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CAMERA LENS HELP! HELP! HELP!

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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
hello newschoolers,

i need help on picking a good lens for a canon 60d. it will be used primarily for video (ski and skate edits) so i'd prefer it to be wide angle. i want it to be good in low light conditions as well

there are several prime lenses out there so tell me what you feel is the best one
or should i choose the canon 15mm f2.8 fisheye lens over a prime lens?

preferably less than 700 bucks

help, +k for helpful answers

also if anyone has any personal experience or videos with a lens that will fill my needs, please share
Apr 6 2011 3:01PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
canon 15mm 2.8
sigma 10mm 2.8
tokina 11-16 2.8
sigma 10-20mm 3.5-4.5
tokina(i think) 10-17 3.5-4.5

little longer
canon 17-40L f4
tamron 17-50mm 2.8
Apr 6 2011 3:04PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
if you had to pick the best out of the top group, what would you pick? and would you pick it over the canon 15mm fisheye?
Apr 6 2011 3:10PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
(if your favorite is not the 15mm) haha
Apr 6 2011 3:11PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
I don't know much about any of the lenses, ive only used a couple, my suggestions are based off of others suggestions and shit ive read online. I've used the 15mm on a 7d and i liked it alot, definitely wide enough and not too fishy on a crop.
Apr 6 2011 3:30PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
yuck, FF fisheyes that are cropped look crappy IMO, skip the 15mm and buy an aps-c fisheye if you want that full distorted look
Apr 6 2011 3:30PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Samyang 14mm, 2.8mm.

Manual focus only, but that doesn't matter because you'll be shooting video. Really sick quality, very wide, good build and super cheap: only 380$ new!
Apr 7 2011 8:08AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,232
https://newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/605334/
Apr 7 2011 10:56AM
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TravelsTI
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 353
The best lens imo that I have used for filming is 35 1.4. Colors are on point, super sharp at about f/2.0, awesome dof for interview shots, nice weight, and it's pretty much bombproof. Even though they are a little more than your price range, look on craigslist; u can find them from about 900-1000.

Also because of the great reviews plastered all over the internet I recently purchased the Tokina 11-16 and I was pretty amazed at how well it came out in film, not too much distortion at all and I would definitely recommend it. Here is a short clip that was filmed with the tokina http://www.vimeo.com/21906133 .

One way to figure out what lens will work best for you is by renting them, that's what I did. I have a store in Seattle that does but if you don't live there I would check out borrowlenses.com. I have used them before and there service nothing short of amazing. They have anything you could think of for dslr filming to try, from glidecams to all of the high end canon lenses. They even have some of the nicer ziess lenses as well which are pretty sick. They also have sales on used gear and if you get on there email list they often send out coupons for cheaper rentals-also check there twitter for coupon codes as well.
Apr 7 2011 3:54PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
UPDATE: TOKINA 11-16mm OR SIGMA 10mm.. what is better for filming? pros and cons of each? your opinions?
Apr 7 2011 8:39PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
If it were up to me I would pick the tokina hands down, but if you like the fisheye look then choose the sigma, since the tokina is rectilinear
Apr 7 2011 8:59PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
i just can't decide which would be better to film action sports with
Apr 8 2011 3:58PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
No-one wants to watch a whole edit filmed with a fish-eye. It's nice to see it mixed up a little bit with shots from a normal UWA. On the other hand, if you get creative with shots and angles with the Tokina, you can make an awesome edit. I wouldn't get the fish-eye before you got a rectilinear lens to film with.
Apr 8 2011 6:03PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
Do you want a fish eye look or a wide look?


Honestly i think you should get the 11-16mm
Apr 8 2011 6:04PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
i like the fisheye look and i like how i can get close to a skater or skier and still get them completely in the shot. i like the wide angle because it looks cinematic.
Apr 8 2011 6:27PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
the 10mm and 11-16mm will have similar FOV, just one will be distorted and one wont be distorted. honestly, get the 11-16
Apr 8 2011 7:34PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
would the tokina be decent at taking pictures of clothing or people?
Apr 8 2011 7:35PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
Dude use google, we're not gonna guide you through everything, there is copious amounts of information on the internet, use it.
Apr 8 2011 7:41PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
i'm sorry man. i just haven't found a single video of skating or skiing, or any action sports of that matter, shot with the tokina. therefore i have NO clue of what it would look like being used in those environments. i figured i'd ask a few people that may have filmed or shot with the tokina to see what they think and have to say. i've done loads of research and it's hard to make a decision. they are both a lot of money that i have to raise up myself for and i don't want to regret my decision. i'm only 15 and don't have a job so it's going to take a lot of work to purchase one of these.
Apr 8 2011 7:55PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image



there you go.

