The discussion itself is a little misleading. The Zeiss 35 is significantly smaller than the (also) small Sigma. Even when the Zeiss has the hood on it's smaller than the Sigma without it.
There are two pancake lenses for E mount, but both are APS-C. I’d like a real pancake lens for full frame (like the 40mm Canon).
except that when you put it in an EF adapter it’s not a pancake any more… What I’d like is something that’s a true pancake lens, like the Sony E 20mm. I forget the focal length of the other one (aha - it’s 16mm)
Not an FE lens - it's micro-four-thirds, so it won't even cover an APS-C sensor, let alone a full frame sensor.
If size is priority one, use the apsc lenses and work the file in post.
Lol. I missed that. There was another (a pinhole lens) but I thought that was too cheeky.
That’s actually quite interesting. I’m now hopeful the reviews and samples for the new version are better. It might be a fun toy.
It's still the same lens. The adapter is that length because that how far from the sensor the lens needs to be. I wouldn't say that what you're asking for is impossible, but it probably requires too many compromises to be successful.
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The MS Optical Perar tripletts are much smaller. https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2012/07/ms-optical-perar-35mm-f3-5-super-triplet-mk-ii/
There is an overview of MS Optics lenses that was recently published:
Sure, but it's designed for use on a 45mm registration. Leica M/LTM is only 28mm.
Now that you mention MS Optics, I remember to have read about them. However, they seem to be out of production by now and according to the Philip Reeves website, the optical quality is not on par with the Leica offerings (including the older non asph versions) while the second hand prices are quite high. They seem to have become cult these days. But they sure are very small and light.
