If you could only have three lenses for the C300...

C

ChadN

Well-known member
Hey guys, first i'll admit that i've never used a camera with interchangeable lenses. So, i'm very new to this. However, everything i see from the C300 looks stellar. I don't care about the specs, i just think this camera, it's codec and workflow and clips i've seen all seem like exactly what i'd wish for. To give an idea, i do You Tube videos. Lots of green screen. Some vlog style videos, where a shallow DOF would be nice. We cover some events too, like Comic Con. Hoping to produce more cinematic looking content in the near future.

IF i splurge on the C300, i could probably swing just two or three lenses to start out...

Which lenses would you say are the "Must haves" for the C300? Maybe somewhat affordable, they don't have to be the very super best lenses ever.

Probably not an easy question, so thanks for any input!
 
For event / doco I'd say 17-55 F2.8 EFS IS, 24-105 F4 IS, 70-200 2.8 IS. 24-70 has no IS and 16-35 restricts you to wide in my opinion. I like to change lenses as little as possible so prefer a decent range. 17-55 gives you wide out to a usable mid tele. 24-105 is a great range if you don't need super wide. 70-200 is just lovely if you need to work on the long end and all three have IS.
 
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I am using the 24-105 for doc-work and it is great on the C300, because you can always compensate the relative slowness of the lens with higher ISO.
It is also easier to focus than many 2.8 lenses.

For more cinematic looks I can recommend Samyang lenses (35/1.4 and 85/1.4). Both not stabilized, so you need a rig/shouldermount, but they look great, have a nice focus throw and look better than Canon glass for a smaller price.
You can also use the Sigma 30/1.4 with great results on this cam.

If I had only 3:
Canon 17-55IS or Tamron 17-50VR
Canon 24-105
Samyang 85
 
24mm L f1.4 II (a most amazing lens on crop cams and for stabilizer work)
50mm L f1.2
70-200mm L f2.8 IS II
 
ChadN said:
Hey guys, first i'll admit that i've never used a camera with interchangeable lenses. So, i'm very new to this. However, everything i see from the C300 looks stellar. I don't care about the specs, i just think this camera, it's codec and workflow and clips i've seen all seem like exactly what i'd wish for. To give an idea, i do You Tube videos. Lots of green screen. Some vlog style videos, where a shallow DOF would be nice. We cover some events too, like Comic Con. Hoping to produce more cinematic looking content in the near future.

IF i splurge on the C300, i could probably swing just two or three lenses to start out...

Which lenses would you say are the "Must haves" for the C300? Maybe somewhat affordable, they don't have to be the very super best lenses ever.

Probably not an easy question, so thanks for any input!
Click to expand...
Assuming your getting the canon mount the 17-40 is parfocal and so is the 70-200. Throw in a fast 50 and supplement as you go.
 
Erik Naso said:
Assuming your getting the canon mount the 17-40 is parfocal and so is the 70-200. Throw in a fast 50 and supplement as you go.
Click to expand...

That's great advice, and I didn't know that the 17-40 is parfocal.

My first 3 lenses were the 24L, 50L, 85L. Nice set for narrative & lowlight, but my next two lenses were the 16-35L & 24-105L IS - and of all of those, I use the 24-105L IS the most. It's an incredibly versatile lens on the C300. My next lens will likely be a 70-200L IS, but I'm not in a huge hurry for it. So far this kit has suited my purposes extremely well. I went with all L series so that I would have the option for full-frame if/when I pick up a 5dIII.

edit: personally, I'm really not a fan of the 24-70L lens. Can't put my finger on exactly why, but I just don't like find it nice to use.
 
ChadN said:
IF i splurge on the C300, i could probably swing just two or three lenses to start out...
... maybe somewhat affordable, they don't have to be the very super best lenses ever.
Probably not an easy question, so thanks for any input!
Click to expand...

Well, you did ask for any input, so I suppose that might justify some wiseguy suggesting a $38,000 MSRP Fujinon. Rolls eyes ...
 
Thoughts of the wise guy.... As camera technology is changing at a rapid rate, we are generally replacing cameras every 3 years. Rather than also replacing lenses, it makes more sense to purchase lenses which will last lifetime and work with any of your future camera purchases. Plus no budget was given by the OP so I suggested.
 
We've had a lot of interest in the Cinema Primes coming from Canon at the end of summer. They're basically super speeds that are way under priced (around $6500) for that many stops compared to the CP2s from Zeiss. F2-2.9 on the Zeiss vs. 1.3,1.3,1.5 on the Canons (24mm,50mm,85mm). They are going to sell quite well.

Jim Martin
Filmtools.com
 
Jim Martin said:
We've had a lot of interest in the Cinema Primes coming from Canon at the end of summer. They're basically super speeds that are way under priced (around $6500) for that many stops compared to the CP2s from Zeiss. F2-2.9 on the Zeiss vs. 1.3,1.3,1.5 on the Canons (24mm,50mm,85mm).
Click to expand...
At NAB Zeiss announced new Super Speed CP.2 lenses at T1.5 for under US$5,000 which I think should be very competitive with the Canon cinema primes.

As for this thread, I'll go Arri 14mm Master Prime, Fujinon 18-85mm and Alura 45-250mm. :P
 
This thread is like a strong poker hand. The ante keeps going up!
Then I will raise you a set of Cooke Panchro’s.

You still in David (AKA wise guy)?
 
As long as I'm betting with someone else's money!
I had to pay in $12K this year to the tax man, so the set of rehoused Speed Panchros in PL mount I was after will have to wait.
 
cowpunk52 said:
That's great advice, and I didn't know that the 17-40 is parfocal. My first 3 lenses were the 24L, 50L, 85L. Nice set for narrative & lowlight, but my next two lenses were the 16-35L & 24-105L IS - and of all of those, I use the 24-105L IS the most. It's an incredibly versatile lens on the C300. My next lens will likely be a 70-200L IS, but I'm not in a huge hurry for it. So far this kit has suited my purposes extremely well. I went with all L series so that I would have the option for full-frame if/when I pick up a 5dIII. edit: personally, I'm really not a fan of the 24-70L lens. Can't put my finger on exactly why, but I just don't like find it nice to use.
Click to expand...
I find the 24-70mm good for wide shots when on sticks, but without IS, I have to use my hand held rig for POV or over-the-shoulder shots. Just ordered a 24-105 f1.2 and looking forward to using it.
 
We just added a RED 17-50mm T2.9 Cine zoom to our inventory. It was needed because our Arri Alura 18-80mm T2.6 Cine zoom is most definitely not a hand held lens. Now we need an 85mm Cine prime to go with the 17-50mm. Looks like the Zeiss CP.2 Super Speeds don't deliver until August 10, even though I was told June by Zeiss at NAB.
 
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