Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Review
The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens.
This is how I use this lens in my bag when I’m out taking pictures, I pair it up with my Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens Ultra-Wide giving my 40mm end 2.8 the same that the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens has, however since anytime I’m using my Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM to do portraits I always use the 40mm end sometimes wanting a f/2.8 when light gets low and you want a more out of focus background is now possible. Even thou you may think that f/2.8 is a must have what I can say is that for landscape users that’s not necessary at all since you will be wanting to get most of everything from back to front in focus however there are times you want that low light option and for me that’s only on the 40mm end, this makes this small guy almost invisible, it’s so small I can keep it I’m my pocket. There is really no complaint on its size.
There are some things people need to understand that little guy can do, it’s sharp to the bone and I can say it gives me L Glass quality on my full frame body it’s so well balance that I use it most of the time unless I need to do something very wide that’s where my 17mm comes into play and for that only I can say it’s like having super light glass to complete the 40mm end in prime.
40mm f/4 on the Zoom vs. 40mm f/4 on the Prime there is a difference, it’s not the same the prime is sharper from corner to corner than the Zoom, it can get a bit soft in the edges and you can see it if you compare the lenses. I never had any problems with the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens with quality sharpness, it is the sharpest in its class of ultra-zoom, I did asked this question when I was buying it and I was told that it’s 40mm so it should be the same, this is incorrect it’s not the same and you can see it.
Now I walk with one lens and a half cause this 40mm is a half of a lens in size its almost not there at all and it’s a pleasure to have it for my needs, the bokeh is amazing and it also has a very high contrast tint that make colors richer looking, I believe that’s where videographers will benefit from it as well, I never had a soft shot at all from this glass, also it is so small, there is no reason not to carry it with you, it is so small it fits like a metal lens cap.
This canon lens is small and heavy it’s got weight and quality feeling everything you are used to from canon this lens does not skimp at all, and for the price I will say was a steal. If your into primes and your guessing if to get this glass, I strongly recommend you to pick it up but that’s up to you if you really need a 40mm, I have been using my 40mm wide angle for over 5 years this just made using it much better cause now I can work beautifully in low light with people and it’s not even a hassle to carry this glass, this lens is not sealed like the L’s are in the image you can see that but I got no problem with that.
For the record, I shot in a snow storm just a few weeks ago, even in down pours and didn’t use my storm coat to protect against water, however I made sure that my camera was not exposed directly to be in constant contact with water and I don’t recommend doing that with any lens weather seal don’t mean you can it just means that you stand a better chance of not damaging the lens, I ran this lens months before giving my honest word about my experience with it and hope this helps clear anything anyone was wondering about it.
The only way to see this lens in action is to own it, if you get it from B&H Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens you can use it for 30-days to decide if you really like it and what to keep it, if you don’t you can always send it back, but I bet you will love it. 👣 👣
Written: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 – 20:30
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!