSLR mount, introduced in 1987 | 35 mm film and full-frame digital, with APS-C EF-S lenses using the same register but a deeper rear envelope

Canon EF was a decisive break from the mechanical FD system. Every aperture and focus command is electronic, and autofocus motors live in the lens rather than the camera body. That architecture let Canon introduce ring-type USM telephotos, image-stabilized lenses, diffractive-optics experiments, and a broad professional DSLR lens family without maintaining older mechanical couplings.

The mount's 54 mm throat and 44 mm SLR flange distance make it a classic full-frame reflex platform: generous enough for fast L-series primes and telephotos, but still constrained by mirror clearance for wide-angle designs. EF-S later used the same register and an EF-derived interface for APS-C cameras, but EF-S lenses could project farther into the mirror box and were mechanically keyed away from full-frame bodies. That distinction matters when a patent formula is EF-compatible in one version and crop-only in another.

EF is also a good example of a camera maker treating the lens as a controlled electromechanical module. Ultrasonic motors, optical stabilization, electronic diaphragms in later lenses, and distance reporting could evolve without changing the basic bayonet. In this catalog, EF lenses represent Canon's mature autofocus SLR era before the shorter-flange RF mirrorless system, and they are especially useful for comparing late reflex optical correction against mirrorless successors that no longer need to preserve the same back-focus envelope.

Mount interface

Flange focal distance 44 mm, bayonet mount. 0° at 12 o'clock from the camera front; the lens-side view is the horizontal mirror. Dotted strokes mark photo-scaled or schematic (not-to-scale) dimensions.

