Canon recently announced their newest cameras, the Canon EOS R5 and the Canon EOS R6 and I could not be more excited!   Photographers who have taken the leap and invested in the new mirrorless system may now be wondering whether they are able to continue to use their EF and EF-S lenses with their new camera.  Does using the new Canon mirrorless system require photographers to purchase all new RF lenses? 

The good news is, photographers can still use their EF and EF-S lenses on any of Canon’s new mirrorless cameras if they first purchase an adapter.  There are a few adapters available, two of which are the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. As the name indicates, the difference between the two is that the later features a control ring.  The control ring is an extra ring that photographers can program to function as they choose. This is the primary reason that I have chosen, and highly recommend, the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R as it allows me to use my old EF lenses in the same manner that I use my new RF lenses.

Canon’s new RF lenses not only have traditional focus and zoom rings (on zoom lenses), but they also feature a control ring. The lens’ control ring, among other uses, can be set to change the shutter speed, aperture, ISO, or focusing modes. I own two of the new RF lenses: the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 and the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro. Reviews for both lenses can be found here and here. On those lenses, I have set the control ring to ISO, thus, by rotating the control ring, I can increase or decrease the ISO. This feature is amazing!  It is not only convenient to use, but it feels very natural, and allows me to get the exposure right in camera.

When using my EF lenses alongside my new RF lenses, I want both to function in the same way to create a seamless experience when switching between lenses.  For example, when I use my Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L and then replace it with my Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II with the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, I am still able to change my ISO with the control ring.

It is because of this seamless experience when switching between EF and RF lenses that I highly recommend the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Though it costs about $100 more than the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, it is well worth it for the abilities that the control ring provides. The build quality of the adapter is also incredible! It is solid and there is no shake between the camera and the lens. When rotating the control ring, it has a very satisfying click to it.

The best news of all is that Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses will actually work better than ever when using them on the new Canon R system!  Because the new cameras are now focusing digitally using Dual Pixel CMOS II Technology and incorporating eye and body tracking abilities, the lenses will focus much more easily and accurately than they did when using a DSLR’s optical viewfinder!  All in all, the experience of using the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Canon’s EF and EF-S lenses with the new Canon mirrorless system has been seamless, and I highly recommend it to all photographers who have purchased the Canon EOS R, the Canon EOS R5, or the Canon EOS R6!

Additional accessories such as memory cards and a card reader for Canon’s new cameras, along with the gear mentioned in this post can be found at the links below. *Purchasing items through these links will help support us as we continue to share additional resources and education for photographers.

• Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
• Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
• Canon EOS R
• Canon EOS R5
• Canon EOS R6
• Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro
• Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II
• CF Express Memory Card
• CF Express Card Reader
• Sandisk SD Card

For a video review on the Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, check out our YouTube review:

* Shane Long Photography Affiliate Disclaimer: In an effort to be completely transparent, we want you to know that links to the products mentioned in these reviews are affiliate links, meaning that when you click on one of the links and make a purchase, we earn a small commission at absolutely no additional cost to you!  We greatly appreciate your support, and any profit brought in through these affiliate links will be reinvested in providing additional education and resources to our fellow photographers!  While we do not have direct affiliation to any of the products or services mentioned on this site, we stand 100% behind the products that we recommend!  We will never link to products that we do not believe will benefit other photographers.  Thank you so much for visiting our blog and for your support to our family!