5 best lenses for shooting video with a Canon DSLR
Thinking about taking the dive into video with your Canon DSLR? Here’s 5 lenses worth a look.
I’ve been shooting video for eight years. First using a good ‘ol Canon Vixia camcorder; then in 2010 everything changed when I bought the EOS Rebel T2i and entered the world of DSLR video. I never looked back, eventually moving to a EOS 60D and then last year to the brilliant auto-focus equipped 70D (seen in photo above). Lenses can be confusing. There are many choices. Lots of types (telephoto, prime, macro, fisheye). And a seemingly endless array of manufacturers (Canon, Tamron, Sigma, Zeiss, etc.). One thing I’ve learned: a lens made primarily for taking photos may not necessarily be the best for video.1. Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
A great all-rounder. New to video, and want to buy just one lens to get started? This is the one. Canon introduced auto-focus for DSLR last year with the revolutionary 70D. Called “dual pixel” you can touch the LCD of the 70D and the camera will automatically focus on a subject, even as it moves – just like a camcorder. It works brilliantly. This lens which Canon introduced in 2013 features STM (Stepper Motor) which means it focuses with minimal to no noise. That’s great, because with this lens you don’t have to worry about the camera’s microphone picking up unwanted sounds. I’ve been shooting most recent Stark Insider videos using this one, and it’s never let me down.
2. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
Canon makes 3 50mm lenses. I like the cheapest the best. At
only $110 this is an amazing deal. For that you get quality glass that belies
its price that works wonders in low light thanks to its speed (1.8). IS is
absent so you’ll need a (very) steady hand or (preferred) a rig. Still, I’ve
managed to capture filmic like footage handheld with this beauty. Thanks to it
glorious bokeh (the unfocused area of the frame) you might just be blown away
by the results. Only $110, the craziest lens deal of all time.
3. Rokinon Cine 85mm t/1.5 De-Clicked Aperture
If you have the first two lenses I mention above you’re off
to a good start. Want to get fancier without breaking the bank? Try this
Rokinon. It’s a “Cine” lens which in this case means the aperture has been
“de-clicked” – so instead of adjusting the f-stop using the camera controls,
you’ll adjust it by rotating the ring on the lens. Obviously don’t buy this
lens first, it takes practice. Everything is manual. So it’s not ideal for
run-n-gun. I still carry it with me when I have a few extra minutes, especially
at night. I can dial in a cinematic scene and the results are often
spectacular. Keep in mind most Canon DSLRs feature a APS-C sensor, meaning they
are not full frame (like the Canon 5D Mk III). The crop-factor is about 1.6x.
Meaning this lens will in fact result in a shot that is more like ~ 130mm.
4. Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM L
Sigma set the camera world ablaze with this new lens. All
you could hear anyone talk about in 2013, especially those into DSLR video, was
that new Sigma lens… and its incredible sharpness and overall performance
(rivaling that of glass costing two- to three-times as much). Many even suggest
that because this lens is so good that it is in essence three primes in one:
18, 24, and 35mm. In fact that’s exactly how I treat it. With the above
mentioned three lenses I’m covered for image stabilized zoom from 18-105mm,
have a sharp 50mm, and cinema 85mm for artistic stuff. This Sigma give me wider
angles and superb low-light performance (F1.8). An instant classic
5. Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
This is a new lens that comes out this summer. I have not
tested it. But I’m adding it to the list because it’s (a) only $300; (b)
features STM meaning it will focus without noise and pairs well with Canon
camera bodies such as the 70D and T4i/T5i; and (c) should give nice wide angle
shots, especially for outdoors. It has IS so it should be suitable for handheld
work. It’s not a fast lens (f4.5-5.6) so I’d avoid low light shoots
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