Canon photo FAQ

This is miniature photo FAQ with information mainly about Canon products.

Last updated September 17 2012.


Camera bodies:

Lenses:

Software:

Links:


A.1 What is the maximum size of memory card I can use in my camera?

Note: A SD card which follows the SD standard fully is max 2 GB.

* Including cards over 8 GB in size. ** Supports UDMA. *** Supports UHS-1.


A.2 My Canon camera suddenly creates pictures with the filename _MG_nnnn.JPG or _MG_nnnn.CR2. Why?

According to the DCF- and EXIF-standards a leading underscore shall replace the first letter in the filename when the picture is stored with AdobeRGB color space. The default setting for Canon digital cameras is sRGB color space and the pictures are saved with the filenames IMG_nnnn.JPG and IMG_nnnn.CR2 respectively.

The content of RAW image files are not affected by the color space setting in the camera.


A.3 Where do I find firmware updates to my camera?

On this page you find firmware updates to all Canon EOS DSLRs as well as wireless transmitters.


A.4 Can my Canon camera benefit from Sandisk Extreme IV CF cards?

Sandisk Extreme IV CF cards supports a new transferring protocol called UDMA. Currently, the only Canon DSLRs which can utilize UDMA is the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, EOS 1D Mark IV, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 7D and the EOS 50D. The 1Ds Mark III is almost twice as fast writing files to a Extreme IV CF card than to a Extreme III CF card. For all other Canon camera bodies the Extreme III CF cards are fast enough.

Note: It might be worth getting a Extreme IV CF card if your computer have a CF card reader which supports UDMA transfer even though your camera will not benifit from the extra speed.


A.5 Naming of Canon consumer DSLRs in different regions


B.1 Do I need to turn of IS when the camera/lens is mounted on a tripod?

The following Canon lenses are equipped with an older version of IS which is not suited for usage with camera mounted on a tripod. IS should be manually disabled when mounted on tripod to avoid blurry images.

When using modern IS lenses (for example 24-105/4 L IS USM, 28-300/3.5-5.6 L IS USM, 70-200/2.8 L IS USM, 70-400/4 L IS USM, 70-300/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, 300/2.8 L IS USM, 400/2.8 L IS USM, 400/4 DO IS USM, 500/4 L IS USM and 600/4 L IS USM) it's not necessary to turn of IS as the lens detects the stable environment and automatically deactivates IS. Turning of IS manually has the advantage of saving camera battery.


B.2 Black Canon L-series EF lenses

Some people try to avoid the white Canon L-series lenses. This is a list of black L-series lenses.

Prime lenses:

Zoom lenses:


B.3 Which EF lenses are resistant to dust and moisture?

The following Canon EF lenses are resistant to dust and moisture.

Prime lenses:

Zoom lenses:

Tele converters:

* These lenses are only dust and moisture resistant if a front filter is attached.


B.4 IS-generation of Canon lenses

When a camera/lens using IS generation 1 is mounted on a tripod, IS should be turned off.

Generation 1:

Generation 2:

Generation 3:

Generation 4:

Hybrid IS:

* Automatically switches between mode 1 and 2.
** Detects if tripod is used.


B.5 Alternative hood for the EF 17-40/4 L USM


B.6 Which Canon cameras accepts Canons, Sigma's, Tamron's and Tokina's APS-C lenses?

Canon lenses for camera bodies with APS-C sensors are equipped with a special mount which is called EF-S. This mount was introduced with the camera model 300D. The reason for the new mount is to prevent accidental mounting of a EF-S lens on a camera with a full 35 mm sensor. Cameras equipped with EF-S mount also have an ordinary EF mount. The following cameras have EF-S mount:

Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses made for cameras with APS-C sensors are equipped with the ordinary EF mount. They can be used with all Canon cameras which have a APS-C size sensor:

The manufacturers use the following terms to distinguish the APS-C lenses from the lenses which can illuminate a full 35 mm sensor:

The DC, Di II and DX lenses can be mounted on cameras with a full 35 mm sensor but they will not illuminate the whole sensor at all focal lengths which will create major vignetting.


C.1 Adobe Camera Raw camera support

List of Canon cameras with information about required version of Camera Raw and Lightroom:

Camera Raw compatibility with different Photoshop versions:

* Sold separately - no download available.


C.2 Pixmantec RawShooter Essentials camera support

The last version of Pixmantec RawShooter Essentials 2006 which is available (version 1.2.1) supports RAW-files from the following Canon camera bodies:

The product RawShooter Essentials was discontinued in the autumn of 2006.


D.1 Canon web sites for digital SLR cameras and lenses

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