Canon 7D for making film, which lense?

[Field Stobaugh]

Hi, well I am just about to order my first Canon 7D. My friends and I are making a film project and are trying to get three different looks from the camera, and thats where I need help deciding on lenses. Since I am new to this, I would appreciate any help with somewith some experience. Under the $500 range hopefully, but I know you get what you pay for.

1. I need to get an image that is very wide angle and has a human/first person look to it.

2. Need some plain scenery shots with a open depth of view.

3. Need one for someone fast movement.

[Chris Westerstrom]

I'd consider renting for that budget

- canon 10-22mm
- 50 mm prime for people
- and may a longer zoom lens with fixed aperture

[Liam Hall]

For $500, my advice is eBay...

[Norman Pogson]

The Ebay cheapy lens adapter and look for older used lenses with aperture rings, don't forget looking in hock shops.

[Bill Pryor]

The problem with used 35mm lenses is that you probably aren't going to find one wide enough. If your limit is $500, I'd suggest looking at a Tamron 17-50. That would probably be wide enough for about anything you'd want. It may not be long enough at the other end. There's a non-IS f2.8 version for under $400, I think, and it's a nice, sharp lens. Like all the cheaper lenses, the focus ring doesn't have a very long throw, but you can live with it if you're careful. There's also the Tokin 16-50 for about $100 more than the Tamron. I like the Tokina at wide angles but I think the Tamron may be a little sharper at the long end. There's also a nice Tamron 28-75 for under $500 as well, but 28mm isn't very wide on a 7D.

The above 3 lenses are all f2.8 all the way. Canon has a cheap 18-135, which is a nice range, but it's only 3.5 at the wide open end and stops down to 5.6 as you increase focal length.

What I'd probably do in your situation is get the cheap Tamron 17-50, then look for something like a used Nikkor 85 or 105, or even a 135, with an adapter. Again, eBay is your friend. Those Kawa Mall $12 Nikon-to-Canon adapter rings are excellent. I have 3 of them on some old Nikkors.

[Norman Pogson]

That's why I like prime lenses for video, most standard and wide angle older 35mm lenses are f2.8 or wider.

[Bill Pryor]

Many are faster, but not wider. Trying to find a good fast 18mm is expensive.

[Brian Brown]

For your wide shots, you can also rent a 5D2 from camera shops at reasonable daily rates... $50 - 80. Then you're not fighting the crop factor on wide glass.

[Chris Barcellos]

That's the good thing about the 5d, I have bought a lot of decent glass, Nikkors and Pentax K mount stuff, for under a $100 a lens. I have a nifty 24mm F 2.8 Nikkor I bought for about $90 on Ebay, that would fit your wide needs.

[Bill Pryor]

I have read in places that 24mm f2.8 Nikkor protrudes too much in the rear to use with an adapter for the Canon, that it might hit the mirror. I looked at mine and it does, indeed, stick out more than my other Nikkors, so I've been hesitant to try it. Have you used it with no trouble?

[Norman Pogson]

I have a Nikkor 24mm f2.8 AI lens early 1980's vintage and use it on my 7D with no problems, my Nikkor 50mm f2 AI protrudes slightly more than the 24mm, but I can use them both without problems.

[Bill Pryor]

My 24mm is an old, pre-AI. Probably some difference there.