Canon 40mm 2.8 Pancake Lens Review

froknowsphoto.c...
There seems to be this trend to move towards thinner and smaller lenses known as Pancake lenses. Canon put out a 40mm 2.8 Prime lens that I picked up at AllensCamera to play with and review. I have been using this lens on the Canon T4i and have come to a simple conclusion.
This lens is a $200 no questions asked winner. The reason I say its no questions asked is the fact that its very inexpensive for what you get. The build quality is top of the line from the metal mount to the feel in your hands. With that said this is a very very small and light weight lens, thus the pancake design.
Canon tries to market this as a discreet lens for when you don't want people to know your taking pictures. I think thats a marketing joke and not something I would ever promote a lens for.
This lens is fast focusing, sharp all the way through and very very light. Sometimes you may think its to light and small. For example when you are shooting video its not out of the question that your finger finds its way into your frame while trying to focus the very very thin focusing ring.
The question is going to be asked, should you get this lens or the Canon 50 1.8 plastic fantastic? One clocks in at $200 while the other is $109. Even though the 50 is a 1.8 I think the build quality of the 40 2.8 would have me leaning towards it for a more versatile lens especially on a cropped sensor.
Like I said up top, you should not fret to long about purchasing this lens or not. It was a pleasure to use and the results were very much to my liking. You can download the FULL RES exports RIGHT HERE. All images are corrected as I feel that is the best way to judge a product.
If you would like to pick up one of these lenses and you are in the USA please check out AllensCamera.com or call 215.547.2841.
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[@Manserotti78]

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

[@photographerjonathan]

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

[@artistjoh]

The 40 pancake is a very underrated lens. Sharp, light, and discrete. Always produces great images and video footage.

[@JJtoob]

But how does it work with syrup and butter?

[@svtcontour]

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.

[@downconvert]

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 !

[@froknowsphoto]

when you sign up for the fro e mail list on the web site you get the MP3 for FREE.

[@Xcelerometer]

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?

[@KingGameReview]

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.

[@DarnocTechCH]

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.

[@juodaavis]

the same happened to me, my 50mm 1.8 canon lens broke, the focus stopped working, I'm also thinking which of these to get

[@arieshoelace]

was the d7000's intervalometer used while making the "cooking pancake scene"?

[@MarkDarnell]

Photo rap was awesome, and thank you for the honest review of this lens. And of course, I'm subscribed to your channel.

[@ddavidnathan]

I've been thinking about buying this lens for a while, now I'm sold!

[@bunglebear85]

The pictures of the kid, the dog and the X100 at the end were absolutely nailed on...

[@flowkay57]

Depends on what kind of pics you want. I like using macro lenses for food, and getting the really close up detailed pics.

[@azuraabubakar]

how about the STM features bro? that's the reason you wanna pair it up with t4i, right?

[@hornback86]

I love that the 'staple' jars in Jared's kitchen are used for candy.

[@jjrosaria]

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.

[@kelkiepiekisses]

Which one do you think is better for video for beginners ? This one or the Canon 50 1.8?

[@birdgeekguy]

To make pancake lens: 1/2 cup melted stainless steel 5 pieces molded glass 3 tsp plastic (for lens cap) Mix together, freeze, and enjoy! (;

[@FirstMovementFilms]

1:50 wouldn't you compare the canon 40 2.8 to the nikon 40 2.8, not the 35 1.8...?

[@Willo3G]

Can this lens be a allday lens. I want something like the 18-55. This one is better??

[@Tuticrafts]

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.

[@froknowsphoto]

yes of course.

[@Wuzzysbrand06]

Are we gonna get a Hasselblad file from Adam soon for the RAW file edit of the week? :)

[@aKaRushx]

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?

[@JarredSpec]

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

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

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 ....

[@TheSchmauli]

Have you ever used it for making Videos on the 6d?

[@fetzinger10]

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....)

[@MrFirstdance2000]

Jared...I enjoy your dispensing of knowledge & experience. Thank you for your intense and well thought out productions!

[@froknowsphoto]

not really no. 85mm would be better.

[@malibuReddd]

what lens are your recording with? thanks

[@froknowsphoto]

it is!!!

HAHAHAHA you actually made pancakes! Brilliant!

[@ThaBreakRoom]

So is this lens compatible w/ the 5D MKII?

[@nitto1320i]

how sharp is it wide open? i like shooting @ f2.8

[@TaraEveland]

haha what is that song playing? too funny!

[@EvanRelfWasHere]

soundcloud.com/froknowsphoto/froknowsphotos-song-1

[@cockyjeremy]

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.

[@jorgiedee]

Cake vs 50mm 1.8 witch is better

[@DVLTuber]

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

[@nadim412]

pancake lens or EFS 18-135mm lens ??

[@UnofficialSimonPhillipsArchive]

What about the groove at the beginning of your videos?

[@JoschaL]

is the lens full frame?

[@timmyusa]

Wait you said this lens with out syrup works. Well what happens if we get it with syrup?!

[@Hichris808]

@JaredPolin, if you're recording in video mode using the built-in microphone of the Canon T4i, do you pick up noise when manual focusing?