and no, I wound't ever use the tokina to take pictures of people (portraits) I will distort people, it will look really strange. I wound't shoot with anything wider than 35mm for portraiture, and preferably I would be more at the very least 50mm, even better in the 80mm range.
Apr 8 2011 8:04PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
oh shit, the middle shot is a 16mm fisheye, sorry.
Apr 8 2011 8:05PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
thanks +k! looks dope, have you filmed with the lens at all?
Apr 8 2011 8:24PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
No, I haven't.
Apr 9 2011 12:15PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
ok, well thanks anyways.. STILL LOOKING FOR ANYONE THAT HAS FILMED WITH EITHER OF THE TWO LENSES
Apr 9 2011 3:05PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
search google jesus
Apr 9 2011 4:12PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
just get out. jesus. i'd prefer to consult someone on newschoolers because there's a pretty damn good chance that they film skateboarding or skiing. i have not found a video USING GOOGLE/YOUTUBE/VIMEO ETC that uses the tokina to film the things i would. so just delete this thread from your thread watch already. i thought you were a pretty sick person but it turns out you are just a complete asshole to people that don't know as much as you.
Apr 9 2011 5:18PM
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chacharlie
Posts: 228 - Karma: 20

He's not trying to be mean, you're just being unrealistic with what you want as far as advice from the people on newschoolers. There are plenty of videos online shot with the 11-16. Even if they're not skiing the perspective and appearance will be the same...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgh9xGSdk1k

http://vimeo.com/18527262

http://vimeo.com/21567530
Apr 9 2011 6:09PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
i guess you're right. i guess i just am so paranoid about making the right decision that i'm talking unrealistically.
Apr 9 2011 6:28PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
All I was trying to say is that google has so much more info than newschoolers does.
Apr 9 2011 7:46PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
I shot with mine today I'll put up the footage when I have a minute. But it's definitely a good lens for filming I would get it over the fisheye
Apr 9 2011 7:54PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
I guess I was just hard to understand. but I was using newschoolers as a backup plan for google. so I have already searched all of google and now I'm talking to NS.
Apr 9 2011 8:48PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
thanks man!
Apr 9 2011 8:54PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
its the same field of view whether its pictures or video.... wouldnt pictures suffice?
Apr 9 2011 11:00PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
no. it is important to see how the wide angle distortion acts during videos. yes, you can get a feel of the lens through pictures, but you don't get the just of what the video would be like.
Apr 10 2011 7:37AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
the tokina is rectangular...
Apr 10 2011 2:17PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
this isn't super helpful because it isn't well lit, but the shots at 00:17 and 00:20 were taken with the tokina 11-16


Apr 10 2011 2:58PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
It's non distorting, but it for sure gives a strange perspective on things sometimes. With pans and whatnot, just being that it's sooo wide things can look really strange in the corners when you're filming with it.
Apr 10 2011 4:49PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
it still looks "different" from your traditional lens..
Apr 10 2011 5:55PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
and what might you mean by traditional? Yes the tokina has very exaggerated distortion, but its "traditional" for an UWA
Apr 10 2011 8:37PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
traditional as in stock lens qualities
Apr 10 2011 9:56PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112

Some skiing from Alex Grover on Vimeo.



I hope this embed works. All shot on a 7d with the 11-16 last weekend. I don't normally film with a dslr, I was just messing around with my dads camera so I'm sure if you actually learn it it could be a lot better than this haha
Apr 15 2011 11:43AM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
just bought the sigma 10mm and canon 20mm for my 7d. Thanks guys for the help!
Apr 15 2011 8:50PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
UPDATE: cancelled order on the 20mm.. now purchased the sigma 10mm and tokina 11-16
Apr 16 2011 6:36PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
NEW QUESTION: what would be an ideal zoom lens (most popular??) preferably and L series lens.. i shoot action sports as well.
Apr 23 2011 9:36PM
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MANDER
Posts: 4017 - Karma: 2,038
Canon 70-200 f4
Apr 23 2011 10:21PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
IS
Apr 23 2011 11:18PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
so the 70-200 f4 is the most popular? anyone know pros/cons?
Apr 24 2011 1:10PM
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MANDER
Posts: 4017 - Karma: 2,038
it is hands down the best canon zoom telephoto in its price range. dont even consider other things unless you want to spend at least twice as much.
Apr 24 2011 1:37PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
alright thanks man +k
Apr 24 2011 1:48PM
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HeadyTopper
Posts: 1170 - Karma: 97
anyone out there own the 70-200?? and what is a good prime standard lens for a 7d crop sensor. I feel that the 50mm is too far of a zoom.
Apr 24 2011 1:59PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
Dude there are tons of reviews of it on the Internet that are way more in depth than what anyone here will tell you. And if you don't want a 50mm then get a 35 that should be common sense haha
Apr 24 2011 2:11PM
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