The EF-S24mm f/2.8 STM is the thinnest and lightest pancake lens among the EF-S lenses. Highly portable, using it with the EOS 80D assures you of reliable image quality even as you walk around town in your street photography ventures. Who said that there has to be a huge trade off between portability and image quality? (Reported by: Ryosuke Takahashi)
Key Benefits
- Thin and barely noticeable when fitted to the body—convenient for hand carry and storage
- Equipped with STM for silent focusing for both still image and video shooting
f/2.8
EOS 80D/ EF-S24mm f/2.8 STM/ FL: 24mm (38mm equivalent)/ Aperture Priority AE (f/2.8, 1/250 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto
I was waiting to shoot in Live View while keeping track of the person on the left side of the screen, and took the shot at just the right moment with the touch shutter. Live View photography is also a breeze thanks to the compact and lightweight lens. (Photo by: Ryosuke Takahashi)
f/5.6
EF-S24mm f/2.8 STM/ FL: 24mm (38.4mm equivalent)/ Aperture Priority AE (f/5.6, 1/500sec, EV-0.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto
When the aperture is narrowed, the resolving power reaches a peak together with an increase in the depth of field, thereby achieving a sharp resolution from the foreground through to the background. Not only can the ridgeline be clearly told apart from the buildings in the background, but the location’s delightful atmosphere is also conveyed in the foreground. (Photo by: Ryosuke Takahashi)
Subjects can be captured as seen at a natural angle of view of about 40mm
Although pancake lenses were launched earlier than full-size EF lenses, the EF-S24mm f/2.8 STM came onto the market in 2014 together with an expansion of the APS-C camera models. Since then, it has gained a following among photographers with vastly different profiles. With a thickness of 22.6mm and weighing about the same as a smart phone at 125g, the characteristic of this lens lies in its overwhelming compactness and light weight, almost making you forget that the lens is even there at all.
The compact lens designed is realized by using a gear-type STM, which reduces the size of the AF drive’s power source, and by arranging high-precision glass-molded aspherical lens elements in the lens group at the back of the entire structure, which aids high performance during close-up shooting. This becomes clear when you look at the close-up working distance starting from the front plane of the lens. For example, with this lens you can get as close as a working distance of 9cm whereas on (other lenses) you would need 13cm.
The lens is fun to use for casual photography but since it has a picture quality that can stand up to the scrutiny of full-fledged photography as well, it is also ideal for situations such as portrait photography while walking on the streets, and landscape photography when you want to carry less equipment. The lens not only looks stylish on the outside, but is also able to draw out the potential of the EOS 80D with its solid performance.
Tip: Further reduce camera shake with the silent single shooting mode
As the impact when the mirrors collide is reduced further in the silent single shooting mode, vibrations are suppressed as a result, making it effective when you want to reduce camera shake as well. This lets you kill two birds with one stone by suppressing both movement noise and impact when you want to shoot indoors, for example. You can say that the drive mode is great for slow shutter speeds.
EF-S24mm f/2.8 STM
(38mm equivalent when fitted with the EOS 80D)
Lens configuration: 5 groups 6 elements
Minimum shooting distance: 0.16m
Maximum shooting factor: 0.27X
Filter ratio:φ52mm
Maximum diameter x length: Approx.φ68.2×22.8mm
Weight: Approx.125g
Lens configuration diagram
A: Aspherical lens element
Lens hood: ES-52 (sold separately)
So you’ve got your EOS 80D and the wonderfully compact and portable EF-S24mm f/2.8 STM and are all set to head out to the streets? Why not take the chance to try out these cool EOS 80D street photography techniques!
Ryosuke Takahashi
Born in Aichi in 1960, Takahashi started his freelance career in 1987 after working with an advertising photo studio and a publishing house. Photographing for major magazines, he has travelled to many parts of the world from his bases in Japan and China. Takahashi is a member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS).
Digital Camera Magazine
A monthly magazine that believes that enjoyment of photography will increase the more one learns about camera functions. It delivers news on the latest cameras and features and regularly introduces various photography techniques.
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