Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Information.

[kdsand]

Some of you people really need to look at this lens as a whole and stop focusing on the fact that it's "only f/2.8." Sure, the 50 1.8 II is a whole 1 1/3 stop faster. Awesome. But how practical is it really to be shooting with such a shallow DoF all the time?

Wide aperture isn't all about shallow DoF, it's also about low light.

I understood the comment to mean

'shooting in low light, wide open means that you have the downside of a shallow DOF'

Well, shallow DOF isn't necessarily a downside, and if one stands sufficiently far, hyperfocal distance can give a very big depth of field.

I was in a band show the day before yesterday, and there was a raised platform at the back of the hall about 3-4m high. Standing there with a 24mm f/1.4 L at f/2 (hyperfocal distance 9.62m), I could get a wide shot of the band & audience dancing all in focus. Maybe I could even get the shot standing on one of the chairs next to the bar at the back.

Not making money from my photography equipment, and not being rich enough to buy all L, I buy primes elsewhere. So far I bought 4 primes by Sigma & Samyang, the one relevant to this discussion being the 35mm f/1.4. If the Samyang 24mm f/1.4 was as good, it would be my next lens.

I'm in the same boat cash wise. There seems to be some deep pockets around here though!
I've just bought sigma 17-50 .
Part of my problem is there's alot more toys photography equipment I need want so i can't tie up all my cash in just one lens.


What are the odds of the 40 shorty hood ES-52 being included? come on Canon!

 

[sandymandy]

Only L Lenses come with hoods.

 

[Marsu42]

Only L Lenses come with hoods.

I don't know if Canon is doing themselves a favor by skipping tripod mounts on $1400 tele lenses (70-300L) and hoods on all non-L lenses, inc. $800 parts. They could include the luxury gold-plated hoods with the L lenses, but a standard hood costs a few cents in production - they're just building up a "customer rip-off" image with this.

 

[ScottyP]

Only L Lenses come with hoods.

I don't know if Canon is doing themselves a favor by skipping tripod mounts on $1400 tele lenses (70-300L) and hoods on all non-L lenses, inc. $800 parts. They could include the luxury gold-plated hoods with the L lenses, but a standard hood costs a few cents in production - they're just building up a "customer rip-off" image with this.

SHHHHHH! You mustn't anger Canon! If you make them mad they might shut down the "free lens cap" gravy train...

 

[DB]

What I'm wondering about is why the 24 and 28 don't seem to have STM?
or will they there's no actual production units yet.......... ???

Interest comment - might also explain the f/2.8 as well.

First and foremost the new 40mm pancake lens is a Video Lens, so given the maximum recommended aperture for shooting HD video is f2.8, there is no need to produce a faster video prime. This new pancake is intended for continuous AF in video mode thanks to the addition of STM.

 

[briansquibb]

What I'm wondering about is why the 24 and 28 don't seem to have STM?
or will they there's no actual production units yet.......... ???

Interest comment - might also explain the f/2.8 as well.

First and foremost the new 40mm pancake lens is a Video Lens, so given the maximum recommended aperture for shooting HD video is f2.8, there is no need to produce a faster video prime. This new pancake is intended for continuous AF in video mode thanks to the addition of STM.

I appreciate that the 40mm has attributes that video users will appreciate - and as pointed out so do the new 24 and 28mm. Perhaps before the 24 and 28 hit the streets they will get the STM motor?

 

[Marsu42]

Looking forward to it. On any DSLR body, such as my non gripped 5DMKII, it should make for a super light package.

It's interesting to see how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions. Imho this points towards the future - once mirrorless, more compact systems get a premium image, competitive af & lens selection, the old-school dlsr line will be less attractive.

 

[briansquibb]

Looking forward to it. On any DSLR body, such as my non gripped 5DMKII, it should make for a super light package.

It's interesting to see how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions. Imho this points towards the future - once mirrorless, more compact systems get a premium image, competitive af & lens selection, the old-school dlsr line will be less attractive.

I have a G12 and a A550 - dont try to manipulate non facts into an earth shattering revelation - you have absolutely no idea what kit people have. You will have spotted no doubt that I am looking to move from a P&S to an entry level DSLR - so that it your theory blown out of the water.

 

[Marsu42]

I have a G12 and a A550 - dont try to manipulate non facts into an earth shattering revelation - you have absolutely no idea what kit people have.

Of course I have no idea what kits people have, so it is rather strange you're using this fact as an argument and with the added edgy tone. And with your gear collection, you seem to be very last person to qualify as a standard example.

