What Focal Lengths For Interviews

Jim Tittle · March 20th, 2011, 12:28 PM

Usually, the zoom is preferred because it's an unobtrusive tool. Once we start the interview, I'm invisible.
If I stop to switch lenses, it draws attention to the camera. Now, if the F3 had a turret...

Chris Medico · March 20th, 2011, 09:14 PM

I know primes are preferred in many applications. Interviews where you need to change your FOV a few times is one of those times where I prefer to use a zoom lens.

Personally I am usually in the 80-150mm range most of the time. I prefer to shoot longer when space allows because I'm further back and not distracting. I prefer the look of a longer lens on faces. Especially if I'm working with people with prominent facial features if ya know what I mean. A bit of depth compression can be flattering.

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 02:09 PM

I like Thierry use the Nikon 80-200 2.8 when a client is in need of varied FOV's, but I prefer the ZEISS ZF 85 F1.4, or the 50mm. My 50 is the macro type which is a slower F2.

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 02:27 PM

There should be a Zeiss 35mm 1.4 out soon.

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 02:29 PM

My ideal zoom would be. But 29K

Steve Kalle · March 21st, 2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Dillon

My ideal zoom would be. But 29K

Lets start a fund to help me buy this lens. 'Premiere' level of donations start at $1000 and get you pictures of the lens on a F3 :)

Dave Sperling · March 21st, 2011, 04:51 PM

Hi Dennis,
Is it the lens that's light-weight, or just your wallet after buying it?
Actually seems like a decent 'wide zoom range' for hand-held, but doubtless unweildy, and too short for most of your interviews.

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 06:31 PM

D, yes hand held as well as a good production wide to median. When you use the 5D for a while and then migrate to the F3, the 16mm-35mm Canon is missed. And yes I know the reduction factor plays into this. But imagine someone gifting you this lens. Ill be renting from Able/Fletcher as needed. In the mean time the Zeiss 18mm 3.5 will do,... until the Sony zoom arrives.

Thierry Humeau · March 21st, 2011, 06:54 PM

I found the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 on the F3 to be a pretty good alternative to Canon's 16-35 F2.8 I use on a 5D. It's a bit shorter than the Canon but it's a very good looking lens and the built quality, ergonomics and price are quite good. My all around lens for handheld work is Sigma 17-50 F2.8. Nice and light.

Thierry.

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 07:34 PM

T, Thanks, Ill try it out.

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 07:38 PM

B&H 699
For Nikon DSLRs with APS-C Size Sensors
How does that affect the F3 sensor/ FOV

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 07:39 PM

Sorry, 669$

Dennis Dillon · March 21st, 2011, 07:42 PM

Vignetting will occur if the lens is used with digital cameras with image sensors larger than APS-C size or 35mm SLR cameras. Perhaps yo mean a different version.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/689623-REG/Sigma_583306_17_50mm_F2_8_EX_DC.html

Thierry Humeau · March 21st, 2011, 07:57 PM

The sensor size on the F3 is comparable to APS-C sensor size, no vigneting will occur.

T.

Steve Cahill · March 22nd, 2011, 07:44 AM

Thierry any footage from F3 using the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 that you can share or the Sigma 17_50mm_F2_8_EX_DC ?

March 20th, 2011, 12:28 PM	#16
Jim Tittle Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 114	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews Usually, the zoom is preferred because it's an unobtrusive tool. Once we start the interview, I'm invisible. If I stop to switch lenses, it draws attention to the camera. Now, if the F3 had a turret...

March 20th, 2011, 09:14 PM	#17
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews I know primes are preferred in many applications. Interviews where you need to change your FOV a few times is one of those times where I prefer to use a zoom lens. Personally I am usually in the 80-150mm range most of the time. I prefer to shoot longer when space allows because I'm further back and not distracting. I prefer the look of a longer lens on faces. Especially if I'm working with people with prominent facial features if ya know what I mean. A bit of depth compression can be flattering. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

March 21st, 2011, 02:09 PM	#18
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews I like Thierry use the Nikon 80-200 2.8 when a client is in need of varied FOV's, but I prefer the ZEISS ZF 85 F1.4, or the 50mm. My 50 is the macro type which is a slower F2. Attached Thumbnails

March 21st, 2011, 02:27 PM	#19
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews There should be a Zeiss 35mm 1.4 out soon.

March 21st, 2011, 02:29 PM	#20
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews My ideal zoom would be. But 29K Attached Images

March 21st, 2011, 04:51 PM	#22
Dave Sperling Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 780	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews Hi Dennis, Is it the lens that's light-weight, or just your wallet after buying it? Actually seems like a decent 'wide zoom range' for hand-held, but doubtless unweildy, and too short for most of your interviews.

March 21st, 2011, 06:31 PM	#23
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews D, yes hand held as well as a good production wide to median. When you use the 5D for a while and then migrate to the F3, the 16mm-35mm Canon is missed. And yes I know the reduction factor plays into this. But imagine someone gifting you this lens. Ill be renting from Able/Fletcher as needed. In the mean time the Zeiss 18mm 3.5 will do,... until the Sony zoom arrives.

March 21st, 2011, 06:54 PM	#24
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews I found the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 on the F3 to be a pretty good alternative to Canon's 16-35 F2.8 I use on a 5D. It's a bit shorter than the Canon but it's a very good looking lens and the built quality, ergonomics and price are quite good. My all around lens for handheld work is Sigma 17-50 F2.8. Nice and light. Thierry. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

March 21st, 2011, 07:34 PM	#25
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews T, Thanks, Ill try it out.

March 21st, 2011, 07:38 PM	#26
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews B&H 699 For Nikon DSLRs with APS-C Size Sensors How does that affect the F3 sensor/ FOV

March 21st, 2011, 07:39 PM	#27
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews Sorry, 669$

March 21st, 2011, 07:42 PM	#28
Dennis Dillon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Posts: 213	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews Vignetting will occur if the lens is used with digital cameras with image sensors larger than APS-C size or 35mm SLR cameras. Perhaps yo mean a different version. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/689623-REG/Sigma_583306_17_50mm_F2_8_EX_DC.html

March 21st, 2011, 07:57 PM	#29
Thierry Humeau Telecam Films Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington DC Posts: 723	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews The sensor size on the F3 is comparable to APS-C sensor size, no vigneting will occur. T. __________________ Thierry Humeau, DoP Télécam Films www.telecamfilms.com

March 22nd, 2011, 07:44 AM	#30
Steve Cahill Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 321	Re: What Focal Lengths For Interviews Thierry any footage from F3 using the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 that you can share or the Sigma 17_50mm_F2_8_EX_DC ? __________________ Regards Steve