History HallThe Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

Special Feature: The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

Special Feature: The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

In 2018, Canon unveiled the new RF lens mount.
There were a number of different types of lens mount that came before it.
What features did these lens mounts have, and how have Canon mounts evolved throughout the years? Watch this video to find out.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD Mount
New FD Mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

1946-1964Screw-type mount (standard thread type)

A mainstream mount for interchangeable-lens cameras.

Compatible cameras: IV Sb etc.
Compatible lenses: Serenar 50mm f/1.8 II etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD mount
New FD mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

1959-1963R mount

A spigot mount equipped with a fully-automatic aperture.

Compatible cameras: Canonflex etc.
Compatible lenses: R50mm f/1.8 (l) etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD mount
New FD mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

1964-1974FL mount

A spigot mount supporting TTL metering at minimum aperture.

Compatible cameras: FTQL etc.
Compatible lenses: FD55mm f/1.8 etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD Mount
New FD Mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

1970-1979FD Mount

A spigot mount supporting TTL metering at maximum aperture and featured a predecessor of the automatic exposure (AE) mechanism.

Compatible cameras: F-1 etc.
Compatible lenses: FD50mm f/1.4 S.S.C. etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD Mount
New FD Mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

1979-1989New FD Mount

A mount providing improved ease of installation.

Compatible cameras: New F-1 etc.
Compatible lenses: New FD50mm f/1.4 etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD Mount
New FD Mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

1987-EF mount

The world’s first fully electronic mount that foretold the camera systems of the future.

Compatible cameras: EOS 650 etc.
Compatible lenses: EF50mm f/1.8 etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD Mount
New FD Mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

2012-EF-M mount

A mount that supports compact, lightweight mirrorless cameras with high image quality.

Compatible cameras: EOS M50 etc.
Compatible lenses: EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD Mount
New FD Mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Evolution of the Canon Lens Mount (Video)

2018-RF mount

A mount enabling greater freedom in lens design, expanding optical possibilities.

Compatible cameras: EOS R etc.
Compatible lenses: RF50mm F1.2 L USM etc.

Screw-type mount
R mount
FL mount
FD Mount
New FD Mount
EF mount
EF-M mount
RF mount

The Canon Lens Mount

The lens mount is an interface that allows a lens to be attached to an interchangeable lens camera. As of 2018, Canon has produced 8 mainstream lens mounts.

However, a lens mount does not exist simply as a means of attaching a lens to the camera. It also facilitates communication between the camera and the lens, enabling both to perform a wide range of functions.

Canon’s first mount was a standard-thread-type screw mount that supported the mechanisms found in rangefinder cameras. Subsequent mounts evolved with the times in order to meet users’ expectations, delivering such advancements as automatic aperture, auto-exposure and autofocus mechanisms.
The newest mount, the RF mount, promises even better image quality and usability thanks to its large mount diameter, short back focus distance and enhanced lens-camera communication system. It is indeed a mount designed for the future.

It can be said that the lens mount is the key to the future evolution of both lenses and cameras.