Everything you need to know about changing your Canon lenses

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Whether you bought a camera bundle with a lens and a few accessories or just the Canon camera body, you’ll likely start considering other lenses at some point. Starter camera lenses are great, but an entry-level lens won't be sufficient as you become more experienced and try different techniques.

How often you change your lens depends on the photographic situation. For example, some lenses are better suited for fast-moving action, while others are excellent for taking up-close macro photos.

If you have a lens with a variable focal length, these are perfect for far-away and nearby objects. If that’s your preferred setup, you’ll change lenses less often.

In this article: Sigma 85mm HSM Art Lens, Canon Advanced Two Lens Kit and Canon EF 16-35mm.

Lens mount compatibility

They might all look the same, but Canon lenses differ depending on the mounting system of the camera body. If you are unsure which lenses your camera will accept, there is an easy way to determine that by looking at the lens mount index on the front of your camera.

RF and RF-S: This is indicated by a red vertical line, which means you have an R System Mirrorless camera.
EF: This is indicated by a red dot in the center of the lens mount. It means that you have a full-frame DSLR camera.
EF-S: If you notice a red dot and a white square, your camera is an ASP-C DSLR compatible with EF-S, EF, TS-E and MP-E lenses.
EF-M: If you see a white dot slightly left of the center, you have an EOS M series ASP-C mirrorless camera. It takes EF-M lenses but can also accommodate other lenses through an EF-EOS M adapter.

How to change your lens

While similar to other camera manufacturers, Canon has kept the process of changing your lens relatively easy. However, there are still a few things that you must know before attempting a lens change.

If a lens is already attached, look for the lens release button on the left side when viewing the camera body from above. Hold the camera body in your left hand and cradle the lens with your right hand.

Press the release button and gently twist the lens away from the button. The lens should twist toward the EFS-mount index on the camera body when looking from above. Once it is aligned, you can remove the lens.

You must follow the same steps in reverse to attach a lens, starting by inserting the lens so that the EFS-mount indexes line up. Always remember that you must place the rear protective cap and the front cap on the lens to prevent damage from dust or scratches.

What you need to buy if you want to change your Canon lens

Sigma 85mm HSM Art Lens for Canon EF

This Sigma lens is an excellent alternative if you want an affordable option for different lenses. It incorporates two elements made from Special Low Dispersion Glass, helping it produce consistently clear photos. It comes with a front and rear protective cap and a carrying case.