Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Lens question

profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
All the of the film work i have done so far has been with straight video cameras, so I am not to knowledgeable about dslr's, specifically lenses.

what I got- Canon t4i with the 18-55mm

what I need it for- mainly a documentary that I am filming this spring and summer and also a few ski edits here and there.

My question(s)- Most importantly, for filming the documentary, what is one more lens I should purchase? Looking for and all around versatile setup, I was thinking the 18-135, but I'm not sure.

Will the 18-55 work well for filming skiing, or should I get a different one?

All totaled I can defiantly get one more lens, possibly two if REALLY needed.

Thanks NS!
Feb 19 2013 12:01AM
1 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
Also, is there some sort of adaptor to fit Nikor lenses onto my canon that any of you are familiar with?Because my mom is a professional photographer and she has some killer lenses,a and that way I would not need to actually buy any more lenses which would be sweet.

sparknotes- Is there anyway to adapt Nikor lenses to a Canon t4i?
Feb 19 2013 12:06AM
0 0
profile picture
Mitchell.
Posts: 1650 - Karma: 630
Never used a lense adapter, but

Feb 19 2013 12:24AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
Whats your budget?
Feb 19 2013 12:24AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
thanks, I have seen that already, I was just wondering if any NS'ers have had any direct experience using them.

And eheath- my budget is ~ 500-700
Feb 19 2013 12:31AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
maybe a 24-105? decent range or maybe like a 17-50 and then an 85 prime i dunno the 18-55 and 18-135 are both pretty mediocre lenses.
Feb 19 2013 12:32AM
0 0
profile picture
Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
oh look, these questions for the 100 millionth time
Feb 19 2013 12:32AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
do you think an adaptor is worth looking into?
Feb 19 2013 12:37AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
maybe, do your moms lenses have aperture rings?
Feb 19 2013 12:38AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
why does this matter?
Feb 19 2013 12:41AM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
I would say absolutely. I have this adapter http://www.rakuten.com/prod/fotodiox-pro-lens-mount-adapter-nikon-g-lens-to-canon-eos-mount/240534589.html?listingId=239047846

It can be a little finicky at times and isn't the best build quality, but it works and allows me to use my Nikon lenses (with or without an aperture ring) on my T2i.
Feb 19 2013 12:42AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
If they don't, the adapter isn't the best which will just mentioned. If they have aperture rings, its a $10 piece of metal you attach to your camera and it works great.
Feb 19 2013 12:45AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
I was looking at this one- the one ken rockwell suggested. What about it can be finicky?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001PNLBO/kenrockwellcom
Feb 19 2013 12:45AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
haha dude no way that thing is a huge rip off you can get the same thing on ebay for $10
Feb 19 2013 12:47AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
but i feel like it's not going to be as good? why would there be such an astronomical price differential?
Feb 19 2013 12:48AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
So people make money off of stupid people :) trust me we know what were talking about.
Feb 19 2013 12:50AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
alright, so they have aperture rings that's a good or bad thing?
Feb 19 2013 12:52AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
if*
Feb 19 2013 12:55AM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
never mind, just figured it out.
Feb 19 2013 1:05AM
0 0
profile picture
sweatshirt
Posts: 1357 - Karma: 483
>mom is a professional photographer
>asking us what lens to buy
>mfw

Click for larger image
Feb 19 2013 1:20AM
0 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
18-135 is just an 18-55 with more range. It won't be that much better, honestly.

I'd go with either a 17-50mm f2.8 and either a fast 50 or a 80 f1.8

or something like a 24-85mm/28-105mm and a set of primes. Use your 18-55 when you need the extra wide angle.
Feb 19 2013 1:57AM
0 0
profile picture
michael_bc
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 720
Instead of spending money on an adapter, why not just pick up a D5200 and use your mom's excellent lenses?

The D5200 is killing it for video:
http://www.eoshd.com/content/9653/nikon-d5200-review
Feb 19 2013 6:58AM
0 0
profile picture
steezysteeze
Posts: 1739 - Karma: 1,012
^ yeah I was thinking why not sell the canon, buy a nikon not loosing much money in the process and you're able to use your moms lenses w/o an adapter.
Feb 19 2013 8:23AM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
This. The d5200 looks amazing.
Feb 19 2013 9:36AM
0 0
profile picture
Splice.
Posts: 1381 - Karma: -192
http://amzn.to/oaEBDD

Was thinking about picking this one up...


