What lens for this purpose/journey?

L

leon_d

Member
Hi all, I've enjoyed reading this site and I've ultimately been persuaded to purchase a DVX100ae. Fairly soon, I'm going to be travelling round the world, working in various locations (not film work, unfortunately) and I'm planning on filming as much of this as possible (the travel, not work). A fair portion of the filming will be of expansive landscapes.

Can anyone suggest what would be a good wide angle accompanying lens for this purpose. I've been looking at Century's range of wide angles. I'd like no noticable curvature in the image. I'm also going to get a UV filter to protect the stock lens as I'll be carrying it around a fair bit. I've noticed people suggesting the UV filters from this site, but cannot find any links to these.
 
Re: What lens for this purpose/journey?

the standard lens on the DVX is quite wide and will probably suit your needs quite well considering the traveling you're doing. no need to add bulk and spend the extra money here. one of the DVX's shortcomings is the fact that the lens IS wide - but not long. you'll do fine right out of the box - not to mention that there aren't any UV/clear filters that fit the wide angle attachments - and you'll be forced to remove/replace the filter every time you want to put the wide angle on.

i'd suggest you keep it stock - you'll do fine.

if you want to enhance your image, i'd suggest a polarizer for the landscapes. you'll enjoy the deep blue skies.

go to bhphoto.com and search for 72mm screw-in filters.

I'd suggest: Tiffen 72mm Deluxe Enhancing Kit (UV Protector, Enhancing, Circular Polarizer & 812 Color Warming

NOT the wide-angle version of this kit - as they don't include threads in the front of the filter - which makes stacking of the filters impossible. if you get the enhancing kit, you can put the UV on and then add the polarizer when needed - and then play with the other two filters in the kit....

just my $.02 worth.

good luck.
 
Re: What lens for this purpose/journey?

Dear Leon,

Bill Turner Century/Schneider here.

Flaca's post is excellent. I would suggest you get the camera far enough ahead of your trip to do some testing including panoramic shots under varying conditions. If you conclude the camera's zoom is not wide enough for your purposes, I would recommend considering our Century .6x wide angle adapter. It is compact, light weight, cost effective and will give you a dramatically wider shot with minimal distortion (the camera lens has some barrel at the wide and the attachment will accentuate it a bit), if you want/need one.

His advice about filters is good (of course I am partial to Schneider B+W !). A polarizer will really help add some snap to your panoramic shots, and an enhancer is great under certain conditions.

Good Luck,

Bill Turner
Century Division
Schneider Optics
 
Re: What lens for this purpose/journey?

Leon,

Bill brings up two very good points:
-get the camera ahead of time and just see what you like.
-the century products are great and ARE the way to go if you do decide to add a wide-angle (i've used their zoom-thrus for years on betacams)

that said, you might consider the red-eye wide-eye. (http://www.collinscraft.com/)
they are not zoom-thru and i have never personally used one, but appear to be a product that is worth taking a look at.

now - full disclosure: i'm partial to schneider b+w filters as well......hey, look- theres 6 of their 4x4's in my bag right now!!! :-)
 
Re: What lens for this purpose/journey?

just have to chime in here--while I render..

my shooting partner DROPPED  a  century .6x and it survived without a scratch. ( somehow he did not have it bayoneted on properly) I'm quite sure it hit the outer rim and just rolled.

the drop was probably 5 ft onto a wood panel floor.

well made, durable. simply fine.
 
Re: What lens for this purpose/journey?

Thanks guys... I will see how I go without the wide angle initially, and I'll have a gander at those filters too.

Cheers for your help!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top