Lens for use on GlideCam at DVinfo.net

Lucky Haskins · December 15th, 2010, 12:01 PM

Hey Kids...

I am thinking of getting a GlideCam for the 7D and am looking for some ideas on the best lens to "glide" with. Obviously the issue is the exposure combination and deeper DOF. In my work I use a combo of the Canon 50/1.4...Tokina 11-16 Wide...a Canon Macro...and a Canon Telephoto. I have a selection of ND filters as well.

I bought the 7D body only so I have no GP lens per se. What would be a good choice for general shooting on the GlideCam where I can sort of dial in a reasonable focus and go?

For example in a work application it would be following medical people around in a hospital setting...tracking shots around patients being examined or moving around...that kind of stuff.

Thanks.

Bill Pryor · December 15th, 2010, 01:17 PM

The wide angle would be best. I use a 5D with mostly a 24mm prime for most Steadicam shooting. That would be about like 15mm on your Tokina. Sometimes I'll use a 35mm, which would be close to a 21 or 22 mm on the 7D. Wider is always easier.

Charles Papert · December 15th, 2010, 01:39 PM

Focus is sort of a new wrinkle in the small stabilizer meets large sensor world. You guys have to stick with wide angles and deep stops to produce decent images. Sooner or later there will be a cost-effective solution for all of this (I know it's not my $40K Preston)!

However, once you get past the focus issues, it's often believe that wider=easier for Steadicam and that is often not the case. It's perhaps more forgiving in certain aspects, but including so much architecture in the shot tends to draw attention to the horizontals and the verticals and horizon becomes even more of a "thing".
I have personally felt that the sweet spot in focal lengths that are the easiest are 25-40mm (that being cine, so think of those focal lengths on a 7D). Longer than that gets tricky as the touch has to become that much more delicate, however at significantly longer lengths (100mm and up), you are often framing closeups which have a certain amount of allowable movement, and horizon is essentially a non-issue.

Lee Tamer · December 15th, 2010, 02:43 PM

So using a 7D, would a 17-40 L series Lens be good?

Also, is it best to stick focus on infinity when using a stedicam?

Richard D. George · December 15th, 2010, 10:22 PM

...but there are excellent examples of Steadicam flying with a EF 14 mm f/2.8L II.

Tim Davison · December 16th, 2010, 07:12 AM

I always use my Tokina 11-16 and my fish eye. I can use my 24-70mm with additional weights but this is very heavy

Gabor Heeres · December 28th, 2010, 03:45 PM

I do use the Tokina 11-16 as well as the Canon 17-55 on my HD2000, both lenses perform very good and the weight is easily handable.

Nathanael Iversen · December 31st, 2010, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard D. George

...but there are excellent examples of Steadicam flying with a EF 14 mm f/2.8L II.

Concur! I rented this lens and used it with great success. It is a fantastic partner for Steadicam work. Not cheap, just good. I haven't used the zooms that cover this range but I suspect they are good as well.

Mary Angelini · January 1st, 2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Davison

I always use my Tokina 11-16 and my fish eye. I can use my 24-70mm with additional weights but this is very heavy

Hey Tim,
What fisheye are you using?

December 15th, 2010, 12:01 PM	#1
Lucky Haskins Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 55	Lens for use on GlideCam Hey Kids... I am thinking of getting a GlideCam for the 7D and am looking for some ideas on the best lens to "glide" with. Obviously the issue is the exposure combination and deeper DOF. In my work I use a combo of the Canon 50/1.4...Tokina 11-16 Wide...a Canon Macro...and a Canon Telephoto. I have a selection of ND filters as well. I bought the 7D body only so I have no GP lens per se. What would be a good choice for general shooting on the GlideCam where I can sort of dial in a reasonable focus and go? For example in a work application it would be following medical people around in a hospital setting...tracking shots around patients being examined or moving around...that kind of stuff. Thanks.

December 15th, 2010, 01:39 PM	#3
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Focus is sort of a new wrinkle in the small stabilizer meets large sensor world. You guys have to stick with wide angles and deep stops to produce decent images. Sooner or later there will be a cost-effective solution for all of this (I know it's not my $40K Preston)! However, once you get past the focus issues, it's often believe that wider=easier for Steadicam and that is often not the case. It's perhaps more forgiving in certain aspects, but including so much architecture in the shot tends to draw attention to the horizontals and the verticals and horizon becomes even more of a "thing". I have personally felt that the sweet spot in focal lengths that are the easiest are 25-40mm (that being cine, so think of those focal lengths on a 7D). Longer than that gets tricky as the touch has to become that much more delicate, however at significantly longer lengths (100mm and up), you are often framing closeups which have a certain amount of allowable movement, and horizon is essentially a non-issue. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

December 15th, 2010, 01:17 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	The wide angle would be best. I use a 5D with mostly a 24mm prime for most Steadicam shooting. That would be about like 15mm on your Tokina. Sometimes I'll use a 35mm, which would be close to a 21 or 22 mm on the 7D. Wider is always easier.

December 15th, 2010, 02:43 PM	#4
Lee Tamer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 188	So using a 7D, would a 17-40 L series Lens be good? Also, is it best to stick focus on infinity when using a stedicam?

December 15th, 2010, 10:22 PM	#5
Richard D. George Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 351	...but there are excellent examples of Steadicam flying with a EF 14 mm f/2.8L II.

December 16th, 2010, 07:12 AM	#6
Tim Davison Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London, England Posts: 183	I always use my Tokina 11-16 and my fish eye. I can use my 24-70mm with additional weights but this is very heavy

December 28th, 2010, 03:45 PM	#7
Gabor Heeres Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands Posts: 322	I do use the Tokina 11-16 as well as the Canon 17-55 on my HD2000, both lenses perform very good and the weight is easily handable.