Select specific columns from table, Entity Framework

Question

I have a question about selecting specific columns from table using entity framework. The problem is, that I'm using Find() method to get my desired table, by primary key, then taking from it some data.

I have one table with massive amounts of columns and if I call Find() method, it will return all columns of that row, but I want to use only, for example, the data from 2 columns.

MyTable table = context.MyTable.Find(id); //Get MyTable object from context, id = primary key
string p1 = table.Prop1;
string p2 = table.Prop2;

This will return single object with all (for example it has Prop1, Prop2,...,PropN) properties filled (if its filled in database). So I know that I can use anonymous objects or data transfer objects (DTO), but [question1] is there any other (yet simple) method to get specific columns? [question2] Is it affecting on performance if I use Find() (or I should use Where()/Select())?

Answer 1

    var items = context.MyTable.Where(x => x.Id == id)
                  .Select(x => new
                               {
                                    P1 = table.Prop1,
                                    P2 = table.Prop2
                               });

This will translate into a sql call like:

SELECT p.Prop1, p.Prop2 FROM mytable p WHERE p.Id = id