Who Kept Their Canon 40mm Pancake Lens?

anscochrome wrote in post #18204559
Use it all the time on FF. I just wish it were a 43,3mm instead of a 40mm https://en.wikipedia.o​rg/wiki/Normal_lens

The 43.3 is referring to the diagonal image size cast onto the 35mm film format, not a focal length.

I had a 40 STM a while ago but sold it. Just last week I picked up a used one. The images are just as sharp and wonderful as the first one I had.

Something I don't remember with the first one, and I was hoping someone could help me out with, does the manual focus ring turn smoothly or is it somewhat noisy and gritty feeling? When in AF my used lens is quick to focus and fairly quiet but you can still hear the focus motor. But when I turn the ring in either AF or MF it has a gritty feel to it.

shane_c wrote in post #18311096
I had a 40 STM a while ago but sold it. Just last week I picked up a used one. The images are just as sharp and wonderful as the first one I had.

Something I don't remember with the first one, and I was hoping someone could help me out with, does the manual focus ring turn smoothly or is it somewhat noisy and gritty feeling? When in AF my used lens is quick to focus and fairly quiet but you can still hear the focus motor. But when I turn the ring in either AF or MF it has a gritty feel to it.

Mine's buttery smooth and almost entirely silent. Definitely not anything that I'd describe as 'gritty' or 'noisy'.

shane_c wrote in post #18311096
I had a 40 STM a while ago but sold it. Just last week I picked up a used one. The images are just as sharp and wonderful as the first one I had.

Something I don't remember with the first one, and I was hoping someone could help me out with, does the manual focus ring turn smoothly or is it somewhat noisy and gritty feeling? When in AF my used lens is quick to focus and fairly quiet but you can still hear the focus motor. But when I turn the ring in either AF or MF it has a gritty feel to it.

Mine is quite smooth with just a little motor noise. Does the focus ring still feel gritty when the camera is switched off (i.e. when its just turning aimlessly and not moving any of the elements)?

Yes, it's the same whether the camera is on or off. I bought it used from a camera store. I'll probably bring it in to compare to a new one, and exchange for another used one if it's drastically different.

shane_c wrote in post #18311152
Yes, it's the same whether the camera is on or off. I bought it used from a camera store. I'll probably bring it in to compare to a new one, and exchange for another used one if it's drastically different.

I'm no expert but I think that that is probably relatively good news ... it's just the ring mechanism itself that's a bit gritty not the actual lens internals. But no harm in seeing if you can get a better one.

That's what I'm thinking too. I watched some videos and the AF noise is the same as what I'm hearing online and it's quick and accurate. It's just the focus ring the feels a bit gritty when I turn it.

sold it soon after getting 24-70ii over a year ago. Do not miss it for a second. IQ is not even close, 24-70ii gives way better color and flexibility which is more important than just weight to me. 40mm is sharp but and not much more than that - can't do much with raw files (colors fall apart quickly when pushed).

aquaforester wrote in post #18260595
Accessory question if I can. If you use a screw in lens hood with these pancakes can you still put a lens cap on.

Yes. There is a no name soft plastic collapsable one that I use. It folds right down to make the lens no bigger while it is on. Highly recommended.

shane_c wrote in post #18311096
I had a 40 STM a while ago but sold it. Just last week I picked up a used one. The images are just as sharp and wonderful as the first one I had.

Something I don't remember with the first one, and I was hoping someone could help me out with, does the manual focus ring turn smoothly or is it somewhat noisy and gritty feeling? When in AF my used lens is quick to focus and fairly quiet but you can still hear the focus motor. But when I turn the ring in either AF or MF it has a gritty feel to it.

When in AF mode, it should turn with no effect or sound. In MF mode, it is similar to when using AF - ie you can hear the focus motor - thus it is not a good lens for video - but there shouldn't be a grinding.

I've had 3 copies now. Bought one before each vacation just to have a lighter lens...

...and then never used it on the vacation.

Won't make that mistake again.

Talley wrote in post #18312790
I've had 3 copies now. Bought one before each vacation just to have a lighter lens...

...and then never used it on the vacation.

Won't make that mistake again.

you need to make peace with F2.8 and use it!

I forced myself to use a 35f2.8 over some months, and now I'm comfortable using it despite owning faster sexier lenses. It's currently my most used lens, and I'm confident with it's use. I do with it were f2 for the better shutter speeds, but generally not an issue at that focal length.

it's like shooting a smaller format, but often without the penalties when light levels are good.

Charlie wrote in post #18312824
you need to make peace with F2.8 and use it!

I forced myself to use a 35f2.8 over some months, and now I'm comfortable using it despite owning faster sexier lenses. It's currently my most used lens, and I'm confident with it's use. I do with it were f2 for the better shutter speeds, but generally not an issue at that focal length.

it's like shooting a smaller format, but often without the penalties when light levels are good.

1.4 or bust. I hate using the 200/2 because well... it stops at F2 lol

This is a joke btw... 2.8 is fine. I dunno I just figure if I'm gonna be stuck at 2.8 I'd rather have a 24-70 II.

I had one for a week. It is bad lens made fine by in-camera corrections. Turn off that, and at 2.8, vignetting is 80%. Correcting for that is nasty with lots of lost detail. And, yeah, a 2.8 prime lens is sad. I had a Voightlander 40 f2 at the time and is much superior. I was seeking a smaller kit, but both are gone in favor of a smaller Fuji system.

Since I have all crop cameras, T3i, 7D and 7DII, I have a 50 STM and the 24mm EF-S. The 50mm and 24mm get used often on my T3i and I will occasionally stick the 24mm in my pocket when shooting sports with the 7D and a telephoto if I decide I need a wider lens for team shots or something similar.