'Do-everything' lenses

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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I've got into video big time and a workmate who owns a 5D2 is also getting a test for shooting vids. We were talking about it the other day and we have a planned shoot to make an sea angling film later in the year but go onto the subject of changing lenses and how a zoom with a massive focal length would be a wonderful asset.

I'm leaning towards the Nikon 18-200mm or 28-300mm but I have no idea about what's available for full-frame EOS....

He already has a 17-40mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm f/4, plus a 85mm f/1.8 that he's used once and an old 50-200mm-type Tamron lens that he bought as a stop-gap when he had a 300D.

Obviously, working on FF is going to narrow down the options and he can't afford (or justify) the Canon 28-300mm. I know there's the 35-350mm, which is old but would offer substantial focal range.

The 18-200mm is EF-S so that's out of the question (plus it's pap IMO) then there's the 28-135mm, which is a great lens for little money but lacks really dynamic focal lengths.

I'm probably missing something but what do you guys use when you've gone for do-everything lenses?

BTW, the other reason, aside from less lens changing, is that we lure fish for bass so travel very light over rough terrain and you need to be able to go from say, 28mm to a long telephoto focal length instantly because the guys we fish with will be spread out and it's not just a case of walking over to them to get shots because of the terrain :)
 
I don't think that a massive zoom range is really what you need for video, much better to stay at a location get your shot, move to the next location another shot etc, then edit later, rather than one humongeous shot zooming all over the place. Plan your storyboard first.
 
I've had a 28-300 for years. It's better for FF than crop but the newer 18-250 ones on crops are roughly the same.

If you want the convenience of a bridge camera with the DOF of a dslr then they're perfect. They might be a bit soft at the extremes but it's better than that than no shot because you're so busy lens swapping you miss something altogether.

You'll need a tripod if you're off at the 300mm end. It will be as wobbly as anything for video so you'd need a stabilised lens (or body... how about a nice sony ;) ) if a tripod isn't possible.

I'd also think you'd want to zoom to where you need to be, then start to record as otherwise you'll get the zoom noise on the audio. Also if you are zooming for a lot of shots then the sound will be an issue. You won't have any for where the image is, just where you're standing. It might be a bit strange.
 
I'll add that we'll also be shooting stills at the same time. Basically, I'll be doing a few days on location that allow me to take my full complement of kit (providing the conditions allow the changing of lenses)but there will be times when carrying a Vertex 200 and tripod will be too heavy.
 
How wide do you need to get? If you can cope it not being too wide on FF how about the Sigma 50-500 OS?
 
Sigma do a 28-300 but I don't thing it's supposed to be that good.

Tamron also do a 28-300 and sounds a bit better than the Sigma. Neither sound like stellar lenses though.
 
He ended up getting the Tamron 28-300mm..... f/3.5 at the wide end but f/6.3 at the long end. He went in to WEX on the weekend and liked it.... traded in his 85mm and his old Tamron so got it for something like £300, so he was happy.

Had a play with it and the AF is pretty speed and the VC works really well. Yes, it's slow at the long end and on dull days he'll have to crank up the ISO to get fast shutter speeds, but he's made up with the weight saving and the fact he can fish with just a camera and one lens yet still get a decent variation of shots. Build-wise it seems really good.
 
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