Sigma 28-70 f2.8 vs Canon Kit Lens

[Jonathan Ziegler]

The kit lens is a really generic 18-55mm lens. It also has the built-in image stabilization. It has some limitations for video: no zooming without stopping up/down, limited f-stop range, and the APS-C sensor makes for limited wide-angle – turns 18mm into almost 30mm.

The older Sigma 28-70 were good, but I’m hoping the newer ones will have better autofocus (I find Sigma lenses “hunt” too much for focus after some use). I gave up on autofocus with DSLR video a while ago, tho.

My best lens (for video) is an old Vivitar Series 1 35-85mm f2.8 (Nikon mount converted to EOS). Consider some relatively inexpensive primes, too – a 35, 50, 85, 105, and 135 are good ones – 50mm f1.4 or f1.8 are readily available in many mounts which can be easily adapted to canon (I like Nikon glass adapted to EF mount). Good 24mm and 35mm are hard to come by (and lower focal lengths like 16mm), but getting wide is important. The way you shoot will largely drive which lenses you get. I don’t actually zoom very much so I have primes, BUT I still have a number of zoom lenses for photo work and focal lengths I can’t get with primes (for example, I love my Sigma 70-300mm macro so I can get in TIGHT ;).

For info, check out https://nofilmschool.com/dslr/lenses-primes-brands/

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293

[Rich Rubasch]

Hey Jonathon, which Nikon lens adapter do you use? is it one that you have to screw the adapter to the lens? That seems kind of inconvenient. We are looking for the right one.

Rich Rubasch
Tilt Media Inc.
Video Production, Post, Studio Sound Stage
Founder/President/Editor/Designer/Animator
https://www.tiltmedia.com

[Jonathan Ziegler]

Rich, try the ones here:

https://stores.ebay.com/KAWAMALL-PHOTO?_rdc=1

They’re cheap, but they work fine for me. I like the price so much, I just buy one for each lens so I don’t have to switch adapters -it’s already attached.

Jonathan Ziegler
https://www.electrictiger.com/
520-360-8293