My favorite lens

Robert Benda · December 27th, 2013, 01:26 PM

I'm editing footage and have come to realize that, of all our zooms we use when filming a ceremony, this one is my favorite based entirely on how it looks.

An old Sears Pentax mount 70-210 f/4. And it cost $35. The color, the compression... that I could afford f/4 all the way through a zoom.

Of course, with a mount adaptor, it's a huge pain in the butt since you're just as likely to unscrew it from the mount as you are to adjust focus, but I usually use it for the locked off camera in the back. And of course, no image stabilization.

Anyone else?

_____
RNB wedding videography

Jeff Harper · December 27th, 2013, 03:02 PM

In my limited experience with old manual lenses I found I liked them mostly outdoors. For indoor wedding work I stongly preferred the newer lenses. The Canon FD line of lenses gave me some nice images in the park, etc., but for indoor use they seemed too warm and unsharp.

The Canon FD 135 F/2.5 was not a particularly great lens but I really enjoyed using it outdoors, had a very filmic feel to it. Very soft lens so it was a challenge to focus. Amazing portrait lens under the right conditions, which is when it's softness was a huge benefit.

Arthur Gannis · December 27th, 2013, 03:42 PM

The screw mount Takumar series of pentax lenses were tops and still are, I use 3 of my favorites quite often. The 35mm F2 SMC Takumar, the 50mm MC F1.4 and my favorite for outdoor the 85-210 F4.5 SMC.
The 35 I do the entire reception with. the 50mm for church and the zoom for outdoor work. All 3 costed used less than $250. I use the Canon 5D2.

Mark Von Lanken · December 27th, 2013, 04:54 PM

For outdoor ceremonies, I really like the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 3.5. The image looks incredible. The draw backs are a lack of image stabilization and it's not para focal. Another vintage zoom I like for the ceremony is the Nikon 100-300 f4, but again no IS. The need of IS, especially on windy days and the convenience of a para focal lens, we finally gave in and bought a couple of Canon 70-200 2.8 IS lenses which are outstanding lenses, they just cost a little more than the vintage zooms. ;-)

December 27th, 2013, 01:26 PM	#1
Robert Benda Trustee Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Crookston, MN Posts: 1,353	My favorite lens - Canon DSLR shooter I'm editing footage and have come to realize that, of all our zooms we use when filming a ceremony, this one is my favorite based entirely on how it looks. Vimeo An old Sears Pentax mount 70-210 f/4. And it cost $35. The color, the compression... that I could afford f/4 all the way through a zoom. Of course, with a mount adaptor, it's a huge pain in the butt since you're just as likely to unscrew it from the mount as you are to adjust focus, but I usually use it for the locked off camera in the back. And of course, no image stabilization. Anyone else? _____ RNB wedding videography

December 27th, 2013, 03:02 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: My favorite lens - Canon DSLR shooter In my limited experience with old manual lenses I found I liked them mostly outdoors. For indoor wedding work I stongly preferred the newer lenses. The Canon FD line of lenses gave me some nice images in the park, etc., but for indoor use they seemed too warm and unsharp. The Canon FD 135 F/2.5 was not a particularly great lens but I really enjoyed using it outdoors, had a very filmic feel to it. Very soft lens so it was a challenge to focus. Amazing portrait lens under the right conditions, which is when it's softness was a huge benefit.

December 27th, 2013, 03:42 PM	#3
Arthur Gannis Major Player Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey USA Posts: 504	Re: My favorite lens - Canon DSLR shooter The screw mount Takumar series of pentax lenses were tops and still are, I use 3 of my favorites quite often. The 35mm F2 SMC Takumar, the 50mm MC F1.4 and my favorite for outdoor the 85-210 F4.5 SMC. The 35 I do the entire reception with. the 50mm for church and the zoom for outdoor work. All 3 costed used less than $250. I use the Canon 5D2.

December 27th, 2013, 04:54 PM	#4
Mark Von Lanken Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 910	Re: My favorite lens - Canon DSLR shooter For outdoor ceremonies, I really like the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 3.5. The image looks incredible. The draw backs are a lack of image stabilization and it's not para focal. Another vintage zoom I like for the ceremony is the Nikon 100-300 f4, but again no IS. The need of IS, especially on windy days and the convenience of a para focal lens, we finally gave in and bought a couple of Canon 70-200 2.8 IS lenses which are outstanding lenses, they just cost a little more than the vintage zooms. ;-) __________________ Mark Von Lanken www.VonWeddingFilms.com