Lens for "Office" style shooting

R

robcollins

Active member
I'm going to be shooting an "Office" parody (I know, maybe not the ideal cam, but what I have) and wonder if anyone can suggest a zoom lens for it. I have the 14-140 but would love something a little faster with a constant zoom through aperture. Don't see much in the m43 mount but was looking at the Nikkor 17-35 f2.8. Pricey though--alternatives? Thanks in advance.
 
They use Sony F900's for their production.
Why not rent a HD2x adapter and B4 lens from AbelCine.
I just purchased a zoom lens/trigger for my AF100/B4 lens.
The money you would spend buying, rent instead, and get exactly what you need.
 
I use a sigma 18_50 2.8 that I think would suit your needs. Mine is k mount, but they make it in several mounts.
 
best lens is my most used lens on Af100 that is the olympus 14-35mm/f2.0. works perfectly with the af100 and will read the electronic auto aperture.
 
Seems like what you'd want is a long zoom like a 2/3 ENG lens since the show is shot somewhat in an ENG/doc style on 2/3" cameras. As mentioned by james, a 2/3" lens and 2x extender and B4 adapter might be a good way to go, since it should give you similar control and depth of field to the office, problem is on m4/3 your f-stop will be 2stops slower. You might be able to get 2/3" SD ENG zooms with 2x extender built in for a relatively reasonably price these days, and there are some other forums around that cover that option pretty well. Otherwise, the 14-140 might not be a bad option for you, though I'm not familiar with how it performs while zooming in-shot, but you'll certainly have to jump through fewer hoops and likely get slightly better optical performance from it than an affordable 2/3" lens.
 
This isn't what you want to hear, but you are much better off renting any other camera for this shoot. Even a 1/3" HPX170 or 1/2" EX1/3 are far superior choices for this style of shooting.

You could get away with it if you avoided zooming and just use fast cuts + quick focus adjustments (finding focus), but an important part of that show is its shooting style, which this camera simply isn't made for.
 
Taylor Rudd said:
This isn't what you want to hear, but you are much better off renting any other camera for this shoot. Even a 1/3" HPX170 or 1/2" EX1/3 are far superior choices for this style of shooting.

You could get away with it if you avoided zooming and just use fast cuts + quick focus adjustments (finding focus), but an important part of that show is its shooting style, which this camera simply isn't made for.
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Yeah I was tempted to say the same thing, and it is basically true, but may not be feasible if an AF100 is what he has available. If you can shoot it with a regular 1/3-2/3" camcorder with a zoom lens, it may make your life easier and your style a better match. in the end, the only benefit to an AF100 is really its sensor size, and by using a slow lens or putting a lens with an extender on it just to cover the format (which becomes a slow lens), you are losing most of the benefits of the camera.
 
Yes, the AF101 is definately not the camera for this job. I shoot with a Sony PDW-700 and a AF101, two totally different cameras. The 700 is for all ENG work. sport coverage and events when I'm running around doing interviews etc. However when I get the time to frame shots I like to take out the 101. The daily hire charge on a high end HD ENG camera isn't too high and you have to factor this into your budget. It they want it done properly, they have to pay for it. I couldn't imagine trying to use an 101 on this type of production. Sparky
 
Thanks all. I agree, and said initially, that it's not the right camera. BUT, I shot a VERY ROUGH little test with the 14-140 and was pleasantly surprised. This is a birthday video for our company's founder--we hired an actor to play him--shot in an hour and a half. All practical overhead flo lighting, so gain at 1000, and no image enhancement--straight off the card:

http://vimeo.com/21723300

Obviously the inside jokes won't make sense, but I'm now wondering if I lit the scenes and planned the shots (rather than literally shooting ENG style), might it work? Especially with a better lens?

Thanks again.
 
Jarek Zabczynski said:
the Nikon 17-55mm has been a workhorse for me.
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Jarek,

I am selling off several Sigma primes and zooms, with one goal in mind: acquiring the Nikon 17-55 2.8 I shoot, almost exclusively, documentaries, and I believe that the 17-55 would be the perfect lens for the vast majority of what I shoot. Been using a Sigma 17-35 2.8-4.0, and that's been OK, but a bit short, and the ramping aperture is a pain. I plan to have the Nikon geared for focus, maybe add a lever to assist in changing focal length. I have the Novoflex... might even put a lever on that, too.

How is focusing with that lens and lens gear? What's your general impression of the 17-55? I wish I had the $$$ to have it properly cine-vised... toss the focus motor, increase the aperture throw, whatever, I'm guessing that this lens could be the basis for a great film lens.

Aloha,

Jeff
 
Hey Rob,

I second Shooter's plaudits— great job! I think it's obvious to you now that, you might not really need to shoot that many zoom shots, or at least, you might not need to throw the zoom that far. What I see on The Office is a lot of manual, not servo, touch-ups in framing using the zoom. The 14-140 can do that, no sweat.

Funny piece, I'm sure your office mates will be amazed!

Jeff
 
Obviously the inside jokes won't make sense, but I'm now wondering if I lit the scenes and planned the shots (rather than literally shooting ENG style), might it work? Especially with a better lens?

Thanks again.[/QUOTE]

Works for me - I found it very funny and less than perfect production values suits the content. I would use what ever camera you enjoy using most and make the best of it.
 
Thanks everybody!

Jrowe! Doing swell. I was over on dvinfo but they've punted the af100 forum here--digging it though!
 
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