Would Canon be able to develop more pancake lenses?

One of the few things that has disappointed me about Canon in recent years is their half-hearted entry into mirrorless. They probably have business reasons for not building out the EOS-M system too much, which I understand.

But they introduced the SL1, ostensibly as a "mirrorless fighter", but I'm confused as to why they wouldn't have introduced at least 1 more pancake lens that could be coupled with this camera. As many have pointed out large lenses kind of defeats the purpose of this camera, and the 40mm I feel is a bit too tight to be a true walkaround.

I'm wondering if it would be that difficult for Canon to develop something like an EF-S pancake prime, say a 24mm 2.8 type lens. I'm not too familiar with lens technology, but seems like limiting this to an EF-S lens and having a relatively slower aperture would make it possible for the lens to be really small/light, and relatively cheap? Or is it a lot harder to develop pancakes at wider focal lengths?

The 22mm f/2 virtually lives on my EOS M and the 40mm f/2.8 is rapidly becoming my favourite street candid lens.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16805376
One of the few things that has disappointed me about Canon in recent years is their half-hearted entry into mirrorless. They probably have business reasons for not building out the EOS-M system too much, which I understand.

But they introduced the SL1, ostensibly as a "mirrorless fighter", but I'm confused as to why they wouldn't have introduced at least 1 more pancake lens that could be coupled with this camera. As many have pointed out large lenses kind of defeats the purpose of this camera, and the 40mm I feel is a bit too tight to be a true walkaround.

I'm wondering if it would be that difficult for Canon to develop something like an EF-S pancake prime, say a 24mm 2.8 type lens. I'm not too familiar with lens technology, but seems like limiting this to an EF-S lens and having a relatively slower aperture would make it possible for the lens to be really small/light, and relatively cheap? Or is it a lot harder to develop pancakes at wider focal lengths?

Vaguely remembering what I've read in the past, due to the nature of a pancake lens design there's really only one FL that will work for a given sensor size (someone correct me if I'm wrong or elaborate on what I'm forgetting), but they could definitely make more compact lenses in general. When I compare some of my vintage lenses to their modern counterparts it baffles me... especially since often they are just as good optically.

Mirrorless is a tough subject. I know a lot of guys I shoot with prefer the live optical feedback of a viewfinder that isn't electronic.

I understand the HUD like benefits of an electronic viewfinder, but I think Canon is pensive only because deciding where the lions share of R & D money goes has to be based on what the majority of people are going to buy.

I am intrigued by Sony's alpha 7 full frame mirrorless. It's an interesting first step at something I might buy. I'm still in an optical viewfinder camp, though.

About those lenses, I know a lot about lens design, but I don't know enough to understand why pancakes aren't made in more focal lengths.

An EFS-mount version of the 22mm pancake Canon makes for the EOS M would be great for the SL1. I love using the 40mm pancake on my full frame 5D3.

see this:

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=16431524&po​stcount=19

and this:

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=16434043&po​stcount=26

from the same thread. I have no idea if it is true, seems legit, but have read that same bit of info elsewhere so I'm thinking it must be the reason. Either way, a compact lens design, even if not a true pancake, in maybe a 24 prime and 60 prime would be nice.

hes gone wrote in post #16806432
=he's gone;16806432]see this:

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=16431524&po​stcount=19

and this:

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=16434043&po​stcount=26

from the same thread. I have no idea if it is true, seems legit, but have read that same bit of info elsewhere so I'm thinking it must be the reason. Either way, a compact lens design, even if not a true pancake, in maybe a 24 prime and 60 prime would be nice.

This is interesting. But still, it does seem like that means there's room for one more pancake that would have to be EF-S that's somewhere in between the 22 and 40. I'd take something like a 33 or close that would give me a 50mm equiv on the APS-C. That would be a terrific addition I think.

If Canon were to make a 30mm/2.8 stm pancake, I would buy one, maybe two, instantly. Why they haven't filled the void of a small standard (50 mm equiv) lens for crop cameras is completely bonkers to me.

I'd love a 400 2.8 pancake, come on Canon!

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16806928
This is interesting. But still, it does seem like that means there's room for one more pancake that would have to be EF-S that's somewhere in between the 22 and 40. I'd take something like a 33 or close that would give me a 50mm equiv on the APS-C. That would be a terrific addition I think.

again, i am in no way a camera/lens engineer, I don't even play one on the internet. But I'm pretty sure the registration distance (between the lens mount and sensor) on an crop camera is the same as the registration distance on a full frame camera. Hence, no 400mm pancake, or even a 30mm pancake.