Canon EF mount — camera-side front view (base)Canon EF bayonet mount, camera-side front view. Flange focal distance 44 mm, nominal throat 54 mm. Profile canon-ef/base.
Camera-side front
Canon EF mount — lens-side rear view (base)Canon EF bayonet mount, lens-side rear view. Flange focal distance 44 mm, nominal throat 54 mm. Profile canon-ef/base.
Lens-side rear
Throat / openingMount ringBayonet lug / slotLock pin / notchIndex markElectrical contactScrews / sealsDatum & axis
CANON EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM13 ELEMENTS / 10 GROUPS, 100-300mm MARKETED, PATENT EX. 3: 103.35-291.85mmCANON EF 100-300mm f/5.615 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, 100-300mm f/5.6 (MARKETED), PATENT STATES: 69 / 100 / 198 / 290 mmCANON EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM21 ELEMENTS / 16 GROUPS, PATENT ZOOM POINTS 102.79-389.03 mm, MODELED EFL 102.758-388.939 mmCANON EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM17 ELEMENTS / 14 PHYSICAL GROUPS, PATENT f = 102.68 / 161.53 / 389.19 mm, PATENT FNO = 4.6 / 5.1 / 5.8CANON EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM15 elements / 12 groups, f = 99.996 mm design, F/2.92 design, f/2.8 marketedCANON EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro10 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, 100mm f/2.8 (marketed), F/2.89 DESIGNCANON EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM16 elements / 11 groups, 11-24 mm f/4 marketed; 11.33-23.28 mm F/4.12 patent design, 4 aspherical elements / 4 aspherical surfacesCANON EF 135mm f/2 L USM10 ELEMENTS / 8 GROUPS, 135 mm f/2 (marketing), f = 133.495 mm / F2.0598 (design)CANON EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus7 ELEMENTS / 6 GROUPS, 135.043 mm DESIGN EFL, f/3.341 SHARP / f/2.8 SOFTCANON EF 14mm f/2.8 L USM14 ELEMENTS / 10 GROUPS, f = 14.201 mm, F/2.8 (DESIGN 1:2.892)CANON EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye8 ELEMENTS / 7 GROUPS, PATENT F = 15.3 mm, TRACED EFL = 15.2865 mmCANON EF 180mm f/3.5 L Macro USM14 ELEMENTS / 12 GROUPS, 180mm f/3.5 MARKETED, f = 180.009 mm / f/3.6 DESIGNCANON EF 20-35mm f/2.8 L15 elements / 12 groups, 20.6-34.0 mm design zoom, f/2.8CANON EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4×24 ELEMENTS / 19 GROUPS (PATENT ACTIVE; REAR FILTER EXCLUDED), 200–400mm f/4 MARKETED, 205.00–389.99 mm / f/4.12 PATENT DESIGNCANON EF 200mm f/1.8 L USM10 POWERED ELEMENTS / 8 GROUPS (PATENT CORE), f ≈ 200.017 mm, f/1.86 PATENT DESIGNCANON EF 200mm f/2 L IS USM17 elements / 12 groups incl. filter; 16 powered elements rendered, f = 194.991 mm design; 200 mm marketed, F/2.05 design; f/2.0 marketedCANON EF 20mm f/2.8 USM11 elements / 9 groups, Patent EFL 20.498624 mm; retained at printed scale, f/2.8 marketed; f/2.9 patent designCANON EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM18 elements / 13 groups, 24-70 mm f/2.8 marketed; 24.70-67.88 mm F/2.91 patent design, 3 aspherical elements / 4 aspherical surfacesCANON EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM16 elements / 13 groups, 24.90-68.14 mm patent design, f/2.8 nominal; F2.92 designCANON EF 24mm f/1.4 L II USM13 ELEMENTS / 10 GROUPS, f = 24.539 mm (DESIGN), f/1.4 MARKETED; f/1.45 PATENTCANON EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM11 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, PATENT f = 24.6 mm, F/1.45, 2ω = 82.7°, 1 UD ELEMENT / 1 GROUND ASPHERICAL ELEMENTCANON EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM15 ELEMENTS / 12 GROUPS, PATENT EFL 28.903-101.333 mm, PATENT f/3.63-4.67CANON EF 28-105mm f/4-5.610 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, PATENT 28.91-101.32mm, MARKETED 28-105mm f/4-5.6CANON EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM16 elements / 12 groups, 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 marketed; 28.891-131.182mm patent design, 135 full-frame / Canon EFCANON EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM16 GLASS SUBSTRATES / 12 GROUPS, DESIGN 28.92-193.14 mm, MODELED f/3.63-5.88CANON EF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 II10 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, DESIGN EFL 29.083-67.894 mm, DESIGN f/3.6-4.6CANON EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II10 ELEMENTS / 10 GROUPS, COMPUTED EFL 28.9689-76.9612 mm, PATENT f/3.46-5.88CANON EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 II USM10 elements / 8 air-spaced groups, 28-90mm f/4-5.6, Canon EF / 135 formatCANON EF 28mm f/2.85 ELEMENTS / 5 GROUPS, f = 28.219 mm (MODELED), F/2.8CANON EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM9 ELEMENTS / 7 GROUPS, DESIGN f = 28.60 mm, DESIGN F/2.86CANON EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM15 ACTIVE ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS, MODELED EFL ≈ 293.600 mm, MODELED F/2.9CANON EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM11 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, 35 mm MARKETED / 34.2948 mm DESIGN, f/1.4 MARKETED / f/1.45 DESIGNCANON EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM15 ACTIVE ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS (G FILTER EXCLUDED), PATENT f = 392.15 mm; COMPUTED EFL 392.2607 mm, PATENT F/2.90 / MARKETED 400mm f/2.8CANON EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS III USM16 active elements / 12 groups (rear filter omitted), Patent f = 392.00 mm; traced EFL = 391.938 mm, Design F/2.90; 2ω = 6.32°CANON EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM400mm f/2.8 (marketed), Patent f = 392.15 mm, F/2.9, 17 elements / 13 groups marketed; 16 / 12 modeled after rear-filter omissionCANON EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USMUS 2002/0015231 A1 — Example 1, 15 