35mm or less is generally considered wide-angle. So actually, 40mm is quite close to wide angle. Unless you're using a crop-sensor camera, in which case ~22mm and lower would be wide-angle.
On a crop it's basically a 64mm but somehow still retains a wide angle feel. One of the most overlooked features of this lens is it's close up (almost macro) ability prefect for product and nature close-ups. All in all a fantastic lens super fantastic for the price. As always great straight forward video, great job !
Got mine for about $100 refurbished from the Canon online store. I don't like the focal length on a crop camera (64mm equivalent is pretty awkward for me). However, I really like it on a full frame camera. I am looking forward to using it in low light with my 6D Mark ii which will be arriving soon. With the high ISO capability of the 6D Mark ii, f/2.8 will not be too slow!
i own both, and I have to say that i enjoy the 40mm much more. I find the sharpness is better, and colours pop, but the focus speed is a little slower. Either or you can't go wrong with either one of them
Finally a video that mentions the Canon feel or look, Please make a video talking about the Canon Feel vs the Nikon look, people are always talking about Canon vs Nikon and they talk about everything except what you said in this video, Nikon and Canon have a different feel, and I would love to see it analyzed, and i would love to hear what your opinion is about the 2 different looks and why you have that opinion, just the difference between Nikon and Canon feel,not all the mp or fps crap, thanks
I picked this up just today for $170 and its very nice so far. Its obviously not a very fast lens for indoor work but at 2.8 and bumped ISO, it does well. It doesnt need to be stopped down to sharpen. my 50 1.8 has to be stopped down a bit to become very sharp so really if you want sharp indoor shots, they'd be almost the same. This feels better built and the autofocus is pretty much silent.
(If you're searching for video reviews on this lens, I posted my comment on a few in the hopes of helping someone else.) Edited. So I just got this lens today to use between my Zeiss 21 and 100 Makro Planar when I don't feel like carrying the Zeiss 28 and 50 MP around for the middle. I had a Zeiss 35 ƒ2 and hated it, even tough I had historically been a 35/85 guy. Now I'm a 28 guy, but that means a 50 as well. (Don't get me going on all he 50mm lenses I've tried out!) Picking a reasonably fast 35-40mm lens has been exhausting. I didn't want L weight or ƒ1.4 size. I took a chance with this pancake (over the Voightlander Ultron II), hoping to break my "Canon for Clients, Zeiss for me" mantra. It's a nice lens (maybe great), especially at 2.8. It seemed to peak out around ƒ11 but I wasn't too concerned about stopping down; I never shoot less than ƒ8. As fine as it is, and I love the focal length (full frame), it's just too slow. AF is okay I suppose, but I found myself at 1/10th second at 640 ISO in average light. I could hand hold this 80% of the time at 1/20th, but when I consider the option of a 35 ƒ2 with IS, that's where I need to be. 35mm without IS would be fine, but the older USM version (smaller, lighter) couldn't possibly be better than the 35 1.4L I had once, which, together with my 16-35 2.8II had me thinking Canon couldn't make a wide lens. This lens proved me wrong. I only hope the lessons Canon learned here are in the new 35. ( I understand the 35 ƒ2IS has more vignetting wide open, but maybe the same at 2.8.) It's a great lens for when light is plentiful, but in the end, I shoot available. I lust after handholding in available street light, sometimes from the hip. If the option of IS in a middle-length lens wasn't there (Canon 35 ƒ2 IS), I'd be as happy as 1979 with this little STM.
I just purchased this lens without watching this video first and now I am even more psyched to have this lens show up (Happy Birthday to Me !). Thanks for posting this, wish I had seen this earlier, but does'nt matter, still got this thing coming my way today or tomorrow !
Another awesome Video. I went out the other night to shoot fireworks and ran into fellow photographers. We talked and networked.AND.....I got a gig! YOU WERE RIGHT! Going out there and shoot really does pay off! I meant wonderful people and the audience came to my camera to look at the pictures! I am now more confident in my photos because of you! Thank you so much for the amazing videos advice!
