Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Information.

[preppyak]

Three things better than 50mm 1.8:
-  Full time manual focus
- 7 circular blades =  great bokeh!

Can you source either of those details? I don't see it in any of the previous rumors on the lens that it would have FTM or any details regarding blades, etc.

[hmmm]

I've got a bad feeling about the price of these new STM lenses....

I sure hope this pancake comes in at about $200.   We could start a pricing pool -- unfortunately my guess would be $400.

Sure hope $200 wins the pool!

[Stevo2008]

Three things better than 50mm 1.8:
-  Full time manual focus
- 7 circular blades =  great bokeh!

Can you source either of those details? I don't see it in any of the previous rumors on the lens that it would have FTM or any details regarding blades, etc.

Here:
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A//digicame-info.com/2012/06/ef40mm-f28-stmef-s18-135mm-f35.html%0A

[preppyak]

Here:
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A//digicame-info.com/2012/06/ef40mm-f28-stmef-s18-135mm-f35.html%0A

Impressive. Wouldn't have expected FTM from this lens.

Sure hope $200 wins the pool!

The rumors to this point have been $200 or <$200, but obviously we'll see. A <$200 lens that does FTM and has better aperture blades than the 50mm f/1,8 would have be kind of surprising...since their other lens announcements have been less affordable relative to what they offer

[Bob Howland]

Let's see. This is full frame lens? STM is quiet during focusing, presumably so that the camera can focus while taking videos. (Then why are the 24 f/2.8 IS and 28 f/2.8 IS lenses USM, not STM? Because they're IS lenses perhaps?) The 5D3 can't focus while taking videos, but there is a firmware upgrade due for the 5D3, really soon now, with the rumor that features will be added. Dare we hope?

And while you're at it, Canon, make exposure compensation and automatic exposure bracketing functional in the 5D3 in manual mode with auto ISO. The present situation is inexcusable.

[kode]

Just the fact that everyone seems to have an opinion on this lens makes me think Canon is 100% right in releasing it. Too bad I can't preorder it yet.

[JurijTurnsek]

pancake form-factor and STM point to a future mirrorless system, FF perhaps?

[preppyak]

STM point to a future mirrorless system

How does STM point to mirror-less? It points towards silent focus for video...but, that can be useful on any type of body.

The pancake form would point to mirror-less, but, the fact it's EF mount might mean its just a marketing choice.

[JurijTurnsek]

I've always associated EVIL cameras as better suited for full-time video AF, since there is no mirror - hence, STM would be appreciated more, since AF would be used more while filming.

[Random Orbits]

But why it has to be longer? Cant they bend light sharply enough to use big glass in a very short lens? What are physics restrictions to this? (Just curious , an article regarding this would be an interesting read)

Material properties restrict how much the light can be bent.  To make fast aperture short lenses, you'd need new glass-like materials that have a higher index of refraction and have lower chromatic abberation properties.  Diffractive optics with their gratings can bend light more than traditional optics, but the technology is not yet good enough to deliver comparable or better IQ.

[neuroanatomist]

Wow...a very flat, very light normal prime. Such a lens will make carrying and shooting with my forthcoming 1D X like.....carrying and shooting with a 1D X.  Guess I just don't see the point.  Maybe with the new Rebel...

[Rocky]

Canon should have made it as 30mm f2.8 EF-S mount. This will make it as a cargo-pant pocketable with a Rebel or my old 20D.

[llcanon]

Wow...a very flat, very light normal prime. Such a lens will make carrying and shooting with my forthcoming 1D X like.....carrying and shooting with a 1D X.  Guess I just don't see the point.  Maybe with the new Rebel...

LOL. Exactly. Even with the new rebel, it would look interesting. The specs are not as impressive as some of the pancake lenses by others. Hope the optical quality is good.

[PCPhil]

Been keeping an eye out for this for a while and has stopped me spending on the Voightlander.

Looks ideal for quickly packing in a bag. Of course I would 'probably' put a different lens on for when I am specifically going out to take photos. However, there are so many of my business trips when I want to have my camera with me.  I tried having a small point and shoot for a few years but was never happy with the results and I really just want the one camera (that I can love and talk to at night....er that is a joke but you know what I mean). If the optics are ok it would be great to always have my camera in my bag in the smallest possible size.

 f2.8 doesn't worry me. I hardly shoot below this unless I want a particular effect, just crank the ISO up, and then I would have a different lens anyway. Can't wait.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I've got a bad feeling about the price of these new STM lenses....

I sure hope this pancake comes in at about $200.   We could start a pricing pool -- unfortunately my guess would be $400.

Sure hope $200 wins the pool!

Cost to make depends on size and number of lens elements.  with 7 small elements, it will be a cheap lens to make.  If Canon is using their new radial diffractive coatinngs, it will be pretty good optically, since the CA is reduced to allow a shorter lens.