Worth getting the Canon 40mm STM?

mithrandir · 2 Jan 2013 at 18:19

Anyone have one of these lens and is it worth getting if I already have the 50mm f1.8 MkII?

Initial reviews indicate it is sharp and quick (moreso than the 50mm) and being 40mm seems better for a crop DSLR.

Looking to use it for general walkabouts and to take pics of my little one as he grows.

cokecan · 2 Jan 2013 at 18:38

ps2wizz on here has the 40mm STM lens and it's quite nifty! pretty quick and seems to give great sharp results at around f2.8 on the 450D. He uses it as a general walk around lens the same way I do with my 50mm 1.4, though even with 40mm you might find it a challenge in some situations on a crop sensor where it feels a bit too long.

The full time focus is a bit of an odd one. I'm so used to my 28 and 50mm that have a manual focus ring thats always engaged regardless of whether manual or auto focus is selected on the lens. The 40mm should do the same however to manually focus while in auto mode you need to half depress the shutter button to unlock the manual focus ring.

One other thing to watch out for that we've found is that if you use the auto focus then catch the focus tube that extends and push it in a little bit (even just placing the lens cap on it) generally makes the auto focus stop working until you disconnect the lens and re-attach it. It is documented and I believe Canon have finally acknowledged that there is a problem. Not sure if it's been fixed but that;s the solution we and many others have found.

mithrandir · 2 Jan 2013 at 18:54

Thanks for the info cokecan72. (I'm using a 450D as well)

Phal · 2 Jan 2013 at 20:48

I have a 40mm for my 650 and it's a nice lens for sure

Smaller than the 50mm but about the same weight so it's great if you want to make your camera a bit more portable. Ultra quiet if USM lenses aren't quiet enough for you but that only really makes a difference when recording movies with onboard mic.

If you have a 50mm already then unless you really want a smaller lens then it's hard to justify the 40mm too (for me anyway. This is the reason why I don't have the 50mm 1.8 lol

42zx · 2 Jan 2013 at 21:02

I have it for my 5D2, its awesome on full frame very sharp with nice bokeh, but I think I'd stick with the 50mm 1.8 for crop.

Raymond Lin · 2 Jan 2013 at 21:03

After looking at the thread in POTN...this lens has changed my mind on what it can do!

King Damager · 2 Jan 2013 at 21:21

Not sure what I think of the Bokeh on this. Looks slightly odd just out of focal range. Properly out of focus and it's nice, only slightly though is a bit weird...

kd

mithrandir · 2 Jan 2013 at 23:07

Thanks for the comments guys!

Raymond Lin said:
After looking at the thread in POTN...this lens has changed my mind on what it can do!

Thanks for the reminder, I forgot to check POTN (was looking on TP but not much there).

42zx · 2 Jan 2013 at 23:23

It does pretty nice bokeh balls

and on FF its got pretty decent subject separation. I like to think of it as a good all rounder tbh...moderately fast, moderately wide (on FF), sharp wide open, small and well built, oh and very cheap.

Phal · 2 Jan 2013 at 23:30

Yeah I think I'll prefer it on a FF whenever I upgrade

DRTV also did a review of it if you watch those.

londonbairn · 3 Jan 2013 at 09:52

May get one soon, nice IQ and would be nice and discrete on non gripped 5d mk iii. It's near £100 from APAC companies!

shez · 3 Jan 2013 at 14:54

I am debating getting one of these for my 5Dc when I go travelling for 8 weeks in South America. Or sell up and get myself either a Sony RX100 or a Fuji X100, thoughts?

cpsimit · 3 Jan 2013 at 15:38

I sold my 50mm F/1.8 just the other day having bought a 40mm last week.

The size, build quality, and slightly wider focal length was enough to win me over and although F/2.8 isn't amazing, it does the job. Plus I like the fact I can have it permanently on my camera due to it's size.

42zx · 3 Jan 2013 at 16:19

It makes the 5D2 so much lighter, if the focal length works for you then its fantastic to have such a portable high quality setup.

julianhj · 4 Jan 2013 at 05:42

There's one second hand near to me for £99. I'm very tempted, but I already have a nifty. Is it that much better?

King Damager · 4 Jan 2013 at 10:39

It depends whether you need the extra FoV. If you frequently finding you've not got enough width... Interestingly, it could be seen as a nice budget '35ish' lens mind.... I don't think it's worth it otherwise.

kd

cokecan · 4 Jan 2013 at 11:31

I think I still prefer my 50mm 1.4 over the 40mm, but there is no denying it's a cracking lens for the money

Phal · 4 Jan 2013 at 13:05

julianhj said:
There's one second hand near to me for £99. I'm very tempted, but I already have a nifty. Is it that much better?

It's only F2.8 rather than 1.8 so you're losing some light and they're similar weight wise.

I'm personally not aware of the difference in image quality so the main differences are the extra viewable angle and the much smaller size. If that is something you're looking for then perhaps it's worth it

42zx · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:08

Its main advantages over the 50mm are its size, build quality and bokeh. I returned my 50mm for it, mostly because my 50mm wasnt sharp until 2.8 anyway and the build quality was rubbish!

Had mine been sharper under 2.8 I might have kept it, but I don't regret the decision at all, its never let me down so far and I've used it for all sorts.

cokecan · 4 Jan 2013 at 15:19

42zx said:
Its main advantages over the 50mm are its size, build quality and bokeh. I returned my 50mm for it, mostly because my 50mm wasnt sharp until 2.8 anyway and the build quality was rubbish!

Had mine been sharper under 2.8 I might have kept it, but I don't regret the decision at all, its never let me down so far and I've used it for all sorts.

Which 50mm are you comparing it with? the 1.8 version?