40mm f/2.8 Wow what a lens

[Hussein]

I was a little unsure about the 40mm f/2.8, but i wanted something small for travel and general use without sacrificing qualify. Reading all the MTF charts and positive reviews on this lens, i went ahead and bought it. My first impression after taking the first shot was WOW. I'm really impressed. It exceeded my expectations. This lens is extremely sharp, easy to handle, great Bokeh even though it's only 40mm. Focus may not be the fastest but it's pretty fast and will work great for most situations. Here are few portrait shots taken with this lens. It was a cloudy day, no other lights used. Shots were between f/2.8 and f/9 on a 5D Mark III. The only thing done is post was crop, vignetted few images for added effect, and adjusted white balance.

http://eprogramers.com/40mm/1.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/2.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/3.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/4.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/5.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/6.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/7.jpg

 

[rmblack]

What a sweet little girl

That last shot really sells it to me with the 100% crop - holy cow! My boss bought one of these for shooting on a telescoping pole above crowds and that is all I've really used it for. I'm going to have to grab it for some portraits! Is that really f9 in all the shots? whoops didn't read everything

 

[bholliman]

Beautiful shots Hussein, and really cute little girl! I've been on the fence about buying this lens, but I think you have convinced me. The compact size would make it a great walk around lens. I normally use my 24-105mm for that, but it often gets pretty heavy.

 

[Zlatko]

Great little lens! I'm so glad that Canon made it.

 

[barracuda]

Wonderful photos! You've inspired me to use mine more often.

Just one minor suggestion... maybe better to crop out the car in #4?

 

[kennephoto]

I love my canon pancake!

 

[obach]

I was a little unsure about the 40mm f/2.8, but i wanted something small for travel and general use without sacrificing qualify. Reading all the MTF charts and positive reviews on this lens, i went ahead and bought it. My first impression after taking the first shot was WOW. I'm really impressed. It exceeded my expectations. This lens is extremely sharp, easy to handle, great Bokeh even though it's only 40mm. Focus may not be the fastest but it's pretty fast and will work great for most situations. Here are few portrait shots taken with this lens. It was a cloudy day, no other lights used. Shots were between f/2.8 and f/9 on a 5D Mark III. The only thing done is post was crop, vignetted few images for added effect, and adjusted white balance.

http://eprogramers.com/40mm/1.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/2.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/3.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/4.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/5.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/6.jpg
http://eprogramers.com/40mm/7.jpg

Nice pic's!
I totally agree with you. The lens is a bargain. The Sigma 35 f1.4 lens was discussed yesterday here at CR.
Look at this comparison and watch the difference... :-D
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=829&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=3&LensComp=810&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

brg
Øystein Bach

 

[sanj]

Cute baby!

 

[Studio1930]

Nice. Okay, I just ordered one. I have been putting it off but I guess it won't take up much camera bag space. It will allow me to take a 1DX and 200 f/2 all in one small bag and put the 40mm in the pouch area.

 

[Sella174]

There's a lot to like about the lens, but I just didn't like the under-saturated / faded blue it produces. It is (on paper) a perfect little rascal, but for me a lens needs to be more than perfect ... it must have a character of its own ... something that makes it that particular lens and not just a lens. The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM is, in my opinion, just a very good 40mm lens that does the work that needs be done ... without passion.

 

[baervan]

nice and crisp! I wonder how the sharpness compares with lenses like the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4

 

[drmikeinpdx]

I like the idea of calling it a walk-around lens. It really transforms my 5D3 into a casual tourist camera that just happens to create great images.

I've used it on my T2i for that purpose, but the images seemed less sharp. I suspect it is because I could not hold the little camera as steady as the larger one. It's hard to beat the stabilized kit lens on the Rebel.

 

[iKenndac]

I bought this lens a week ago and so far I adore it. Image quality is absolutely superb for such a cheap and tiny package.

I also love how small it is. With this lens and the silent shooting mode on my 6D, I actually feel somewhat discreet when out and about - something I haven't felt for a long long time.

 

[Roger Jones]

Its better on FF than on a crop body, 64mm is too narrow for a normal and not long enough to be interesting. The
OP's photos are the sweet spot for this lens with the subject 2 -5 feet away. Focus is kind of slow and it hunts a lot on a 550d. On a 5d it feels unbalanced to me. I'm used to having something more substantial attached. Very cute subject.

 

[Hussein]

There's a lot to like about the lens, but I just didn't like the under-saturated / faded blue it produces. It is (on paper) a perfect little rascal, but for me a lens needs to be more than perfect ...

Definition of saturation is different for everyone. If you feel the need for more, you can easily bump vibrance or saturation in post. You can't go wrong with this lens.

nice and crisp! I wonder how the sharpness compares with lenses like the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4

50 1.8 is an old technology from the 90's. It's cheaply made. Resolution doesn't get good until f/4 and bokeh is poor. As for the 50 1.4 resolution doesn't get good until f4, even at f2.8 the 40mm beats it. I don't care how much light the 1.4 gets in, resolution is unacceptable at this aperture. When for less then half the price you see the 40mm has solid charts across the frame, it's a no brainier. People can argue about this all they want, at the end of the day results are what matters.

Focus is kind of slow and it hunts a lot on a 550d. On a 5d it feels unbalanced to me. I'm used to having something more substantial attached. Very cute subject.

40mm Focus is pretty fast on the 5D Mark III, maybe not as fast as USM but it's fast to a point where i was able to use it in Servo mode and still lock focus on fast moving subject. Focus speed is nothing to worry about since it's a walk around lens. Balance is no issue at all, with the 40mm on, the camera feels light and fun to use. You will always have those 2% of people who would find something to complain about, but in reality this is an exceptional lens.

HAHA, that was funny. Don't think she's all quite and listening to me, she would run everytime i tried to take a pic. I was lucky i got those shots. She was only still when she was playing with the sand.

 

[Hussein]

More pics from this little pancake beauty

 

[Harry Muff]

More pics from this little pancake beauty

Love the first shot here.

 

[Erikerodri]

How are you guys liking this lens compared to the 50mm 1.8 canon? I'd like to get the pancake but if it isn't as sharp or produce comparable images, I feel like it isn't worth it but that is me.

 

[ecka]

How are you guys liking this lens compared to the 50mm 1.8 canon? I'd like to get the pancake but if it isn't as sharp or produce comparable images, I feel like it isn't worth it but that is me.

I like the pancake better (build, bokeh, AF), but 50/1.8'II seems to be a little bit sharper at f/2.8 when comparing at 100%.

 

[drmikeinpdx]

I haven't done any sharpness tests with the 40 yet. It's sharp enough for my needs and I love how light it feels on my 5D3 or even my T2i.

Here's a shot I did a couple of weeks ago on the 5D3. It was at F/6.3 since I wanted to keep the statue of Portlandia almost in focus. ISO 3200. Shutter speed was 1/160 hand held so it isn't really tack sharp, but it doesn't need to be: