Recommended Lenses For FS100

I had the Canon 70-200 2.8 L II on a week ago and I gotta admit I looks pretty nice. This is a screen grab from the video. I had to shoot at 5.6-8 to be sure the explosions wouldn't take off, but I think I managed decently. The shot is straight off the cam... no editing or sharpness.

Skærmbillede-2011-11-11-kl.-8.24.jpg

I think the setting here was around 135mm at F6.3, 1/120s and 50fps in 1080p. (set by my 5D with the stop down button)

I dunno if I would spend the dough to get the 70-200 if I didn't have it already, but I like working with it. Also had the 24-70 2.8L up at one point. Shot at 2.8 with only the light from a projector... worked nicely.
I think there's a slight difference in quality from the stock lens, but when the post guy is cutting every 2-3 seconds you hardly see it.
 
Michael Solomon said:
How do the Zeiss zoomes work with the LA-EA1? Any issues with the adapter and the weight? Does it need a lens support on the rails?

Keep changing my mind between the sony zeiss zoom route and the nikon zf2 route.
Click to expand...
the bad about the lenses;
they do NEED support
they pull stops with the EA1, but clatter and go WFO between stops, so pulling stop is a complete non starter
the focus ring roatates endlessly

the workarounds;
They come with a support bracket, so it's easy to stablise them, still need to be handled carefully
You can set the gain to auto to get around pulling stops in some situations, not all tho
I put stops on my gear ring to keep from overshooting with the FF and running into putting too much torque on the mount when the gear ring hit it's end

d
 
Hrm...

Think I'm going to go with my original plan of nikon mount lenses. going the samyang 35/85 and tokina 11-16.

1) I figured the re-sale will be a lot easier with these as opposed to sony lenses
2) I can rent a ZF.2 set when I need really really nice glass
3) There are just so many more options lens wise.

I just have to get over the focus ring turning the wrong way.
 
b-

if you go with primes you should not need support- except for a 200mm or longer. As always it depends on the lens.
With zooms you prolly will want support but either way I like a matte box to control my stop when shooting narrative. You mention b-roll so I'm guessing a scripted doc. For doc I find I miss half the shots I wanted to get w/o a full zoom (10:1).

I recently looked at a company called 16x9 at Texpro in boston- very nicely made and designed baseplates and rod systems - affordable too. I like much better than my zacuto. I have a contact name if you like. For me a production camera has to have iris rods or I cant rent lens support, FF or a Preston (for film rigs). You will eventually want a monitor and an EVF. I'm about to get an EVF - I really miss that on EXTs. Also rods are protective and serve as a lower grip I'm constantly using during handheld takes to rest one hand or the other.

I speak out against fanboy robocams with the color coordinated knobs a lot- cause they are so unsalty but a fully rigged camera is tried and true- it will serve you well.
 
@plasticam

Thanks for the recommendations. I think I'm going to go all primes for this project after all but you do make a very good point about bringing along a full zoom. Not a bad idea while shooting the outside shots. Besides, I'm sure it will make the footage easier to get creative with when I take it to post.

In regards to a sturdy support system, I know of 16X9 and a contact name would be greatly appreciated! I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to rig the camera yet, though I think I'm going to stick with the F3 for most of my exteriors. Thanks again.
 
You got me thinking about primes. My first camera was a turret bolex R16 which has 3 primes that rotate into position.
Snap, snap. I miss that concept and want it back! Having three lenses gave me flexibility and the turret made the change up instantaneous. Someone on this board has a sig quoting Orson Welles (?) that creativity doesn't begin until the handcuffs are put on you. (Nice thought on several levels!)

I find this to be darn truw in my shooting experience. When I have a 1 ton G&E truck I start using what's on it, my pacing slows down and I get bogged down with options. Or it can happen, I find myself fighting that entropy. On a feature one time (I gaffed) I had two 1.2 HMI PARS and never lit so well or so fast. I was bouncing them off bathtubs for underlighting beauty shots (Of Joyce Dewitt of all people!) Yeah, I think creativity starts when the handcuffs go snap. This is what I have - that is what I need to do. Keep it simple & real. KISR

I have a point here (wait for it) I think it may help to think of a project in terms of 3 prime lenses. Heck, Nestor Alemendros talks about shooting for Goddard with a single lens- and that Goddard insisted only one be used. And Nestor ended up seeing the beauty of the approach. The 3 I had on the bolex were a 10/25/50 - still the magic trinity for me. On my FS that translates into a 18/50/90 today. Those would be my recco to start off with- rental or purchase. I will be adding a 35 and 200 next. 35 will be Leica R and the 200 I'm not sure - my favorite 200 is the lens posted above, the Canon (once again, those silly Canons) 70-200. I just love that lens. (and Nice trick about setting the stop on a DSLR 'legrevedotcom'.) This is an extra step you'd never consider on hired set- but on an indie shoot that extra step may be warranted in savings. A set of S4's is about 1500/day.

OK, it's sunday, I'm rambling ;) I have no point, quit waiting.
 
haha nice little tangent there... I'm on the same page. Actually, I've heard a lot of guys in the industry say they follow the 'less is more' approach on several occasions and for good reason too.

Personally, that's why I like to stick to primes myself. They don't really give you luxury of reframing a shot so simply. I like the discipline of PHYSICALLY moving in closer or further when necessary. I find you have to think about the shot more precisely. In short, primes keep me more organized, sharper on set, and more aware of the bigger picture as a whole. Most likely, keeps me within the budget too. Good to see another operator keen on the same approach (primes = simplicity).
 
I second this. Plus, as much as zooms have advanced in recent years, I still like the Bokeh of most primes better. The one exception is my heritage Minolta Zoom Rokkor 35-70 which was sold by Leica too in it's time (about 35 years ago). Yes, I'm into manual lenses, this one can even be de-clicked easily.
 
just wonder if anyone using nikon 24-70 lens? it is parfocal too. I'm thinking about getting the 24-70 instead of 17-35
 
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