What is a pancake lens and is it worth buying one?

Pancake lentils have grown in popularity over the years, especially with the rise of social media travel influencers. These thin, flat, pancake-like lenses are awesome for a number of reasons, but they also come with a few downsides, so are they really worth the money? Read on to find out.

What are pancake lentils?

Although “pancake lens” is a slang term used in the photography community, there is no clear definition for these lenses. They can usually be identified by their small, often wide-angle, lens that is shorter than it is wide, hence the name pancake. This makes them ideal for travel photography.

Most pancake lenses are prime lenses and tend to be cheaper than lenses with higher quality optics. So is it worth buying a pancake lens? let’s find out

The advantages of a pancake lens

There are many reasons why you might want to invest in a pancake lens.

Easy

Pancake lenses usually weigh less than a hundred grams, so you can easily use them for long periods of time as they don’t require the same physical strain as some other lenses. You also put significantly less strain on your neck when hanging from a strap, and sore shoulders from a camera bag that is too heavy are no longer a problem.

Compact

These lenses take up very little space, so you don’t have to lug around a large camera bag – great for photographers on the go. In fact, you could easily slip this lens into your purse or pocket if needed, but if you decide to go that route, remember to put on both caps for maximum protection.

Bright aperture

Pancake lenses are typically prime lenses and have a large aperture, meaning light can reach the sensor more easily. This makes them great for lower light settings and means the ISO can be reduced for less grain.

Additionally, the larger aperture allows for a faster shutter speed, making these lenses great for reducing motion blur and creating bokeh. If you’re not convinced yet, check out these benefits of a wide-angle camera lens.

Affordable

Since less glass and fewer materials are required, pancake lenses are comparatively cheap. Their affordability is often what draws customers in the first place, because if you’ve just spent a significant sum on a camera body, you can end up saving hundreds more by opting for a pancake lens.

If you’re worried about investing in a cheap lens, choose cheap camera lenses over expensive ones.

Unobtrusive

This may only appeal to our introverted readers, but one charming aspect of the pancake lens is its subtlety. You’re likely to draw a few long stares if you’re hiding behind a fist-sized lens, but the pancake lens’s stealth allows a photographer to go unnoticed and capture their muse in peace.

The disadvantages of a pancake lens

As great as pancake lentils are, there are some downsides to using one.

Limited Skills

The compact design of the pancake lens requires some compromises. For example, while these lenses are relatively fast, they are significantly slower than other prime lenses. Also, they do not have a distance scale printed on the lens barrel, so setting the focus distance must be done visually.

If you’re not sure which lens to use, read our tips on choosing the right lens for your photoshoot.

It can produce lower quality images

Pancake lenses aren’t often top-of-the-line lenses, and while they usually take good quality pictures, you can certainly find better ones in the larger, more expensive lenses. So if you need a lens that can produce images of the highest quality, a pancake lens might not be at the top of your list.

Fixed focal length

Pancake lenses are almost always fixed focal length, meaning they can’t zoom in and out. If you wanted to zoom in on the subject you would have to use your body to get closer, but sometimes the angles required make this impossible and you end up with a disappointing image.

Are pancake lentils worth it?

Despite the downsides, pancake lentils have plenty of upsides, so we’re on board with the hype. However, it would be a good idea to invest in other lenses as well. While pancake lenses are fantastic for their price and size, and make excellent travel companions, their limitations can limit your photography skills as well.

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