Canon Rebel T4i and EF 40mm F/2.8 STM Video Test

Beach days are back again along with more Canon Rebel T4i/650D and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens video tests. My kids and their cousins hit the ground running at Clearwater Beach, Florida with open arms despite the heat and high humidity.



A 1080p video shot with the Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D paired with the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens at 29.97fps. Edited with Final Cut Pro 6.0.6 with the Canon E-1 Movie plugin to transcode to AppleProRes422. I used Compressor to export my timeline for a 800mb h264 video file. For audio capture, I used a Senneheiser MKE400 shotgun microphone. For support, I used Benro 3580 tripod legs with a Manfrotto 701 HDV video head. To control the incoming exposure in direct sunlight, I used a FADER HD variable ND filter on the "shorty forty" lens.



The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens is an affordable, portable and super sharp lens that gives great color and contrast. A great value is an understatement describing this lens for still and video purposes. The "shorty forty' is a must have for your camera bag.



Just like I mentioned in my full Canon Rebel T4i/650D Verdict and Video Review, I found the lack of AF Quick in video mode rather disappointing along with other big features. The AF Flexizone Single Point in the T4i is no replacement for the faster AF Quick mode of the previous T3i.



The AF Flexizone Single Point uses an enhanced contrast detect sensor in the CMOS chip to maintain focus automatically or on demand. It is simply not fast enough for my taste, but fortunately it is just as accurate as AF Quick of the T3i. Shooting in the direct sunlight of the beach was a great test of the AF of the T4i. Rejoice!



Just like my kids and their cousins, the Canon Rebel T4i and the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens make a great pair together. The "shorty forty" on the T4i's crop sensor give a focal equivalent of 64mm. A perfect focal length for portraits with dreamy out of focus background. A match made in heaven!



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Canon Rebel T4i and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Hybrid AF Video Test

Canon's latest flagship entry level Rebel, the T4i/650D, touts a new Hybrid auto focusing system for video and the first LCD touchscreen for Canon DSLR's. Also introduced is the long awaited Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens. Otherwise known as the "shorty forty", this very slim profile prime lens has an affordable retail price of $199.



The new Hybrid AF system of the T4i/650D allows objects or people to be continuously tracked in focus during video recording. With Canon's new EF STM or stepper motor lenses, the Hybrid AF system allows smoother lens focusing when compared to USM and non USM EF lenses. The new Hybrid AF system and the LCD touchscreen of the T4i/650D work in conjunction with STM lenses such as the new Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens for smooth focus tracking of subjects during video capture.



I wanted to see for myself Canon's revolutionary hybrid focusing system. As a veteran television news photographer, I always manually focus lenses on my video cameras. Just the thought of horrible focus hunting and motor noise gives me nightmares. So how does Canon's Hybrid AF system stack up? Watch my 1080p video above shot with the Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D and the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens.



My Canon Hybrid AF conclusion? The Servo AF only works well with subjects and people moving at a toddler's pace. Anything faster than crawling, the Hybrid AF does not keep up with fast moving people or objects. My 15 month old baby daughter just started to walk recently and the Canon T4i/650D paired with the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens kept her in focus most of the time. Before the test, my expectations were not too high for this T4i or any HD DSLR. Disappointed with focus tracking of normal everyday people or object movements, I was quite surprised at the quiet and smooth focus of the new STM or stepper motor. Say goodbye to noisy, ratchety and jarring focus movement of previous EF USM and non USM lenses. Canon's next step is to match the AF system of conventional camcorders out in the digital video market. Patience is a virtue!



While we are on the topic of DSLR video, the Canon Rebel T4i/650D replaces the 16 month old Canon Rebel T3i/600D with added and removed DSLR video functions. The Canon Rebel T4i/650D most notably does not have 1080p 3x to 10x Digital Zoom video capture and the "AF Quick" mode for video focusing. What happened? My only guess is Canon's marketing division got hold of the R&D department. The Canon Rebel lineup is marketed to the entry level and novice DSLR demographic, most notably soccer mom's. I can't blame Canon for this because all I see at theme parks and zoos during travels with my own family are inexpensive DSLR's strapped around parental necks. New parents mean "green" full auto mode on the control dial 24/7! This includes auto focus with shooting video, as well.



Let us take a break about video and focus on the great Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens image quality. This pancake lens is an amazing and must have for your camera bag. It is affordable, portable and super sharp for crop and full frame sensors. The color rendition of this lens is just about "L" glass quality. The above image was shot with the "shorty forty" and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III at ISO 3200. Focus was dead on and the image quality was outstanding for $199. This "shorty forty" is a no brainer!



I will have more video tests with the pancake lens paired with the Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 1D Mark IV shortly. I am working diligently capturing, transcoding and editing video footage to share the knowledge.



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***Major Update***

I just posted my Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D Verdict and Video Test here.

Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D DSLR Announced

Canon has done it again! The announcement of the new Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D DSLR with a 18mp APS-C sensor with DIGIC V+ processor gains new ground in the entry level DSLR market. The previous Canon Rebel T3i/600D was already impressive, but from all the added features of the new Canon Rebel T4i/650D makes this camera shine brighter. In a nutshell, consider this entry level DSLR a Canon 60D in a Rebel body, but with touchscreen LCD capabilities and a new Hybrid AF system for even smoother focus during video recording. On top of all that, you can add the Canon 60D 9 point AF system. As soon as the new 5 frames per second Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D hits the store shelves, I will post my upcoming Canon Rebel T4i/650D Verdict and Video Review very soon.



Pancakes are not for breakfast anymore! The new Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM prime lens or pancake lens was also introduced as a compact travel lens for full frame and APS-C sensor DSLR's. A very thin and low profile standard prime lens featuring the new stepper motor technology to make focus even smoother during HD video capture with the new Canon Rebel T4i/650D DSLR. The budget filmmaker can rejoice because the retail price of this small gem is $199. Call it a "nifty forty"?



The ultimate entry level walk around lens is reinvented. The new Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens makes a fabulous pair with the new Canon Rebel T4i/650D DSLR. The new stepper motor technology combined with the T4i/650D's hybrid AF system makes it possible to focus smoothly during video recording. This sounds like a promising budget kit lens for soccer moms and amateur filmmakers.



***MAJOR UPDATE***

I posted a Canon Rebel T4i/650D and EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Hybrid AF Video Test here. See this amazing pancake lens when paired with the new Canon Rebel T4i/650D.



Stay updated with more Canon Rebel T4i/650D updates,reviews and video tests by Becoming a Fan on my Facebook Fan Page and following me on Twitter!


***Major Update***

I just posted my Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D Verdict and Video Test here.