Need Help Comparing Lenses for FS-700

P

pifemaster

Well-known member
Hello,

I currently own a Panasonic AG-AC160A video camera and I am getting ready to purchase a FS-700. My current camera has a 1/3 type progressive 3MOS sensor and the lens is listed as "Panasonic lens with optical image stabilizer, motorized / manual mode switching, 22x zoom, F1.6 - 3.2 (f=3.9 mm to 86 mm / 35 mm equivalent: 28 mm to 616 mm, 16:9)".

I shoot a lot of my footage with the lens at it's widest setting (not zoomed in). Am I correct in interpreting this to mean that if I want the same field of view on the FS-700 as the Panasonic at it's widest zoom setting that I would want a 28mm lens on the FS-700 (an e-mount lens without a speedbooster)?

If I am correct, what is everyone's thoughts on this lens? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/818647-REG/Sony_SEL24F18Z_SEL24F18Z_24_mm_f_1_8.html

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
www.pifemaster.com
 
What type of shooting are you doing? The stock e mount 18-200 is motorized, can do auto focus, so if you are doing a ton of run and gun, it may give you a similar feel to the panny you're coming from. It's not a stellar lens, but I find I use it for corporates where I don't have much control over the situation (stopped down I'm not sure many people could distinguish it from any other lens, pixel peepers I suppose.). Of course it's not near as fast as 1.8, but on a wide angle, the depth of field isn't as much an issue, it's more just low light, and if you need that, then the 18-200 isn't much help... what is it, 3.5 to 6.3? something like that.

if I were you I'd probably go for the sigma 18-35 1.8 if you wanted something a little higher quality and use it with an adapter ( I use RJ camera's cause I had some apsc lenses, its a good one) on the fs700 it would be about 26mm to 51mm equivalent. You could also look into the canon 17-55 2.8 which is a pretty awesome apsc lens, and sometimes you can find people dumping them cheap when they move to full frame (got mine for $500). The exposures won't ramp on these lenses, but you gotta make a sacrifice for the money.

Just my two cents.
 
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Sorenson - I am shooting mostly wedding receptions. Low light is an issue and is the main reason I was considering the Sony SEL24F18Z since it will go to F/1.8. According to the specifications, the 18-200 (which I plan on buying also) is only f/3.5-6.3. I believe that the SEL24F18Z should also have auto focus.

Since I am planning on buying the FS-700RH kit, I figured I could use the stock lens when I need the power zoom functionality and then switch to the SEL24F18Z when I need low light capabilities.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
www.pifemaster.com
 
Sounds like you got a plan. I have no personal experience with that lens, so I can't speak to it directly. The FS700 is way better in low light than what you're used too with the panny as well, I think you'll be happy with the upgrade. Not to shill for Convergent Designs, but I'd get the Odyssey 7q asap as well... it really makes the FS700 sing (so to speak).
 
Please be aware that you can't use e-mount lenses on a speedbooster.
If you want the same field of view than your widest setting with your old panny you'll need aprox. 18mm or 28mm fullframe (aka 35mm) lenses on the speedbooster.
If you want a lens, that works as a better run'n gun lens incl AF and IS - consider the Sony SEL18-105/4,0. If you want more speed at 18mm you'll need something different.
I used a Canon 24-105/4,0 which "behaves" like a 17-75/2,8 on a speedbooster or a Tamron 24-70/2,8 VC which behaves like a 17-50/2,0 both with image stabilizer but without AF.

There are no fast AF lenses for e-mount besides SEL24/1,8 - SEL35/1,8 and SEL50/1,8.

One of the best wideangle lenses is the new Sigma 18-35/1,8 without AF and IS on the FS700 but fast and sharp!

Some people use the Samyang/Walimex/Bower 24mm T1,5 cine lens on a speedbooster which behaves aprox. like a 17/1,1 on a speedbooster!
But it's big, has no AF nor IS and is rather soft wideopen, sharpens up by f2,8 (still soft in the edges).

Choosing lenses is one of the biggest issue when having big sensor cameras with interchangeable lenses!

Me personally won't use wideangle lenses with a fast aperture - I will buy a Canon 35/2,0 IS for my speedbooster which is a very nice allround fixed focal length for handheld work (behaves like a 24/1,4 with IS) and use the Canon 24-105/4,0 for the rest. If I need to do run'n gun I still have the Sony SEL18-200 which has AF and very nice IS ("active mode IS") but is rather slow and clunky/plasticy.
 
Sorenson said:
Not to shill for Convergent Designs, but I'd get the Odyssey 7q asap as well... it really makes the FS700 sing (so to speak).
Click to expand...
I plan on ordering the 7Q at the same time as the FS-700. I have been following the progress of this device and am really looking forward to the 4K2HD option.


Erik Wittbusch said:
There are no fast AF lenses for e-mount besides SEL24/1,8 - SEL35/1,8 and SEL50/1,8.
Click to expand...
That's kinda confirms what I thought also. That being said, are any of those 3 lenses better than the others as far as image quality? I would prefer either the 24mm or 35mm. I notice the 24mm is about 3x as expensive as the other 2.

Erik Wittbusch said:
If I need to do run'n gun I still have the Sony SEL18-200 which has AF and very nice IS ("active mode IS") but is rather slow and clunky/plasticy.
Click to expand...
I will definitely purchase the FS-700 kit so that I have that lens also.

Thank you,
Robert Pfeifer
www.pifemaster.com
 
I wouldn't worry so much about low light. The Camera performs very well up until +9db gain and gets a touch noisier at +12db.
 
The SEL24 is a Zeiss labeled lens, thus more expensive but without any IS.
The SEL35 and SEL50 look more plasticy but are really a bargain if you won't need manual focusing (which I always want and therefore avoid SEL lenses).
The stabilisation works really nice handheld.

I haven't tested any lenses in 4k yet so can't confirm how good they are here, but generally modern photography lenses should do more then 4k resolution.

I have a bunch of nice and old Canon FD-lenses, modded for cine use. These are my lenses for "serious" film work...
I use the Canon Zooms on the speedbooster when time is tight.

Depended on what you do: My last job was 90% filming with 2500ISO and stops from 2,8-5,6 - so lowlight can be an issue with every camera/lens!
 
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