Prime Lens Recommendation...

[Polanski]

For a feature length movie to be shot with a 7D, which are the best 2 or 3 prime lens recommendation?
35mm? --Which brand?
50mm? --Which brand?
Any other---
Where to get them at a reasonable price...

All coments and recommedation will be appreciated...

Thanks

[Duke M.]

First, look at your script and story board your shots so you know what you need in the way of lenses.

Since you put cost as a criteria I suggest these for the combination of low cost ($300-$400 each new) and high speed:

Canon 28mm f1.8 II this will act like 45mm (due to the crop factor)
Canon 50mm f1.4 II will act like an 80mm.
Canon 85mm f1.8 II will act like a 136mm.

If you need to shoot a whole room you might want to go for another lens in the 20mm range. If you're shooting outdoors then you need something longer and slower. The kit 28-135mm f3.5 is okay for outdoors.

If you're really stuck on a budget a 50mm f1.8 is only about $99 and is actually pretty good.

If you're not on that much of a budget the 70-200mm f2.8L is a magnificent lens that can be used indoors and out, but its huge, heavy and expensive. Great lens though.

As for where to get them you can look on the internet as well as I can. The people that advertise the VERY lowest prices are often those bait and switch places. B&H, Adorama, Abe's, Samy's, JR's, Crutchfield, etc are stable long term sellers.

[Polanski]

Thanks so much... Yes I'll be shooting outside and inside. I think I'll be needing a 20mm one, because most of interior scenes are in a small cabin.
When you talk about the kit 28-135mm, is that the one that comes with the camera? But that's not a prime lens as far as I know, isn't it?

[Duke M.]

No, its a zoom lens, not a prime lens. Neither is the 70-200mm that I mentioned. Nothing says you have to zoom with it. Set it an leave it. There's nothing inherently bad about a zoom lens.

The main advantage to prime lenses is they can be faster, as low as f1.2, for cheaper. Zoom lenses are expensive to make even decently well and the best ones are only about f2.8. Out doors a really fast lens can be a disadvantage.

The kit lens that comes with the camera requires high ISO numbers to shoot indoors creating noise. On the other hand it can be cheap and is a decent knock around outdoors lens.

Best Buy had a 10% coupon that allowed you to get the body and kit lens for the price of the body alone + $10. You can't beat that price since its almost free that way.

[ydgmdlu]

There's a different kit with an 18-135mm lens. It's $100 more.