The Yongnuo 40mm, 2.8:
The Pancake Lens for Nikon F&DX
Review by Dr. Jörg Vetter
pdf for download:Yongnuo40.pdf
Tech Specifications
• Focal length: 40mm
• Mount: Nikon F
• Max/Min aperture: f/2.8 – f/22
• Minimum focus distance – 0.3m
• Maximum magnification: 0,18x
• AF: DC motor
• Aperture blades: 6, stops down to make effect of 12 stars.
• Two focus modes: AF + Manual
• Glass: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
• Filter thread: 58mm
• Dimensions : 74mm x 45mm • Weight:130g
• Aspheric l for compensation of aberrations. ATTENTION: onion bokeh effects see example
• Multilayer coating
• Mount: chrome plated metal mount
• Contacts: gold-plated metal contacts
The Good
• Smaller than any other AF lens Nikon is offering.
• AF speed and accuracy is pretty good when using the software update:
V1.02 http://www.hkyongnuo.com/e-detaily.php?ID=402
• Image quality at 2.8 (wide open) is decent, if you are not a pixel-peeper.
• “Macro”: the minimum focusing distance ca. 0.3 m gives a kind of macro feeling, see examples.
• The colour impression of the shots is good.
The Bad
- The lens seems to be not waterproof.
- The MF ring gives a “plastic” feeling, but it works well.
- Add your own experience ...
Enjoy the shots
Shake Your Booty
D750, ISO 200, A = 2.8, 1/60, Focus distance 0,32 m, built in flash on
European Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
D750, ISO 200, A = 2.8, 1/80
Hypholoma lateritium, sometimes called brick cap
D750, ISO 200, A = 2.8, 1/100
Just A Stone
D750, ISO 200, A = 2.8, 1/25
Explore it
D750, ISO 1600, A = 3,2, 1/15
Coming in
D750, ISO 640, A = 6.3, 1/320
Parking
D750, ISO 640, A = 6.3, 1/80
Some Additional Tests
- Distortion
The lens itself has slight barrel distortion. Do not use the internal correction of distortion. In case of the Nikon D750 you will generate a pincushion distortion. Switch it off!
D750, ISO 200, A = 2.8, 1/125
- Onion-Ring Bokeh
Onion-Ring bokeh effects are caused by the use of aspheric elements in the lens, and the way they are manufactured.
A lot of lenses show that effect, e.g. Sigma 24-70, 2.8 DG / Canon 16-35, 2.8/ Canon 24-70,2.8 but also CV NOKTON 50, 1.5/NOCTILUX, 1.2 and 0,95 and many more. I stressed the test by flash operation. The Yungnuo 40 shows strong onion-ring effects, only if I use the built in flash particular in areas of extreme reflections. Normally you will not see that, like in the normal “macro” shots shown in this review.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspheric_lens
https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/05/02/the-end-of-onion-ring-bokeh-panasonic-beats-the-curse-of-aspheric-lenses
https://www.lenstip.com/507.7-Lens_review-Sigma_A_24-70_mm_f_2.8_DG_OS_HSM_Coma__astigmatism_and_bokeh.html
https://learn.zoner.com/test-4-lenses-35mm-f2-8/
http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2014/10/bokeh-kings/
D750, ISO 800, A = 2.8, 1/60, built in flash on
The Final Word
- Yes it is an useable autofocus-capable pancake lens for Nikon. For less than 100 E, this lens is a value.
- Optically it is a lens for snap shots, but not for sports photography or birds! The AF needs some time.
- The build quality is acceptable, better than many of kit lenses which have only a plastic mount.
- I will have it with me, if a go with my large zoom lenses.
- Hint: yes the Nikon 50 1.8 D is a smaller lens, but the AF works only for F not for DX!
Links
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1502537/
https://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/17440/40mm-f2.8-yongnuo-lens/p1
https://petapixel.com/2017/10/18/review-yongnuo-40mm-f2-8-pancake-lens-nikon-bad/