What's a good companion lens for a Tamron 17-50/2.8?

J

JosePrendes

New member
Hey guys,

New to the world of lenses. I bought a 7D and I plan to shoot movies with it. I have a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and that's it. Wondering what a good companion lens would be so I can have two ready to rock lenses for filmmaking. I'm on a budget, so preferably something under a grand.

Any suggestions would be helpful, just trying to learn as I go!

Thanks!

-Jose
 
Well that really depends on what you want to shoot! :)

Do you want some really wide shots? If so, we like to use the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8. It's an AMAZING lens.

Do you want to shoot in low-light a little easier, like at night? I'd recommend getting a fast prime. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 I bought off of craigslist for $350 and this is my GO TO lens.

Now that I have had the opportunity to shoot a lot, I have narrowed down my lens to these

(Have)
11-16 F2.8 Tokina
30mm F1.4 Sigma
(Purchasing)
85mm F1.4 Sigma

And something fast in the 150-200 range, but I've held off on this as it's really something I would use VERY rarely. I'm also considering the sigma 50mm F1.4 as well I have been so impressed with the 30mm. Mainly I want it so I can get a little bit out of the actors faces when I want a little closer with the 30mm at a wide aperature.

Hope any of that helps.

I also have the kit lens that came with my 7D. It's good for good lighting, but I really only use it for the longer focal lengths. I want to replace it with a faster version of the same range that still as IS. (Image Stabilization)
 
Hi Grimepoch,

Thanks for the advice. Two questions spring to mind, if you would be so kind to answer them!

1.) Does the Tokina do a fish eye effect on a 7D? I tried a 10-22mm (I believe) lens and didn't love it.

2.) I'm shooting close ups and over the shoulders for my movies. Are fast primes a smarter buy for this type of stuff?

Thanks!
 
1) The Tokina is not a fisheye HOWEVER anything really close to the lens is going to distort. Things a bit further away are fine. If you have a local camera shop, I recommend checking it out. We like to use it for ultra-wide shots many times where physical location is a limitation. Out of all the ultra-wides I have used (Tokina, Sigma and Canon) I like this one the best. That said, we go to it a lot, you might not depending on your locations.

2) I like fast primes more than anything else because you at least have the freedom to use it fast if needed. I've become accustomed to just moving closer or farther from a subject and prefer this to constantly playing with a zoom lens. We just shot an indoor movie and decided to try and use as little lighting as possible. I found my 30mm to be awesome for this. Given the cost, you could probably get two primes for the price of a good zoom. When that 85mm F1.4 comes out, I am really going to be happy with it.

For really in your face shots, over the shoulder, I think the 30mm is okay, but really requires you to be right in their face. I'd say the 50mm or even 65mm would be good (although I've not researched a 65mm lens).

One thing I can say, EVERY person who has used my 30mm I have worked with loves it, hands down. They couldn't believe it was a sigma. If I had to chose one lens to stay with forever it would be that lens.

Many local shops will allow you to try out lens before you buy them. After months of shooting I have decided to not use lenses slower than F2.8.

But nothing is going to tell you want you really like till you start shooting with them!

One thing to note, with longer focal lengths, you have to be A LOT more careful about stabilizing your shots. Too fast of movement of the camera creates jello. I use a blackbird stabilizer for handheld shots and tripod the rest. A lens with IS REALLY helps to reduce jello.
 
I use the smallHD 720p monitor (DP1X). I can honestly say I'd use nothing less than 720p as it is SO helpful for focus and the monitor calibrates pretty well.
 
If you're on a budget, zooms might work better.

1) Tokina 11-16
2) Canon 70-200 f4 IS.

Then you got the entire range covered. Primes are a bit faster, but those are 2 great lenses. I have the 70-200 f 2.8IS, but that costs a lot more. But the extra stop is really nice.
 
My great companion is something with lenght. 17mm is just plenty wide for me, i want length after this.

Got a vivitar 1 series 70-210mm 3.5 with macro. Great vintage lens, just need a nikon to canon adapter, total cost with the adapter was well under $100 shipped.

Awesome lens, only downside is push/pull zoom, but you get pretty used to it quickly. I was B camera on my last shoot, and this allowed me to stay back and pick up close ups from afar, while the main camera got the master shots
 
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