It's cheap, pretty nicely built, and the depth of field is realllllllllllllllllyy nice.

Gosh wide apertures. Me gusta.
Feb 19 2013 10:40AM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Its terribly built. Get a vintage one, unless you need the AF (which is also really slow and shitty, just better than no af if you really need it). And plus didn't you make a thread on this like a year ago about buying a vintage nikon 50mm? lol.



Feb 19 2013 11:24AM
0 0
profile picture
jeano
Posts: 333 - Karma: 104
look into a the 50mm 1.4, nifty fifty = your best friend for just about anything
Feb 19 2013 1:09PM
0 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Not really, since it's an 80mm on a crop...

I'd go with a 28 f1.8 for a do-all lens on a crop sensor Canon. 35 f1.8 on a crop sensor Nikon.
Feb 19 2013 3:09PM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
I have both a 28mm 1.8 (1.9, vintage) and a 50mm 1.8 and I wouldn't say one is really better than the other. The 50mm 1.8 is awesome for walking around and taking photos, but the 28mm is harder for me. For lanscapes and just general photos its fine, but having the 1.8 aperture doesn't really do anything since you have to get super close to the subject to get any depth of field and its annoying.

OP try out some vintage glass. You can get a 50mm 1.4 for like $50. Great for video. You could probably also find a 135mm f2 or something like that for relatively cheap.

I've used the 18-135 and its really not that bad. It's not the most sharp thing in the world but its pretty convenient. But for filming I'd just get a 17-50 and some vintages. Basically you can either have convenience or image quality, not both.
Feb 19 2013 4:14PM
0 0
profile picture
jeano
Posts: 333 - Karma: 104
ah shit, yea my bad
Feb 19 2013 4:14PM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
OP is interested in video, not photo. The 50mm isn't really a good walkaround video lens because it is too tight on a crop sensor to shoot handheld a lot of the time.
Feb 19 2013 4:20PM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Yeah not good for handheld video but its great on a tripod or monopod for longer shots. And my bad thought he was doing photo and video.But a 17-50 or wider prime would be good for that
Feb 19 2013 4:27PM
0 0
profile picture
erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
i think the d5200 would be a much better option for you if your mom will let you use her lenses. that being said, i don't think a dslr is a very good choice for shooting a documentary at all, but that discussion doesn't belong in this thread
Feb 19 2013 4:35PM
0 0
profile picture
b_r_tregs
Posts: 298 - Karma: 204
threads

In the same situation basically and wanna learn more!
Feb 19 2013 5:38PM
0 0
profile picture
gusestomp
Posts: 1377 - Karma: 746
I have a 28 1.8 and I love it, definitely recommend it.
Feb 19 2013 6:07PM
0 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Agreed. One of the best prime lenses to buy for almost anyone. The glass is very sharp even wide open, it has a 7 blade diaphram, it's light, it focuses fast and sharp, the ring is damped well for manual focusing, it has a focusing scale, manual focus override. Great wide lens for guys with FF setups and great standard prime for the apsc guys.
Feb 19 2013 6:29PM
0 0
profile picture
SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
state your reasoning? I have all the correct sound equipment needed.
Feb 19 2013 7:02PM
0 0
profile picture
erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
okay, that changes things for sure. i'd still take a camcorder though. paddle zoom is nice, you never have to worry about switching lenses (could or could not matter depending on how controlled your environment is), and they're obviously better for run and gun. i've never actually shot a documentary but that's just the way i see it. if i was doing a short film or something i'd take a dslr over a camcorder anyday.
Feb 19 2013 7:20PM
0 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
I've shot documentaries on both, and really it doesn't matter a whole lot. For interviews I'd much rather have a DSLR setup though, because a lot of the time they take place in smaller rooms, and having options for wider, faster lenses is really really nice - and the lack of needing to focus in that environment makes them all the better, because it's borderline straight still photography at that point. The point of focus isn't moving except for an interviewee's lips. Throw focus is really not that hard to deal with, and in some cases is even smoother if damped right.

Regardless of camcorder or dslr, having an XLR pro audio setup beats most everything out - so if you can't afford one of the best camcorders with onboard xlr setups, then go DSLR, since you'll have to get one anyways.
Feb 19 2013 7:44PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)