modeled elements / 11 active groups, Design f = 392.025 mm, F/4.12CANON EF 40mm f/2.8 STM6 ELEMENTS / 4 GROUPS, f ≈ 39.0 mm, F/2.8CANON EF 500mm f/4 L IS USM15 MODELED ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS, PATENT f = 490.56 mm; ARRAY EFL ≈ 491.36 mm, F/4.1 DESIGN / f/4 MARKETEDCANON EF 50mm f/1.0 L USM11 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, f ≈ 50.0 mm, F/1.0CANON EF 600mm f/4 L IS II USM15 ACTIVE ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS, f = 584.82 mm (MODELED), F/4.12 DESIGNCANON EF 600mm f/4 L IS III USM17 ELEMENTS / 13 GROUPS PRODUCTION; 16 / 12 ACTIVE MODEL, 600mm f/4 MARKETED, f ≈ 587.93 mm / F4.12 DESIGNCANON EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM15 modeled elements / 11 groups, Patent f = 585.20 mm; computed EFL ≈ 585.328 mm, Design F/4.12; marketed f/4CANON EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM23 elements / 19 groups, Patent f = 72.14-193.97 mm, Patent FNO = 2.9; marketed f/2.8CANON EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM19 elements / 14 groups, 72.20–290.00 mm design EFL, f/4.20–5.86 design apertureCANON EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM17 ELEMENTS / 14 AIR-SPACED ASSEMBLIES, 7 FUNCTIONAL ZOOM GROUPS, DESIGN 72.10-290.07 mmCANON EF 8-15mm f/4 L Fisheye USM14 elements / 11 groups, 8-15 mm marketed; 8.05-15.14 mm design, f/4 marketed; F/4.12 patent designCANON TS-E 135mm f/4L MACRO11 elements / 7 groups, f = 132.97 mm design (135 mm marketed), F/4.05 design (f/4 marketed)CANON TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MACRO12 elements / 9 groups, f = 51.40 mm design, F/2.88 design; marketed f/2.8CANON TS-E 90mm f/2.8L MACRO11 elements / 9 groups, Patent f = 55.986 mm; scaled ×1.60754, Computed scaled EFL ≈ 89.96 mmLAOWA 15mm f/4 Wide Angle 1:1 Macro12 ELEMENTS / 9 GROUPS, f = 16.00 mm, F/4.1LAOWA 24mm f/14 2× Macro Probe27 ELEMENTS / 19 GROUPS, f ≈ 23.7 mm, F/14MINOLTA AF 28-75mm f/2.8 (D)28-75mm f/2.8, 16 elements / 14 groups, 4 hybrid aspherical surfacesSIGMA 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art17 elements / 12 groups, f = 101.85 mm design, F1.46 design / f/1.4 nominalSIGMA 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM | Art17 elements / 11 groups, 14.50-23.15 mm design, F2.93 design / F2.8 marketedSIGMA 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art15 elements / 11 groups, Patent f = 20.69 mm, Patent F1.46; marketed F1.4SIGMA 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM | Art9 elements / 8 groups, f = 30.785 mm design, F1.4 marketed / F1.46 designSIGMA 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art13 elements / 11 groups, f = 35.16 mm design, F1.45 design / F1.4 marketedSIGMA 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art13 elements / 8 groups, f = 49.58 mm design, F1.4 nominal / F1.46 designSIGMA 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art14 ELEMENTS / 12 GROUPS, f ≈ 83.4 mm, F/1.46SIGMA APO Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM16 elements / 11 groups, 105 mm marketed; 101.71 mm design, F2.8 marketed; F2.91 designSIGMA APO MACRO 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM19 elements / 13 groups, f = 149.99 mm design / 150 mm nominal, F2.92 design / F2.8 nominalSIGMA APO Macro 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM19 elements / 14 groups, 180 mm f/2.8 marketed; 174.60 mm f/2.92 design, 0.47 m MFD / 1:1 macroTAMRON 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD16 ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS, 18-400mm MARKETING / 18.5105-389.00mm PATENT, MODELED F/3.4059-6.4828TAMRON 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD19 ELEMENTS / 15 GROUPS, 28-300mm marketed; 28.776-291.262mm patent states, FNO 3.628 / 3.628 / 6.459 modeledTAMRON AF 28-200mm SUPER XR f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical [IF] MACRO28-200mm marketing / 29.07-193.0mm patent design, 15 PHYSICAL LENS PIECES / 14 GROUPS, 3 COMPOSITE ASPHERICAL LENSESTAMRON AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO28-300mm marketed / 28.9958-289.5284mm modeled, f/3.5-6.3 marketed / f/3.5000-6.5122 modeled wide-open, 13 groups / 15 physical lens piecesTAMRON SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD (A011)20 ELEMENTS / 13 GROUPS, PATENT ZOOM POINTS 152.1633-582.5200 mm, MODELED F/4.99415-6.54062TAMRON SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD17 physical elements / 12 groups (18 modeled media), 24.7-67.799 mm design / 24-70 mm marketed, F/2.9 design / f/2.8 marketedTAMRON SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD23 ELEMENTS / 17 GROUPS, 70-200mm f/2.8 (MARKETING), 71.800-194.500mm F/2.90 (PATENT DESIGN)TAMRON SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD17 ELEMENTS / 12 GROUPS, DESIGN 71.75–292.00mm, MODELED f/4.122–5.853TAMRON SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (F004)14 ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS, f = 92.556 mm (COMPUTED), F/2.89 DESIGN / f/2.8 MARKETEDTAMRON SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD [IF] MACRO 1:1 (B01)14 ELEMENTS / 11 GROUPS, PATENT f = 176.9587 mm; DATA SCALED TO 180 mm, F/3.5 (PATENT FNO 3.536)TAMRON SP AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD [IF]13 ELEMENTS / 10 GROUPS, 200-500mm f/5-6.3, 2 LD ELEMENTSTAMRON SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO16 ELEMENTS / 14 GROUPS, DESIGN f = 28.87-72.65 mm, DESIGN F/2.91TAMRON SP AF 60mm f/2 Di II LD [IF] MACRO 1:1 (G005)14 ELEMENTS / 10 GROUPS, 60mm f/2 (MARKETED), f = 61.500mm, FNO. = 2.06 (PATENT)TAMRON SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD [IF] MACRO18 ELEMENTS / 13 GROUPS, 70-200mm f/2.8 (MARKETING), 71.50-194.00mm F/2.88 (PATENT DESIGN)