Lens Help for Wedding Videographer! at DVinfo.net

Ryan McHugh · May 24th, 2010, 09:01 AM

Hi, I am somewhat of a newb to shooting weddings with a 5D MKII however used the FX1000s for a year now and now making the big switch.

I am purchasing 3 5Ds and currently have (2) 24-70mm 2.8L Lenses on order...however I would like a different style lens and am trying to figure out what would be the best for VIDEO and shooting Weddings.

Here is what Im considering, any other info would be great:

24mm f/1.8L
50mm f1.2L
85mm f/1.2L II

And WHY would you use them? Thanks again,
Ryan

Douglas Joseph · May 24th, 2010, 09:29 AM

70-200mm. get it.

Armando Accardo · May 24th, 2010, 09:34 AM

Hi,
you might find this website interesting for lenses review:
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review

Scroll down and you will find the left pane with lot of lenses review you might want to know better about.

Concerning the 85mm this is what he says:

"The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens is an excellent low-light lens for handholding at events. The 85 f/1.2 L II is one of the best wedding lenses available. Taking pictures around the house using available light, shooting church events, photographing a speaker or business event, still life photography ... There are many uses for the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens."

Regards,
Armando.

Ryan McHugh · May 24th, 2010, 10:39 AM

Would you recommend going with something other then the L Series?

Mike Watson · May 24th, 2010, 10:55 AM

The 85/1.8 gets nearly as good marks in nearly every review, and is about 10% of the cost.

I can't imagine keeping anything moving in focus at f/1.2, let alone that thing being in moving video, let alone that thing being a documentary subject and something you can't just say "do it again" to.

But I'll 2nd the motion that a series of primes (35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm) would be a nice compliment to your 24-70. The 70-200 as well.

Ryan McHugh · May 24th, 2010, 11:16 AM

I agree with you I did some research much better pricing. I went with the 85mm 1.8

Wayne Avanson · May 24th, 2010, 12:24 PM

Me too. There's something special about the 85mm 1.8 picture I can't put my finger on. Always delivers really nice images.

mind you, I also love my 70-200 2.8

Ryan McHugh · May 24th, 2010, 12:42 PM

Ya im just starting out so my purchasing power is limited but I picked up a 24-70 and the 85! So I think im good for now

Marcus Marchesseault · May 24th, 2010, 02:40 PM

I found that f2.8 is too slow for indoors and 70mm isn't enough zoom outdoors. 85mm is a nice portrait length but not good for crowds dancing indoors. I have a Nikon 35mm f1.4 that is a great all-purpose lens if you don't mind getting up close. If you favor standing back a bit, a fast 50mm might be good for your next purchase.

I have the Canon 85 1.8, Nikon 35 1,4, and a 28-300 Tamron zoom that together cover indoor/outdoor work nicely.

John Moon · May 24th, 2010, 08:56 PM

Ryan:

Those are all great recommendations on lenses. We use the 70-200 IS 2.8 , 50 1.4's, 85 1.2, 100 2.8 macro, 35 1.4 and a Nikkor 17-55 2.8. I would rent a couple of these from places like BorrowLenses.com - Camera Rental and Canon/Nikon/Sony Lens Rental, etc and try them out to see how you like them.

You indicated that you were going to get 3 5D's. You should consider getting 2 5D's and 1 7D. The 7D will give you additional focal length options because of the 1.6 crop factor. For example, it makes the 70-200 a 320mm at full zoom. That extra distance can be a plus for you. It's nice having full frame to take advantage of the wide lenses.

Another thing I would highly recommend is getting some Zacuto Z-finders, which for me, allows rock solid focus and it also assists with stabilizing the camera a bit.

Thanks,
John

Sylus Harrington · May 25th, 2010, 11:26 AM

A good wide angle prime will be invaluable for those tight low light shots.

Harry Simpson · May 25th, 2010, 03:29 PM

Yes how do you shoot a wedding with an 85mm f/1.8 much less a 1.2 - the DOF is razer thin!!

Peer Landa · May 26th, 2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Simpson

Yes how do you shoot a wedding with an 85mm f/1.8 much less a 1.2 - the DOF is razer thin!!

By bumping the aperture.

-- peer

Nigel Barker · May 26th, 2010, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peer Landa

By bumping the aperture.

&/or the ISO

Peer Landa · May 26th, 2010, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Simpson

Yes how do you shoot a wedding with an 85mm f/1.8 much less a 1.2 - the DOF is razer thin!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peer Landa

By bumping the aperture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

&/or the ISO

No, the ISO won't change the depth of field.

