GH3 Focal length ? For video/short film

[jibberjazz]

Just starting out and preparing to start on first short narrative film. I have amassed a collection of primes covering the range from 12mm up to 85mm.
My question is will i need anything longer than 85...like maybe a 100mm or will i be all set with that range?


Also, i do own 2 kit zooms (14-45 and 45-150) but i do not really like the look of them enough to use in short and they are both slow as well.

Any insight would be helpful. Film will be narrative suspense.

 

[estarkey7]

I have the 14-45 and it is very sharp, but as you say slow, so I rent the sigma 18-35 with speedbooster when I need the speed. It may be good for establishing shots. I also have the 20mm and 42.5mm both f/1.7 and a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 that I rarely use.

The only reason I can think you'll need something longer than 85 is for some reason you need extreme distance from your subject or an extreme close-up.

 

[David W. Jones]

Just starting out and preparing to start on first short narrative film. I have amassed a collection of primes covering the range from 12mm up to 85mm.
My question is will i need anything longer than 85...like maybe a 100mm or will i be all set with that range?.

Shoot within your means!

Have you scheduled pre-production and gone over the shot list at the needed location?

Is there then a need for a lens greater than 85mm?

Do you have budget set aside for more lenses beyond 85mm if needed?

 

[deltoidjohn]

85mm should be enough (assuming you are shooting on the sensor natively with no Speedbooster). For suspense it is not uncommon to shoot longer focal length which does 2 things:
1) Gives tighter framing to make the character feel trapped or confined.
2) Gives a compressed perspective so backgrounds appear closer than they actually are. Again, this gives a feeling of claustrophobia or being fully surrounded to the image.