Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Review
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The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 is an excellent pancake lens that provides consistently sharp images with great bokeh. It is well-made and perfect for both full-frame and APS-C cameras, offering a wider focal length for creative possibilities.
The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 is a technically better performer than the Canon 50mm f/1.8, but the latter offers more creative possibilities with its wider aperture and is recommended for those looking for a very out-of-focus effect.
Pros
- Consistently sharp images
- Great bokeh
- Well-made build quality
- Wider focal length for creative possibilities
Cons
- Autofocus is not the fastest
- Vignetting at f/2.8
- Not as creatively versatile as the Canon 50mm f/1.8
The autofocus is nice and silent, and the STM autofocus motor should work quite well with Canon's newest cameras.
The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 is a very successful modern lens from Canon, providing a perfect focal length for full-frame cameras and a very usable telephoto length for APS-C cameras. The aperture of f/2.8 allows for a good amount of light and nice, out-of-focus backgrounds, although it's not the brightest. Despite its tiny size, the build quality is nice, and the lens feels well-made. However, the autofocus, using Canon's STM system, is not the fastest but provides silent and smooth operation. In terms of image quality, the lens is consistently excellent, particularly sharp even on a full-frame camera. It performs well at various apertures and distances, and the bokeh is always smooth and not distracting. Overall, the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 is a technically better performer than the Canon 50mm f/1.8, but the latter offers more creative possibilities with its wider aperture and is recommended for those looking for a very out-of-focus effect.
The aperture of f/2.8 allows for a good amount of light and nice, out-of-focus backgrounds, although it's not the brightest. Despite its tiny size, the build quality is nice, and the lens feels well-made.
Source
This article is based on the review by
Christopher Frost
Christopher Frost is a YouTube channel dedicated to providing in-depth reviews and analyses of photography equipment, particularly lenses. Christopher Frost, the creator and host of the channel, is known for his thorough and detailed evaluations of various lenses from different manufacturers, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and others. To learn more, please visit the channel here.