-- peer

May 24th, 2010, 09:01 AM	#1
Ryan McHugh Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 34	Lens Help for Wedding Videographer! Hi, I am somewhat of a newb to shooting weddings with a 5D MKII however used the FX1000s for a year now and now making the big switch. I am purchasing 3 5Ds and currently have (2) 24-70mm 2.8L Lenses on order...however I would like a different style lens and am trying to figure out what would be the best for VIDEO and shooting Weddings. Here is what Im considering, any other info would be great: 24mm f/1.8L 50mm f1.2L 85mm f/1.2L II And WHY would you use them? Thanks again, Ryan

May 24th, 2010, 09:29 AM	#2
Douglas Joseph Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Zanesville OH Posts: 205	70-200mm. get it. __________________ "Warriors... Come out to play..." www.importexporthd.com

May 24th, 2010, 09:34 AM	#3
Armando Accardo New Boot Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Milan, Italy Posts: 8	Lenses review. Hi, you might find this website interesting for lenses review: Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review Scroll down and you will find the left pane with lot of lenses review you might want to know better about. Concerning the 85mm this is what he says: "The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens is an excellent low-light lens for handholding at events. The 85 f/1.2 L II is one of the best wedding lenses available. Taking pictures around the house using available light, shooting church events, photographing a speaker or business event, still life photography ... There are many uses for the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens." Regards, Armando.

May 24th, 2010, 12:24 PM	#7
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	Me too. There's something special about the 85mm 1.8 picture I can't put my finger on. Always delivers really nice images. mind you, I also love my 70-200 2.8 __________________ Avey theactionhouse.com

May 24th, 2010, 08:56 PM	#10
John Moon Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 446	Ryan: Those are all great recommendations on lenses. We use the 70-200 IS 2.8 , 50 1.4's, 85 1.2, 100 2.8 macro, 35 1.4 and a Nikkor 17-55 2.8. I would rent a couple of these from places like BorrowLenses.com - Camera Rental and Canon/Nikon/Sony Lens Rental, etc and try them out to see how you like them. You indicated that you were going to get 3 5D's. You should consider getting 2 5D's and 1 7D. The 7D will give you additional focal length options because of the 1.6 crop factor. For example, it makes the 70-200 a 320mm at full zoom. That extra distance can be a plus for you. It's nice having full frame to take advantage of the wide lenses. Another thing I would highly recommend is getting some Zacuto Z-finders, which for me, allows rock solid focus and it also assists with stabilizing the camera a bit. Thanks, John __________________ John J. Moon www.northernlightfilmworks.com - Event DV Top 25 Recipient

May 24th, 2010, 10:39 AM	#4
Ryan McHugh Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 34	Would you recommend going with something other then the L Series?

May 24th, 2010, 10:55 AM	#5
Mike Watson Trustee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,082	The 85/1.8 gets nearly as good marks in nearly every review, and is about 10% of the cost. I can't imagine keeping anything moving in focus at f/1.2, let alone that thing being in moving video, let alone that thing being a documentary subject and something you can't just say "do it again" to. But I'll 2nd the motion that a series of primes (35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm) would be a nice compliment to your 24-70. The 70-200 as well.

May 24th, 2010, 11:16 AM	#6
Ryan McHugh Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 34	I agree with you I did some research much better pricing. I went with the 85mm 1.8

May 24th, 2010, 12:42 PM	#8
Ryan McHugh Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 34	Ya im just starting out so my purchasing power is limited but I picked up a 24-70 and the 85! So I think im good for now

May 24th, 2010, 02:40 PM	#9
Marcus Marchesseault Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,961	I found that f2.8 is too slow for indoors and 70mm isn't enough zoom outdoors. 85mm is a nice portrait length but not good for crowds dancing indoors. I have a Nikon 35mm f1.4 that is a great all-purpose lens if you don't mind getting up close. If you favor standing back a bit, a fast 50mm might be good for your next purchase. I have the Canon 85 1.8, Nikon 35 1,4, and a 28-300 Tamron zoom that together cover indoor/outdoor work nicely.

May 25th, 2010, 11:26 AM	#11
Sylus Harrington Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 58	A good wide angle prime will be invaluable for those tight low light shots.

May 25th, 2010, 03:29 PM	#12
Harry Simpson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 581	Yes how do you shoot a wedding with an 85mm f/1.8 much less a 1.2 - the DOF is razer thin!! __________________ Nashville TN using Canon 5D MK3, Canon 550D, RODE SVM mic, 70-200 f2.8L II IS, 24-105 f4L IS, 50 and 85 f/1.8, Vegas Pro 11, Zoom H4n, Blackbird, Lilliput Monitor, Lightroom