Canon Lens News

Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Pancake teardown

Craig
Craig
39 Comments
1 Min Read

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Canon invited Gordan Laing of CameraLabs fame to film the teardown of the brand new Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Pancake lens. If you're at all a lens nerd, it's always fascinating to see what's inside a camera lens, even one as “simple” as the new pancake.

The teardown covers everything from design for a mirrorless system, producing aspherical elements and the use of plastic lens elements.

The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is in stock at Adorama.

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ByCraig
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Craig is the founder and editorial director for Canon Rumors. He has been writing about all things Canon for more than 17 years. When he's not writing, you can find him shooting professional basketball and travelling the world looking for the next wildlife adventure. The Canon EOS R1 is his camera of choice.
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39 comments

  1. Thank you. It is a rather interesting look inside the lens for me as I have little knowledge of lens construction. With plastic molding, I am wondering if there could be many more compact, lightweight and affordable RF lenses on the horizon. Perhaps a niche for third party lenses?
    • 0
  2. Another great video from Gordon. Canon was smart to invite him for a lens teardown. Certain camera people would be appalled if it appeared that Canon was sneaking plastic elements into their RF lenses.

    I'm excited for the 28mm pancake. The EF 40mm was a favorite of mine, not because of the focal length, but because of its size. People relax in front of such a small lens, yet the image quality is perfect. I'm guessing the new RF 28mm will have equally great IQ.

    This will be a popular lens and it might convert some into becoming plastic believers. Imagine the profit margins if Canon could put plastic elements in L series lenses.
    • 0
  6. A very informative video from Gordon. I recently purchased this lens for my R8. The combo is my go to camera if I want to grab something better than my iPhone for a walk around town. I am also pleasantly surprised at its MTF performance at 28 mm at f2.8. Overall, a great lens at a reasonable price.
    • 0
  7. The RF is 2x the price of the EF predecessor.
    Comparing the launch price of a new lens to the street price of an old lens does not make sense. The EF 40/2.8 launched at $200, the RF 28/2.8 is 50% more not 2x.
    • 0
  8. The RF is 2x the price of the EF predecessor.

    Inflation and lower economies of scale sucks.
    Canon never made a 28mm pancake. They made a 40mm for $200 and and EF-S 24mm for $150. It’s significantly more challenging to create a full frame 28mm f/2.8 than it is to create a 40mm f/2.8. Just look at what went into this design!
    • 0
  9. The RF is 2x the price of the EF predecessor.

    Inflation and lower economies of scale sucks.
    No. The EF 28mm f2.8 was introduced at just under $800 in 2012. About two years later, they lowered the prices on all three of their consumer EF wide angles (24, 28 and 35mm) with the 28mm lowered to $500. Although it is no longer in stock anywhere, that remains the MSRP for the EF 28mm. Granted the EF 28mm had IS, but still it was $500 more expensive than the RF 28 at introduction and $200 more when it was discontinued.
    • 0
  10. Canon needs to at least make a 'pocketable' crop sensor camera so that pancakes like these can make more sense. I'm still walking around with a Sony a5100 and 20mm pancake in my pocket. The best camera is the one you always have on you.
    • 0
  12. Canon needs to at least make a 'pocketable' crop sensor camera so that pancakes like these can make more sense. I'm still walking around with a Sony a5100 and 20mm pancake in my pocket. The best camera is the one you always have on you.
    Might I suggests you consider the R100. This can readily fit in a pocket of a jacket.
    • 0
  13. Might I suggests you consider the R100. This can readily fit in a pocket of a jacket.
    Still to bulky. Where I live we rarely wear jackets anyway. Looking for something to fit in my pant (shorts) pocket. Maybe if canon would remove the viewfinder and grip. Thinking of something like the m100
    • 0
  14. Another great video from Gordon. Canon was smart to invite him for a lens teardown. Certain camera people would be appalled if it appeared that Canon was sneaking plastic elements into their RF lenses.

    I'm excited for the 28mm pancake. The EF 40mm was a favorite of mine, not because of the focal length, but because of its size. People relax in front of such a small lens, yet the image quality is perfect. I'm guessing the new RF 28mm will have equally great IQ.

    This will be a popular lens and it might convert some into becoming plastic believers. Imagine the profit margins if Canon could put plastic elements in L series lenses.
    Tbh I don't care about plastic in any lens elements. As long as it's optically stellar, lightweight and last until I pass my gear to my kids(like how my dad passed his EF to me). I'm jumping on to the plastic-fantastic bandwagon.
    • 0
  15. No. The EF 28mm f2.8 was introduced at just under $800 in 2012. About two years later, they lowered the prices on all three of their consumer EF wide angles (24, 28 and 35mm) with the 28mm lowered to $500. Although it is no longer in stock anywhere, that remains the MSRP for the EF 28mm. Granted the EF 28mm had IS, but still it was $500 more expensive than the RF 28 at introduction and $200 more when it was discontinued.
    Heavens no, that's the 28mm f2.8 IS USM.
    The EF 28mm f2.8 was introduced in 1987, right at the dawn of the EOS system, at $375.

    However, the point remains that that was more then than this new lens. 36 years ago. That old lens was optically competent, and had a very loud AF motor, and build quality was at best OK.

    The RF lens is an absolute bargain.
    • 0
  16. Whats hilarious your get photographers say “they must have glass filters“ yet would buy a lens with a plastic element or pay hundreds of $ / £ for glasses that also use optical resin / plastic. At Lee Filters they use the highest grade optical resin but some turn their nose up. Cant make it up.
    • 0
  18. @jeffa4444

    Okay, you convinced me to go Tiffin instead of B+W for the RF 28mm !
    I'm far less convinced! Nothing against plastic lenses in camera lenses, but for filters exposed to dust, dirt etc...?
    My reading glasses are made of optical resin or similar. I replace them after 2-3 years.The main issue isn't optical quality, but scratch resistance, and filters need some cleaning every now and then. Glass is simply less fragile.
    So, it's B&W, Zeiss or Rodenstock for me!
    • 0
  19. Canon never made a 28mm pancake. They made a 40mm for $200 and and EF-S 24mm for $150. It’s significantly more challenging to create a full frame 28mm f/2.8 than it is to create a 40mm f/2.8. Just look at what went into this design!
    40mm would be more challenging because flange distance is shorter on RF mount.
    • 0

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