Sincere apologies for posting off-topic, but I need some advice on lenses for the soon to be released 1DC and couldn't find a better place on the forum to raise the issue.

My understanding was the 1DC used the EF system, so thought I would be okay choosing whatever EF lenses I liked and shooting away in 4K. But I have now learnt that actually if you're using EF Cinema zoom lenses you have to change the setting on the camera from the 4K APS-H crop to Full HD Super 35mm crop. What I need to know is what lenses can you use on the 1DC in 4K mode?

Please note that my question is deliberately broad and vague - I am not yet at the point where I want to get very specific about the glass, nor indeed specific about shooting in 4k... rather I am looking to know what range I can choose from and definitely be covered in any format on the camera.

Any input would be much appreciated!

This is just a guess, but the EOS Cinema lenses were designed for the C300/C500, no? Those cameras sport a super 35mm sized sensor, similar to APS-C.

Since the full frame sensor of the 5D and 1DX is bigger than APS-C AND APS-H, and since EF lenses, not EF-S, are designed for those full frame sensors, I would imagine any normal EF lenses would work fine at any resolution on the 1DC.

Bob - thanks for your reply!

When you say "I would imagine any normal EF lenses would work fine at any resolution on the 1DC" do you mean any EF lenses whatsoever except those zoom lenses that have been said to not work at 4k on this model or are there other types of EF lenses that might not work?

Much appreciated...

Again, just guessing here, but the EF Cinema zoom lenses may be a different beast from standard EF lenses, even though they have a standard EF mount. All the canon literature on the EF Cinema Zoom lenses seems focused on the term "super 35mm" which is smaller than APS-H and full frame.

My guess is the lenses that will allow for any resolution on the 1DC are standard, photographic EF lenses--NOT EF-S lenses or EF Cinema Zoom lenses, even though they all have the same mount.

UPDATE: Just checked Canon specs on the cinema lenses here: Canon U.S.A. : Professional Imaging Products : EF Cinema Lenses (EF Mount) (http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/lenses/cinema_lenses/ef_cinema_lenses_ef_mount)

Looks like the EF Cinema Zooms are listed as EF(S) and the EF Cinema Primes are listed as EF. Therefore, EF Cinema Primes (not zooms) AND regular photographic EF lenses (not EF-S) should allow shooting at any resolution on the 1DC.

Can someone smarter than me chime in?

Thanks Bob!

I have already chosen a Canon - it's the new wide one, the Canon CN-E 24mm T1.5 L F Cine Lens - and very happy with that decision.

I just want to choose a Zeiss or Leica now. I'd probably like something slightly less wide and with a shallow depth of field. Ideally, I would like that cinematic effect, where the foreground is sharp but quickly softens in the background.

Given my forestated concern about my lenses working in all formats on this cam, and what I am saying about Zeiss and Leica preference and shallow depth of field, any recommendations?

When I started shooting on DSLR's, I took a cue from the great Philip Bloom, and I only used a 50mm prime lens to learn with. Not even an expensive one, just the $150 plastic 50mm 1.8. It's still my lens of choice when I'm making goofy videos of my friends and family. Shameless plug, here's my vimeo channel. Most videos are made with just the cheap T2i and the cheap 50mm lens: Robert Drummond's Channel on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/channels/359097)

You should consider finding a service to let you rent lenses. It would allow you to sample a wide variety of lenses at a fraction of the price of buying. I use a site called Borrow Lenses here in the US.

Hey Barry,

If only I had permission to post pictures, I'd show you some shots from my C300 with my Zeiss 35mm ZE and Zeiss 85mm ZE...

-df

David -- please try again. Look for "manage attachments" when you post a reply.

Someone suggested this set might be compatible with the 1DC - any thoughts?

Duclos Lenses — Zeiss ZF.2 Set (http://www.ducloslenses.com/products/zeiss-zf-2-set)

Here's the Zeiss 85 & 35mm ZE on my C300 (Super35 cropped sensor):

Thanks David, they look good

Bob,
Only the cinema primes will cover the full frame of the 1D C. Canon should announce it soon. Waiting for the 1D C.

David,
The C300 images look good. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Sabyasachi, I would be interested to know if you think all 5 lens in the Duclos mod collection above will be compatible with the 1DC in 4K mode...

