Lens collection

Vettcross

Vettcross

Member
Hello all- I have a boutique studio celebrating 10 years in business and am new to the forum.

I was researching and planning to buy the new Panasonic AGF camera with the four thirds imager that is set to be released in December. I had also thought about getting a DOF adapter and adding it to my existing rig.

However recently I assisted on a production where the main camera used was the Canon 5D. After viewing the dailies I was amazed at the quality, color and resolution that this camera produces.

I was initially hesitant about buying and using a DSLR thinking it would be awkward t work with. There are some issues to overcome but I think the final product is worth it. I have decided to buy the 5D.

With that said- I would like to get your feedback on the lenses I should start aquiring and build my set with. I did notice that the DP had an adapter and used Nikon and cine lenses.

THX
 
Alright that's cool. It's just that to make one of these 5D cameras take modern cinema glass is a 1-way deal. Once you do that, you can't go back to normal still glass like Canon or Nikon. So I am wondering what kind of Cine glass was used that they could switch between it and Nikon glass.
 
I would start out using the Nikon still lenses. Just wanting to get feedback on what I should include in my set according to priority. I am researching this as it is relativiely new to me coming from a somewhat fixed lens on my strictly video camera(s)

I have currently the JVC GY110u and Sony HDR-FX1. Going to sell my JVC.
 
It's like asking what kind of car you need. If want to race on the weekends, we'd suggest one thing. But if you're a handyman, we might suggest something totally different. Or if you had a family of 6.

Lens choices are dictated by the work to be photographed. If you are going to spend a lot of time shooting wide vistas outside, then something around a 15mm would be just the ticket for those scenes. If you have some intimate 1-shots or 2-shots, then you may be on the 50 or the 85. If you're trying to show how busy urban life is, you may want to be on a 200 or 300.

Most often, I suggest people start with 2-3 fast zooms and a fast 50. something like an 18-55 and a 70-300 along with a 50mm F1.4. Once you have a basic understanding of what focal lengths you're using all the time, trade up to primes.

If you can afford a full set of primes right away, then start with the biggies and fill in from there. Several years of reading American Cinematographer taught me plenty about lens choices of the best Cinematographers. I then looked at the prime selections for the ARRI master primes and ultra primes. And of the Cooke S4s, and Panchros. I looked at the rental packages at Abel Cine, Clairmont, and Birns and Sawyer. And I started to understand what focal lengths were most common.

What you will find is that there is a LOT more offering between 16 and 50mm than from 50mm to 300mm You'll see things like a 18, 20, 24, 28, 35, 50, 85, 100, 135, 180, 300. A part of that is the fact that people who rent $25k lenses are usually telling big stories. And big stories play out in big spaces very often. But if you are telling a story about a man and a woman, you don't often need to see the whole house in one shot. Or if they are outside, you don't need to see the entire block in one shot. If you're shooting a movie about a gang, it might be VERY important to see most of the block as they approach.

Your framing dictates the lensing. So you should be able to make some educated guesses from your storyboards. Or exact choices from the pre-viz.

So my advice? Buy two F2.8 zooms that cover from about 18mm to 250 or 300. And learn from there. I have 3 zooms to cover 18-300, and an filling in with primes right now.
 
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