Good video lens for my 7D?
 

Hi there, so I got a 7D recently, decided to move to HDSLR video!! WOOH!
So, I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens.. which is AWESOME! But, I want something with a good/decent amount of zoom, and something that has SUPERB image quality. Oh, and something that will do really well in low light.
I was thinking a Canon 24-70mm f2.8/L.. thoughts? I also watched a video where someone said a 50mm lens. Remember that I am only using this for video.

Recommend any lens(es) for those purposes?
Oh, and I am not worried about the price to much at all.. but under $2000 would be great!
(around $1200 ish would be best)

OH! and please post a link to Amazon/BH or official website to your recommendation that would be AWESOME. Thanks.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

Although the 24-70 is a great lens, for the 7D crop I think it is not wide enough. The 17-55 f/2.8 sounds like it would be a good fit for what you are looking for. It covers a good range for video, is 2.8 through the whole zoom range and has image stabilization and is right in your price range.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425812-USA/Canon_1242B002AA_EF_S_17_55mm_f_2_8_IS.html

I have both the 24-70 and the 17-55 and prefer the 17-55 by far on the 7D for video work.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

The 17-55 2.8 IS Canon or the 17-50 2.8 OS Sigma are excelent choises. If you want something longer, wait a little untill the new 50-150 f2.8 OS Sigma lens hits the streets.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

I think a 17-50 is probably the best multi purpose zoom for the cropped sensors
17 is wide, 30 is about normal, 50 is nice for portraits.
24-70 is the call for the full sensor cams.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

Okay! Thanks for the information!
I think I will cross the 24-70 off my list and write in a 17-55 :)
Any other REALLY awesome lens suggestions? I kind of want a little of everything you know? So I am prepared for anything and get that perfect shot.
So I will def. get the 17-55, then I have my Sigma 30mm 1.4...

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

OH, thoughts on the 16-35mm 2.8/L ?
Its a L lens which means the quality would be sick.. and it is nice and wide and has a little bit of zoom. How is it in low light? Maybe I will get the 16-35 and then get the 50-150 when it comes out for a good zoom :)

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

The 16-35 is also a great lens, but for video on the 7D I think the 17-55 is still an easy winner. Although the 17-55 it is not an 'L' series lens (none of the crop lenses are) the quality is very high and comparable to an 'L' series. It is $500 less expensive than the 16-35, has a greater zoom range, and has image stabilzation, which I think you will find is a big plus.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

True true, thanks for the info, yeah they seem so close.. but in the end.. $500 more, I dont think is worth that much more haha, I mean does it have anything more to offer other then the prime glass.. lol..

So what other lenses can you/do you recommend for different situations?

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

I am thinking of passing on the 17-55, and go for the 50-150 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM II - Telephoto Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

What do you think? Or should I get both? haha!! I am so rattled! The thing is, I might upgrade to the 5D Mk III when it is released so the thing is I dont want something that wont work with the full frame.. once question I have is, is there even lenses that work with both crop sensor and full frame? I am sorry I am such a newb, I just got my first HDSLR last week.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

Sorry, that link I posted is the old lens.. but the new 50-150 mm :P

EDIT: I just found out that if I upgrade to a full frame a EF-S lens will not work, but full frame lenses will work on my 7D..
so I think I am going to go with the 24-70, and then.. I will definitely need another lens eventually.. maybe a new 50-150? and maybe a fixed wide angle like a 12mm or 14mm or something :)

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

What are you shooting and is this hand-held, rig or tripod? Run & gun? You wants zooms so it sounds like you are working in non-fiction or docs right? This matters a great deal....

The canon 24-70mm is reaching the end of its life ... everyone is waiting for a replacement that has image stabilization .... very important toward the long focal length and for hand held work its a must in my opinion. Makes a terrific difference.

