canon EF 'pancake' focus ring adapter

thingiverse

Manual focus can be a challenge for photographers using these tiny pancake lenses. Their slim profiles make them prone to getting stuck or lost in auto-focus systems, so it's no wonder some users prefer to opt for manual control instead. However, that comes with its own set of challenges - like having to carefully line up each shot by hand. To get around this limitation, photographers often turn to creative workarounds. One popular solution involves using a third-party adapter specifically designed for EF and EF-S pancake lenses. These adapters provide a press-fit interface at an incredibly precise layer height of 0.30mm, making them perfect for pairing with high-quality optics like the Canon EF-40mm f/2.8 STM or EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM pancakes. Before using these adapters, it's essential to give them a thorough cleaning - sanded smooth and air-blasted to ensure there are no hidden dust particles or debris lurking on their surfaces. Then, once installed, simply switch your camera into manual focus mode to achieve razor-sharp images that do justice to the lenses' incredible performance capabilities. Just be prepared for the adapter to require a bit more effort when swapping out the lens for another - but trust us, it'll all be worth it!