Best run n gun zoom lens suggestions

Barry_Green said:
I do understand the sentiment, but -- remember that the title of this particular thread was asking for a "run 'n' gun zoom lens", and that usually means handheld, and for that purpose IS is quite handy. And at longer focal lengths, I'd almost say necessary.
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I know - I get it - But there is something to be said of practice and learning your tradecraft… There is a point where filmaking (in any genre) becomes a game of trade-offs and compromise with your equipment; and usually that's where skill takes over and gets you to the end of the job.
 
I fully agree concerning the 14-140.
concerning the olympus: IS is not working, isn't it?
what about the PanaLeica 14-50/2.8-3.5? Is the OIS really not working with the AF?
 
Tamron 17-50

Tamron 17-50

thomas diehl said:
is the Tamron a Canon-lens?
What about IS? Don't you miss it?
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Tamron comes in many mounts. the one I have is nikon. Tamron comes in both versions IS and non IS. It is called vc or non vc.
I opted for non vc as it is known to be sharper. If you have steady hands or use a stablising rig or a tripod, you dont need vc.
 
Tamron have a nice discontinued lens the 35-105mm f2.8, it´s a bit hard to get, but worth it, i have one and work pretty well is my first choice lens for interviews and portraits shots. Now i gonna try the the Nikon 35-70mm f2.8 F series, from a friend of mine.
 
I shot all day yesterday, in a situation where I normally would use a zoom, following a group through a newly opened hospital annex for a documentary on preventative medicine - moving from room to room as they surveyed and commented on the new addition - interviews as well as lengthy demonstrations of rehab, classes, aqua therapy and exercise equipment, all hand-held, verite style.

It may not be "run & gun" per se, but it sure kept my soundman jumping. I shot entirely with the 20mm Canon f2.8, and my early film-days style kicked in... At the end of the day I realized that I had never once missed the zoom.
 
Very interessting! Thats the way I usually work as well. Have you already checked the footage? Focussing is really hard with a 20mm f2.8 - when you don't know what is going to happen next ...
Do you use an external monitor or evf?
 
Yeah, the footage looks great... I use the Zacuto finder on my custom handle mounted bracket (the Noga arm solution gets in the way of focusing) and have no problem at all following focus using peaking. I've got old eyes, but the combination of cataract surgery and years of experience help a lot.
 
Mac said:
I shot all day yesterday, in a situation where I normally would use a zoom...
I shot entirely with the 20mm Canon f2.8, and my early film-days style kicked in... At the end of the day I realized that I had never once missed the zoom.
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Change framing using your feet :happy:
 
thanks sharing your experience.
could you perhaps send a photo of your rig (when you have time)? - I have not yet found a solution for mounting the z-finder.
 
I was looking for moderately fast zoom lenses, moderately priced, and parafocal so I got the tamron 17-50 2.8 and the sigma 50-150 2.8 with a adapatimax plus nikon mount. I was using the Olympus 14-54 2.8-3.5 but I hated the fact that it didn't hold focus and didn't have a constant 2.8.
 
I hate the 14-54 as well, but because of the lack of ability to ramp iris... How is thee Tamron 17-50? I didn't care much for those lenses in the past.
 
thomas diehl said:
But this can distract the people you are doing the interview with a lot ...
Zooming in is a lot smarter than holding the camera right in front of the eyes of the people being interviewed
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I must be pretty dumb then. I'm 6'2" tall, weigh 220 lbs and played defensive end in college and in 40 years of making my living shooting interview documentaries, often without zooms, I've never noticed a single person being distracted. Personally, I think the most distracting things are some wannabes insistence on flooding the subject with lots of artificial light, with those cute little kookies on the background wall, and bored or overly exuberant interviewers reading from a prepared list of questions.
 
Mac said:
I must be pretty dumb then. I'm 6'2" tall, weigh 220 lbs and played defensive end in college and in 40 years of making my living shooting interview documentaries, often without zooms, I've never noticed a single person being distracted. Personally, I think the most distracting things are some wannabes insistence on flooding the subject with lots of artificial light, with those cute little kookies on the background wall, and bored or overly exuberant interviewers reading from a prepared list of questions.
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Experience vs. wannabes - I couldn't have said it better, Mac.
Shooter, this guy's good.
 
thomas diehl said:
I fully agree concerning the 14-140.
concerning the olympus: IS is not working, isn't it?
what about the PanaLeica 14-50/2.8-3.5? Is the OIS really not working with the AF?
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i dont think any olympus lenses has IS as IS is in camera body on olympus

it is funny but Pany 14-50 - does has IS with AF100/101, maybe it is not working so great as it would work with Panasonic camera, but on my af101 camcorder it does make a big difference! It really works.
the only thing be careful buying a used model of that lens as it has an ussiue - after a year or 2 the zoom stocks at around 22-27, so it will work 14-22, but even then its not a big dill as everything else is working just the zoom now is shorter..., so i i bought my self the broken one and i can tell for like 70 usd it was a GREAT Deal!

another thing about that lens - focus by wire like any other pany/oly lens has, but here the breathing is terrible, probably worse than i ever seen! but u can get used to it.
Anyway if u ll ask - does it worth to buy a new Pany 14-50 2.8-3.5 to use with Af100 exclusively? NOOOO, dont ever do it - waist of money!
does it worth to buy cheap a used or even zoom broken - yes, just like i did for 70usd - ill not find anything what would be f2.8 and with working IS.

dont forget that u ll need a 4/3 to m4/3 adopter as well in order to use the lens
 
Mac said:
I must be pretty dumb then. I'm 6'2" tall, weigh 220 lbs and played defensive end in college and in 40 years of making my living shooting interview documentaries, often without zooms, I've never noticed a single person being distracted. Personally, I think the most distracting things are some wannabes insistence on flooding the subject with lots of artificial light, with those cute little kookies on the background wall, and bored or overly exuberant interviewers reading from a prepared list of questions.
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I'm 6'4", 212 lbs, and couldn't agree more (well, OK- I occasionally use cookies- guilty as charged), but thanks for keeping it reel, I mean real, Mac!
If there is a relaxed, flowing feel on location, people tend to not get too uptight, even as one is moving around.

Now if I just had a shoulder rig for the AF- sigh...
 
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I love that For the Birds Doc, Jeff - gorgeous. I have a question for you. On the Nikon 17 - 55 (and Nikon lenses in general) Does the difference between DX/FX matter? Thanks.
 
I just finished up shooting an Iron Man Competition here in AZ. I was in what I call the "walk and gun" mode. I had three lens. Nikon 12-12mm, Nikon 18-200 and Tokina 80-400mm. Found myself using all three lens. One lens? Hmm I would want to attempt that particularly if you don't what different shots you may be required to make. Advice from another 40 year veteran...be prepared.
 
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