Soliciting Comments on Startup 5D System

Jon Fairhurst · March 26th, 2012, 10:48 AM

The 24-105 on the 5D3 would really be ideal for documentary style filmmaking. It doesn't have super-shallow DOF, but that's hard to manage on the fly anyway. It has IS, which is great for handheld use, especially at 105mm. The range is ideal, going from 24mm (which I see as the maximum width for a natural, non-effects look) to 105, which is a nice medium tele. The downside on the 5D2 is the f/4 maximum aperture. I find that under artificial lighting, f/2 is often where you need to be; however, the 5D3 gives you two more stops of light performance. That moves you from f/2 to f/8, making the f/4 of the 24-105 very practical, indeed.

You mention the Rokinon 85. Note that it's a manual focus only lens. The Sigma 85/1.4 is more expensive, but has AF, which might be important for photos.

Nigel Barker · March 26th, 2012, 11:26 AM

I recommended the 24-105mm F/4L way back in reply #10. It's a lovely lens & a real bargain when bought as the kit lens with the camera. The extra low light capability of the 5D3 negates the F/4 aperture to a great degree. We shot two weddings last weekend using the 5D3 with 24-105mm F/4L where for such low light interiors we would never dream of using it on a 5D2.

John Wiley · March 26th, 2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

I find that under artificial lighting, f/2 is often where you need to be; however, the 5D3 gives you two more stops of light performance. That moves you from f/2 to f/8, making the f/4 of the 24-105 very practical, indeed.

Sorry to be picky, but 2 stops down from f/2 puts you at f/4, not f/8. With shutter speed and ISO, doubling/halving the number will equate to a one stop difference. With aperture however, you need to multiply or divide by 1.4 to adjust by one stop. Looking at simple maths (f/1 x 1.4 x 1.4 = f/1.96 (ie f/2) we can see that doubling the f-number (eg f/2 to f/4, f/4 to f/8, etc) is equivelant to 2 stops difference.

So if the 5dmkII requires f/2 in lowlight, then the 5dmkIII's 2-stop advantage means you require f/4. The big kicker with this is that anybody who is used to the 24-70 on the 5dmkII, can now switch to the 24-105 IS on the 5dmkIII, still have a one stop advantage, plus gain IS and an extra 35mm on the long end - so I think this lens will become a whole lot more popular than it has been.

Jon Fairhurst · March 26th, 2012, 06:51 PM

Major DUH! You are 100% correct, sir! I stand red-faced and corrected. :)

So... the two stop difference isn't as awesome as I had mistakenly claimed, but it still makes the 24-105/4L quite viable. It also means that in low light, we can shoot the easier to focus f/4 setting, rather than at the challenging f/2 setting.

Thanks for keeping me honest, John!

John Wiley · March 26th, 2012, 08:25 PM

No worries, I'm sure you'd pull me into line whenever necessary too!

I do agree with you though that the 24-105 now looks a whole lot more appealing. given the mkIII's better sensitivity and ISO performance. And seeing as it's available at a nice discount as the kit lens, it would be a great first choice for a film school graduate!

March 26th, 2012, 10:48 AM	#46
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Soliciting Comments on Startup 5D System The 24-105 on the 5D3 would really be ideal for documentary style filmmaking. It doesn't have super-shallow DOF, but that's hard to manage on the fly anyway. It has IS, which is great for handheld use, especially at 105mm. The range is ideal, going from 24mm (which I see as the maximum width for a natural, non-effects look) to 105, which is a nice medium tele. The downside on the 5D2 is the f/4 maximum aperture. I find that under artificial lighting, f/2 is often where you need to be; however, the 5D3 gives you two more stops of light performance. That moves you from f/2 to f/8, making the f/4 of the 24-105 very practical, indeed. You mention the Rokinon 85. Note that it's a manual focus only lens. The Sigma 85/1.4 is more expensive, but has AF, which might be important for photos. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 26th, 2012, 11:26 AM	#47
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Soliciting Comments on Startup 5D System I recommended the 24-105mm F/4L way back in reply #10. It's a lovely lens & a real bargain when bought as the kit lens with the camera. The extra low light capability of the 5D3 negates the F/4 aperture to a great degree. We shot two weddings last weekend using the 5D3 with 24-105mm F/4L where for such low light interiors we would never dream of using it on a 5D2.

March 26th, 2012, 06:51 PM	#49
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Soliciting Comments on Startup 5D System Major DUH! You are 100% correct, sir! I stand red-faced and corrected. :) So... the two stop difference isn't as awesome as I had mistakenly claimed, but it still makes the 24-105/4L quite viable. It also means that in low light, we can shoot the easier to focus f/4 setting, rather than at the challenging f/2 setting. Thanks for keeping me honest, John! __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 26th, 2012, 08:25 PM	#50
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: Soliciting Comments on Startup 5D System No worries, I'm sure you'd pull me into line whenever necessary too! I do agree with you though that the 24-105 now looks a whole lot more appealing. given the mkIII's better sensitivity and ISO performance. And seeing as it's available at a nice discount as the kit lens, it would be a great first choice for a film school graduate!