Which Lens Is Good To Do This?

[iConquer]

Hey everyone,
Question!

I've been using my 7D a lot more now to capture a lot of behind the scene candid moments for a few projects we're working on. The 7D is used for video only btw. My primary lenses have been the Tokina 11-16 and the Canon 50mm 1.8. The more I use the 7D the more I fall in love with it. I've noticed also that I use my 50mm a lot. A LOT!

However!

I am running into a situation that I think another lens should help. I use my Tokina to capture all of the wide shots and my 50mm for a more intimate and close feel. The bad thing with the 50mm is that when I move around to maybe get a closer shot or back a little to get a wider frame i have to readjust the focus because image gets blurred. There's situations that it's a split second between the actions and I don't have time to repull focus.
Is there a lens that can help me maintain a similar look to the 50mm but gives me the versatility to move within a couple of inches/feet without worrying about the focus?

Thanks for all inputs!

[zebulus]

Have you tried changing your aperture to give yourself more Depth of field?

That may be your problem, that your using it wide open.

[iConquer]

zebulus
nope. never tried that. I will try it later when I get home. That would be an easy fix.
It's embarrassing to say but I still haven't gotten too familiar with the camera yet, although using it more on a weekly basis have taught me a lot of things about cameras.
THANKS!!

[d2creative]

Or use continuous focus, but not sure how that would work with video.

[KenJulio]

I could be mistaken, but none of the DSLR which do video can autofocus when shooting video.

[Daniel W.]

Even if it could, the noise of the 50/1.8 would be a PITA.

Like Zeb said, higher aperture no. = smaller opening = more "usable length of items in focus." Stop down to f/4 or 5.6 and see.

But you can't have the "look" of the 50 (which I think you mean is short DOF, where the blurred background is ...blurred) and still have a large zone of in-focus. The physics are all whack!

[DoublyDan]

The 7D does auto focus in video mode. It's really noisy like someone stated. They make an external mic that solves this problem though, just don't have the money or do enough video to rationalize that purchase.

I have been practicing with my 7D+50mm combo much more. The 50mm seems like a whole new lens coming from my rebel. The focusing system on the 7D is superb!

You might want to try the 24-105L f/4 but then you loose the DOF (which can be made up with distance to subject)

[bfmpa]

The 17-55 ef-s is f2.8 and has IS- sounds perfect to me. Can't use is on a full frame, but it should work great on the 7D.

[Dobick]

I have found that the focus when in video mode on the 7d to be severely limited and not all that accurate.

From what I understand from reading about it, most of the commercial AF lenses made for AF systems do not have near enough travel when manually focusing to allow for pinpoint accuracy.

It is my understanding that the zeiss lenses are better suited for this sort of video work, but you will pay dearly for them.

[The Loft Studios]

Originally Posted by iConquer

.....The bad thing with the 50mm is that when I move around to maybe get a closer shot or back a little to get a wider frame i have to readjust the focus because image gets blurred. There's situations that it's a split second between the actions and I don't have time to repull focus.
Is there a lens that can help me maintain a similar look to the 50mm but gives me the versatility to move within a couple of inches/feet without worrying about the focus?

If your primary subjects are people, try putting on the "Face Recognition" focus..... It actually works pretty darn good.

[stacyreeves]

No lens is going to help you do that, because the lens is not the issue, the aperture is. Increasing your aperture will help widen your DOF so you'll have a little more leeway with people moving around. Continuous focus (AI Servo) will also help, but if you're shooting wide open (1.8) you may still have a rough time with it.

[iConquer]

Thanks for everyone's input. I still have a lot to learn about photography. Glad there's a place I can ask these kinda questions.

I will play more with the aperture this weekend and see if it helps.

Thanks!

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by iConquer

It's embarrassing to say but I still haven't gotten too familiar with the camera yet, although using it more on a weekly basis have taught me a lot of things about cameras.
THANKS!!

A great resource to really learn how to get the most from your camera is the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. Clear, non-technical language, great examples for you to practice. From your description of your issue, it sounds like you may be using an aperture that gives you a very shallow depth of field. Really understanding how aperture, f/stop and ISO work together will help you know exactly what settings you need to get the look you want consistently and, after all, isn't being able to consistently create the look you want that the name of the game? I think that book is the best reference out there for learning how to operate any camera you may pick up.

I just realized you were talking about using the video. Nevermind. Man, I'm so behind the times with the video part......

[ngoduyviet]

Originally Posted by The Loft Studios

If your primary subjects are people, try putting on the "Face Recognition" focus..... It actually works pretty darn good.

Yup, and with wide angle lens, you don't have to worry much. Other than that, close down your lens more.

[zeroendless]

U should try shooting video with 1000mm, just an inch your subject moves, it's out of focus...badly!

Again, you can't depend on AF, DSLR video is not there yet, though macro 4/3 is slighter better in this department especially with the newly developed M-video-enabled lens. The only solution to deal with mid-tele and beyond focusing issue is doing manual focus with magnified viewfinder, playing with aperture can't solve that either. Why bother with DSLR video at all if you are limited to shoot at small aperture (larger aperture value)? Get a videocam.