Old primes for shooting videos with a T2i

[hdctx]

I'm trying to choose between a Nikon 50mm 1.2 and a 1.4, or a Zeiss Contex 50mm. I can get a 50 1.2 for about $550, an older 58mm 1.2 for less, or a 1.4 for less than $250. Is the 1.2 sharper or softer than a 1.4? Is the Contex Zeiss in the same league, or even better, but slower?

I'd love to get one of the new Zeiss primes, but $4k is a little rich.
I look forward to your feedback.

[venchka]

Are you sure that you want narrow field of view of a 50?
Search the internet for tests of the two Nikkor lenes.
If you want a more normal field of view, shop 24-35 lenses.
Ps: the Sigma 50/1.4 may be better than either Nikkor.

[hdctx]

I did pick up a Tokina 24-40 2.8, and I know I still need something around 17mm with an APS-C. The 50 should shoot like the 85 I had years ago when I ws shooting film.
The consensus opinion I'm getting about shooting video on an APS-C, or even a 5d, is to stick primarily to very fast primes to get that cinematic look.
I'm shopping for bargains in older manual focus SLR lenses. Ken Rockwell said the 50mm 1.2 is the sharpest lens Nikon ever produced, if you shoot f2.0 or higher. I don't know how that compares to an older Contex Zeiss.

What am I going to use it for? I want to shoot business testimonials, calls to action for non-profits, town halls during the 2012 election season, and eventually, weddings.
I got back into photography with both feet because I think the combination of the
Internet and affordable HD video is a serious game changer for small business marketing, documentary filmmaking, and of course, wedding photography, and a creative outlet for an aging middle manager tech geek. Because of the increased accessibility and lower costs, there's a much broader market than there was even two years ago. I want to learn the production skills to capitalize on that market.

[venchka]

Ok. Sounds like a good plan.
I would double check Ken R's statement. Not because I don't believe him, but becasue I like second or third opinions. I would ask the same questions at The Nikon Cafe.
I would also take a long hard look at the Sigma fast prime lenses. The 30mm/1.4 is for APS-C sensors only. That's a drag if you want to add a full frame camera later. The 50 & 85 get rave reviews.
What's wrong with the Canon fast lenses? You gain autofocus which might outweigh any real or imaginary difference in image quality.

[crbeveri]

According to Gale Tattersall (Director of Photography for TV show House M.D. and may other Hollywood hits) the 16-35mm is the best lens on the 5D2 for shooting video. Now I know you don't have a 5D2 nor the want to spend the funds on a 16-35mmL but the point is for Video you wanna go wide. Now this is not always true but from what he said in his workshop it's the most forgiving. I would say see if you can get the Canon 10-22. It's not 2.8 but you should be shooting at f/10 anyways unless you really need the speed and DOF of a 1.4 and faster. You could also go a Sigma 10-20 (i have used this lens and it's a good lens). I don't see any reason though why an old prime wouldn't work either as with video on these DSLR's you shoot MF anyways.

just my $0.02 I am starting to play with video a lot more and have more to learn than a life time can supply lol. Best of luck to ya though.

[Kirk]

I shoot video on a T2i with a 50mm quite frequently. Don't forget that it's actually going to be 80mm.

I use it specifically for the sharpness and the narrow DoF. Mine is a Nikkor 50mm 1.4. I use a $13 Fotodiox Ai to EOS adapter to mount it to my T2i.
You can see what it looks like in this music video I made recently:

Music Video: Joe Rice - Just A Dream on Vimeo

Music Video: Joe Rice - Just A Dream on Vimeo

I hope this is helpful to you.

[Furinox]

I think any is going to work. A lot less detail is seen in video than in still, especially with current canon dslr's only resolving detail(in 1080p) equal to other good 720p cameras. If you're going for super charp video you'd be better off moving to a Panasonic Gh2.

I prefer the look of video from canon DSLR's to the GH series, but canon doesn't come close to resolving as much detail.

[Furinox]

Originally Posted by Kirk

I shoot video on a T2i with a 50mm quite frequently. Don't forget that it's actually going to be 80mm.

I use it specifically for the sharpness and the narrow DoF. Mine is a Nikkor 50mm 1.4. I use a $13 Fotodiox Ai to EOS adapter to mount it to my T2i.
You can see what it looks like in this music video I made recently:

Music Video: Joe Rice - Just A Dream on Vimeo

I hope this is helpful to you.

Do you have a uv filter on the lens, or is your lens uncoated? Lots of reflection on the lens in the video. It's more noticeable since the video is shaky and not stabilized. The reflection jumps around.

[Kirk]

Yeah, the reflections and shakiness were done intentionally to create a sort of uncertain, dreamlike quality which is established in the lyrics.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by crbeveri

According to Gale Tattersall (Director of Photography for TV show House M.D. and may other Hollywood hits) the 16-35mm is the best lens on the 5D2 for shooting video. Now I know you don't have a 5D2 nor the want to spend the funds on a 16-35mmL but the point is for Video you wanna go wide. Now this is not always true but from what he said in his workshop it's the most forgiving. I would say see if you can get the Canon 10-22. It's not 2.8 but you should be shooting at f/10 anyways unless you really need the speed and DOF of a 1.4 and faster. You could also go a Sigma 10-20 (i have used this lens and it's a good lens). I don't see any reason though why an old prime wouldn't work either as with video on these DSLR's you shoot MF anyways.

just my $0.02 I am starting to play with video a lot more and have more to learn than a life time can supply lol. Best of luck to ya though.

