Most versatile lens thoughts:

[elizpage]

I'm looking into buying the 40mm f/2.8 since it's teeny and I'm going on a huge trip to China for 5 months and will need something really compact.

However I currently only own a 50mm f/1.8 and a 24mm f/2.8. I'm having to rent other lenses in order to get the range I want, which is somewhat silly.

Do you think it'd be smart to cave and buy a ​small zoom lens? What do you guys think? I want the best bang for my buck here as well.

Also, while I'm posting.. I'm shooting a newborn tomorrow for the first time, so I'm somewhat nervous. And I'm shooting a baptism in a church on Saturday. Ooohph. Any advice on lens choices for this? I was thinking the 24-70mm f/2.8 might be good for the baptism?

Using a Canon 60D btw, as you can clearly see from my description. Working with pretty bare bones equipment, ha

 

[KmH]

The difference between a 40 mm and a 50 mm in just about every physical aspect is negligible.

As far as FoV the difference is about 1/4 of a step forward or backwards.

What lens will depend on how much light there is in the church and where the officiant allows you to shoot the ceremony from.
The money shots get made after the ceremony when the use of flash is allowed.

 

[SnappingShark]

If you already have the 50 1.8, why get a 40 2.8? Just take some steps forward. Unless it's macro you're after - in which case, get the 60ish and use it for portraits too as your 60D is crop sensored.

 

[elizpage]

If you already have the 50 1.8, why get a 40 2.8? Just take some steps forward. Unless it's macro you're after - in which case, get the 60ish and use it for portraits too as your 60D is crop sensored.

I just need something super tiny size-wise, and I love that the 40mm is a pancake lens. However, I guess the 50 is small enough. I kind of wanted something super wide though for landscapes.. Yet, I guess the 50 would do the trick for those?

 

[mmaria]

I just want to say that the pancake is a great lens considering everything. light, small, sharp, cheap

It was my choice for my first "for everything" canon lens. a half of my photographs are taken with that lens.

 

[jaomul]

Have you looked at the sigma 17-70f2.8/4 if you are considering a zoom

 

[Dao]

I like my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 zoom lens. Good walk around lens for me with standard zoom range.

 

[a_auger]

I use the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 "C" and I absolutely love it. There are a few versions. The newer (and better IMO) "C" Contemporary version which is part of the new Sigma line and and two older versions, one stabilized and one not. This lens has a great usable range from pretty wide at 17mm to short telephoto with 70mm. It's a pretty fair low-light lens too if you stick to the wide range with the 2.8... Sure, it's heavier than a 50 1.8, but not too heavy that you can't carry it around all day if you have to. As far as zooms are concerned, it's relatively compact, cheaper than Canon's 17-50 f2.8 and faster than the 17-85 4-5.6. The only downsides are the relative softness on the wide range and the CA that is easily correctable in post.

Here's a review: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM | C review: Digital Photography Review

 

[webrotate360]

I love the pancake form factor as well but already have 50mm for casual staff. Though for traveling (for 5 month in China! :thumbsup would definitely go with a wider range zoom lens as either 40 or 50 means a lot of lost opportunities. Currently considering Tamron SP 70-300mm f4-5.6 vc for my primary traveling lens..