Best run n gun zoom lens suggestions

811productions

811productions

Well-known member
I have a fairly fast paced documentary style shoot coming up where I'll need to be pretty flexible. Shooting available light only in remote areas outside of Tokyo. I have the 14-140 and am not a huge fan but I like the range. Anything out there that people are using with good results? Price is not a factor as I may just try and rent for this one. Parfocal would be a must as well. Thanks in advance.
 
Well, it's at least the $7,000 question, which is about what I'd be willing to pay for a good, light 5 to 1 parfocal zoom with a constant f 2.8 aperture and smooth iris adjustment.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, don't give me auto focus or iris if it will impact the cost or development (although I realize the manufacturers will see more future profits with an auto lens).

I shoot documentaries exclusively, mostly handheld and I am using the Zuiko 14-56 f2.8 when I need a zoom (it was cheap, under $500). But I've got a small bag with a Canon 20mm f.2.8, a Leica 28mm f.28, Leica 50mm f.2 and Canon 100mm f2,8 for much of my shooting. The Zuiko is okay, but it's varifocal, which I can get used to, but the iris changes in chunks, which I can't. Thus the bag-o-lenses. Many here have recommended the Nikkor zooms, and they are excellent, but I can't adapt to the way they focus.

Here it is, for me, 6 months in, and there still isn't even a rumor of a good zoom lens on the horizon.. Help! Someone at Panasonic please get on the phone to Leica!
 
If size isn't an issue I would look at either the Cooke 18-100 or the RED Pro Zoom 18-85. They are both great zooms with real cine style control, but those things unfortunately mean that they are expensive and heavy.
 
I love this camera and am so glad I own it (and some great lenses), but it is not ideal for run and gun, in my opinion. It can be done, and in some cases I'm sure with terrific results depending on your proficiency, but unless your project truly needs shallow DOF, I would shoot with a HMC150, EX1, or even an HDV camera. If you have only one short chance to get the shot, I'd hate to worry about it being out of focus. And if you're stopping down the lens regularly to maintain focus, I'm not sure you're getting a significantly better image than, say, the 150.
 
811productions said:
I have a fairly fast paced documentary style shoot coming up where I'll need to be pretty flexible. Shooting available light only in remote areas outside of Tokyo. I have the 14-140 and am not a huge fan but I like the range. Anything out there that people are using with good results? Price is not a factor as I may just try and rent for this one. Parfocal would be a must as well. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Michael- check out this post and video shot completely on a Nikon 17-55 f2.8.
Don't know if it's long enough for your situation, but if it's handheld run n gun, maybe it's long enough with a 70-200 or a 100 in the bag, too.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...ry-Interview&p=2385630&viewfull=1#post2385630
 
thanks guys. I guess I should say what I already have in my bag. I have the tamron 17-50 2.8 the tokina 28-80 2.8 and a nikon 80-200 2.8. I also have the lumix 14-140 for zooms. I also have primes 35 50 and 85. I guess is there anything better?
 
So are you looking for the range of the 14-140, but faster and under several thousand $? Because we all are, ha ha, and it's not out there!

The cooke may have the range you're looking for, but yes, it's heavy.
 
Kiron 28–85mm 1:2.8–3.8 varifocal macro zoom (aka "The Stovepipe"). I picked up the Olympus OM mount one for $20 at a local camera shop. Amazing lens. This is my run and gun lens.
 
811productions said:
thanks guys. I guess I should say what I already have in my bag. I have the tamron 17-50 2.8 the tokina 28-80 2.8 and a nikon 80-200 2.8. I also have the lumix 14-140 for zooms. I also have primes 35 50 and 85. I guess is there anything better?
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I have the Tokina 11-16 and Tokina 16-50 2.8 plus a bag full of FD primes and a Canon 70-200 2.8. The biggest objection I have to the 16-50, though it's parafocal, is the increasing length of the lens as you zoom out, making the use of a matte box difficult if not impossible. I'm seriously looking at the Canon L 16-35 for the simple reason that it remains a constant length and with a FF can be used with a matte box and is incredibly sharp.

