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

[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

 

[adhocphotographer]

All good points... And i think this will be very well matched with a mirrorless... but i also would be interested in this for my cropped body... i usually carry my camera with me, and on a day-to-day basis with the 50 1.8, just because it is light and small. But i do find it a bit narrow... i would like the extra width from the 40 and the fact it is cheap, light (probably) and really small, means my DSLR is more "toss in the bag" friendly! Either way, i see the sense in it! bring it on!

 

[moreorless]

This is dumb. F/2 or faster for primes otherwise, WHATs THE POINT?! Just use good zooms.

I think the canon mirrorless will suprise us with a EF mount system with 1.3X crop factor. It will be not a low end entry level, but a mid-range camera like the fuji X-pro 1. This would make sense for them not to cut into the rebel sales or the G1X sales.

Fingers crossed that its a optical rangefinder style camera... Or has a VERY VERY good LED viewfinder. ;D

Surely the point is that most "good zooms" are a heck of alot larger and more costly. This lens looks like it will be 1/8th the cost of the new 24-70 and probabley a 1/4 the weight.

The real desiding point is surely going to be the image quality, if its good in the center straight from 2.8 and good across the frame stopped down I can see this being very popular. Affordable primes focused on delivereying good IQ at a more medest appature range is I'd say going to be a growth market as resolution continues to increase.

 

[1982chris911]

I would really like this pancake lens to be f2.0 or even better f1.4 ... also if it would make it a little bigger ... that would make an awesome lens for natural light under difficult conditions and still light to always have with you on a FF body ... f2.8 is too slow here ...

 

[preppyak]

I would really like this pancake lens to be f2.0 or even better f1.4 ... also if it would make it a little bigger ... that would make an awesome lens for natural light under difficult conditions and still light to always have with you on a FF body ... f2.8 is too slow here ...

So, you basically want the 35 f/2 or the 35 f/1.4L....Canon already makes those lenses for you. Unless the f/2 is no good and you absolutely have to save that extra 3/4" in lens length; or 7oz is too heavy.

I'd imagine one of the few ways they could make a pancake f/1.4 lens would not involve an EF mount, which would piss people off more than this thing being f/2.8. Or it'd cost more than the 35L, cause it'd have to use some specialty glass to accomplish as much with fewer elements

Also, its not like there are a wealth of low-light pancake lenses out there. I think Samsung has a 30mm f/2, Panasonic has their 20mm f/1.7, there's the Voigtlander 40mm f/2, what else? Most I've seen are at f/2.8, probably for a reason

 

[Loswr]

...i think this will be very well matched with a mirrorless...

I don't think any EF lens is a good match for mirrorless - one reason mirrorless bodies are so small is that the lack of a mirror means a much shorter flange-to-focal-plane distance is possible. So, while I'm sure it will be possible to mount this lens on a hypothetical future Canon mirrorless body, via an adapter, the result will be bigger than a lens designed for such a camera.

 

[EOBeav]

It looks to me like it would appeal to a lot of Rebel owners who are ready to graduate from the kit lens but want something a little sexier than a 50mm f/1.8. Just my take.

 

[kdsand]

I am trying to not get my hopes up.
Based on the prices of all of Canon's lenses lately I can't help but think $300 is to cheep.
I'm guessing at this price there won't be usm & build won't be great.
Canon prove me wrong please! ???

 

[mb66energy]

I am trying to not get my hopes up.
Based on the prices of all of Canon's lenses lately I can't help but think $300 is to cheep.
I'm guessing at this price there won't be usm & build won't be great.
Canon prove me wrong please! ???

I think we can expect a very well built lens for $300 - Why?
Lens diameter is below 15 mm, lens element number will be 4 or 6 and I am shure they do not need aspherical lenses or similar expensive tech to achieve great image quality. And close up capability should be a feature to be expected.
So this lens should be priced between the 1.8 50 and the 1.4 50 IMHO. And that is round about $300!

 

[AJ]

So, compared to the 50/1.8 this lens is more than 1 stop slower, 200 bucks more expensive, for a weight savings of only 50 grams or so.

This lens is not for me, and I'm a miser when it comes to weight (traveling, backpacking with drebels). I'll stick to my nifty fifty.

Yawn...

 

[Daniel Flather]

Size is all relative. After using a big white tele all weekend my 50/1.2 seems tiny.

 

[RLPhoto]

This is dumb. F/2 or faster for primes otherwise, WHATs THE POINT?! Just use good zooms.

I think the canon mirrorless will suprise us with a EF mount system with 1.3X crop factor. It will be not a low end entry level, but a mid-range camera like the fuji X-pro 1. This would make sense for them not to cut into the rebel sales or the G1X sales.

Fingers crossed that its a optical rangefinder style camera... Or has a VERY VERY good LED viewfinder. ;D

Surely the point is that most "good zooms" are a heck of alot larger and more costly. This lens looks like it will be 1/8th the cost of the new 24-70 and probabley a 1/4 the weight.

The real desiding point is surely going to be the image quality, if its good in the center straight from 2.8 and good across the frame stopped down I can see this being very popular. Affordable primes focused on delivereying good IQ at a more medest appature range is I'd say going to be a growth market as resolution continues to increase.

I disagree, because I think this is going to be an xpro1 style system, not large like a Dslr but not too tiny like the m4/3 systems. Why would canon cut into their g1x profits if it's just as small, cheaper and can change lenses?

I believe it will be large enough to justify fast aperture lenses like a Leica or the xpro1. They just decided not to make a faster lens.

 

[Etienne]

It's too long for a APS-C walk around lens, but it's not a bad way to turn my 5DII into a light weight traveller, although I'd rather it was 35mm. As long as it's sharp at 2.8, I'll probably get one.

 

[azuff]

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 ?

If you look at Canon competitors and try to find the best strategy to make money :
- Nikon 1 : 2.7 crop factor, speed but forget shallow DOF, Canon cannot compete...
- Olympus / Panasonic : micro 4/3 : 2 crop factor, balance between size, shallow DOF, and speed, canon cannot compete with Olympus E-M5
- Sony NEX : 1.6 crop factor : shallow DOF but few lenses, where Canon has more than 60 lenses...

Possible strategy :
make something in between the G1X and the 600D, with size comparable to a Pentax K-01, with EF compatible mount. Add the missing lens to make it really portable : a pancake lens 40mm 2.8, exactly like Pentax. Read the pentax K-01 review on dpreview :

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pentaxk01

It makes sense. Canon can produce an improved K-01 based on their existing bodies and lenses. With not so much R&D and with good potential sales.

They can compete with Fujifilm X-pro 1 on the price, be similar to Pentax K-01 with improved handling, preserve the DSLR market, offer shallower DOF than 4/3 and Nikon1.

The 40mm pancake is also good on FF (natural angle), you can take your 5D everywhere.
The 40 mm is also good on your old and light Rebel... (wider and smaller than the 50 1.8)

 

[azuff]

Why would canon cut into their g1x profits if it's just as small, cheaper and can change lenses?

Because they can sell more lenses, and even sell these now bodies to existing canon users.
Imagine a standard Canon user buying this small mirrorless with the 40 mm :
- he gets a nice walkaround package
- he gets a nice compact lens for his 5D, a nice portrait lens for his 7D / Rebel
- he gets a nice portable body for nature photography (paired with a 70-300)

It is a lot for the existing canon user, and a lot of money for canon...

 

[c.d.embrey]

"Expect it to be announced in June with the T4i and a new EF-S 18-135 IS II."

Oooh Wooow, just what I've been waiting for, another variable aperture kit-zoomz. Meh.