Lens focal length selection for feature films

squig

squig

Veteran
So I've spent the last few weeks doing my research and scouring ebay for deals on Nikon primes but I'm curious what you lot consider as must have focal lengths to shoot a feature.

Some filmmakers choose the 50mm as their go to lens while some others rarely use their 50mm favoring the 85mm. I just got a good deal on a 50mm f/1.2 and now I'm trying to decide whether I really need the 85mm f/1.4. I have a 105mm f/2.5.

So what are you using as your must have wide, normal, portrait and tele lenses?
 
Recently, I've bought 28mm 2,8, 35mm 2, 50mm 1,2, 85mm 1,8, all Nikon AI. I allready have Nikkor 20mm 2,8 and 180mm. I'm using the Nikons AI with the D90 or my Letus and I'm pretty happy with them.
I prefer the good old metal lens rather than the new one. If I had the budget I would jump on the Leica (Planar and Distagon).
For your future choice, I think the faster lenses you can find, the best it will be, after, it's just a matter of price... but 85mm 1,4 is really good for portrait.
 
It depends on the feature. :-) You'll pretty much need all of them from 20mm to at least 135 for a general purpose kit. I have a 24, 35, 50, 85, 200 and 70-210 zoom and i feel i need at least one ultrawide and a medium telephoto prime, like a 12 and a 20 plus a 135. That's the range you usually get when you rent a full kit, sometimes also a 65mm but that seems a bit redundant. It's also a good idea to match them as closely as possible for a consistent look, mine are all nikkor ais f/2's (or close) except for the vivitar zoom. /matt
 
So far I have a 17mm f/2.8 28mm f/2.8 50mm f/1.2 105mm f/2.5 135mm f/2.8 and a 28-85mm f/2.8-3.5 zoom. I'm just trying to figure out if I really need a 35mm and an 85mm. I'm also adding a 20mm f/2.8 to the collection.
 
the 35/1.4 is a fantastic lens if you can find it, the slower ones are crap and i rarely use mine for that reason, better to move back a little with a 50. yes, you definitely need an 85 and that 20 (or 24 which is a sharper lens) you're already getting.

/matt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top