But I can read posts, no manipulation there, and these turned from "who would want a pancake lens?" to "I want one for my dslr, too!". This is certainly not earth-shattering as you suspect, but simply interesting - and to me it shows there will be a large market for technologically competitive mirrorless systems instead of people getting many camera bodies at once.

 

[briansquibb]

I have a G12 and a A550 - dont try to manipulate non facts into an earth shattering revelation - you have absolutely no idea what kit people have.

But I can read posts, no manipulation there, and these turned from "who would want a pancake lens?" to "I want one for my dslr, too!".

.... and then you came to the conclusion that

It's interesting to see how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions. Imho this points towards the future - once mirrorless, more compact systems get a premium image, competitive af & lens selection, the old-school dlsr line will be less attractive

without knowing what kit they have. So you cannot possibly state that they have a desire to have a more compact lighter camera system - because you dont know what they are migrating from .

I am happy to debate issues with people but not from the basis that views are being stated as facts

 

[Marsu42]

It's interesting to see

how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions.

I am happy to debate issues with people but not from the basis that views are being stated as facts

In this case, I'm sorry to say that my grasp of the English language is not sufficient to communicate with you in an appropriate form, maybe it's even for the best. To my understanding, "It's interesting to see" expresses that *I* see it, making the statement my *view*, not a fact. A fact is more like "most dlsr users want a more compact system".

 

[briansquibb]

It's interesting to see

how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions.

I am happy to debate issues with people but not from the basis that views are being stated as facts

In this case, I'm sorry to say that my grasp of the English language is not sufficient to communicate with you in an appropriate form, maybe it's even for the best. To my understanding, "It's interesting to see" expresses that *I* see it, making the statement my *view*, not a fact. A fact is more like "most dlsr users want a more compact system".

Yes you are correct. Your English is not up to the subtleties and I should have made allowances for it.

 

[Marsu42]

Yes you are correct. Your English is not up to the subtleties and I should have made allowances for it.

Thanks, it's good to hear that, please keep it in mind in the future before jumping to conclusions or getting edgy - I'm not the only non-native speaker around here, and am certainly not participating in a forum to get into flame posting.

 

[Rocky]

Looking forward to it. On any DSLR body, such as my non gripped 5DMKII, it should make for a super light package.

It's interesting to see how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions. Imho this points towards the future - once mirrorless, more compact systems get a premium image, competitive af & lens selection, the old-school dlsr line will be less attractive.

"Com[act, Light Weight, SYSTEM" that is a contradiction of terms. Most people have at least 3 lenses in their bag as a system. The size and weight of the body becomes secondary.The weight and the size of the bag will not be light or small. I would put is in a different way."We need a smaller lighter weight single lens combo" As a DSLR user, once awhile I do "travel light" with only a 18-55 IS kid lens on my 40D. I probably will get the 40mm f 2.8 to make it even lighter and smaller. As for mirrorless body, they are too small and a little bit too light for my shooting habit. Even the Rebel is too small in my hand.

 

[FunPhotons]

Looking forward to it. On any DSLR body, such as my non gripped 5DMKII, it should make for a super light package.

It's interesting to see how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions. Imho this points towards the future - once mirrorless, more compact systems get a premium image, competitive af & lens selection, the old-school dlsr line will be less attractive.

"Com[act, Light Weight, SYSTEM" that is a contradiction of terms. Most people have at least 3 lenses in their bag as a system. The size and weight of the body becomes secondary.The weight and the size of the bag will not be light or small. I would put is in a different way."We need a smaller lighter weight single lens combo" As a DSLR user, once awhile I do "travel light" with only a 18-55 IS kid lens on my 40D. I probably will get the 40mm f 2.8 to make it even lighter and smaller. As for mirrorless body, they are too small and a little bit too light for my shooting habit. Even the Rebel is too small in my hand.

No it's not. My present DSLR minimal system weighs a ton and threatens people when I take a shot. People look at my 24-105 on a non-gripped 5DMKII and I often get comments like 'that is a real camera'. Compare to my Fuji X100 with flash, batteries, hood and cards which all goes into a Black Rapid case over the shoulder. I never notice the weight or size, and people never notice when I'm shooting. Two systems, two purposes. But I have twice as much trouble to manage, batteries, cards to upload, dates and time settings to keep in sync, systems to learn ...

