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Biffbarf
February, 2025

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Best lens for filming for Rebel T3i

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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
Hey there, I apologize for making such a newby question but I recently just purchased a rebel t3i. I have the standard stock 18-55mm lens. I was just seeing if anyone had any good recommendations for a lens that could be used for filming mainly park and with follow cam type shots.


Thanks!
Feb 11 2014 11:00AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
jesus christ just look through the first couple of pages man
Feb 11 2014 12:05PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
tokina 11-16
/thread
Feb 11 2014 1:54PM
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caderobinson
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 4,770
hhahah.

It is an ill lens tho
Feb 11 2014 6:26PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
Is any filter needed for filming on snow? I have heard maybe a ND filter but can anyone confirm?
Feb 11 2014 6:34PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
Don't do it OP! I fucking love the Tokina but way too many on this site get so damn into shooting with the Tokina that they forget there's anything else besides wide angle glidecam shots. I'd recommend the Tamron 17-50 first so that you can get a better variation of shots.
Feb 11 2014 6:35PM
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eheath
Posts: 61836 - Karma: 125,514
If its sunny out and ND filter is quite nice you dont NEED one but its nice.
Feb 11 2014 6:35PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Meh, it cant hurt but it is certainly not neccessarry. You should be shooting strictly manual and if you are then overexposing with the snow shouldn't be an issue. Especially if you get the tokina cuz it has an infinite focus setting so that gives you 1 more option to control exposure with (aperture)
Feb 11 2014 6:36PM
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Jiberfish
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 310
If you don't mind stopping down to ~f/16 then its not necessary.
Feb 11 2014 6:49PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
How is it for filming though? All I hear on Media is people raving constantly on how the Tokina is the best for filming. I would be interested in hearing on how the Tamron does in comparison
Feb 11 2014 6:52PM
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eheath
Posts: 61836 - Karma: 125,514
They're completely different lenses, both are great for filming. The tokina will be a wide shot only lens why the tamron is wide at 17 but also can zoom a bit to 50mm. Maybe do some research on focal length.
Feb 11 2014 6:54PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
Understood, I may experiment with a different focal length for filming to see what I prefer best. I would assume with the Tokina that less zooming is needed as it UWA and will cover a great deal of a shot.
Feb 11 2014 7:00PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
It is an incredible lens and I love using it but it is too overdone. People get it and think that they are great filmers because they get really smooth glides with a Tokina and that's all they fill an edit with, I had that kind of mentality last year. To be able to create good edits, you need to have more variation in your shooting. Exclusively Tokina edits are almost the NS mold and they can look good but it's a horrible habit to get into. The Tamron will teach you how to shoot on a Tripod, Glidecam, Slider, everything, as it is much more versatile and less specific.
Feb 11 2014 7:02PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
Understood, and how about for flat light conditions as well?


Thanks all by the way for answering my questions, new to filming here its always good to hear some answers!
Feb 11 2014 7:03PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
Good info to note as to not fill an entire edit with one type of shooting keeps it different and interesting throughout. Is it a stark contrast to shoot from a 18-55mm to say a Tokina? Or would they mesh together well?


Also with the Tamron, would you say it holds the light well with the lens as far as filming on snow goes?
Feb 11 2014 7:05PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
Honestly you could do fine shooting with the 18-55 and Tokina but I'd still urge you to sell the kit and get the Tamron. The 18-55 does fine on snow if you know how to dial your exposure. I'd recommend getting Magic Lantern and having a histogram on screen at all times when you're in live view or filming, it'll be perfect for dialing the exposure you need.
Feb 11 2014 7:11PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Agreed. Histograms are very helpful for never being overexposed
Feb 11 2014 7:14PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
If I did decide to upgrade my arsenal of glass and get the Tamron and the Tokina would they also go together well? To get the wide angle as well as the more dialed in shots?
Feb 11 2014 7:17PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
Tokina, tamron, the nifty 50 and a nice zoom and mayybbee a cheap fisheye, will give you the ability to makr virtually any type of shot you like. And yes they will mesh fine
Feb 11 2014 7:30PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
I've said this before and I could get shit for it, but IMO filming skiing with a 50mm just doesn't work. It's too cropped. I love the lens for shooting short films and for shooting portraiture but it's more limiting on the hill as it is helpful. Plus the 1.8 or higher aperture isn't that wonderful because you can't get good use of it unless you have an ND filter.

IMO if you're into getting stylistic shots and aren't looking for the "hood crew" look, a fisheye is a poor misallocation of funding. For a zoom, the Canon 70-200 series is great, but you can get by until you're more experienced with something like the 55-250. It's a shit lens, just like the 18-55, but you can make it work.

OP, the Tamron and Tokina work wonderfully together, I'd recommend shooting 60-70% with the Tamron and 30-40% with the Tokina.
Feb 11 2014 7:37PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
Also, Lou, I've seen you posting around the M&A forums a lot, especially giving advice. I'll honestly say that I don't agree with 50% of the things you say. I know you're trying to help out, but it seems like you're giving advice to beginners as a beginner, which means there could be a lot wrong with what you're suggesting. I could be wrong about you being a beginner, but I think that you're not completely justified in making some of the claims and recommendations around here without any proof that you're actually an involved filmer, especially seeing that your only video is a GoPro video...
Feb 11 2014 7:40PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
I agree fully except about the 50mm. I agree the fisheye is kinda am. Buuut for a hundred bucks a 50mm can do wonders. Just on shot of just the boots and skis on the rail reallt cropped can look so sick if done properly
Feb 11 2014 7:42PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
You can get all of these shots with the Tamron. All I'm saying is that there's no distinct advantage of having the 50 prime for skiing. It's great to have for other stuff but it just doesn't work that well on a crop for skiing.
Feb 11 2014 7:45PM
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Lou.
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 3,876
oh.. I didn't think of that haha. You are correct, I just don't have a tamron so I picked up a 50mm and I just feel like for tripod use it is the perfect focal length. You can be 15 feet and get sexy shots. Also a little plus is it is like amazing for photo. But I am in no way denouncing the Tamron, wonderful lense, but I'm saying for the price, I feel everyone (photo and video guys) should have one in their back pocket.
Feb 11 2014 8:11PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
What the hell are you saying? I'd like to see what you consider "sexy" with a 50mm at 15 feet away from a rail or jump. How is it any better for photo???
Feb 11 2014 8:23PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
And how long is it going to take before we don't need to spell L-E-N-S in every single thread
Feb 11 2014 8:24PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
wut.

It's better for portraiture and works very well with short films. It is not an ideal length for action sports.
Feb 11 2014 8:26PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
People refuse to spell lens correctly, grinds my gears
Feb 11 2014 8:39PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
Both are technically correct, get over it and move on.
Feb 11 2014 8:48PM
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dan_swagner
Posts: 351 - Karma: 680
im not sure what you're referring to about people spelling lens wrong
Feb 11 2014 8:49PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
So with the Tamron, being on a T3i it will be (1.6x17) or basically like close to 20 or so. Will that be wide enough for shooting on snow with out cropping out?
Feb 11 2014 9:20PM
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,375
Yeah 17 is pretty damn wide.
Feb 11 2014 11:26PM
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