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Lens for follow cam (17-50mm ?)

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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
I've been filming and edting or a while now and I'm always using a 8mm Fisheye for my park edits. The results are good in general but I feel like sometimes I can't get close enough so the shots aren't as nice as what I see in edits where the filmer uses other lenses.

Here's an edit I filmed using the fisheye, some of the shots (especially the jumps) look too far away, I'd like a lens that would look closer without having to go real close like the fisheye and not deformed so I could switch between the two during the day.

https://vimeo.com/87632187

So what do you guys recommend? Some people told me to get the Tamron 17-50mm, I've seen some edits and the results look nice, what do you guys usually use to film park edits??

Thanks alot!


Feb 25 2014 10:16PM
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raymondcabral
Posts: 747 - Karma: 1,094



tokina 11-16 or the tamron 17-50 non-vc are two pretty commonly recommended on here
Feb 25 2014 10:29PM
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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
Ok thanks! I just checked a few video test of the Tokina 11-16 and it looks like it could fit my needs pretty well.
Feb 25 2014 11:54PM
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mvf
Posts: 786 - Karma: 1,581
Pretty stoked on my Sigma 17-50
Feb 25 2014 11:55PM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
I use the tamron 17-50, which I am very pleased with.
Feb 26 2014 10:21AM
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*DUMBCAN*
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 5,628
Tamron 17-50 will be more versatile simply because it has a wider range of zooms. I've heard it's a fantastic lens, but I don't have it so I can't say.

That said, I have the Tokina. The only reason I'd change is if I got a full frame camera. Being British filming skiing isn't actually my main use for it (it's fantastic at that, everything almost everyone else says is true), I use it a lot when photographing nightclubs. It excels here because you can get really close up to the people your photographing, this helps because nightclubs have smoke, steam etc in the air which makes it super misty, so getting closer means there's less 'mist' between you and the subjects. Also you get the background in shot, which helps make the shot feel like it's in a club. I make my monies that way.
Feb 26 2014 11:08AM
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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
Ok thanks alot guys! By checking reviews I'd say both the 11-16 and the 17-50 looks great, but having a t3i and not willing to go FF anytime soon I'll probably go with the wide angle, I think it'll be really useful for my other video projects as well.
Feb 26 2014 12:32PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Tokina 12-24 F4. more zoom range and usefullness than the 11-16 and like 200-250$ less, but without sacrificing much in the way of image quality. F4 is plenty fast for follow cams (i'd stop down to F5.6 or F8 anyway to increase the DOF and keep the lens nice and sharp.
Feb 26 2014 7:59PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Also, with the 12-24, you can buy something like a 24-70 zoom. It will compliment it perfectly and allow you to work towards a FF lens system instead of forcing you to invest in a 17-50 that you can't use on FF or film cameras.

12-24+24-70 = 18-105ish focal length coverage on a crop body... absolutely more than enough for most things.
Feb 26 2014 8:04PM
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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
I just searched online for for some 11-16 vs 12-24 threads, I'm really interested in a wide angle lens because I'm already covering the more "standard" shooting situations with my other lenses (people seem to say they replaced both their 50mm and kit lens with only the tamron 17-50 but I'm still too poor for that now, I'll use the two starting lenses for a while)

Apparently the 11-16 is known for being a bit sharper and cleaner than the 12-24, but the 12-24 covers more and is atleast 150$ less, I'll have to check more reviews but right now I'd probably go with the 12-24.
Feb 27 2014 1:04AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
I've used both the 12-24 and the 11-16... for video neither of them are particularly better than the other one IQ wise... stopped down to F5.6 or below, and they are both just about as good at equal focal lengths. distortion control on both is pretty damn good.

The biggest thing is that the 12-24 is slower, but honestly... for followcams, you're definitely not shooting wide open ever (unless you're weird), and for landscapes/walk around, the 12-24 just has a lot more use. You can use the 12-24 as a walk-around lens without an issue, but the 11-16 is UWA only, and you're paying for the speed to go along with it.

If you already had the 17-50 then sure, the 11-16 would be fine, but coming from where you are, the 12-24 would be a way more useful lens - not just for followcams, but for everyday use as well. One of my best buddies brings just his 50D, a 12-24, and a 50 f1.4 when he travels. Pretty much all you'd ever need, honestly.
Feb 27 2014 3:10AM
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StokeFactor
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,012
Considering my student budget and the fact that I do not own a 17-50, I'll def go with the 12-24. Like you said this lens will probably be more useful to film other types of video (I've seen some nice videoclips and landscapes videos on threads about this lens), and it's also less expensive, thanks for the help!
Feb 27 2014 11:04AM
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raymondcabral
Posts: 747 - Karma: 1,094
Do you know how this lens compares to the tokina 12-28 f4?
Feb 27 2014 6:56PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
The 12-28 is bigger, heavier, more expensive. Both the 12-24 and 12-28 are awesome at the widest end, even wide open, so if it comes down to it, i'd rather save money and lose a little zoom range for the same quality.
Feb 28 2014 5:23AM
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