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Scarlet W lens recommendaiton

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Carl Epstein

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Hello, I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion for my first lens. I am working on a preorder for the Scarlet W with EF mount and currently dont own any glass. I am looking for just a general all around lens for some indoor and outdoor shooting. It's just a hobby for now but would like to progress in the future. I am thinking of a budget in the 2k range. I am wondering about IS? The Canon 16 35 may be a good option with that sensor size but no IS. I am looking into using the Ronin for walking and shooting so I am not sure if I even need IS. 24-70? etc
Also is IS a must have for hand held. I am not much of a tripod shooter. More walk and stop to shoot.

Thanks Carl
 
My first lens was a canon 16-35 and I love it. However with a 2.8 you will loose the ability to work in some low light situations. IS works a bit differently on red cameras, and I quickly realized I wanted prime lenses for most of my work. If you are looking for a lightweight lens there are some inexpensive "prime" lens sets out there.. Heck you could prob get a set of rokinons which is a popular starter cine lens.
I ended up buying a very expensive set if glass that I use all the time and manage to rent often as well. But if I had the chance I would prob start with a set of these

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/search?N=11185210&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi

same lenses they shot the demo for the raven with

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6mh8_L4I5o0

if you need a basic all in one zoom the 16-35 or 24-70mm are both good choices
 
Does anyone know if it is better to go with a lens designed for smaller than full frame? From reading on the Red site it have the impression the lens designed for a smaller sensor funnels the full field of light onto the sensor where as a full frame sensor you are only using the center portion of light therefore getting less light per photosite on sensor?
Also any opinion of since I am starting from no experience would it be better to just skip the auto focus all together and learn manual focus?
 
that is the starter set I was referring too Carl. I know people who are quite happy with the results, and they are lighter weight than some or the more expensive "prime" lenses

this is their more "pro" set http://www.adorama.com/RKXK3MFT.html?hotlink=t&svfor=5m&gclid=CIrT3tbo7coCFc6RHwodyNYIow

this is the set i own http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893499-REG/Canon_EF_Cinema_Prime_Lens.html/prm/alsVwDtl

for your budget i would go for the rokinon you mentioned, but once again these lenses cannot be controlled with Fool Control, a very handy app that runs with the red cameras
 
I have had the last 2 versions of the canon 16-35 and it's my favourite lens for my 5D3 - stills and video. I didn't find it needed IS as it's a short enough focal length to handhold. It's the lens I always keep on the camera - so I think it's great for a walkaround/everyday use, and of course landscape. I wouldn't use it for interviews though, especially at 16mm (warped, elongated people etc). I find it also puts you a little too close to the interviewee even at 35mm.


If you do consider it, consider this: It looks like the new version3 is due out VERY soon: http://www.canonrumors.com/another-mention-of-an-ef-16-35mm-f2-8l-iii/
 
You mentioned having only 1 lens. On the Scarlet-W, I would personally say an F2.8 24-70 is the most versatile range - either Canon or Tamron (which has stabilization which is useful). For me, I mainly film people, so a long zoom is a must.

16-35mm is just too wide for proper portraits, IMO.

On my Sony FS7, with Speed Booster which turns it into a full-frame 5D like camera, the Canon 24-105 f4 IS, became an f2.8 17-75 which was insanely versatile. I'm going to miss Speed Booster greatly.

A decent compromise is the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8. Great lens and you get the wide, but not quite enough zoom for the portrait look I like to get, but you get a decent wide.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I do like the Xeen set of 3. It seems over the budget but I may have to do it since I dont think it makes much sense to get this level camera and put a cheap lens on it.
What do you think about walking around in a park and switching lenses. Dirt on the sensor etc. In the field like a dusty dirt area or in the woods I would think I will be changing lenses a lot since I dont have a studio environment to pre set shots. Does it make sense to use a zoom in that scenario?
 
i think you should probably start with a lens you can use in many situations, like some have said a good 24-70mm is a good start. and plenty of people use those sort of lenses on red cameras, plus u can play with the focus and other lens features on fool control. then maybe rent a nice set of lenses for a project and see how it works for you. I like my prime lenses but I use my zoom lenses a lot too. specially if I'm going solo
 
Carl Epstein said:
Thanks for all the replies. I do like the Xeen set of 3. It seems over the budget but I may have to do it since I dont think it makes much sense to get this level camera and put a cheap lens on it.
What do you think about walking around in a park and switching lenses. Dirt on the sensor etc. In the field like a dusty dirt area or in the woods I would think I will be changing lenses a lot since I dont have a studio environment to pre set shots. Does it make sense to use a zoom in that scenario?
Click to expand...

Field work is what zoom lenses excel at. Using primes on rapidly changing shots means missing the shoot. And constantly changing lenses does introduce the risk of pollutants inside the camera.

Primes are fine outside, but generally work a bit better if you have a bit of time and control over the situation.
 
Well let me say that I have shot with canon L's for years.....before I even started shooting Red. But after seeing the Carrion video with the Raven, I bought some Milvus primes and another Reduser recommended that I also purchase the Sigma art 18-35. OMG!!!! The Milvus is just amazing and the Sigma art is amazingly beautiful to be a zoom. That being said.......my last canon Ls were sold on ebay. At some point you will need both zooms and primes depending on the job. But the budget will dictate alot of things. Hope this helps....definitely research the Milvus primes and the sigma art lenses (sigma art 18-35)
 
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I have a pre-order for a Scarlet W and also have a lens type question. I have a lot of Nikon lenses from still shooting, most are on the list of supported, but notice that there seems to be a preference for Canon lenses. I am considering getting a set of Milvus and wonder if there is some benefit to switching to Canon for my upcoming Red camera? I also have a few (3) PL lenses (Sony) and like the mount and long focus throw, so that is another option to get the PL mount and add to the PL collection (Xeen). Any recommendations would be appreciated. Do you think that Red will continue to support new Nikon lenses in the future or are they moving away from this since the support clearly seems to favor Canon?
 
For scarlet-w there is still the option for Nikon mount, canon mount or PL. No reason to abandon your older lenses. As far as canon mount, seems like lots of companies even angieniux are taking canon mounts into consideration
 
yeah, my camera house told me they have EF mounts for all their angeniuex zooms, 24-290, 15-40, 45-120, etc.
so they said i can rent those when i need them.
to own, i cant see a better deal then the sigma 18-35, unless that new canon 16-35mm comes out and some how tops it, but canon lenses dont seem to be parfocal and the sigma does. so im hoping the sigma has a compliment to the 18-35 by nab.
until then ill use a few contax zeiss primes and my canon 70-200.
i love the milvus lenses but for 1-2k each, for a prime, to own, id probably only rent those. keep your overhead low!
 
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