Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake (Page 2): Don't walk. Drive out to Mt Wachusett and take the mountain road up to the top on a clear day. 360degree views of mountains. There are lookout...

cmc65

rusbowden wrote:

I've got a 6D and had a few Dell coupons, so made a quick order today for the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens.

Now, I cannot wait to shoot with it, possibly this week end.

Thus, I put the cart before the horse out of necessity and frugality. What would you shoot if you were me?

Don't walk. Drive out to Mt Wachusett and take the mountain road up to the top on a clear day. 360degree views of mountains. There are lookout stops on the way up and then on the way down. You can always hike up one of the many trails but it can be a test of endurance with your gear.

tmehrkam Loc: Houston,Tx

I purchased this lens some time ago. Mainly because of it's size and weight. The thought was to have a lens small enough to fit in my shirt pocket when riding my bike with my camera and 70-300mm lens. It does that job very well and takes good sharp pictures.

I have a small case that fits my camera with 300 attached like a glove so I have no space for a larger lens. It is a great value.

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

You'll love this lens! Light, easy and one gets some very good photos using it. I have it on my 5Diii as my street package. It is not obtrusive and it turns a rather heavy camera into a nice light package. I use an over the shoulder LowPro back pack and with the 40mm attached the camera and strap fit nicely in a side pocket, and and leaves room for a 580 flash and my Canon 20 ~ 70 for those times I want good glass. This package goes in the car every time it backs out of the barn.

Smart buy my friend.

Allen Essek

rusbowden wrote:

I've got a 6D and had a few Dell coupons, so made a quick order today for the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens.

Now, I cannot wait to shoot with it, possibly this week end.

Thus, I put the cart before the horse out of necessity and frugality. What would you shoot if you were me?

That's a great and useful lens; it's very sharp, and so extremely compact that your camera will be, a completely different tool in your hands, with that tiny flat lens, mounted on it. You'll be sure to take it with you, to places where you would've left your camera at home without it. You'll find that the 40 mm focal length, is fun to shoot with as a prime, it 'll prove to be useful, and you're certain to enjoy using it, and will be glad that you got it.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

rusbowden wrote:

I've got a 6D and had a few Dell coupons, so made a quick order today for the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens.

Now, I cannot wait to shoot with it, possibly this week end.

Thus, I put the cart before the horse out of necessity and frugality. What would you shoot if you were me?

I've had it almost since it came out, use it quite a bit, it's unobtrusive, probably my second favorite lens, favorite non-zoom, I use it on my T4i and it's like a 50mm on a 35mm as far as I'm concerned, equating to about 60mm I feel it's even better as 50mm was always a bit short on film cameras for me.

acelow Loc: Alabama

I have one. I use it as my every day lens for general photography. Very quiet and fast focusing. You will not be disappointed.

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

That, surely, and I've thought the same before I ordered on the impulse. Also, there seems to be so much that can be accomplished aesthetically at 40 mm, and getting within a foot of a subject, making it a versatile fixed lens. Then again, I'll find out soon if it becomes a favorite, or gets left in the bag.

rmorrison1116 wrote:

I never quite understood that lens. Is what makes it special it's physical size?

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

Hi RPavich,

I'm going out with it for a day. The particular focal length and distance the photographer can get to the subject, yield different results for the photographer when the trigger is pulled. Thus, different lens give the photographer a different set of shots to take. For instance, I am thinking that indoor portraits ought to be fairly nice. On the other hand, shooting the bald eagle from afar -- I should not even attempt that if I want to see its expression.

rpavich wrote:

Can I ask...why you ask this?

What are you really asking (since you can point your camera in any direction and pull the trigger and it will make a picture) with any lens you have bolted to the front.

Curtis_Lowe Loc: Georgia

Here are a few shots at 70mm, using the Tamron 70-200:

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8005349/
http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8007815/
http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8007769/

These are great shots you shared with us.

I have used that lens at indoor family get-togethers as it is less imposing and has larger aperture than my zooms.

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

Great info, Ted, something I was hoping to hear, and makes me excited while I wait for the delivery. That's how I shoot

Ted Liette wrote:

I have this lens and I really like it. When I went to Gettysburg PA, I used it for indoors and outdoors as there's a lot of scenery to photograph. I'm sure you'll find something, just take a walk outside and let your eyes be the viewfinder.

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

Dear cmc65,

That's such an awesome suggestion. Alas, I cannot drive because of a disability, something I used to love love to do, and going to the mountains is just where I'd go if I could. Thanks very much. Nowadays, I use my patent leather Mozo's, and public transportation :) Bu tnow you have me thinking, that I can look forward to a west coast vacation at my sister's, hopefully sooner than later.

cmc65 wrote:

Don't walk. Drive out to Mt Wachusett and take the mountain road up to the top on a clear day. 360degree views of mountains. There are lookout stops on the way up and then on the way down. You can always hike up one of the many trails but it can be a test of endurance with your gear.

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

Thanks very much, tmehrkam. I just got the 6D last year, using almost my entire budget, so have the 75-300 USM, the Tamron I mentioned is my brother-in-law's. Thus, the 40 fills the bottom gap. The 70-300 being a better lens than mine, I am thinking that it may come to the 40 being the one I keep snapped on.

tmehrkam wrote:

I purchased this lens some time ago. Mainly because of it's size and weight. The thought was to have a lens small enough to fit in my shirt pocket when riding my bike with my camera and 70-300mm lens. It does that job very well and takes good sharp pictures.

I have a small case that fits my camera with 300 attached like a glove so I have no space for a larger lens. It is a great value.

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

Thanks very much, Allen, such great info. I'm thinking it'll be the one on the camera when I spend holidays with family, for instance.

Allen Essek wrote:

That's a great and useful lens; it's very sharp, and so extremely compact that your camera will be, a completely different tool in your hands, with that tiny flat lens, mounted on it. You'll be sure to take it with you, to places where you would've left your camera at home without it. You'll find that the 40 mm focal length, is fun to shoot with as a prime, it 'll prove to be useful, and you're certain to enjoy using it, and will be glad that you got it.

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

Awesome information, Bob. Thanks very much. I almost went for the 50, and decided to save a couple hundred. So you confirmed my decision. I could not help but think that I might even favor the less-expensive 40 over the 50.

bobmcculloch wrote:

I've had it almost since it came out, use it quite a bit, it's unobtrusive, probably my second favorite lens, favorite non-zoom, I use it on my T4i and it's like a 50mm on a 35mm as far as I'm concerned, equating to about 60mm I feel it's even better as 50mm was always a bit short on film cameras for me.

rusbowden Loc: Lowell MA

Thanks very much, Curtis.

You bring up the family gatherings, and have me looking forward. This seems like quite the little lens.

Curtis_Lowe wrote:

Here are a few shots at 70mm, using the Tamron 70-200:

http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8005349/
http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8007815/
http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/8007769/

These are great shots you shared with us.

I have used that lens at indoor family get-togethers as it is less imposing and has larger aperture than my zooms.