Mateo Miller
Leading Member
Always promised myself when full frame dropped to $500 I would buy one.
Walked by the used Canon display case on my way to the used Pentax display case and sure enough a 5D was sitting there for $500. I kept my promise and bought it on the spot.
Mind you I had no lenses and being perpetually short on funds (possibly because of impulse purchases) I considered my options. 1). 50mm f/1.8 or B). 40mm f/2.8
I chose B. mostly for it’s size and slightly wide seemed a more flexible choice than a “normal” lens.
So six months later (on my way to “one year, one lens”) here are some examples of what it can do.
I’m obviously not a Pro and both the 5D and the 40mm are more capable than I.
Prior to the change to Canon and the 40mm I typically shot in manual mode. Manual exposure, manual focus just the way God intended
. Although the 40mm is not terrible when focused manually it doesn't feel anything like my old Pentax manual focus lenses or Nikon AF-s. I'm sure a "L" series is a totally different experience. However, when using AF this lens does seem to "hunt" on occasion which is a little irritating.
I use Lightroom 3 and there is no automatic distortion correction for the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM but perhaps I just need to upgrade my software. Distortion generally isn't a problem but have noticed it in certain situations. Of course I'm talking about a $150 lens so the fact that it does autofocus and has nice color and contrast is something of a miracle considering I starting taking photos in the 1960's with a 35mm EXA, a waist level viewfinder and a handheld lightmeter.
I think the 40mm paired with the new Canon SL1 might keep some people from switching to micro 4/3's or a Sony NEX. Add a 85mm f/1.8 and a 24mm /2.8 and it would make for a reasonably small kit that would be useful in both full frame and cropped sensor applications IMHO.
Walked by the used Canon display case on my way to the used Pentax display case and sure enough a 5D was sitting there for $500. I kept my promise and bought it on the spot.
Mind you I had no lenses and being perpetually short on funds (possibly because of impulse purchases) I considered my options. 1). 50mm f/1.8 or B). 40mm f/2.8
I chose B. mostly for it’s size and slightly wide seemed a more flexible choice than a “normal” lens.
So six months later (on my way to “one year, one lens”) here are some examples of what it can do.
I’m obviously not a Pro and both the 5D and the 40mm are more capable than I.
Prior to the change to Canon and the 40mm I typically shot in manual mode. Manual exposure, manual focus just the way God intended
. Although the 40mm is not terrible when focused manually it doesn't feel anything like my old Pentax manual focus lenses or Nikon AF-s. I'm sure a "L" series is a totally different experience. However, when using AF this lens does seem to "hunt" on occasion which is a little irritating. I use Lightroom 3 and there is no automatic distortion correction for the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM but perhaps I just need to upgrade my software. Distortion generally isn't a problem but have noticed it in certain situations. Of course I'm talking about a $150 lens so the fact that it does autofocus and has nice color and contrast is something of a miracle considering I starting taking photos in the 1960's with a 35mm EXA, a waist level viewfinder and a handheld lightmeter.
I think the 40mm paired with the new Canon SL1 might keep some people from switching to micro 4/3's or a Sony NEX. Add a 85mm f/1.8 and a 24mm /2.8 and it would make for a reasonably small kit that would be useful in both full frame and cropped sensor applications IMHO.
