What is the benefit of a "pancake lens"?

What is the benefit of a "pancake lens"?

I know they're not new, but they seem to be gaining popularity again lately, and I am unfamiliar with them.

I bought mine for the STM feature whenever I want to do video. It is very quiet. Not to mention their portability.

The main benefit of a pancake is the size - they're small. In today's world where people seem to want function but in a much smaller footprint, I could see where pancakes would be gaining popularity. But also as Goss mentioned, the STM aspect and small footprint combined make for a rather usable lens for video. Just my take, there could be other benefits that I'm overlooking.

Low profile. 6D and 40mm pancake is relatively small FF kit, for example.
Maybe I should get one for my film Rebel.

photoguy6405 wrote in post #17115033
What is the benefit of a "pancake lens"?
.

'pancake' size ?

watt100 wrote in post #17117402
'pancake' size ?

Good with maple syrup, but be careful not to get sticky fingerprints on the lens.

The Canon 40mm f/2.8 is a very simple design. It's small and very sharp even wide open.

One of my favourite lenses to date.

yogestee wrote in post #17117643
The Canon 40mm f/2.8 is a very simple design. It's small and very sharp even wide open.

One of my favourite lenses to date.

I leave it on my camera instead of using the camera body cover thing. Not much bigger and that way I always have a lens on the body in case I need a shot.

benji25 wrote in post #17124299
I leave it on my camera instead of using the camera body cover thing. Not much bigger and that way I always have a lens on the body in case I need a shot.

I found myself doing the exact same thing on several occasions. When I bought the 40mm pancake, I thought it would some novelty lens I only used when I were playing around, but it has proven to be very usable as everyday lens.

Rumors are hinting that Canon might have a 24mm pancake planned for this fall. If this proves to be correct, I will definitely be looking into that too.

I like them because they're small and inconspicuous.

The 6D/40mm is my everyday walk around setup. Love it. Light and sharp.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #17126435
I like them because they're small and inconspicuous.

Yes. This too..
I tend to be a bit on the shy and introvert side, so armed with my 1000D (without the grip) and the pancake I find it easier to shoot in crowds that I do with my 60D with grip and the Tamron 17-50mm VC.

I got mine because the AF on my nifty-fifty is sometimes too slow for fast action. The 40 STM works fine. As others have said, when I go out, my pancake is always on ... then if I need a different lens, I change.

You guys are like kids on Sunday morning; you just love those pancakes!

It's the size factor mostly, I can fit my EOS M and it's 22mm 2.0 pancake in most of my jeans.

A couple of years ago a true compact camera with a large sensor and L quality lens was only a dream....