I'm now looking at the possibility of a system consisting of a 5DMKII and a couple of pancakes. If I'm feeling ambitious maybe a flash. The whole thing can fit in a small bag at a pound or two. And I've got nearly the IQ of the full system, and all the speed and convenience of one core component.

I don't know why this concept is so difficult.

 

[Rocky]

Looking forward to it. On any DSLR body, such as my non gripped 5DMKII, it should make for a super light package.

It's interesting to see how many full-fledged dslr users suddenly speak out their desire to have a more compact, lighter camera system for some occasions. Imho this points towards the future - once mirrorless, more compact systems get a premium image, competitive af & lens selection, the old-school dlsr line will be less attractive.

"Com[act, Light Weight, SYSTEM" that is a contradiction of terms. Most people have at least 3 lenses in their bag as a system. The size and weight of the body becomes secondary.The weight and the size of the bag will not be light or small. I would put is in a different way."We need a smaller lighter weight single lens combo" As a DSLR user, once awhile I do "travel light" with only a 18-55 IS kid lens on my 40D. I probably will get the 40mm f 2.8 to make it even lighter and smaller. As for mirrorless body, they are too small and a little bit too light for my shooting habit. Even the Rebel is too small in my hand.

No it's not. My present DSLR minimal system weighs a ton and threatens people when I take a shot. People look at my 24-105 on a non-gripped 5DMKII and I often get comments like 'that is a real camera'. Compare to my Fuji X100 with flash, batteries, hood and cards which all goes into a Black Rapid case over the shoulder. I never notice the weight or size, and people never notice when I'm shooting. Two systems, two purposes. But I have twice as much trouble to manage, batteries, cards to upload, dates and time settings to keep in sync, systems to learn ...

I'm now looking at the possibility of a system consisting of a 5DMKII and a couple of pancakes. If I'm feeling ambitious maybe a flash. The whole thing can fit in a small bag at a pound or two. And I've got nearly the IQ of the full system, and all the speed and convenience of one core component.

I don't know why this concept is so difficult.

You have just echo what I said. You are also going to do what I have done for a long time. You are going to get rid of the big lens and get a pancake lens. That is what I call a "one lens combo". Also you Fujifilm X100 is also another "one lens combo".The other pancake lens (if it exist), you can put it in your pocket. You do not even need a bag. I personally will not call it a system. By the way, the weight of the bag with your 5D II, 2 lenses and the flash, batteries, etc will be over 3 lbs easily.

 

[TrumpetPower!]

Actually, what this lens does is turn a 5D into somethng not unlike the Leica X2 or Fujifilm X100. A bit bigger, a real viewfinder, more ergonomic, much better image quality, admittedly a bit more complex to operate, way better specs across the board, and capable of mounting any EF lens ever made.

What's not to love?

Cheers,

b&

 

[Hillsilly]

Can't wait to read a few more reviews. If the autofocus speed isn't too bad in non-video mode, I'll definitely add one to the shopping list. Like most people, I shoot DSLRs because they offer the best combination of image quality and feature set. I didn't set out thinking "I need a big camera and heavy lenses". If Canon chooses to produce something different, I think that's great. Even more so if the lenses are affordable. And yes, I'm also waiting excitedly for next week's mirrorless announcement!!

BTW, its interesting to hear poms complain about local prices. Guys, you really need to start looking overseas for good prices. Its only when your local stores start seeing their sales go elsewhere that they'll drop their prices to be competitive (or pressure their supplier accordingly). Prices in Australia used to be high, but now we're largely on par with the US. I suspect that this is largely due to Australian's being big online shoppers.

 

[briansquibb]

BTW, its interesting to hear poms complain about local prices. Guys, you really need to start looking overseas for good prices.

Those in the know do go 'grey' for some items. However there is the issue of the warantee....

 

[kdsand]

Only L Lenses come with hoods.

I don't know if Canon is doing themselves a favor by skipping tripod mounts on $1400 tele lenses (70-300L) and hoods on all non-L lenses, inc. $800 parts. They could include the luxury gold-plated hoods with the L lenses, but a standard hood costs a few cents in production - they're just building up a "customer rip-off" image with this.

SHHHHHH! You mustn't anger Canon! If you make them mad they might shut down the "free lens cap" gravy train...

"Snickering " :-\ cling wrap/ plastic wrapped instead of caps - never say never, expect the unexpected.

Its just a tiny little thing. I think it was shown as an accessory.
Perhaps I'll do a DIY with a plastic container from my recycling bin. :