What lens for shooting interviews with 5D?

Never use a 50mm for interviews, unless it's the wide shot. For CU, use a least a 80mm. If you use a "medium lens-50mm" on a full frame camera, and are shooting the close ups with that lens, the nose will become a little more enlarged. An 80mm or longer will compress the face without the nose being enlarged. I've shot for 25 years on 4X5, 2 1/4 and 35mm cameras, and the same principle applies. Never a normal lens for CU on the face, unless you want that " look".

JohnnyD
 
Interesting thought. I think most of my shot will be more like medium close ups (but with rather shallow depth of field). Yeah, I will probably do some close ups too. And I will definitely buy other lenses in future. So now I'm wondering what should I buy as a starting lens.
 
just did the Governor here and we used the Canon Zoom f/4 so we could change up the focal lengths
 
Yeah, constant aperature is nice, but I did a series of interviews this past week and elected to use the 50mm 1.4, from 9-10' with a 60d. It would be equivelent to an 80-85 on the 5d (at the same distance). Everything is shot at 1.4 w/ a 3 stop ND filter, lit with flos in softboxes. I love the look for interviews, getting that nice bokeh / shallow DOF. I know some people go in for that ultra closeup shot, but to me it seems too invasive more most things, especially in HD. If I am going to cut in multiple shots, I will cut from a medium+ shot to a wide shot. But this is what the Canon 50mm 1.4 looked like:
Most of these images are pre-color correction (I think the 2nd pic is post).
 
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Hmmm, the "85mm" is wider than I thought... Maybe I shoudl buy 85mm and shoot a medium close ups with it too.
 
You know, I don't know that there is really a right answer here, hellboy. Interviews are really subective, but it seems like the more candid and in depth interviews are, the closer of a shot they're getting. If I were doing an interview on something like a drug addiction for example, I would probably elect to go in much closer to give it that "up close and personal" look. I think an 85mm on the 5D would be a great interview lens. You could go for something that has a constant aperature as MrBill suggested and cover a range, but the downside is you'll lose some DOF. I would say 85 for you IMHO.

Good luck, post some pics :)
 
And don't forget the 2/3rd rule. For interview CU's, the eyes should be at the top third level of the shot. I've been seeing way too much head room in some videos. For intimate shots, I like to cut off the top of the head for extreme CU's. Watch the news shows, like 20/20,etc.. You'll see those CU's at the 2/3rd rule, and for ECU's, top of head out of the frame.

Same rule for stills. There are some exceptions, like logos a little above the head,etc.

JohnnyD
 
This is why primes aren't used a whole lot in interviews unless you have multiple cameras.
A constant stop Zoom is gold, you can go in on those moments when you need to see behind the eyes, or pull out to reveal body language.
Plus the 5D is a tough choice due to its 12 minute run times.
 
bill totolo said:
This is why primes aren't used a whole lot in interviews unless you have multiple cameras.
A constant stop Zoom is gold, you can go in on those moments when you need to see behind the eyes, or pull out to reveal body language.
Plus the 5D is a tough choice due to its 12 minute run times.
Click to expand...

Yep, zooms are my choice. When a director says go in or come out, and you have only 3 secs. before he asks the next question. Well, you know what I'll be using.

JohnnyD
 
I think i won't be shooting any intimate shots at all. I have to do only interviews with film critics talking about movies. There will be also a moderator presenting the show.
I also wanna shoot short movies with it, maybe lowbugdet commercials/corporate interviews.
 
bill totolo said:
This is why primes aren't used a whole lot in interviews unless you have multiple cameras.
A constant stop Zoom is gold, you can go in on those moments when you need to see behind the eyes, or pull out to reveal body language.
Plus the 5D is a tough choice due to its 12 minute run times.
Click to expand...


This +1

I can't imagine shooting an interview and having to tell the producer/director, "hey can we wait a moment while I change lenses?" Especially if there is any emotion involved at all in the interview. Total buzz kill.
 
You can get a used 70-200 F4L for around $500 or less. That is what you want for single cam interviews. @f4 on FF, DOF is plenty shallow.

We just did a series of interviews with the 35 F1.4L @1.4 for the WS (B Cam) and 70-200 2.8L IS for the A Cam and they are amazing
 
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