35mm f2 or 40mm Pancake

I need a wide angle lens to put on my 60D. I like the 35mm focal length but I see that that lens has a very loud AF. As the 40mm focal length is not very far off and it is significantly less money, is there reason not to go for the 40mm pancake over the 35 f2?

Neither choice performs as a wide angle lens on a 60D. Your best bet is a 10-20 something wide angle zoom (for ultrawide to wide angle use), or a 17-50 something zoom (which gives you wide angle to normal to moderate long lens). The pancake is a GREAT lens, but it acts as a long normal lens on a 60D, not as a wide angle lens.

For what it's worth, Best Buy has the 40mm pancake for $149

anscochrome wrote in post #15572236
Neither choice performs as a wide angle lens on a 60D. Your best bet is a 10-20 something wide angle zoom (for ultrawide to wide angle use), or a 17-50 something zoom (which gives you wide angle to normal to moderate long lens). The pancake is a GREAT lens, but it acts as a long normal lens on a 60D, not as a wide angle lens.

Let me clarify - I am not looking for UWA. I understand that with a crop it puts these lenses at ~50-60 mm. I just picked up an 85mm so I am looker for something at the wider end of the specturm as I don't see the 50mm being wide enough or that much different from the 85. Also the pancake is half the price of the 35 which makes it very attractive.

anscochrome wrote in post #15572236
Neither choice performs as a wide angle lens on a 60D. Your best bet is a 10-20 something wide angle zoom (for ultrawide to wide angle use), or a 17-50 something zoom (which gives you wide angle to normal to moderate long lens). The pancake is a GREAT lens, but it acts as a long normal lens on a 60D, not as a wide angle lens.

It works as a wide angle because the focal length doesn't change, it's just cropped.

I LOVE 35mm on my crop also.

Both are light and sharp lenses - the 40mm focuses better, in my experience, but the caveat of course is the f2 vs the f2.8. If you are shooting without a flash indoors, the 35mm will serve you better. If you plan to use it at smaller apertures, then the 40mm would probably be a better choice.

I have 28/1.8, 50/1.8, 85/1.8 . I shoot mainly HS basketball. The AF on my 50 was too flakey on moving subjects. So I got the 45/2.8. I've been very satisfied with it for close shots. Of course, I have to jack up the ISO to get good shots.

blackzarg wrote in post #15572291
Both are light and sharp lenses - the 40mm focuses better, in my experience, but the caveat of course is the f2 vs the f2.8. If you are shooting without a flash indoors, the 35mm will serve you better. If you plan to use it at smaller apertures, then the 40mm would probably be a better choice.

Is there really a big difference between 2 and 2.8? what is that, 1/3 of a stop?

Also I was thinking with the money saved by going with the pancake I could get a 430 ex or exII.

The difference between F2 and F2.8 is a whole stop. It makes the difference in many cases of shooting crop at ISO 1600 or 1250, instead of 3200.
The 35 view is also more of a normal view on a crop, while 40 is a short telephoto.
I have the 35F2 and wouldn't trade it for the 40. It allows me to get low light shots and is more generally useful on crop....at least for me.

benji25 wrote in post #15572353
Is there really a big difference between 2 and 2.8? what is that, 1/3 of a stop?

Also I was thinking with the money saved by going with the pancake I could get a 430 ex or exII.

it's a full stop...so yeah it's a big difference

at the prices that the old sigma 30mm f1.4 are selling at now, i really don't see how you can't put that in the mix...2 stops faster than the 40mm, and a stop faster than the 35f2...and dirt cheap right now

If the 35/2 was cheaper than the sigma 30 f/1.4 which is selling for $289.99 at many places, then it would be worth it. Otherwise consider the pancake if you want a lens that is compact, sharp wide open at f/2.8, but otherwise 2 stops slower than the sigma. If you can't live with the aperture of the pancake, then I would just go for the sigma ... in fact that's exactly what I did

I picked up the Sigma 30. The low light performance is what I needed and the price was $100 cheaper than the canon. As this is just a hobby for me the Sigma will suit me just fine. Thanks for the help.

Good choice. The Sigma is a great little lens.

benji25 wrote in post #15572268
Let me clarify - I am not looking for UWA. I understand that with a crop it puts these lenses at ~50-60 mm. I just picked up an 85mm so I am looker for something at the wider end of the specturm as I don't see the 50mm being wide enough or that much different from the 85. Also the pancake is half the price of the 35 which makes it very attractive.

I have the 40mm, 50 1.4 and had the 85mm. I have also used the 35mm from time to time. The 85mm was too long for my needs on a crop body so I sold it. Between the 40mm and the 50mm, I prefer the focal length and size of the 40mm. Image quality is great, even wide open. The 50mm (either 1.8 or 1.4) you obviously get wider aperture, but neither are fantastically sharp wide open, and focus can be hit and miss (Especially the 1.8). From my limited experience, the 35 is a really good lens and the FL is probably a little more suited for what you want it for on a crop, but its hard to justify the price difference for the relatively small difference.

I say go the pancake.

Coffee400 wrote in post #15573230
I have the 40mm, 50 1.4 and had the 85mm. I have also used the 35mm from time to time. The 85mm was too long for my needs on a crop body so I sold it. Between the 40mm and the 50mm, I prefer the focal length and size of the 40mm. Image quality is great, even wide open. The 50mm (either 1.8 or 1.4) you obviously get wider aperture, but neither are fantastically sharp wide open, and focus can be hit and miss (Especially the 1.8). From my limited experience, the 35 is a really good lens and the FL is probably a little more suited for what you want it for on a crop, but its hard to justify the price difference for the relatively small difference.

I say go the pancake.

Sorry - didnt see your above post that you already picked up a lens!