Barry,
4K video is captured by an approximately APS-H-sized portion of the full image sensor, while Full HD video can be captured in the user's choice of two different imaging formats:

1. The standard Full HD setting captures the full 36mm width of the CMOS sensor to achieve the largest possible angle of view for any compatible lens. So you can get 24 p upto 60p at Full HD and you can use the full frame.

2. An optional Super 35 crop setting enables cinematographers to match the angle of view achieved by traditional motion picture cameras.

The Duclos 11-16 is not meant for even APS-H sensor. So for filming at 4K, it will vignette at 11mm and should improve when you are go towards 16mm.

The Zeiss CP.2 s are also not meant for APS-H (1.3 crop factor as in the 1D Mark IV ). They are meant for the 1.6 crop factor 7D and other cameras. So Those should also vignette when you are filming at 4K.
However, for Full HD, you can use the Super 35 crop setting and use the duclos modified lenses.

I am not sure about other Duclos mods.
Sabyasachi

Thanks Sabyasachi. Wish I knew of a few lenses other than Canon's new cine primes that would be okay in 4K. The whole thing is confusing me a bit :)

Barry,
Sorry for confusing you further.

Apart from the Canon cinema lenses, you can also use the Zeiss ZE brand of lenses which are meant for the EF mount of Canon. I have found that Duclos does modifications of these lenses and are listed in their site. Since I know that these lenses are sharp, I feel they should work well while filming at 4K. After duclos modification these lenses are still much cheaper than the Canon cinema lenses. Haven't physically tested the cinema lenses as they are yet to launch in India. However, I feel you should try out the Zeiss ZE duclos mod lenses.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

oh, you're not confusing me at all - it's a reflection of my ignorance in this area...

I see the 11-16 you say will vignette is not in the package and that you feel the entire package should work in 4k mode.

It does seem a better option than one or two lenses, to get five if they are going to match the quality to my eye...

Sabyasachi, surely the normal photographic EF lenses will cover 4K too? They're designed for the larger full frame sensor, yes? I know they aren't strictly speaking cine lenses, but you can outfit them with a follow focus no problem.

Bob,
The EF lenses cover the full frame and can be used for 4K filming and one can use the follow focus. Similarly any lens that was designed for the 35mm film cameras can fit here and be used directly (if it has an EF mount) or through an adapter.

Of course, the quality will vary depending upon the quality fo the lenses. At the minimum, from the camon lenses I will use the L series lenses of Canon. Even out of the L series lenses, one needs to pick and choose the best primes and zooms to get the best quality.

At the wide end, a Cinema lens would be nice. (I have reviewed both the 16-35 f2.8 II and 24-70 f2.8 L USM lenses and use those, however, a cinema lens at wide end would be nice. The 16-35 f2.8 II does have slight barrel distortion at the 16mm end)

I have heard good things about the 24-70 f2.8 II L USM lens, but haven't tested it yet. I have the perennial DSLR shooters favourite - the 24-105 f4 L IS USM lens, but I won't be comfortable using it for 4K work. Ofcourse, when I am filming from a moving boat, with the camera few inches above water, the 24-105 may be a better idea due to its image stabilsation than a cinema lens. So we need to sneak in a few lenses depending upon shooting conditions as well.

The 100mm f2.8 L IS USM macro lens is a very good lens with lovely IS (image stabilisation). Pretty sharp lens. It can help in getting some unique point of views as well. Zeiss has got a good 100mm f2 macro lens as well.

The 70-200 f2.8 L IS II USM lens is pretty sharp and very good image stabilisation for handheld use. I use it all the time. It would be great at 4K. I am actually very interested to see side-by-side how it fares with the 30-300 cinema lens in terms of sharpness and colour rendition etc.

I think it would be good if the other lenses are not pushed to the extreme for eg against bright back lighting conditions certain lenses show purple fringing.

Barry,
Extremely sorry that I had missed your response about the Duclos ZF.2 post. So I was trying to remember the lenses from memory and tell you. The ZF is the Zeiss Nikon mount and ZE is the canon mount. I had no idea that Duclos is doing the mod and of this series and offering it for canon as well. As earlier mentioned, lenses built for our 35mm film cameras will work with the 1D C in 4K mode. Quality will vary depending upon the lens quality.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Much appreciated, Sabyasachi.