What lens are you using with your Stabilizer? at DVinfo.net

Owen Dawe · May 26th, 2006, 02:40 AM

Shooters with the canon xl1, xl1s, or xl2 using a steadicam such as Cody's. What lens are you using? The 16x or do I need to buy the 3x lens?

Mikko Wilson · May 26th, 2006, 01:53 PM

Lens choice is an artistic (and sometimes techincal) choice depending on the needs of the shot. The support used shouldn't have any effect on lens choice.
That beeing said, you don't *normally* want to zoom in too far on a stabilizer (or most moving shots for that matter) because of magnification of any shake that is present.

So no, unless your shot requires it (for example; you are in a very tight space and want to shoot very wide) there is no need to buy a special lens for use with a stabilizer.

- Mikko

Owen Dawe · May 26th, 2006, 05:20 PM

Thank you Mikko. Much appreciated.

Rob Mitchell · May 30th, 2006, 09:01 AM

I agree with Mikko. The choice is artistic, but the 3X makes your shots a lot smoother and easier to do. A lot depends on your skill level too. I would hardly call myself pro at it, but I've had some amazing shots using the Magiqcam and the Canon 3X lens. I also found the money well spent on the lens as I use it in so many tight spots that I wonder how I did without it before.

Mikko Wilson · May 30th, 2006, 11:00 AM

I'll follow up and agree that the 3X from Canon, as most Wide angle lenses, is very usefull in a lot of shooting environments. So many spaces are so tight, it makes me wonder why camera makers always put huge zooms on withtou regard for that important wide angle shot.
But again, that has no relation to whether your camera is handheld, on sticks or on a stabilizer.

- Mikko

Owen Dawe · May 31st, 2006, 01:16 AM

Thanks Mikko and Rob. I always knew I needed a 3x wide angle lens :o) Now I've a good excuse to go and buy one!!! Now all I have to do is convince my wife (grin)

Richard Lewis · May 31st, 2006, 04:09 PM

Try not to get stuck in wide angle...it all looks so...boring.

I love using a longer lens. Try tracking around someone on MCU from about 6m away, if you pull it off, it looks beautiful. Focus can be an issue tho.

Rick.

May 26th, 2006, 02:40 AM	#1
Owen Dawe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand Posts: 244	What lens are you using with your Stabilizer? Shooters with the canon xl1, xl1s, or xl2 using a steadicam such as Cody's. What lens are you using? The 16x or do I need to buy the 3x lens? __________________ Owen

May 26th, 2006, 01:53 PM	#2
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	Lens choice is an artistic (and sometimes techincal) choice depending on the needs of the shot. The support used shouldn't have any effect on lens choice. That beeing said, you don't normally want to zoom in too far on a stabilizer (or most moving shots for that matter) because of magnification of any shake that is present. So no, unless your shot requires it (for example; you are in a very tight space and want to shoot very wide) there is no need to buy a special lens for use with a stabilizer. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

May 26th, 2006, 05:20 PM	#3
Owen Dawe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand Posts: 244	Thank you Mikko. Much appreciated. __________________ Owen

May 30th, 2006, 11:00 AM	#5
Mikko Wilson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Juneau, Alaska, USA Posts: 624	I'll follow up and agree that the 3X from Canon, as most Wide angle lenses, is very usefull in a lot of shooting environments. So many spaces are so tight, it makes me wonder why camera makers always put huge zooms on withtou regard for that important wide angle shot. But again, that has no relation to whether your camera is handheld, on sticks or on a stabilizer. - Mikko __________________ Mikko Wilson - Steadicam Owner / Operator - Juneau, Alaska, USA +1 (907) 321-8387 - mikkowilson@hotmail.com - www.mikkowilson.com

May 31st, 2006, 01:16 AM	#6
Owen Dawe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand Posts: 244	Thanks Mikko and Rob. I always knew I needed a 3x wide angle lens :o) Now I've a good excuse to go and buy one!!! Now all I have to do is convince my wife (grin) __________________ Owen

May 30th, 2006, 09:01 AM	#4
Rob Mitchell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Miami Beach, FL Posts: 38	I agree with Mikko. The choice is artistic, but the 3X makes your shots a lot smoother and easier to do. A lot depends on your skill level too. I would hardly call myself pro at it, but I've had some amazing shots using the Magiqcam and the Canon 3X lens. I also found the money well spent on the lens as I use it in so many tight spots that I wonder how I did without it before.

May 31st, 2006, 04:09 PM	#7
Richard Lewis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manchester and Kent, UK Posts: 256	Try not to get stuck in wide angle...it all looks so...boring. I love using a longer lens. Try tracking around someone on MCU from about 6m away, if you pull it off, it looks beautiful. Focus can be an issue tho. Rick. __________________ Richard Lewis. Steadicam Owner / Operator