Which Lens for Shooting Video with T2i?

[arkstorm]

Which lens should I use for shooting video with the Canon T2i?

I know the Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye is very popular but is it versatile enough for primary use?

Is the 18-55mm kit lens useful for u/w video?

Or would you use something like a 25 or 50mm fixed/prime lens?

Thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

 

[doctormike]

I use a 7D and have been shooting video with a Tokina 12-24 - I think that is a good range. 10-17 might be good as well, I haven't tried that, but since I mostly leave it at 12 mm, I'm guessing the results are similar:

Underwater Video - Rothschild Design Web Development and Photography

Kit lenses tend to be cheap - of lower quality and slower speed. I have been very happy with my Tokina for still and video work.

Shooting video with anything in the 50mm range is VERY difficult to do, use that as your macro still lens.

Mike

 

[Cp111]

Which lens should I use for shooting video with the Canon T2i?

I know the Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye is very popular but is it versatile enough for primary use?

Is the 18-55mm kit lens useful for u/w video?

Or would you use something like a 25 or 50mm fixed/prime lens?

Thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

Depends on what you want to shoot. You can shoot macro video with a lens like the EF-S 60mm macro. If you are thinking wide angle, though, I'd lean toward the 10-17. Here's little sample video I shot with 10-17 on a T2i:
T2i video, Nauticam NA-550D housing on Vimeo

The only downside to me to the 10-17 for video is that some pans look a bit unnatural due to the fisheye effect. You could consider the Canon 10-22 or another rectilinear wide angle like that if this effect is an issue for you.

18-55 would be versatile in the sense that you could maybe do both wide angle and macro on the same dive, but it's the jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none thing - I think it'd be hard to get the dramatic shots you can get with other lenses.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[doctormike]

Depends on what you want to shoot. You can shoot macro video with a lens like the EF-S 60mm macro. If you are thinking wide angle, though, I'd lean toward the 10-17. Here's little sample video I shot with 10-17 on a T2i:
T2i video, Nauticam NA-550D housing on Vimeo

Nice!

BTW, the Nauticam housing is fantastic, Chris... I'm VERY happy with it. I just got this guy, can't wait to try out my gear with 4300 lumens on board!

 

[arkstorm]

Thank you both for your input.

I don't mind the fisheye effect because my primary shooting objective is going to be animal behavior but it would be nice to have the versatility of a wide shot and a reasonable close-up with the same lens to add emphasis within a scene.

It would also be nice to narrow the depth of field to really make that behavior pop, or for focus shifts between two (or more) creatures interacting.

Chris - I might have some specific questions for you about your housings. I'll shoot you a message.

Thanks again.

 

[bvanant]

]Depends on what you want to shoot. You can shoot macro video with a lens like the EF-S 60mm macro.

Kind of. Yes you can shoot it (with the Inon Insect eye as well) but you will need a lot of patience and a good tripod since you will need to pick a focus point and hope the beasts stay in it.

I vote for the 10-17, for video it is spectacular.
Bill

 

[arkstorm]

I did a google search and found many examples of video shot with the 10-17mm fisheye. It seems like an amazing lens.

 

[arkstorm]

Do any of you have any experience with the Tamron 10-24mm w/a lens? It is much more reasonably priced than the Canon 10-22 but I wonder about the image quality?

IMO the best option would be the Sigma 10-20mm with up to f/3.5 throughout the entire focal length range but apparently its a little too fat to fit neatly into a port.

 

[Cp111]

Thank you both for your input.

I don't mind the fisheye effect because my primary shooting objective is going to be animal behavior but it would be nice to have the versatility of a wide shot and a reasonable close-up with the same lens to add emphasis within a scene.

It would also be nice to narrow the depth of field to really make that behavior pop, or for focus shifts between two (or more) creatures interacting.

Chris - I might have some specific questions for you about your housings. I'll shoot you a message.

Thanks again.

Sure, fire away, no problemo.

Cheers,
Cp