Most used lens for video?

[BruceUSA]

What video lens are you most often used. I got canon 85mm f/1.8 and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 . These lens are good for subject are at least 15 feets away or if I only want to shoot close up. I guessed I am used to camcorder I stand 5-6 feets away from the subject with wide angle lens.

I am thinkng about return the 50mm f/1.4 and get the Sigma 10-20mm. Please me give your thought. The 85mm f/1.8 are so freaking good. I have to keep the 85mm for still photos.

[drapeama]

Depending when you plan to shoot! Outside on a bright sunny day I wouldn't recommend a fast lens, unless you want to use ND8 filters. At night, a good fast lens is always a good thing to have in hands.
I usually use my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 with pleasing results. I even had nice results using the 18-55mm "kit-lens" at f/3.5 at night.
Other than this, I have an old Hoya 28mm f/2.8, Vivitar 70-150 f/3.5 and a Sears 80-200mm f/4.0 (all Nikon Mount). Depending the effect, the desired FOV and the available light when you shoot...it may vary.
A good one, price wise would be any old 50mm f/1.8 prime lens would be your best bet. If money isn't an issue, then an f/1.4 lens would be very nice at night! I'm used to use what's available in my price range: read whatever that's cheap enough while giving great results!

[Lunchbox]

I love wide aperture lens. However, it makes getting out focus easier. Besides, I personally like to zoom. So I am okay with F2.8 lens. 24-70mm F2.8 would be the best but it doesn't have IS. Now I'm using Canon 18-55mm F2.8. With T3i 3x crop zoom, I can turns it into 54-165mm F2.8 instantly.

[drapeama]

I love wide aperture lens. However, it makes getting out focus easier.

Then an external HD monitor could be useful, but it's also another investment (which isn't a waste of money!).

[kaydawgy]

I think Taky means the Canon 17-55mm 2.8

[Almohada]

18mm-55mm kit

[kaydawgy]

18mm-55mm kit

18-55mm is not a 2.8 lens

[HD-tography]

I think Taky means the Canon 17-55mm 2.8

This one... Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Great lens! I used to rent this one often! (when I had a T3i)

[Flozem]

Yes - have it and love it... works sweet on a T3i.

[Almohada]

18-55mm is not a 2.8 lens

What are you talking about 18-55mm best lens EVER DSLR VIDEO F YEAH!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEUHHHHHHH HHH!

[HD-tography]

Most used lens for video?

My opinion, the one on the camera. (so long as you USE it!)

[kaydawgy]

My most used lens is the Canon 50mm 1.2L on a 5dmarkii. Thats my baby!!

[Janke]

My Tamron 17-50/2.8 is on the camera almost all the time.

It's the older (but sharper) non-VC version, so I need a tripod or a very steady hand when shooting...

If I need stabilization, on goes the 18-55 kit lens, for tele, a Tamron 18-270 with VC.

Low light: Fujinon 50/1.4 from 1971, an incredibly sharp lens, beats the daylights out of the modern Canon 50/1.8 ...

[Philminder]

Depends what you shoot, really. For narrative work I found I can shoot comfortably with a 28mm f2.8 and a 50mm f1.8 for wides and close-ups. When I can control lighting I like to shoot at f4 a lot of the time.

If you only want one lens you really can't go wrong with something like a 17-55 or 17-50. You get a good range from that. When just messing around and not shooting seriously, I get away pretty well with the Canon 17-85mm f4-5.6.

I think that when you're in control of most of the shooting elements (lighting, working with a script, etc.), you can easily make what you have work for you. I've shot an entire short with just a 50mm, using it to cover both wides and close-ups. I just had to move back and forth a lot.

[drapeama]

18mm-55mm kit

Since when you're giving advises on shooting videos with a DSLR? =P

Depends what you shoot, really. For narrative work I found I can shoot comfortably with a 28mm f2.8 and a 50mm f1.8 for wides and close-ups. When I can control lighting I like to shoot at f4 a lot of the time. [...] I've shot an entire short with just a 50mm, using it to cover both wides and close-ups. I just had to move back and forth a lot.

