Canon 40mm or High-End Compact?

[Doug Brock]

I've occasionally tried the 40mm pancake on my full frame bodies (5D Mark III and 6D), hoping to have an alternative to buying a small more portable camera. The size wasn't bad, but unfortunately, at least for me, the 40mm has usually been too narrow even on a full frame body (The most recent situations that were a problem were family get-togethers, indoors.). I think I'd generally do better with something in the 24mm range, if that were available in a pancake for the full frame. So, though not very portable, I take my 24-70 for general wanderings.

 

[Etienne]

I had this issue when thinking about the Sigma 35mm 1.4 or a compact.
In the end I went for a Fuji X100s. Second hand.

It's a great camera fixed 35mm. It means I have a great compact. I've no regrets.
I have the 40mm lens amnd it's great but I don't use it much.
I happen to like the 50mm 1.4 .
It's maybe not as sharp but I like the image and the possibilities at 1.4
You won't go to far wrong either way.

I have the forty, but I prefer the 50 1.4 as well. The 50 at f/2.8 is very sharp. The forty doesn't go wider than 2.8. That's two big + for the 50.

BTW ... the 50 1.4 and a 28 2.8 IS (or the 24) make a very nice compact versatile package on a 5DIII

 

[alexturton]

I have to say the 40mm on the 5Dii is astonishing. Just went off on a family weekend with that and my new 135L and was in prime heaven. Makes the 5D very comfortable to hike around with or keep on a table during family events in a way that wouldn't have been fun with a chunky L zoom (I have the brilliant 24-105). I love the sharpness at f2.8 but have also been very surprised by how contrasty the shots are with the 40 - makes for gorgeous monochrome environmental portraits and reportage stuff. Think I'll be taking it with me to shoot a wedding soon with enthusiasm.

agree. 40mm on 5d3 is awesome too

 

[brad-man]

40mm might be a little bit tight. 24 or 28mm might be more appropriate unless you're taking mostly people/portrait shots. Why not an EOS-M + 22mm pancake? RX100 is also nice if it's ok with you to learn another system. A S110 is also nice but it'll struggle a little bit at night. You'll have to apply more NR later if you want your pictures to be usable but definitely it's enough for most applications unless you want to print large pictures.

+1 As long as you don't require a truly "pocketable" setup, the M is a great little camera (though it does fit in my cargo pants pocket). Much smaller than a rebel with the pancake. I have an S-100 for true stealth, but I have been spoiled by the IQ of the M +22mm.