topic Re: Pancakes and street photgraphy in EF & RF Lenses

Pancakes and street photgraphy

Ramsden — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 08:16:11 GMT

Hi folks

My wife asked out of interest, if I'd stopped doing street photography which I used to do quite a lot with my Canon SX620 HS. This little camera was always in my pocket and very easy to do some sneaky shots with ( Not sure about the ethics of doing this). Then my wife asked me about pancake lenses and I said I knew nothing (she's shopping around) so I did some research, and guess what, I have EFS 24 MM in my bag - but it clearly says Macro on the lens.

So my question is why is it called a pancake lens and does anyone out there use DSLR's for street photography, because it's hard to conceal what youre doing with a big camera around your kneck!

Oh - and is this serious photography?

Ramsden

Re: Pancakes and street photgraphy

ebiggs1 — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:22:19 GMT

You mean this lens Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens? Nothing special about it it is called "pancake" because it is thin. 24mm on a cropper is a great FL for GP stuff.

"... is this serious photography?"

Any lens you have is better than any lens you don't have. But, no I never did want or buy one.

Re: Pancakes and street photgraphy

Waddizzle — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:25:45 GMT

Pancake lenses get the name from their low profile. They don’t stick out from the body much. The lens is not compatible with PowerShot camera bodies.

I recommend using a Rebel series camera, due to the fact it is has an EF-S mount. I recommend one of the SL series or T7.

Re: Pancakes and street photgraphy

Ramsden — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:35:00 GMT

Thanks EB

Hitting the nail on the head - as we say across the pond!

Just been taking some close ups of flowers in my garden with its new hood.

Check this out for flat and small.

Re: Pancakes and street photgraphy

zakslm — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:33:51 GMT

Ramsden,

I have the same hood for the same lens! It probably doe not do much other than protect the front of the lens and add a few millimeters to the length of the EF-S24mm f2.8 STM, but I have it nonetheless!

Wadizzle mentioned using the 24mm pancake lens on a Rebel T7 (1500D in Europe) which I did until I upgraded to a 90D. From my experience, he was spot on with regard to small(er) size and light weight of the Rebel with the pancake lens and suitability for street photography, etc. The combo is just about "pocketable" and capable of producing some really nice photos.

Re: Pancakes and street photgraphy

Ramsden — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 08:15:33 GMT

Thats good to hear. I had to double check my order details when it arrived to see if Id made a mistake. But - hey - it works!

I'm going to take it to a local cricket match this afternoon and try some random crowd shots while walking around!

Regards

Ramsden