I got this lens at a local electronic stores for 120$ for my Canon EOS m100 (1.6x) and Viltrox eos-m2 speed booster(0.71x). Got a focal length of 45mm @ F2.0. Very amazing and sharp lens indeed.
I'm loving this lens. I went on vacation to Denver last week and I bought this lens for the trip so I didn't have to carry so much with me while I was just walking around. I'm really happy with it. For the $150 price tag at Best Buy, it's definitely worth the money.
I started with the 50mm 1.8 and I am extremely happy i did. I didn't buy a DSLR for the size, which is why I'm a little confused on why they made this. But for me the 1.8 was absolutely needed, even now that i have a D800 and many other lenses I still use my 50 1.8 for that extra stop.
I'm used to using this lens on a crop sensor camera, and it was pretty awesome. I recently got a 5D so I could try out this whole full frame thing. The 40mm pancake seems a little wide on full-frame. I definitely have to use it a little differently. I have to get a lot closer to get good photos, which is fine.
compared to the kit lens YES! you will be amassed. Go to a camera store and try out the 50mm 1.8 and you'll see the difference. They should also have the package for you to try out.
Great review. I have heard good things about this lens. But off topic, How do you make those pancakes? I never saw someone use the scoop before. Awesome video 😀
as soon as I picked up the 40 and held it in my hands I wanted it, it looks and feels good and the focus ring is so smooth, I tried it for a second and it seemed fast and sharp, so I bought it, when I went out and shot with it, I was very impressed with the image quality, even though this 40mm is a $200 dollar lens, I consider it an L lens, I also own the new Canon 70/200 IS ll and it is amazing, but this little 40 is pretty amazing too, it turns my new 5D3 into an expensive point and shoot haha
I was considering the 35mm f/2 since I have a crop sensor camera (focal length comes out to 56mm), but it's $320. In your opinion, would the slightly longer focal length and smaller aperture be worth the $120 savings?
It's a pretty versatile lens. It can do everything, and it even overlaps other lenses. Focus from 2ft and you essentially have the same view as an 85mm 1.8 at closest focusing distance. Focus from 1ft and you have a decent macro lens that will get more than twice the size of objects in frame as the 85mm. Focus to infinite with a small aperture and you've got a decently wide landscape lens, slightly tighter than a 35mm and slightly wider than a 50mm. Depending on your focus distance and aperture, you can have anything from creamy bokeh like the 85mm 1.8, or busier bokeh like the voightlander 40mm. For example, at less than a few feet, bokeh will be creamy at 2.8. At ~6ft bokeh will be busier. And for infinite focus on a landscape, DOF will have a smoother fall off. It's a forgotten lens for sure, but that's because too many people get caught up by G.A.S. The only real downside to it is its slower auto focus, which isn't that big of a deal for most photography. I'd like to see it remade with a USM motor rather than STM. Then it'd have super fast focusing. Most people don't realize how good this lens is until they actually use it and spend a few months getting to know it. And more importantly to photography in general, don't stay only at the widest aperture!
just purchased my fist dslr, i got the t4i and i have no idea how to use it, but all your vids and some other camera buffs vids are very helpful . thank you
Hi, I know this might be a silly question but...Does Allen's Camera ship internationally? I was looking at their site and I just couldn't find the information or a way to contact them.
Just picked one up second hand for $100, will use it on my 5d mk2. I already have the 50 1.4 which is obviously a lot better, but wanted a prime 40 for some quick street pics
Hey Jared, what are your thoughts on the Canon EOS 650D? I'll be using it for both Photos and Videos. Photos mainly for family events, birthdays and food shots and video too. I can invest on a lens too. How would you compare it to the D5200?
Why not just pick up a 60D now? There is no point in waiting.... or you will always be waiting... Once the 70D comes out then the idea will come "should I wait for 80D or 7D Mark II". 650D is good... but I still prefer the 60D to it. Its nice to have the iso/aperture/shutter speed info on the top of the camera.
