Run and gun, handheld zoom lens options?

[ShaunMavronicolas]

I realize this information is scattered all over the forum, and I have visited this in the past.... I am hoping, however, now with the much larger community, that you would be willing to share what have you found to really work well here in this thread.

F2.8 seems to be the fastest aperture available. I have a Canon mount Scarlet, but would be willing to go PL, but on a budget of under $2000 (used lens).

The hope is to be able to zoom fully in, focus and then be able to zoom in/out maintaining focus, similar to other ENG cameras, or is this simply wishful... which seems to be the case but I would really appreciate what you have found with your setups.

What are you using for your run and gun setup when it comes to lenses plus ways to do focus? Are there better suited used lenses like the Angenieux 28 - 70mm F2.6 Zoom (if you can find them) for this kind of application?

Many thanks.

 

[stu aull]

I think you will find that most decent stills glass zooms are parafocal (maintaining focus thru zoom). But some do not so worth confirming. Canon is. I bought the Tamron f2.8 24-70 as my all-rounder R&G and am very pleased. Also parafocal. Tests on release (June) favorably compared to the V1 Canon 24-70 optically. Plus, the Tamron has IS, tho not enabled (yet) on my Scarlet. Iris control is fine tho.
It was $1200 new, which is nice comp'd to a used Canon at that price. More plastic bits but I am the only user and I am careful so not worried. Obv some compromises at 1/2 price, but figured better than a used Canon with unknown history or care.
AND
Something I have done to increase the flexibility on this lens is:
- bought a slip-on front wide angle glass piece (Century optics - well known in ENG world) that effectively doubles wide - angle viewing with no (!!) vignetting. Makes quick field changes a breeze. I should mention I have a sweet 11-16 Tokina too, so I am not adverse to a "proper" wide angle when time permits... but the Attachment really makes for quick on-off work, and the zoom works thru the whole range, as does the autofocus.
-programmed in a "2K" setting on one of the buttons on the camera (in my case one of the 2 assignables on the BOMB). this effectively acts as a Teleconverter a la the lever on our Old School Canon and Fuji Broadcast zooms, since it doubles the focal length of the lense. Caveat: obv this is for _HD_ shooting scenarios!!!
Btw these 2 methods I can really have some quick-field options for R&G work

Stu Aull
SX 199
Alaska

 

[DL Fitch]

+1 on the Tamron 24-70, but PLEASE will RED enable support for IS? That would make it the best lens in that range IMO, the stabilization mode in handheld looks great on my 5D...