What to look for in a professional lens? (For Panasonic 500)

Paul Arndt · September 19th, 2008, 06:31 PM

I am trying to gather some information about what specifications I should be looking at when shopping for a lens for a Panasonic HDX500? What we will be filming will be in 24p and for national broadcast. What are some important advantages, functions, differences between the quality of lenses that I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Brian Drysdale · September 20th, 2008, 06:34 AM

I think you should consider what you're planning to use the lens for. Are you shooting news, sport, documentaries or drama?

Are issues like breathing while focusing important? Most zooms do breath.

How large a zoom range do you need?

Do you need an ENG style lens or a Cine style lens? The latter is better if you're using a 1st AC on productions requiring precise follow focus work. On the other hand ENG lenses have built on power zoom and handle for hand holding and are much more common on video productions.

How big a zoom range do you need? Do you need a built in x 2 extender? This is handy on news work, but for best quality the lens does need to be stopped down a bit.

Do you require a lens that doesn't aperture ramp? Options are limited and the lenses that don't ramp are much larger on those zoom lens that do ramp.

Buy a HD lens if you're shooting HD.

September 19th, 2008, 06:31 PM	#1
Paul Arndt New Boot Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 11	What to look for in a professional lens? (For Panasonic 500) I am trying to gather some information about what specifications I should be looking at when shopping for a lens for a Panasonic HDX500? What we will be filming will be in 24p and for national broadcast. What are some important advantages, functions, differences between the quality of lenses that I should be aware of? Thanks in advance for the help!

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September 20th, 2008, 06:34 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 1,043	I think you should consider what you're planning to use the lens for. Are you shooting news, sport, documentaries or drama? Are issues like breathing while focusing important? Most zooms do breath. How large a zoom range do you need? Do you need an ENG style lens or a Cine style lens? The latter is better if you're using a 1st AC on productions requiring precise follow focus work. On the other hand ENG lenses have built on power zoom and handle for hand holding and are much more common on video productions. How big a zoom range do you need? Do you need a built in x 2 extender? This is handy on news work, but for best quality the lens does need to be stopped down a bit. Do you require a lens that doesn't aperture ramp? Options are limited and the lenses that don't ramp are much larger on those zoom lens that do ramp. Buy a HD lens if you're shooting HD.