How often do you push-in by ZOOMING?

G

Gene Sung

Veteran
Just out of curiosity, do you guys do many Zoom shots (pushing in by zooming, instead of with a dolly of walking)? I'd especially like to hear from the guys who video extreme sports where telephoto is needed (surfing, motocross, maybe even NASCAR).

I'm curious, because I've narrowed it down to 2 telephotos that I can afford.

1) The Canon EF 70-300 f4-f5.6 =$400 used

2) Old manual Nikon 80-200 f4 =$200 used

I would go for the Canon because of the extra 100mm focal length, but the variable aperture (f4 to f5.6) causes an annoying flicker while zooming, which does not happen with the Nikon because it's a constant f4.

Even though the flicker is annoying, I only find myself doing minimal zooming while filming the sport of surfing. But I'm not the most experienced videographer, so I'd like to hear from the more experienced people.

For filming extreme sports such as surfing or motocross, would you rather get the Canon with the extra 100mm, or have a lens that has a flicker free zoom with a constant aperture (Nikon)?
 
I try my hardest to avoid the zoom. As soon as you start zooming in the camera starts showing more movement from your hand. I only recomend zooming for a shot you have planned. Like a quick zoom from wide to close.
 
Zooming is an unnatural movement (can your eyes zoom?) so I try to avoid it, even on cameras where I can do it smoothly. There are of course, exceptions.
 
If you're shooting extreme sports. I'd do it all the time. Just little pop zooms that push in just a little bit as you move around to up the intensity of things.

Does the flicker go away if you stop down to 5.6? If not, I'd rather have a flicker free zoom than anything else.
 
the last 2 segments of my surfmovie ,AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 WAVES, were shot with my 5d/ 300 2.8 IS ,cost about $4700,with a 2x doubler. you will always crave tighter shots. trailer is up at www.80waves.ca I have since sold the 300 2.8 IS and picked up the 300 2.8 non IS for about $2100 . most of my shots were from a tripod anyway.
 
Zooming in narrative work is sick when done properly. It's one of THE hardest camera actions to make look great.
 
I love zooms done right. They are extremely difficult to shoot properly and then edit. 99% of the time only the camera should move
 
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