Lenses for a newbie

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dominichicks

Active member
Hi,
I'm about to purchase the 7D to learn on... and my ultimate goal is to have a short film shot in the next three months.

I've done a lot of research on digital camcorders and have worked extensively with a Canon GL2 (XM2 in the UK).

I've never worked with interchangeable lenses, and am very excited to do so. However, I need a push in the right direction.

I'm limited on budget, so I'll be starting with just one lens. I want a filmic look - a wide angle, with a nice shallow DoF (quick lens). I don't want to make a serious compromise on quality, but if we could keep my low budget in mind when picking the lens it would be helpful as I need to buy an audio set up too (including an xlr mike and zoom h4n etc).

I'll be shopping here:
http://www.jessops.com/Directory/catalogue.ashx/categoriesLT;jessops_3/categoriesLT;jessops_3_30

If somebody could give me some pointers I'd be most indebted!
 
Everybody seems to say the plastic fantastic 50mm 1.8 but but it seems to me like you're not quite there with the budget yet to invest in a full dslr setup. Make sure you have enough to get what you need to get by.. but not compromise.

And fyi the gl2 and the 7d are two completely polar opposite worlds. I mean.. not even remotely the same.

:bath:
 
dominichicks said:
I'm limited on budget, so I'll be starting with just one lens. I want a filmic look - a wide angle, with a nice shallow DoF (quick lens). I don't want to make a serious compromise on quality, but if we could keep my low budget in mind when picking the lens it would be helpful as I need to buy an audio set up too (including an xlr mike and zoom h4n etc).
Click to expand...

I remember reading someone comment to a similar question to get the kit lens and learn what you do and don't like. Then make an educated decision about what YOU want in your lens(es). I got the 18-135 kit lens as well as a 50mm 1.8. Being new to lenses myself, I think it was good advice.

You're able to get "pretty decent" shallow depth of field even on a kit lens and then have good range with the zoom, especially on the 18-135. You get the wide angle but also the zoom...it would get pretty boring to shoot an entire short on one wide focal length I think. If a fast lens is imperative, then the 50mm 1.8 is one of the best solutions it seems. Anything faster gets expensive by hundreds of dollars.
 
The kit lens is nice for the stabilization and it's a pretty good deal. The 50mm 1.8 is a must at around $90. The Tamron 17-50 is a nice lens also and can be had on Ebay for about $200. I have all three and they compliment each other nicley.
 
If you are willing to spend the $$$, I second the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. New it costs about $450 but it has a constant and fast 2.8 aperture, covers a good range, and plus is sharp and focuses fast for still photography. If I could only have one budget lens that would be the one. (I'm not sure what all these prices are in pounds/euros).
 
If you are primarily concerned with video work, and not photography(unless you don't mind manual focus on everything), then there are a lot of nice older lenses that may suit you. I have some old pentax lenses I picked up for instance. A 135 2.8 and a 28mm 2.5 both in m42 screw mount for less than $40 a pop. Granted, you'll need an adapter for each lens, but going with older prime lenses is a great way to cover all your focal lengths for cheaper than the newer ef lenses.
 
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