Canon 40mm "pancake" 2.8 STM Lens

[wideangle]

This lens has been released recently, anyone considering getting it? The build quality looks good (metal mount and quite focus) for it's price and a very small size as well.
http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses/canon_40_2p8_stm

[Bennymiata]

The reviews of this lens have been very good, and far better than anyone expected.

It's small and cheap (relatively) and I think it may end up becoming as popular as the nifty fifty.

I wouldn't mind getting one for myself.

[wideangle]

The reviews of this lens have been very good, and far better than anyone expected.

It's small and cheap (relatively) and I think it may end up becoming as popular as the nifty fifty.

I wouldn't mind getting one for myself.

Yeah looks like it will be a good addition to the nifty fifty and like you say I reckon it will become as popular as it, as a result of its build quality and optics at that price point.

[Ezookiel]

LOL. I wouldn't be able to hold my camera with that thing on it, I support half the weight with my hand under the lens.
All jokes aside though, I could see myself adding one of those to my gear quite happily. Tax return time will be a busy time for my bank account. So many things for the money to pour out onto.

[Jules]

I think mounting this on the front of my 5DII rather negates the 'pancakeness' of the lens, but if Canon were to release a compact mirrorless camera (fingers crossed) then it would be a very attractive option.

[Allan Ryan]

is the f2.8 a little slow for such a small lens??
with the nifty 50 at f1.8 and such a sharp lens
why is a 40 slower?

[mikec]

is the f2.8 a little slow for such a small lens??
with the nifty 50 at f1.8 and such a sharp lens
why is a 40 slower?

I would imagine the f/2.8 was a result of cost and the compact nature of the lens. Since the f stop is a ratio of focal length to the opening making it say f/1.4 or f/1.8 would have made it a larger lens. But it's only stop so it's not a big deal with modern camera's ISO capabilities.

Same reason why all the f/2.8 zooms are so much bigger and more expensive than the variable aperture lenses.

[GTP 290]

I really want this lens, but already having the 50 F1.4 I can't honestly justify it in way from a business perspective. It would just be a novelty to have in the camera bag.

[fabian628]

might sell the 50mm f/1.8 and get this instead. its pretty cheap! :D

[Fedgrub]

I bought this lens last week. Like you all, I expected it to be poor but it is actually quite nice. I agree 2.8 is slow, but I'm sure there is a good reason for it. I think it is sharper than the 50mm 1.8, which as we all know is quite a sharp lens at most f stops. It does feel a little silly on the 5dmkii and probably would on anything other than something younger than a 7D, but it did reduce a lot of the weight of having a longer lens on there. I found it much easier to hold with one hand. Here are some shots I got with it:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/7483180560_e147ee985f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellopander/7483180560/)
Lua relaxing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellopander/7483180560/) by Matt Warrell / マットワッレル (http://www.flickr.com/people/hellopander/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8427/7533757616_86fefb65ec_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellopander/7533757616/)
Outside a window, 27 floors up. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellopander/7533757616/) by Matt Warrell / マットワッレル (http://www.flickr.com/people/hellopander/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7525071842_3347d597d9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellopander/7525071842/)
Gold Coast at night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellopander/7525071842/) by Matt Warrell / マットワッレル (http://www.flickr.com/people/hellopander/), on Flickr

[nwhc]

they look great i think i might need this lens

[Paddyob]

Thanks Fedgrub. Good examples make judging easier.

[Arg]

I think mounting this on the front of my 5DII rather negates the 'pancakeness' of the lens,....

Well there is a whole subculture of Pentax owners who thrive on their pancake lenses and see them as a significant reason to go Pentax DSLR.

Here's an idea: use the new 40 as a body cap and go out shooting without any lenses!

[aalex]

Did anyone try the video autofocus with this lens?

[Fedgrub]

Did anyone try the video autofocus with this lens?

Haven't used it myself, but the autofocus isn't as quiet as my USM lenses. Apparently it is quicker and faster than USM on certain bodies, and you can hear the AF when you are filming on anything other than these bodies.

I know this isn't much help, but it might save you some searching if you haven't checked it out yet.

[Bennymiata]

Did anyone try the video autofocus with this lens?

The video autofocus only works on the new 650D.
Bodies previous to this just don't have constant autofocus in video mode I'm afraid.
That is why I use my wife's G1X when doing videos, unless the shoot is set-up and the camera is on a tripod where i can focus it manually without waving the camera around as I'm doing so!
The G1X does a great job of video, espeically in very low light.