Good video lens for my 7D?

[Harrison Houde]

Hi there, so I got a 7D recently, decided to move to HDSLR video!! WOOH!
So, I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens.. which is AWESOME! But, I want something with a good/decent amount of zoom, and something that has SUPERB image quality. Oh, and something that will do really well in low light.
I was thinking a Canon 24-70mm f2.8/L.. thoughts? I also watched a video where someone said a 50mm lens. Remember that I am only using this for video.

Recommend any lens(es) for those purposes?
Oh, and I am not worried about the price to much at all.. but under $2000 would be great!
(around $1200 ish would be best)

OH! and please post a link to Amazon/BH or official website to your recommendation that would be AWESOME. Thanks.

[Lloyd Coleman]

Although the 24-70 is a great lens, for the 7D crop I think it is not wide enough. The 17-55 f/2.8 sounds like it would be a good fit for what you are looking for. It covers a good range for video, is 2.8 through the whole zoom range and has image stabilization and is right in your price range.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425812-USA/Canon_1242B002AA_EF_S_17_55mm_f_2_8_IS.html

I have both the 24-70 and the 17-55 and prefer the 17-55 by far on the 7D for video work.

[Spiros Zaharakis]

The 17-55 2.8 IS Canon or the 17-50 2.8 OS Sigma are excelent choises. If you want something longer, wait a little untill the new 50-150 f2.8 OS Sigma lens hits the streets.

[Chris Westerstrom]

I think a 17-50 is probably the best multi purpose zoom for the cropped sensors
17 is wide, 30 is about normal, 50 is nice for portraits.
24-70 is the call for the full sensor cams.

[Harrison Houde]

Okay! Thanks for the information!
I think I will cross the 24-70 off my list and write in a 17-55 :)
Any other REALLY awesome lens suggestions? I kind of want a little of everything you know? So I am prepared for anything and get that perfect shot.
So I will def. get the 17-55, then I have my Sigma 30mm 1.4...

[Harrison Houde]

OH, thoughts on the 16-35mm 2.8/L ?
Its a L lens which means the quality would be sick.. and it is nice and wide and has a little bit of zoom. How is it in low light? Maybe I will get the 16-35 and then get the 50-150 when it comes out for a good zoom :)

[Lloyd Coleman]

The 16-35 is also a great lens, but for video on the 7D I think the 17-55 is still an easy winner. Although the 17-55 it is not an 'L' series lens (none of the crop lenses are) the quality is very high and comparable to an 'L' series. It is $500 less expensive than the 16-35, has a greater zoom range, and has image stabilzation, which I think you will find is a big plus.

[Harrison Houde]

True true, thanks for the info, yeah they seem so close.. but in the end.. $500 more, I dont think is worth that much more haha, I mean does it have anything more to offer other then the prime glass.. lol..

So what other lenses can you/do you recommend for different situations?

[Harrison Houde]

I am thinking of passing on the 17-55, and go for the 50-150 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM II - Telephoto Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

What do you think? Or should I get both? haha!! I am so rattled! The thing is, I might upgrade to the 5D Mk III when it is released so the thing is I dont want something that wont work with the full frame.. once question I have is, is there even lenses that work with both crop sensor and full frame? I am sorry I am such a newb, I just got my first HDSLR last week.

[Harrison Houde]

Sorry, that link I posted is the old lens.. but the new 50-150 mm :P

EDIT: I just found out that if I upgrade to a full frame a EF-S lens will not work, but full frame lenses will work on my 7D..
so I think I am going to go with the 24-70, and then.. I will definitely need another lens eventually.. maybe a new 50-150? and maybe a fixed wide angle like a 12mm or 14mm or something :)

[Jon Braeley]

What are you shooting and is this hand-held, rig or tripod? Run & gun? You wants zooms so it sounds like you are working in non-fiction or docs right? This matters a great deal....

The canon 24-70mm is reaching the end of its life ... everyone is waiting for a replacement that has image stabilization .... very important toward the long focal length and for hand held work its a must in my opinion. Makes a terrific difference.

You should get the 17-55 IS and just sell it if you move to full frame ... this lens retains its value well on resale. I just sold one for $150 less than new! This lens is a much better choice on the 7D and can stay on for very long periods which in doc work is extremely important - try switching a lens during shooting and find out.

[Buba Kastorski]

Originally Posted by Harrison Houde

I am thinking of passing on the 17-55, and go for the 50-150

think again, for run&gun with 7D 17-55 is the best lens, it never comes off my 7D, although I have to admit I shoot with 3 DSLRs;
I agree that lenses choice somehow depends on what you shoot, but 17-55 is just so great, you'll use your 1.4 sigma only when you'll have to.

[Harrison Houde]

Hi there, I am using a Canon 7D. I am going to be doing a lot of tripod work, but I kind of do a little bit of everything. Short films, docs, YouTube vlogs, etc.

I can buy 1-3 different lenses that cost $800-$1800 ish each

Right now I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 which works great in low light and good medium lens at the 30mm focal length.

As for the 17-55.. I found a 16-35mm 2.8 which is a Canon L lens and is full frame.
I think that is a epic ultra wide, and it has some zoom to which will be nice.
So I am thinking of a 16-35 and then a bigger zoom lens.

My dream would actually just be like a 16-80mm or something similar to that, that performs good in low light..

Recommendations on the 2 /3 lenses I get, or the one dream lens?

[Harrison Houde]

Originally Posted by Buba Kastorski

think again, for run&gun with 7D 17-55 is the best lens, it never comes off my 7D, although I have to admit I shoot with 3 DSLRs;
I agree that lenses choice somehow depends on what you shoot, but 17-55 is just so great, you'll use your 1.4 sigma only when you'll have to.

Yes, I think my 1.4 sigma will be one of those lenses that are AMAZING in low light, so if I ever have a hardcore lowlight shot I need, I can pull out my Sigma.. My dream would be like a 17-80 or something.. cause then I have a good zoom capability, and wide angle. Also having a full frame would be superrr nice, and I really want something with superb quality.

[Harrison Houde]

UPDATE:
I am going to get the 17-55mm because I saw some videos and stuff and its AMAZING, haha.
Now I just need to pick out a zoom lens such as a 50-150, or 70-200... hmmm...