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Suggestions for Canon L-Series lenses for RED

Stephen Pruitt

Stephen Pruitt

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Hi there. . .

I originally ordered the Birger Nikon mount, but after having discussed this order with Birger, I am now changing my order to the Canon version.

Since I have exactly ZERO experience with Canon lenses, I am looking for advice for great zooms and primes in the Canon L-Series that are fast, that will both give great sharpness and bokeh, and have minimum breathing.

Although our fearless moderator has provided us with some great Nikon reviews, I'm hoping for someone who can help me with the Canon L-Series.

Thank you very much.

Stephen
 
So what did Erik say that swayed you to go Canon over Nikon?
 
Wow Jim,

That digital-picture site is great. I love those type sites. But then again I read technical journals for light reading. lol

thanks,
 
Hi there, Bill. . .

I can't say exactly why he said it (I've forgotten already!), but he DID say that while they are coming out with the Nikon mount, he is convinced that most people who end up buying the Nikon mount will eventually want to buy the Canon version. Since I play the safe bets most of the time, I'm switching to the Canon.

Keep these lens reviews coming! Thanks so much!

Stephen
 
With Canon all the lenses ca be controlled by the remote, but if if something goes wrong you have nothing. With Nikon you can have some AF-S lenses that are controlled by the remote and some older lenses that will work if the birger electronics were to fail. I'm going for Nikon.
 
Stephen Pruitt said:
Hi there. . .

I originally ordered the Birger Nikon mount, but after having discussed this order with Birger, I am now changing my order to the Canon version.

Since I have exactly ZERO experience with Canon lenses, I am looking for advice for great zooms and primes in the Canon L-Series that are fast, that will both give great sharpness and bokeh, and have minimum breathing.

Although our fearless moderator has provided us with some great Nikon reviews, I'm hoping for someone who can help me with the Canon L-Series.

Thank you very much.

Stephen
Click to expand...

Hi Stephen,

keep on the look out for the upcoming posts of the LART test as I have shot planty of photos with my 1D MARK III all with my Canon Eos L primes and the new 16-35 L II.

My favorites are the 50L 1.2 & 85 L 1.2, this super speeds are in a world of there own, incredible DOF, very narrow and fantastic Isolating power, your subject with this lenses wide open pop up like nothing else, and this shooting on a 1.3 cropping sensor, but this is close to the RED sensor so I espect similar results on it.

I will try and post some photos on the lens test site as soon as Gibby and Ken get my DVD and post.

Canon glass has come a long way, the Mark I L lenses are great but I must say the Mark II ( for the ones available) have improved tremendously.

If you come to like the Birger mount workflow with RED then do not doubt for a second that yuo will not Love the Eos L series lenses, I know I do.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com
 
The Primes are better in any format, but more so this is evident with SLR lenses as they do not have the very expensive demanding technology applied on the Cine lenses zooms such as in ARRI/ZEISS MASTERZOOM, ANGENIEUX 24-290 and Cooke's new s4's i.

The 16-35mm f/2.8L II will be tested soon on a upcoming RED/Birger test shoot (please do not ask when, I will post soon) and only then we can say how much dose this lens or the other Canon L series Zooms perform.

Primes will be sharper, faster and more expensive, Zooms will be slower, a bit less sharper (especially wide open) and will tend to vignette a little more as well.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com
 
You do not have nothing if something goes wrong.

You do not have nothing if something goes wrong.

If your Birger mount somehow dies electronically, I think that you can just take the lens off, put it on a Canon DSLR and set the f stop with the camera. Then take off the lens and put it back on your Red. If this does work, and I think I remember Erik saying something about this, then everyone should keep a Canon camera on the set as a back door to iris adjustment.
 
Sheltie Guy said:
If your Birger mount somehow dies electronically, I think that you can just take the lens off, put it on a Canon DSLR and set the f stop with the camera. Then take off the lens and put it back on your Red. If this does work, and I think I remember Erik saying something about this, then everyone should keep a Canon camera on the set as a back door to iris adjustment.
Click to expand...

