Cult of the Pancake

minglukhan said:

I know it's not just me but there is something about a sharp pancake lens. Coupled with a large sensor interchangeable camera and the combo shines more often than not. Looking back through my photos I realise I've been lucky to have some fantastic pancakes pass through my hands, producing some excellent photos.

Great combos from my past:

Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic 20mm 1.7

This lens is such a lovely focal length for people, enough background for context but close enough to get some great portraits

Canon M and Canon 22mm 2.0

This lens is a little wider than the one above which makes it a fantastic travel companion. The colours just pop and it is sharp across the frame.

Samsung NX3000 with Samsung 30mm 2.0

I was so sad when Samsung announced they were leaving the camera business. Their pancakes were all of a high quality and this one had such lovely bokeh.

I often see threads comparing cameras and megapixels but I just wanted an ode to pancakes (from three different systems in fact) that didn't focus on brand. All the above cameras were fairly basic, entry level options but with these lenses it just worked. I guess investing in good glass is a great maxim after all. I've just seen a GF1 for £35 and seriously considering slapping on the 20mm and having some fun....

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YWG said:

minglukhan said:

I know it's not just me but there is something about a sharp pancake lens. Coupled with a large sensor interchangeable camera and the combo shines more often than not. Looking back through my photos I realise I've been lucky to have some fantastic pancakes pass through my hands, producing some excellent photos.

Great combos from my past:

Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic 20mm 1.7

This lens is such a lovely focal length for people, enough background for context but close enough to get some great portraits

Canon M and Canon 22mm 2.0

This lens is a little wider than the one above which makes it a fantastic travel companion. The colours just pop and it is sharp across the frame.

Samsung NX3000 with Samsung 30mm 2.0

I was so sad when Samsung announced they were leaving the camera business. Their pancakes were all of a high quality and this one had such lovely bokeh.

I often see threads comparing cameras and megapixels but I just wanted an ode to pancakes (from three different systems in fact) that didn't focus on brand. All the above cameras were fairly basic, entry level options but with these lenses it just worked. I guess investing in good glass is a great maxim after all. I've just seen a GF1 for £35 and seriously considering slapping on the 20mm and having some fun....

Click to expand...

Ah, the GF-1. I got that with the 20mm kit and it served as a backup on travels and occasional walk around. I never really liked the higher ISO output so I was hesitant to leave the DSLR at home. It wasn't until the E-M5 mki that m43 took on the primary in those roles. Lens stayed and that clackety GF1 departed.

I like the 14mm F2.5 for the tiny size. I picked up a cheap EPM2 a year ago and I think the shutter is even more clackety than the GF1. The sensor is akin to the em5 and the IBIS make for a capable pocket cam with the 20 or 14.

That said, I have also shot a lot with the G7x/G5x. At 28mm F2 vs the 28mm F2.5, the sensor performance from the 1" to the m43 is not that large. Makes it hard to justify keeping that lens as the Canons are more compact.

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Lee Jay said:

If you like to hold a camera properly, that means you take the weight of the system with your left hand under the center of gravity. With a pancake, the CG is inside the body leaving nothing for your left hand to hold on to. This is the reason I find larger lenses easier to use ergonomically than small lenses, and pancakes are the worst in this regard.

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minglukhan said:

I know it's not just me but there is something about a sharp pancake lens. Coupled with a large sensor interchangeable camera and the combo shines more often than not. Looking back through my photos I realise I've been lucky to have some fantastic pancakes pass through my hands, producing some excellent photos.

Great combos from my past:

Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic 20mm 1.7

This lens is such a lovely focal length for people, enough background for context but close enough to get some great portraits

Canon M and Canon 22mm 2.0

This lens is a little wider than the one above which makes it a fantastic travel companion. The colours just pop and it is sharp across the frame.

Samsung NX3000 with Samsung 30mm 2.0

I was so sad when Samsung announced they were leaving the camera business. Their pancakes were all of a high quality and this one had such lovely bokeh.

I often see threads comparing cameras and megapixels but I just wanted an ode to pancakes (from three different systems in fact) that didn't focus on brand. All the above cameras were fairly basic, entry level options but with these lenses it just worked. I guess investing in good glass is a great maxim after all. I've just seen a GF1 for £35 and seriously considering slapping on the 20mm and having some fun....

Click to expand...

BigBen08 said:

captura said:

Lee Jay said:

If you like to hold a camera properly, that means you take the weight of the system with your left hand under the center of gravity. With a pancake, the CG is inside the body leaving nothing for your left hand to hold on to. This is the reason I find larger lenses easier to use ergonomically than small lenses, and pancakes are the worst in this regard.

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Two more also-mentions? The Canon EFS 24/2.8 and the EF 40/2.8.

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Yes, the Canon 40mm is an excellent lens. It was nice on my SL1, makes a really compact combo.

I rarely use my pancake any more, due to me being a zoom kind of guy. But pancakes are a great choice for some.

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minglukhan said:

I often see threads comparing cameras and megapixels but I just wanted an ode to pancakes ...

Click to expand...

GeralH said:

Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM ... its just awesome with the SL1!

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