Used Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM Lens (08127)

Condition & contents

At a glance: Ultra-slim 40mm f/2.8 pancake prime for Canon EF-mount DSLRs, with quiet STM autofocus.

About this lens

Canon's EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, released in 2012, is a standard prime whose standout feature is its ultra-compact pancake build - the thinnest, lightest lens in the EF range. Its stepper-motor (STM) focusing gives smooth, near-silent autofocus that suits both stills and video.

Build & handling

Works with

• Canon EF-mount full-frame DSLRs
• Canon APS-C (EF-S) DSLRs
• Canon EOS R mirrorless via EF-EOS R adapter

Best for

This is a lens for photographers who want to travel light or stay discreet - a slim walk-around and street prime that barely adds bulk to a DSLR body. On a full-frame Canon it gives a natural, slightly-wide standard view; on an APS-C body the 1.6x crop makes it behave like roughly a 64mm short portrait lens, so it doubles as a compact everyday alternative to a chunkier 50mm.

Frequently asked questions

Does it work on both full-frame and APS-C Canon DSLRs?

Yes. As a full-frame EF lens it fits both. On full-frame it gives a 40mm standard view; on an APS-C body the 1.6x crop makes the field of view roughly equivalent to a 64mm lens.

Is the autofocus quiet enough for video?

Yes. The STM (stepper motor) focusing is designed for smooth, near-silent refocusing, which makes it well suited to movie recording as well as stills.

What filter size does it take?

It uses 52mm screw-in filters.

Can I use it on a Canon mirrorless body?

Yes, via Canon's EF-EOS R mount adapter, which lets EF lenses mount on EOS R-series cameras.

Will it work on Canon RF mirrorless bodies?

Yes, via the Canon EF-EOS R adapter. Autofocus and IS are preserved, and the lens functions normally on R, R5, R6, R7, R8, R50 and other RF bodies.