That's what happens when you stay on topic. You miss the good information. I did think of the House episode or episodes this morning. I know they did one a season or so back. Have they done more? I would like to see one. If the 16-35/2.8 megabucks lens works, then my less than megabucks 17-35/2.8 would work just fine.

The House episode "Help Me", broadcast by Fox on 17 May 2010, was shot entirely on the Canon 5D Mark II, replacing the drama's usual 35mm film format.[21][22][23] All of the seventh season was also recorded with a 5D Mark II.[24]

I should watch House more often.

While we are comparing systems & video, where does Sony (NEX/A55/A33) fall in the HD video spectrum?

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by venchka

That's what happens when you stay on topic. You miss the good information. I did think of the House episode or episodes this morning. I know they did one a season or so back. Have they done more? I would like to see one. If the 16-35/2.8 megabucks lens works, then my less than megabucks 17-35/2.8 would work just fine.

While we are comparing systems & video, where does Sony (NEX/A55/A33) fall in the HD video spectrum?

not sure if you were taking a jab at me with the staying on topic remark but okay lol....

They shot the entire last season final episode on the 5D2. This upcoming season (Fall) is also being shot on the 5D2. No they do not just use the 16-35 but Gale said that it's the best lens (IN HIS OPINION) to start out with because shooting wide in video is more forgiving. This does not mean he (they) do not use other glass. He said they use the 85 and 70-200 a lot too. It all depends on what it is you're trying to accomplish with the shot. Primes are the best as you shoot MF in video and trying to zoom and focus is quite difficult to do with just holding the body by hand. Now if you wanna start talking about rigging to help then you're in a totally different world of expensive toys.

Anyways, this is just my thoughts on the topic, right or wrong take what you want leave what ya want. But the question being will old primes work for video... YES they will.

To answer your question about systems: as far as I know right now in the DSLR (this has nothing to do with camcorders (video specific cameras)) Canon leads the way by a fair margin. This will probably change and I could be wrong but that's what I have read the last time I looked into it. Regardless, Canon's Video Camera's have always been top notch and sought after in all broadcasting areas.

[venchka]

Of course. You need real lenses with real aperture rings.

Shooting a Feature FIlm With the Canon 5D Mark II: Challenges and Ingenious Workarounds

The first, geniously, was solved by doing something that will cause you poor souls who get caught up in the Nikon/Canon rivalry to squeal with glee: he simply bought a Nikon F mount to Canon EOS adapter and stuck on an older Nikon 50mm lens with a mechanical aperture wheel. That way, with the 5D's exposure settings locked on an adequate value (at an adequately low-ISO), the photographer can simply stop down the lens to whichever value is needed automatically. Very smart.

You could substitute Pentax, Olympus, any suitable flange to sensor distance lens with an aperture ring and adapter. Alas, Canon shot itself in the foot when it abandoned their older FD/BL lenses in favor of the EOS-EF mount.

[venchka]

No way. I was jabbing myself.

Originally Posted by crbeveri

not sure if you were taking a jab at me with the staying on topic remark but okay lol....

They shot the entire last season final episode on the 5D2. This upcoming season (Fall) is also being shot on the 5D2. No they do not just use the 16-35 but Gale said that it's the best lens (IN HIS OPINION) to start out with because shooting wide in video is more forgiving. This does not mean he (they) do not use other glass. He said they use the 85 and 70-200 a lot too. It all depends on what it is you're trying to accomplish with the shot. Primes are the best as you shoot MF in video and trying to zoom and focus is quite difficult to do with just holding the body by hand. Now if you wanna start talking about rigging to help then you're in a totally different world of expensive toys.

Anyways, this is just my thoughts on the topic, right or wrong take what you want leave what ya want. But the question being will old primes work for video... YES they will.

[hdctx]

Thanks to all who chose to participate in this conversation, I do appreciate it. To Greg, the GH2 is sharper, but it's because of software, not the sensor or lenses. There's an entire ecosystem built around Canon, especially the 5d, and I expect they will continue to improve. Your comment about only getting 720p level images is arguable. I chose the T2i because all the Canon's use the same sensor until you get to the 5d, meaning I get the same image quality as a 7d, but in a lessor camera. I'm saving for the replacement to the 5d while I learn. I did run across an interesting comment to keep in mind when choosing. The 5d delivers a depth of field two and a half times narrower than the APS-C
cameras. Some of that spectacular cinematic quality isn't really available on a 7d or lower. Still motion has a new wedding lens tutorial up on Vimeo today. Yes, they are shilling for Canon, but the choices were interesting. For an APS-C using a glidecam, they recommend the 14mm 2.8 rect. Very little distortion in their images, and infinity starts at 3 feet. ($2250). For a standard lens, they suggest the 35mm 1.4. I've also seen the Sigma 30mm 1.4 recommended for a grand less. They also like the 85mm 1,2 and the 135mm f2. On the 5d, the 24mm 1.4, the 50mm 1.2, and the 135mm. I keep seeing the Zeiss primes come up, but at $4k a pop, I think I'll rent. I was surprised they skipped the zooms, especially the 70-200, but they said they like to use a monopod and the lightest lenses to be as unobtrusive as possible. Depressing to a guy whi just spend the $$ building a complete shoulder rig with follow focus, a matte box and a 7" monitor. LOL. Stillmotion in Toronto is considered by many to be the gold standard for wedding cinematography. Do check out some of their videos.