From what I've read/watched the 50mm 1.8 and 1.4 are sharper than the 1.2 above f/2.8. Below that the 1.2 beats them. I've had both the 50mm 1.8 and 1.4 and rarely used them below f/2.8 to keep things sharp as possible, preferred the 1.4 for its build quality and USM over the 1.8. Sold the 1.8 in favour of the 1.4 then that in favour of a 28mm 1.8 though, currently considering the 40mm STM or a wideish standard zoom like the 17-40mm f/4 L
I´ve worked with both of them, both deliver very good image-quality! I´d say: i.q. same level! So it depends more on your inclination, what feels more intuitive to you button- and menu-wise, what feels better in your hands? I like the T4i´s audio better and it´s Stepping Motor AF during video is more advanced, it´s smoother (though still far from perfect....)
For the reason that I can shoot 1.8. Like for example, I've read that the 50 1.4 is sharper than the 50 1.2 but people still buy the 1.2 because of that aperture.The large aperture is a neccesity for me especially when I shoot low light. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure that the 40 is good (even better perhaps since its newer) but yeah. Sharpness is not the only the basis of image quality.
I thought I was the only one that thinks about the "canon colour" I noticed that too. and I kinda like it. Nikon colours is kinda more bluish to me but more vivid as well.
Hi Jared, question: for a wideangle lens: which one to get ? Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM or the zoom Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM ? Like to do some street photography or scenery
Hi. Just a quick question. I have a t3i and am deciding between the 50m f1.8 and the 40mm f2.8. This is going to be used for portraits, both indoors and outdoors, in various lighting conditions (Sunny, Overcast, Night, Flash, House Lighting, etc). Also, how is the AF on the t3i?
Because of this video ... I purchased the lens yesterday .... and a t5i body ... bought it off a company in NJ that discounts the T5i body 75 cheaper than B and H ... include the tax ... and that's 140 bucks ..... Going to watch this again ....
You should invest in some gym gloves, I always used to wear them so I get a nice enough grip and don't get callouses unnecessarily. As for the lens I love it on my 60D for street photography.
haha i like the music in the beggining about shooting raw :D Its pretty sweet! Did u rap that? Whoever it was he was good! Can i downlaod that anywhere?
Would this be a good lens on my t2i (crop) for shooting portraits? I have a job coming up that involves taking pictures of clothes/models. Would it be a good length for that?
Some lenses are made from good enough plastic (in the case of the 50mm 1.8, it is plastic but people buy it a lot) and others are made from better, stronger materials
I'm new to photography and have a question. Why are you using such a high ISO on most of the images? It seems like your shooting in good light... Can anybody help me understand this?
If you have the money, go for the 50 f/1.4 since it converts from cropped to full pretty well. I wouldn't take his advice on the 50 f/1.8. I'm just not a fan of that lens.
So, what are the main differences between this lens and the 18-55mm kit? is this lens better than the 18-55mm?. I am a beginner and just bought my first camera (t4i). Thanks Jared!
Hey I just found this video and I love it. I have the 40mm in my bag with my T4i. I do have a question for you though. I'm looking around for some tilt-shift lenses. Do you have any recommendations for use with a T4i? Great song by the way.
Gotcha. I just wasn't sure. For me, i rarely shoot in lighting that requires anything more than 2.8, so my 135 f/2, 50 1.8, etc are just "extras" to me. Haha.
70D. The STM is only a newer technology for cheaper lenses, it wont change much in the semi-pro market. The 70D will have a better shutter actuation and better FPS compared to the 650D. Also it will have a better AF sensor. Just wait.
Fro just one question im getting a 1d mark 2 and its a 1.3 crop so would the 40 be a better choice then the 50 1.8 because it would be closer to 50 then the actual 50.?
I keep coming back and looking at those ISO1600-3200 images on this T4i, and I'm really impressed...I own 60D, rarely go to ISO3200 ( mostly concerts, weddings and stuff like that ) because they mostly convert to black and white...I can see this using on a daily base =) Pancake lens? Great little lens =) a bit too small for my liking, but I can see myself using it =) If only it was a tiny bit wider and faster...LOVE the optics of a good prime =)
Hi, Cool video! I have the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens, that came with Canon 90D, would this lens be better to get for portraits, closeups/macros, & video?
