Which lens to use with Magiqcam rig?

[Joe Abeleda]

Hi!

I'm still testing my Magiqcam rig:

http://www.magiqcam.com/products2.htm

I'm wondering which lens is best suited for a 'steadycam' type system, the 16x manual servo lens or the 16x IS II lens...?

Thanks,

Joe

[Charles Papert]

Joe:

It depends on what you plan to shoot. If autofocus is going to be useful, i.e. you will be driving close in to subjects or shooting telephoto and you will need to maintain focus, then the 16x IS will possibly be useful. Not perfect, in that autofocus isn't a substitute for accurate manual focus, but putting a hand on the lens is not an option with a mechanical stabilizer.

I personally prefer the manual lens, but I do equip it with a radio control servo for focus. At the current time such devices cost at least as much as your Magiqcam.

You will not need the IS feature on the white lens, it will "fight" with the effect of the Magiqcam.

[Rob Lohman]

Did you ever try a more wide angle lens on the XL1 with a
steadicam righ, Charles? Like the 3x for example...

[Charles Papert]

I haven't used that particular lens with the XL1 on a rig, Rob, although I am familiar with it. That would be a good one to use if you were shooting generally wide, although the mistaken impression is that Steadicam shots are always wide; not so. I use a Century .7x adaptor on my 14x Canon manual lens regularly.