Best Lens for Videography Without Breaking the Bank

M

mikemac

Active member
What up NS,

I have a Canon 60d that I split with my gf a few years back that I use mostly for landscape or skiing photography, all we have is the 18-200mm kit lens, so I've been looking to expand my horizons. I've been eyeing some sigma, rokinon, and canon wideangles in the 3-400 dollar price range that seem like they'd be great for landscape photography, but I want one that will perform well with some skiing/mtbike/outdoorsy video work as well. I know the 60d isn't the absolute best for video, but its pretty solid so I'm hoping to find a lens that can help me maximize the camera body that I already have (definitely not getting a new body anytime soon, too broke). That being said, I'm coming to my favorite internet resource for the knowledge and I got a couple quick questions for all you awesome tech wizards out there:

1) What are some key things to look out for when buying a lens for videography?

2) I definitely want autofocus, but how important is image stabilization? (camera doesn't have it, but considering buying a gimbal)

3) Are there specific types of glass/builds that inherently capture better images? (if so, how/why?)

4) YOUR favorite lens for videography, and why (style/build/brand or specific model)

5) Any relevant threads to help steer me in the right direction?

6) Any important aspects/relevant details on lens tech that I'm completely missing bc I'm a huge n00b?

Thanks guys, hoping to find some answers here but also interested in any and all knowledge about lenses in general and hopefully this thread could be a resource for anyone shopping around for lenses so don't hold back!

Peace!
 
All of my work is primarily photographic, so I can't speak directly to you as far as video goes, however I did use the Canon 10-24mm for quite some time. Great lens, bought it used off of a wedding photog for 350 I believe. I really enjoyed it while I had it. Image quality isn't too bad, kind wonky towards the corners, but it is a wide angle.

I can't speak for sigma or rokinon.
 
I can recommend the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 version (there's a cheaper version but the fixed 3.5 is worth the little bit higher price for low light performance imo). Used a friend's lens on my Nikon D5200 for a documentary, used it pretty extensively and I found it great (it's also available for Canon mount). Really wide, decent zoom range (10mm is super wide and 20mm is almost a standard length on APS-C sensors), and really good build quality (especially for a 3rd party lens, this is where Sigma has the edge over Tamron and Tokina imo). Focussing manually with a wide angle lens can be really hard because on the LCD screen it can seem like everything's in focus, but the Sigma has a little window that shows your focus distance measurement so it's easier to check you're in focus. The edges can get a bit distorted but you're gonna get that with any wide angle. Pretty sure it's about $400 from B&H?

I have a Samyang/Rokinon 8mm fisheye and it's pretty decent but not if you aren't after that look (fisheye gets old real quick I've learnt haha)

In terms of lenses for videography, a constant aperture is a big help imo because it means you can zoom in and out without having to change your exposure settings.

Image stabilisation will help smooth out little jitters that your hands cause and such, but that's about all.

Just realised how long this post was hahah but yeah recommend giving the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 a look. (side note: when I was looking into wide angle lenses I found Christopher Frost's YouTube channel really handy for super in-depth reviews and comparisons, he has reviews of pretty much all the wide angles, might help you out)

hope some of that helps man :) pretty keen shooter myself so hmu if you have any questions there's a chance I might be able to help

**This post was edited on Jul 23rd 2017 at 5:06:34am

**This post was edited on Jul 23rd 2017 at 9:11:12am

**This post was edited on Jul 23rd 2017 at 9:15:06am
 
Hey thanks for the feedback guys,

Great tip on the Christopher Frost reviews, if you can get past his weird accent he's got some of the best, most detailed and in depth lens reviews in an easy to consume format, and he's way more professional, knowledgeable, and less annoying than a lot of those youtube vloggers out there.

He's got some great reviews on a bunch of the lower budget ones I've been looking at, and he gives it to you straight, explaining the pros and cons, and if he thinks the cons are worth the drop in price.

Canon EF-S 10-18mm:

Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM:

Sigma 10-22mm f/3.5:
 
sigma 17-50 f2.8. had the tamron 17-50 lens for a few years and was always my go to. apparently the sigma is the better of the two
 
Sigma also has the 18-35 1.8 for crop sensor. Crazy good for low light, although shooting in daytime at 1.8 isn't good without an ND filter and isn't real practical for focussing etc.

Might be a lens to consider as your secondary, less wide option for more standard situations. Heard good things about it.
 
13829150:skippa said:
Sigma also has the 18-35 1.8 for crop sensor. Crazy good for low light, although shooting in daytime at 1.8 isn't good without an ND filter and isn't real practical for focussing etc.

Might be a lens to consider as your secondary, less wide option for more standard situations. Heard good things about it.
Click to expand...

that lens is nearly triple his budget hahaha
 
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