Yes if you do not keep a Canon Eos SLR body with you, then you can only shoot wide open, not all lenses do great wide open, and the DOF, especially on the super speeds ( 50L 1.2 & 85L 1.2 ) is very very narrow, truly fantastic to isolate your subject, but if you need to show more then your subject... well you can't.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
 
Nikon manuals on canon

Nikon manuals on canon

Sergei said:
With Canon all the lenses ca be controlled by the remote, but if if something goes wrong you have nothing. With Nikon you can have some AF-S lenses that are controlled by the remote and some older lenses that will work if the birger electronics were to fail. I'm going for Nikon.
Click to expand...

Those manual nikons can be used on Canon with a simple (about $30) mechanical adapter. Because the flange focal distance for Nikon is a little longer you can easily adapt Nikon to Canon EOS but you can't easily adapt canon to a nikon mount. I am looking at a Fisheye Nikkor 8mm to use on my Canon with the adapter.

Best of both worlds Canon electronic plus Nikkor manual all on the same mount.
 
Hi Stephen,

I use the EOS 5D and L-series lenses. I tested not all of them, but as Jim Arthus mentioned at http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ you will find great reviews. I recommend the following set:

Zooms
· EF 16-35mm 1:2.8L II USM
· EF 24-70mm 1:2.8L USM
· EF 70-200mm 1:2.8L IS USM

Primes
· EF 14mm 1:2.8L II USM
· EF 24mm 1:1.4L USM
· EF 35mm 1:1.4L USM
· EF 50mm 1:1.2L USM
· EF 85mm 1:1.2L USM
· EF 135mm 1:2.0L USM
· EF 200mm 1:2.0L IS USM
· EF 300mm 1:2.8L IS USM
 
I wouldn't argue with any of Alexander's suggestions, but I would add the 10-22 and the 17-55 2.8, because RED's sensor is like a cropped DSLR.
 
Don't forget you can get Sigma lenses for Canon mount as well.
 
if you're using a matte box i've been told to watch out for the canon lenses that extend outward during a zoom. I dont know how critical this is, but worth checking.

Also Personally I'll be looking for lenses with IS. maybe LART will provide some answers on how IS performs on a canon/Red combo.
 
i own a lot of great canon L glass, but there is simply no lens that can beat the image of the 200mm F1.8. they don't make this any more, so you have to buy them used. and they are a bit of a specialty lens, mostly used for sports. but the images are simply gorgeous. bit of a tank, too, that lens. i can't wait to pair mine with a RED and shoot wildlife and sports. it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against RED's 300mm, which i'm also buying.....i'm putting my money on the canon (nothing against RED, i'm excited to receive the 300mm), it's simply amazing.
 
Hamlet said:
Hi Stephen,

I use the EOS 5D and L-series lenses. I tested not all of them, but as Jim Arthus mentioned at http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ you will find great reviews. I recommend the following set:

Zooms
· EF 16-35mm 1:2.8L II USM
· EF 24-70mm 1:2.8L USM
· EF 70-200mm 1:2.8L IS USM

Primes
· EF 14mm 1:2.8L II USM
· EF 24mm 1:1.4L USM
· EF 35mm 1:1.4L USM
· EF 50mm 1:1.2L USM
· EF 85mm 1:1.2L USM
· EF 135mm 1:2.0L USM
· EF 200mm 1:2.0L IS USM
· EF 300mm 1:2.8L IS USM
Click to expand...

Damn Hamlet,

Can I come over to your house and play with your toys? lol
If it makes any diferences I grew up in a town named Lake Zurich. You know, the one in Illinois.
 
Hi Chuck,

Yes, the whole set would be great, at the moment the 3 zooms are in my bag. I add a few fast primes when the Birger mount arrives.
btw, Zurich is situated by Lake Zurich! :usd:
 
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