The other sleeper lens I heard about on these pages and now own, is a FD 35-105 3.5. It's sharp, parafocal, does breath a little but produces great images for $94 from KEH.
 
groveChuck said:
Michael- check out this post and video shot completely on a Nikon 17-55 f2.8.
Don't know if it's long enough for your situation, but if it's handheld run n gun, maybe it's long enough with a 70-200 or a 100 in the bag, too.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...ry-Interview&p=2385630&viewfull=1#post2385630
Click to expand...


While I think only first-hand experience can inform your lens choice, here are some photos of me at work with the AF rigged for verité shooting. I was shooting a commercial for Manuhealii, a Hawaiian clothing store in Kailua, Oahu. I have Olof Ekberg's Aaton grip, and a specially modified Cavision follow focus with a knob machined under it. This knob on the left, along with the Aaton grip on the right, lets me cradle the weight of the camera in the palms of my hands. I can roll focus with my fingers:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.259496387400103.81008.100000192323800&type=1


But, yes, I do love the Nikon 17-55mm!
 
groveChuck said:
So are you looking for the range of the 14-140, but faster and under several thousand $? Because we all are, ha ha, and it's not out there!The cooke may have the range you're looking for, but yes, it's heavy.
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I wish there was something out there like that but the Cooke is an awesome range. Perfect for what I need. I may try and rent one once.
 
SNP - I will definatlety check out the fd. For 100 bucks why not. Jdesignhi-I couldn't get your link to work but I think I may want your job.
 
"but it is not ideal for run and gun, in my opinion."

I beg to disagree... Selective focus can add an extra dimension to a documentary that separates it from a boring local news look. And with a decent finder like the Zacuto or Cineroid it is possible to follow focus through the shot and "guide" the viewer's eye (although see my caveats re: these EVFs elsewhere)- and with a well designed shoulder rig, the AF100 is very comfortable and would be a perfect "run and gun" (I really dislike that term, BTW) camera..

I say "would be" because this lack of a good zoom lens is a major weakness. When the excitement over this camera was at it's peak 6 months ago I was sure a lens would materialize, probably at NAB, to satisfy those of us who have been begging.. but that didn't happen, and now that the initial bloom is fading off the rose, it looks like it isn't going to happen. maybe if Panasonic introduces an "AF100b" or "AF200" the momentum will increase again, but for the time being it's really a make do with what's out there situation, and the choices are not great.
 
Although I've posted an older picture elsewhere, this was taken during a shoot last week after replacing the Cineroid with the Z-Finder. As you can see, it is a nicely compact camera perfect for most documentary situations.. It would be only slightly larger with a decent f2.8 5:1 zoom.
 

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Mac said:
Although I've posted an older picture elsewhere, this was taken during a shoot last week after replacing the Cineroid with the Z-Finder. As you can see, it is a nicely compact camera perfect for most documentary situations.. It would be only slightly larger with a decent f2.8 5:1 zoom.
Click to expand...

Fantastic, I totally agree with your approach! Here's something I think you can appreciate:

I machined a knob under the follow focus unit:
DSCN0657.jpg
This lets you balance the camera in both palms, and you can easily roll focus with your fingers.

DSCN0656.jpg

Finally, here's my version of what you're doing:
DSCN0651.jpg

I know, the Z-Finder is a must have... !
 
Nice: I had mine rigged with a follow focus originally, but it was such a hassle changing lenses that I gave up on it... The FF really makes things easier though - I would go back to it IF THERE WAS A DECENT ZOOM so I wouldn't have to shuffle lenses all the time.

BTW, try mounting your mic holder upside down and making a rectangular rubber spacer/gasket to position it exactly where you want, and also provide a little more isolation. That way it will fit in a case without disassembly (I hate taking things apart and putting them back together ten times a day).
 
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