Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 Pancake Coming [CR3]

[sanj]

If that is the case, it would stand to reason that the sensor in the mirrorless will either be full framed or perhaps APS-H (1.3x) since that would be fairly close to a 50mm "standard" focal length.

I agree with you its odd on a DSLR, especially since the 50mm f/1.8 isn't exactly large (1.5" basically).

But if it means the mirror less is EF mount, then it makes it interesting. Though I'd probably rather it had the ability to use FD lenses in addition to EF with an adapter

Sounds like a good point!

[paul13walnut5]

I am very keen on the EF 40mm f2.8, if it's real.  I love the aesthetic of a pancake lens, and they are usually very simple and high quality, not to mention, cheap.

I think a rebel plus a pancake would be a good pocket sized snapshot camera, street photography etc.

But I'm talking about a lens that isn't even official yet.  That's just what I would like.

[goodmane]

I wonder if this is in response to the 40mm by Panasonic?

Anyway its exactly what I want and I'll prob swap my 35mm f2 for it.

As to everyone wondering why this makes sense, I don't want to buy another small camera with rubbish battery life and lower image quality, with small viewfinder.

This allows somebody like me to leave the 24-70L at home for studio and still use the 5D for fun, without the extra weight.

When they bring out a lighter full frame DSLR to go with it, I will bite, so long as its still as good as the old 5D and comes with video and a built-in flash.

Its a masterstroke as far as I'm concerned and will make Canon a viable alternative for those considering aesthetics, viewfinders, and weight as well as quality, such as Leica and Fuji.

[swannd]

Having just purchased a 5D3, this seems like a strange lens to release, or want. But put one on my old 400D, or any xxxD body, and I can see the attraction of a fairly small combination.

Overall though, it is most likely designed for a new camera.

[Woody]

Pentax has a SMC-FA 43 mm f/1.9 pancake lens that works on full-frame cameras.

Why can't Canon offer a pancake lens with similar aperture? Sigh... They are really go down...

[MacDarcy]

I kinda agree with alot of the comments here. Seems odd for a dslr...especially since the plastic fantastic 50f1.8 does the job faster & cheaper.

It's probably meant for the rumored mirror-less canon i would imagine.

But hey...i am not complaining. Always nice to hear Canon is adding to their prime lenses. :-)

[lipe]

seriously I love pancake!

[mws]

Most likely designed for a new camera. I'd have to guess that 40mm f 2.8 gives a happy balance of focal length on any current camera body and what the cost will be.

[AprilForever]

When I first read it, I read 400 2.8 Pancakes, as in pancaking as in flopping... Oh well...

But this looks interesting, though... f2 would be better, but still...

[Zlatko]

As to everyone wondering why this makes sense, I don't want to buy another small camera with rubbish battery life and lower image quality, with small viewfinder.

This allows somebody like me to leave the 24-70L at home for studio and still use the 5D for fun, without the extra weight.
....
Its a masterstroke as far as I'm concerned and will make Canon a viable alternative for those considering aesthetics, viewfinders, and weight as well as quality, such as Leica and Fuji.

I think you nailed it perfectly!  A pancake lens turns your big camera into something of a small camera alternative.  Not fully, but enough to be very compelling.  And for some people, it means that when they want a smaller camera, they don't have to settle for the crummy viewfinder, autofocus, battery life and depth of field characteristics that small cameras often bring.

[preppyak]

That said, I would still love to see an updated 35mm f/2 with USM, and perhaps a high quality 50mm f/1.8 or f/2 with USM.

Well, the 50mm f/1.4 has USM, so that would fit your needs in regards to "high quality 50mm", and the price is within this realm (usually <$400). Aside from adding IS, Canon doesnt seem eager to update their non-L primes, so, I wouldn't expect too much. But, an EF mount mirrorless would mean they might start updating primes more, and that'd trickle down to the DSLR side too.

40mm on a 2x crop would be 80mm...  I'm not expecting the mirrorless to be anything more than APS-C, it is just as likely to be the same size as a 4/3rds sensor, EF-M ?  (micro) in a way of beating Nikon on sensor size (Nikon 1), but not suffering a problem of having to build masses of new lenses, as it would be EF or EF-S comparable.

So, could we also expect a cheap 12mm and 24mm pancake too ?, giving 24mm and 48mm focal lengths ?

I was thinking the same thing originally. This would be the portrait lens, and then they'd have a few other pancakes and a 14-42 and 14-100+ zoom that would come out eventually too. But, that there haven't been any rumors, and I don't really remember patents for them, so who knows

[taz]

I would never buy this lens. I don't like this focal length and I don't like 2.8.

They should make a new 35mm 1.8 instead with a low price like Nikon's 35mm 1.8!

[mb66energy]

I took a lot of photos with a 24mm on an APS-C body and I really love just that focal length. This is equivalent to 38mm on full frame (or near 40mm). And I like that focal length - it is more natural than all the other ones.

Other points: If it's EF and pancake ...

[Photo Gazelle]

I have been using a Voigtlander Ultron 40mm F/2.0 SL II pancake lens on my 60D for almost six months.
This combination makes for an excellent low-light and walk around experience.
I rarely ever get any 'big camera' attention as compared to when I'm carrying a zoom or larger prime.

This new Canon 40mm F2.8 with autofocus and USM at around $300 will be extremely appealing to me. Specifically the auto-focus as manually focusing on a crop can be challenging in low-light (even at F/2 when using the EG-S screen). I doubt the build quality will match the all-metal Voigtlander or that the manual focus will be as damped and long but, we are talking $300. Furthermore, if the build quality is better than the 50/1.8 (how could it not be) then all the better.

[Dylan777]

It looks like mirrorless is coming soon 

my 2cents:
1. L lens on mirrorless = ugly
2. Pancake lens on 5D III = ugly
3. Pancake lens on mirrorless = more money into camera gear
4. L lens on FF =  perfect match