Looking to buy the Canon EOS 7d but...

Antonio Allen · November 7, 2011

Hello,

I'm a newbie filmmaker looking to purchase the Canon EOS 60D within the next month but not sure of the correct lens to buy with the body. I want to shoot short film to gain experience in the filmmaking field. Particularly, I want to utilize a lens with good/excellent shallow depth of field without putting a dent in my wallet (no more then $500). I here Tameron lens are pretty good quality and aren't to expensive? In retrospect, what len's are good for shooting short film/ feature length? Im completely new to cinematography so any insight would be helpful

Michael Christensen · November 17, 2011

I have a Tameron 17-50 f2.8 that I really like, because it is a good focal range for the 60D, as fast as any other zoom, and only $300/350 second hand. However, I have definitely moved past that lens at this point. If you're shooting short films and can afford the time to switch lenses your best bet is probably old, prime lenses. The term "prime" refers to fixed focal length lenses. They are generally faster (which means good for available/low light and plenty shallow) and fully manual (which is ideal for video). There are many old lenses from many different manufacturers that, with the right mount adapter, are compatible with the 60D. With the 60D’s sensor size there is a crop factor of 1.6, which means that 50mm lens (which is a standard lens on a 35mm sensor) approximates 80mm (a slightly telephoto lens on the 60D). If I were you the first lens that I would buy would be either a Nikon Ai 35mm f2.0 (f1.4 if you can afford it) or a Nikon Ai 28mm f2.0.

I own a 60D and I am very happy with it. That being said, it’s not the camera I would buy today. The Panasonic GH2 seems to be the best around at the moment… and it’s less expensive! Do some research on the GH2. It’s an exciting camera. Plus, it is mirrorless and has a shorter distance from the face of the lens mount to the sensor, which means that just about any lens can be adapted to it. For instance, Minolta and Canon FD lenses (excellent glass, mechanics, and affordability) can be adapted to the GH2 but NOT the 60D.

You may also want to consider the next generation of cameras (the ones that have not even been announced yet), which will almost certainly be released sometime in the next year. When Canon finally releases a replacement for the 60D it is likely to be a beast. Of course, if you currently own no camera then you probably want a camera in your hands as soon as possible. If I were you I think I might get a GH2 and a collection of very affordable Minolta primes (28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 135mm). If you’re really, really new to cinematography a collection of manual prime lens will teach you a great deal about the craft.

Sorry if that is a bit long winded and sorry if I assumed too much about how "new" to cinematography you are.

Best of luck.

Ryan Ball · November 28, 2011

If you really wan to save some money, get a $10 M42 mount adaptor on ebay. Then you can get some really cheap M42 screw mount lenses (also on ebay or craigslist). I picked up a nice little Mamiya Sekor 50mm for $30 on craigslist and I use it all the time. See the image for quality example.

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Ryan Ball · November 28, 2011

If you really wan to save some money, get a $10 M42 mount adaptor on ebay. Then you can get some really cheap M42 screw mount lenses (also on ebay or craigslist). I picked up a nice little Mamiya Sekor 50mm for $30 on craigslist and I use it all the time. See the image for quality example.

That's on a 60D, by the way.