You should get the 17-55 IS and just sell it if you move to full frame ... this lens retains its value well on resale. I just sold one for $150 less than new! This lens is a much better choice on the 7D and can stay on for very long periods which in doc work is extremely important - try switching a lens during shooting and find out.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

think again, for run&gun with 7D 17-55 is the best lens, it never comes off my 7D, although I have to admit I shoot with 3 DSLRs;
I agree that lenses choice somehow depends on what you shoot, but 17-55 is just so great, you'll use your 1.4 sigma only when you'll have to.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

Hi there, I am using a Canon 7D. I am going to be doing a lot of tripod work, but I kind of do a little bit of everything. Short films, docs, YouTube vlogs, etc.

I can buy 1-3 different lenses that cost $800-$1800 ish each

Right now I have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 which works great in low light and good medium lens at the 30mm focal length.

As for the 17-55.. I found a 16-35mm 2.8 which is a Canon L lens and is full frame.
I think that is a epic ultra wide, and it has some zoom to which will be nice.
So I am thinking of a 16-35 and then a bigger zoom lens.

My dream would actually just be like a 16-80mm or something similar to that, that performs good in low light..

Recommendations on the 2 /3 lenses I get, or the one dream lens?

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

Yes, I think my 1.4 sigma will be one of those lenses that are AMAZING in low light, so if I ever have a hardcore lowlight shot I need, I can pull out my Sigma.. My dream would be like a 17-80 or something.. cause then I have a good zoom capability, and wide angle. Also having a full frame would be superrr nice, and I really want something with superb quality.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

UPDATE:
I am going to get the 17-55mm because I saw some videos and stuff and its AMAZING, haha.
Now I just need to pick out a zoom lens such as a 50-150, or 70-200... hmmm...

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

If you're just shooting video, don't forget to look at vintage MF glass. There's some great buys out there on old Nikon, Contax, Pentax, and M42 mounts (ironically, NOT Canon FD mounts). A friend gave me his Pentax 50/2, and it does very well wide-open. I'm now looking for a 50/1.4 to get an extra stop.

MF lenses give a lovely focus throw (around 180 degrees or more) compared to modern AF lenses, and most are built like tanks.

Although not a vintage lens, a great piece of glass for medium telephoto work is the Canon EF 85/1.8. Super low-light performance, great contrast and sharp as a tack. On the plus side, it also takes great stills. ;-)

My three go-to lenses that cover 95% of my productions now are the EF 85/1.8, the Tamron 17-50/2.8 VC, and the old Pentax 50/2. I'll be shopping for the Tonkina 11-16/2.8 very, very soon to give me a super-wide.

The Tamron is a great "walkaround" lens when I'm just out shooting various b-roll for my productions. It's nowhere near as sharp (or as fast) as a fast prime in any of its covered focal range, but more than good enough. I've shot a few productions with only that lens.

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

Harrison, it sounds like you're confused on what a prime lens is. A prime is a fixed (single) focal-length lens. I suspect you might have thought a fixed- aperture lens was a "prime", but that's not the correct terminology.

So, you either have a zoom or a prime. Zooms are almost always slower, more expensive, and not as sharp as primes in the same lens families, due to the inherent compromises to get a multi-focal-length product. BUT, it's sure nice not to have to swap out lenses on some productions.

HTH...

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

The classic lens you are missing is also the Canon 70-200 F2.8L or F.4L .... incredible lens - both of them.

I actually went with the F4 after using the 2.8 because of the weight issue - I shoot in very remote locations abroad. On the 7D this will give you top end focal length and great DOF. Every pro I know with Canon will have either of these lenses!

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

well, my friend, you have to make one :) shooting and especially editing is all about making decisions;
16-35 is an amazing lens, BUT it's full frame so on 7D it'll be like 24-55, I own one and to my eye it is a better lens than 17-55, BUT there is no IS, and IS is very helpful for many different situations, BUT if you planning to upgrade to MKIII it will not fit it, BUT i hear the roomers about MKIII for the last three years :)
if you know you will be upgrading to FF camera, and unless you're planning to keep your 7D do not buy EF-S lenses, but if you not sure when, or if not sure if you will, 17-55 mm IS f2.8 wil cover 90% of your shooting ,
best,

Re: Good video lens for my 7D?
 

wait a second there, the 16-35 is a crazy wide lens for the 5d, although the field of view will be narrower for your cropped sensor, you will still have the same characteristics of a wide angle lens within that field of view.