[@mofe]

found it kinda funny the song says they only shoot with Nikon but its a canon lens

[@tribal420]

They still make Charles Chips? I see the can.

[@kzdz]

u shot autofocus?

[@Dan____]

that song is awesome.

[@xXxAtkinsxXx]

reminded me of the sims when he was cooking... wish it was like that when i worked... Fast forward!

[@BrandNewMeandYou]

can you use it for the canon 60d???

[@resmediamarketing]

I want one of these lenses... does it work just as well for auto-focus with a t3i?

[@Nk19998]

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?

[@llleolllolll]

@Illusive Man what? i dont understand what you mean

[@baxtermaxtor]

I was going to ask about the Stone Roses and Jared's take on the conditions of contracts being handed out at shows.

[@NISHATILOCS9]

can i get this type of sharpness and separation using it on my canon 60D what settings do i put it on to get this and sharpness??please help

[@imictfh]

what is this track ?

[@MattMendiniPhoto]

The songs back!

[@illusiveman1766]

wow that sucks :/ why didn't you send it back to warranty

[@daleriff]

Great video! I just order one from KEH excellent with caps used for $106.00 can't wait to use it and yes I'm a new be

[@Nerd_in_nature]

im trying to get into food photography. would this be a good start or should i go for something else

[@slanigrad]

rich rymer check out some macro lenses... they really make a diffrence in the food photos.. :D

[@lokobato100]

if I have a 28-75 mm f/2.8 lens set at 40mm f2.8 could i get the same functionality and photo result compared to a pancake 40mm f2.8? weight and size are irrelevant. Thanks.

[@DeathDasein]

Is it 2.8 on all the focal length? I would say no. Except its an expensive zoom lense, like a Sigma Art.

[@bbyjcky1]

Youre so right about the red tones in canons. I fucking hate the redness in my canon rebel xs. Stupid camera but its all i have right now.

[@Hangiinjohnny]

This thing is still in my bag. Takes no room and always fun to shoot with

[@natebombdiggitydawg]

Sells for $149 at best buy! EXCELLENT lens just picked it up! Excited to take pictures with it! Great review and vids! - t4i user.

[@prewishjay5581]

nice track dude

[@jorgiedee]

Sorry meant to say pancake vs 55mm 1.4 with is better

[@greekplayback]

Which camera and lense you using in this video ?

[@rascalhusky8129]

Funny start . Great video , pentax pancake lenses are very expensive but good .

[@Pu55yTamer]

i say keep it and use it.... unless you can go full frame 5d mkii or 6d or d600 =)

[@belizeandiver]

Newb here! Would this give me distorted portraits on a 6D? At the moment I am using a 24-70mm f2.8 L 2, it is razor sharp but rumor has it that primes are even more so.

[@oasisbeyond]

70mm+ For Portraits, I don't recommend this. For street or indoor shots it's great.

[@TruSol]

My new fav lens

[@ChibaCityBlues]

40mm is hardly a wide angle lens. It is close to a standard lens. (43mm for Full Frame / FX Cameras)

[@meamjustme]

My 50mm 1.8 is kinda at the end of its life. I think this will replace that beloved lens. ^^

[@lesliedee4991]

thank you for all the awesome lens reviews!

[@nicolemoreno8009]

Here's a question to anyone... Ive been shooting with this 40 for several months now on a crop sensor and I've been looking into other lenses. Would anyone recommend dumping the 40 for the 50 1.4 or is that a waste of money?

[@nickvillarreal2673]

no not yet but i played around on it on my friends one and its pretty amazing for 350$

[@KsDuFilm]

cool! first ever Canon lens review

[@SamLeeDana]

dude sometimes you grind my gears with ya jokes

[@mattcolbourn]

What is the first song?

[@servernomad8111]

i really like the song u used

[@StroalOutdoors]

Never use auto focus for video.

[@khambu53]

I want the track,,,its cool and catchy

[@krishnapot2]

nice soundtrack jared !

[@Mr130on]

i sold my plastic not so fantastic after testing and buying this for my 7D and its freaking awsom...

[@paklurah1]

i wish they made f1.8 or f2 instead of 2.8 .

[@DCUPtoejuice]

this is fantastic. great process.

[@john2737]

Charles Chips!

[@nickvillarreal2673]

oh but i also read that the sigma 50 1.4 is better than the canon but $100 more

[@oasisbeyond]

Great lens for indoor, get it when it's on sale for $150.

[@fausto412]

Did not know Redfoo was into photography

[@elgeo12345]

Love that song!

[@achingowl]

That track is awesome! :D

[@onylroque]

Tengo Uno y es exelente

[@Palmstar125]

Tiene ejemplos

[@TimXMan1000]

Eso es bueno amigo

[@robertlam18]

Same lens, different motor, double the price. Canon biz as usual.

[@celebait2751]

This guy is defining himself by his fro, what if he cuts his hair? Thats his whole brand in the bin

[@YouDontTalkAboutFightClub]

It's hard not to like this guy. He puts a lot of work in his videos for us. Thanks Jared!

[@froknowsphoto]

You can use it for anything.