1) I second that, 28mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.8 can be a great duo.
2) If I'd control the lighting, I'd prefer to shoot at f/1.8 and get your subject isolated from the background. For an interview it might not be needed nor ideal, but for other stuff, it would worth the time to setup the light. I would though.
3) Using the same lens can have several benefits; no need to adjust the lights or the aperture to "match" the shots when changing the lenses. It's also less manipulation on the camera and the lens. But depending on what you're shooting, more than only one lens could be needed and used.

[Lunchbox]

It's the 17-55mm F2.8. Not the stock lens.

[Lunchbox]

Then an external HD monitor could be useful, but it's also another investment (which isn't a waste of money!).

I have done that before with the external monitor. It makee the setup very heavy. Then have to mount everything together with another battery for the LCD screen. I decided to go simple for portability. So I remove the follow focus and external monitor.

http://lacoloronline.com/blog/?10125...one----For-Now

[Almohada]

Since when you're giving advises on shooting videos with a DSLR? =P

Hahahahaha!

[KingDucky]

I only have the T2i kit, so that one would be the one for me.

[drapeama]

I have done that before with the external monitor. It makee the setup very heavy. Then have to mount everything together with another battery for the LCD screen. I decided to go simple for portability. So I remove the follow focus and external monitor.

I've done the same on the wedding. Since then, I think exactly the same: portability is the best option so far.

Hahahahaha!

That's what I thought...

I only have the T2i kit, so that one would be the one for me.

You can make pretty much everything with it, you simply have to work harder on lighting your scene.

[BarteS]

Does anybody care about the complexity of distortion of zoom lenses? Zoom lenses are convenient, but as you change the focal length, the distortion changes too. Especially in a more crowded environment this can become an issue with odd faces?

What video lens are you most often used. I got canon 85mm f/1.8 and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 . These lens are good for subject are at least 15 feets away or if I only want to shoot close up.
...
The 85mm f/1.8 are so freaking good. I have to keep the 85mm for still photos.

Actually I'm surprised many use wider (zoom) lenses, and the 85mm seems to be just part of their zoom and specifically mention it. If you're in an interview setting I'd say the 50mm and 85mm would be nice. Of course in a wedding it's a whole different ballgame, with 35mm as a sweet pick. (If you go prime anyway, zoom is convenient if you have to anticipate.)

[Shaunp007]

This is what I tend to use:

Events / Weddings - Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L / Canon 85mm f/1.8

Movie Filming - Sigma 28mm f/1.8 - Canon 50mm f/1.8 - Canon 85mm f/1.8

[Janke]

but as you change the focal length, the distortion changes too. Especially in a more crowded environment this can become an issue with odd faces?

Are you talking about inherent lens distortion (pincushion/barrel) or perspective distortion?

The latter can't be avoided if you need to use a really wide angle, see here:



- note how straight lines acquire a tilt...

Here's an example of barrel distortion inherent in a lens design:



- note how straight lines become curved...

[BarteS]

@Shaunp007, typical, I'm talking about 85mm and suddenly you pop up using it in both setups. I'm considering the same, but right now I only have one 1.8, of course a 50mm.

@Janke, I'd say the latter can be avoided with tilt-shift lens, but it's not that practical. But I had lens distortion in mind. You could correct it, if you know how to, but with a zoom lens the distortion varies, which makes correction troublesome. If you would have a prime, you'd stop recording which will probably result in a different file (unless you're using an HVx with a 35mm adapter).
And actually I should have put it more in general, as of course primes do have the same issue and too can face complex distortion, it's just that you at least have one variable less to deal with. But probably most will ignore it, unless there are longer scenes in the video, making the distortion apparent.

[Janke]

@Janke, I'd say the latter can be avoided with tilt-shift lens

Yes, but only if the camera is kept stationary. Even a T/S lens will distort, actually more severely if the camera is panned or tilted.

with a zoom lens the distortion varies

Usually, the barrel/pincushion distortion is negligible, usually very much less than 2%.

The Sony example above is extreme, in that camera, the distortion is digitally fixed in still photos (just like with many 4/3 format lenses) - but not in video. Besides, the camera is a shirt-pocket compact, not a pro video shooter...

But probably most will ignore it, unless there are longer scenes in the video, making the distortion apparent.

I've not has a single instance where the inherent lens distortion has caused any problems. (Perspective distortion, yes, but not barrel/pincushion...)

You tend to ignore such small distortions in a moving picture. In a still, you have time to look for them...