When Canon abandoned the FD system, it took me a long time to warm up to the idea of autofocus cameras. My entry into the AF world came with the Canon EOS 600, the fifth body in the then-revolutionary EOS lineup. Canon had launched the EOS 650 and 620 in 1987, followed by the flagship EOS-1 and the EOS 600 in 1989 (not to be confused with the much later digital SLR, the EOS 600D / Rebel T3i).

But back then, the EOS 600 felt like it was missing something. Did I miss the tank-like robustness of a Canon F-1? Or the classic beauty of a Canon A-1?

Everything changed in 1994. Canon unveiled the EOS-1N, introducing massive upgrades over the original EOS-1. The most crucial feature for me was the new 5-point autofocus system, a huge step up from the single center AF point of the first-generation EOS-1.

To this day, a Canon EOS-1N remains a constant companion on my photo outings!

The Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM featured here was built for the digital SLR age, but it performs brilliantly on older analog Canon EF-mount bodies as well.

Besides shooting with it on this classic film camera, I also use it on my digital Canon EOS 50D and adapt it to my Sony A7 III. This little pancake lens stands out for its ultra-compact form factor and superb optical rendering—even if it is a bit on the slower side with its f/2.8 starting aperture.