Advice for Lenses and Gear for the 5D for commercial production purposes.

[Jared Cicon]

@ Phil B.
Hey Phil, thanks for adding your 2 cents to the register. I think I made a profit today, ha ha. Thanks for your endorsement of the two lenses. I seem to be tending towards purchasing them. They are such an investment though and it is why I came here to CC to get a consensus. Am I correct in assuming that (although I would rarely use the technique), the lenses will stay at whatever aperture I set manually while zooming the lens?

Thanks also for the tip and cost info. on the two other lenses. I wonder though if since I already own the fixed length 14mm EF, if between it, and the 24/70 & 70/200, I might be able to get by until I get to a place where I can afford more options. What is your opinion.

Also, I have received mixed signals concerning the EF 2x extender. What are your thoughts on it?…and except for the stop of lost light will the lenses still perform the same with it attached?

Jared

[Jared Cicon]

@ Phil B.
Hey Phil, I went over to the B&H site and found the prices for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens are all over the place. Within the B&H site itself the prices range from $1,900.00 to $2,400.00. I am sure it is because there are varying specs. Do you know what the exact names (Canon name) for the lenses I will need to use for my video purposes. [ 24/70 & 70/200 ]. And would the differences sink me if I were to purchase the wrong type of lens?
Jared

[Jared Cicon]

Hey Phil,
When you get a minute I would like your thoughts on this offer by B&H https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583987-REG/Canon_2764B004_EOS_5D_Mark_II.html Would this lens (the 24mm-105mm) and then also purchasing the 70mm-200mm be a good plan?
Jared

[Phil Balsdon]

Hi Jared,
I know what you mean about pricing, I went through all the decision processes myself recently.

What I ended up with, using advice from a cinematographer colleague who has a 5D and a 7D was this:

I already own a Canon 20D and Canon lenses from 10 to 500mm of various types, but not the L series lenses.
The 7D does some things better for video than the 5D (720p 50/60 is one that is really useful for slo mo)
The sensor on the 7D is about the same size as Super 35mm film, so pretty good for shallow depth of field anyway.
At a saving of around $1000 this enabled me to buy some other accessories. Viewfinder attachment and rails and base plate from Genus was my choice (I’m not a fan of elaborate gadgets, I prefer to keep it simple. This enabled me to use my old Arri Matte box and film filters.
I already had a Zoom H4 so the audio issues with the 7D weren’t a problem.

Finally I have a fair few Mamiya 645 lenses and Pentax SMC lenses from years ago, so I ordered adaptors from Fotodiox which work well in manual mode, not an issue for me, I never use auto settings for video. The 500mm Mamiya is especially good and the Mamiya adaptor was only about $80 the Pentax was only around $30. So if you have other quality lenses sitting around this is an economical way to get started.

There are a number of variations on the Canon 70-200 which hugely change the pricing, the IS (image stabilizer) function model being an expensive one to opt for, would you normally hand hold this? Or would you normally use the tripod?.

I must say though that after almost 40 years shooting on all types of video and film production, docos, features, ENG etc etc I am more inspired to go out and do things with this kit than I have been in years.

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

[Michael Sacci]

There is a new version of the IS which is the highest priced, it has a special tripod mode for the IS, which smooths out pans. The old version does not have this.

For handholding even with a shoulder rig, IS is a must especially for the longer lenses. The extra for the tripod IS mode, while it is nice and useful it is not as important as the normal IS.

DSLRs bodies are cheap, making them work for video is not. Plan to spend 2-5K on lenses and accessories.

[Jared Cicon]

Hey Michael,
So the most important aspects are having the IS and F2.8 instead of the older F4 as far as the 70/200 is concerned. Most people I have corresponded with have told me to expect to pay around $2,400.00 for this lens. Why do you think this ad for B&H is so low? What am I not seeing? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/234444-USA/Canon_7042A002_70_200mm_f_2_8L_IS_USM.html
Jared

[Jared Cicon]

Hey Phil,
Excellent information. You put everything into a cool perspective that is easy to appreciate. I used to have a Mamiya 645 1000S. I sold it about 6 years ago for about $1,000.00. It was a fun camera to play with, and I liked that I got 30 frames from a roll of 220. For my wedding business I used Bronica. I still have all the fixed focal length lenses. Is there any conversion/adaptor rings that would allow me to use them on the 5D (probably not that lucky).

Anyways, I just asked Michael Sacci this and thought I should also ask you. This ad for B&H seems to be far underpriced for this lens when compared to what most people say I should expect to pay. Is is just because as Michael said, it doesn’t have the new ‘Tripod Mode’?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/234444-USA/Canon_7042A002_70_200mm_f_2_8L_IS_USM.html

Jared

[Phil Balsdon]

Bronica to EOS adaptor
https://www.fotodiox.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_29_32

My Mamiya 55mm looks amazing at 2.8, I’ll putting some video online soon.

Re the 70-200 looks the one you pointed to is the older version, compare the specs, the new one is “improved” and shorter min focus distance. I turned down a discounted by Au$400 (20%) 16-35 the other day because it was the series 1 and Canon claim better specs, sharpness on the Mk2 version.

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

[Jared Cicon]

Wow! Thanks for that link. Thanks for the spec. suggestions. I want to make sure I make the correct purchase the first time around. So many specs. so little brain cells. The issue I see here, is that it appears I can get a bargain on a lens if I purchase it with the D5 body. Otherwise I’d love to buy the body alone and this Bronica adapter and see what the lenses look like through the sensor. And then you went and threw some 7D logic at me and now I am again vascilating back and forth between it and the 5D. To be honest though I’m probably leaning heavier to the 5D though, since I suspect it a safer bet that Canon R&D improvements will be focused more on the 5D in the coming months/years than the 7D. Just my suspicion.

Great info Phil. Can’t thank you enough. Any thoughts on the Handy SLR? https://vimeo.com/13084357 It looks great and the price is so much cheaper than JAG or others.

Jared

[Phil Balsdon]

Advice in short from my 5D & 7D owner friend was “If you want the camera mainly for video buy the 7D, if you mainly want stills buy the 5D, but there’s something a little extra about the pics from the 5D”.

My decision was based on – I’ll start with the 7D to see how it goes, I’ll buy the appropriate lenses as the jobs require and if it really takes off I’ll buy a 5D too.

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/