Do lens reviews NOT apply to 5DmkII video shooting? at DVinfo.net

Glen Elliott · May 4th, 2009, 01:29 AM

I read reviews on several lenses over the past few weeks notably about the 50 1.2L. I heard that sharpness is an issue under F2. However I just got done a shoot (posted stills in another thread recently) and found it to be razor sharp wide open the whole time.

Is this because of the "low" resolution of 1080p video compared to say a full res shot from a 20 megapixel cam? Does the relatively low resolution of the video acquisition make some of the complaints about various glass moot?

Chris Barcellos · May 4th, 2009, 01:43 AM

I have been thinking the same thing. In most situations, I think decent humble glass is enough.

Jon Fairhurst · May 4th, 2009, 02:04 AM

Glen,

You're exactly right. For 1080p video, lens sharpness isn't as critical as for stills. In fact, you might want to defocus a bit to reduce the chance of moire.

So, what matters? A large aperture. Good contrast when wide open. A lack of falloff in the corners. No funny color stuff.

Lens flare and coma *might* matter less for video than stills, depending on taste. On a still picture, reflections in the lens can cause a blot on the photo. If the blot covers the eyes or a smile, the photo is ruined. Sometimes, the reflection just lowers contrast in part of the photo, but that can harm the photo as well.

In video, the camera and/or subject are moving. The audience sees the lens flare move across the image. It comes and goes as the train passes between the lens and the sun. Motion separates the effect from the content, so it becomes it's own artistic entity.

Then again, if flare is wrong for the emotional context of the scene, use a mattebox and keep from pointing at the sun.

So, yeah, I've learned to ignore the sharpness reviews, but pay close attention to falloff and chromatic aberrations.

One thing that's important to us is a lack a breathing when pulling focus. Few reviewers mention it, let alone test it. Oh well...

Toenis Liivamaegi · May 4th, 2009, 02:16 AM

I find it to be general rule that zoom lenses breathe much more than prime lenses and specially so with hyperzoom lenses.

T

May 4th, 2009, 01:29 AM	#1
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	Do lens reviews NOT apply to 5DmkII video shooting? I read reviews on several lenses over the past few weeks notably about the 50 1.2L. I heard that sharpness is an issue under F2. However I just got done a shoot (posted stills in another thread recently) and found it to be razor sharp wide open the whole time. Is this because of the "low" resolution of 1080p video compared to say a full res shot from a 20 megapixel cam? Does the relatively low resolution of the video acquisition make some of the complaints about various glass moot? __________________ Glen Elliott Cord 3 Films

May 4th, 2009, 01:43 AM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	I have been thinking the same thing. In most situations, I think decent humble glass is enough. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

May 4th, 2009, 02:04 AM	#3
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Glen, You're exactly right. For 1080p video, lens sharpness isn't as critical as for stills. In fact, you might want to defocus a bit to reduce the chance of moire. So, what matters? A large aperture. Good contrast when wide open. A lack of falloff in the corners. No funny color stuff. Lens flare and coma might matter less for video than stills, depending on taste. On a still picture, reflections in the lens can cause a blot on the photo. If the blot covers the eyes or a smile, the photo is ruined. Sometimes, the reflection just lowers contrast in part of the photo, but that can harm the photo as well. In video, the camera and/or subject are moving. The audience sees the lens flare move across the image. It comes and goes as the train passes between the lens and the sun. Motion separates the effect from the content, so it becomes it's own artistic entity. Then again, if flare is wrong for the emotional context of the scene, use a mattebox and keep from pointing at the sun. So, yeah, I've learned to ignore the sharpness reviews, but pay close attention to falloff and chromatic aberrations. One thing that's important to us is a lack a breathing when pulling focus. Few reviewers mention it, let alone test it. Oh well... __________________ Jon Fairhurst

May 4th, 2009, 02:16 AM	#4
Toenis Liivamaegi Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 579	I find it to be general rule that zoom lenses breathe much more than prime lenses and specially so with hyperzoom lenses. T