Best Lens for the A7S for Video/Film

[nursevsfood]

Hey guys I'm new to this forum and joined since I'm having a very hard time picking a lens to use for my Sony A7s. I intend to use the camera mainly for filming vlogs, travel/food videos, and short films. I really need an expert opinion on which lens would suit this purpose the best and please give examples of test video if available. Also does any one recommend an external 4k recorder for this camera that is not as expensive as the shogun?

 

Thank you so much guys for this help I really appreciate it.

[pilsburypie]

Sorry I can't add any useful info, but I too am interested in the answer.

 

I think you'll be told the ideal lens for video will be the rather expensive Sony 28-135 f4. This is a specific video lens that I believe had direct focussing (as opposed to by wire) and also the ability to retain focus on zooming. Useful stuff for video.

 

But, for me, this is too expensive and too specialist. I shoots stills and video and wouldn't want such a beast of a lens to carry round.

 

Am I correct in thinking the A7s shoots video in full frame mode only (unlike the A7rii which seems better in super 35)? If so your focal lengths have some real meaning - 24mm = 24mm unlike a super 35 being like apsc 1.6 crop 24mm = 38mm

 

I'd also like a bit of zoom for framing, probably as you would for your travel. I'm gutted the current Sony 24-70 f4 seems like a bit of a dog.

 

Hope someone comes in with some real world advice.

[Snowfun]

Arguably, no modern lens will be a "dog" for video use. A moving image is far more forgiving than a high resolution still. Distortion any other flaws are likely to be lost in the movement and - more importantly - the story. The samyang range is excellent (manual focus) and you need to be very careful (brave?) using AF on a FF camera with its limited depth of field (rx100 or rx10 better in many respects for AF).

Others might disagree however!

[nursevsfood]

Sorry I can't add any useful info, but I too am interested in the answer.

 

I think you'll be told the ideal lens for video will be the rather expensive Sony 28-135 f4. This is a specific video lens that I believe had direct focussing (as opposed to by wire) and also the ability to retain focus on zooming. Useful stuff for video.

 

But, for me, this is too expensive and too specialist. I shoots stills and video and wouldn't want such a beast of a lens to carry round.

 

Am I correct in thinking the A7s shoots video in full frame mode only (unlike the A7rii which seems better in super 35)? If so your focal lengths have some real meaning - 24mm = 24mm unlike a super 35 being like apsc 1.6 crop 24mm = 38mm

 

I'd also like a bit of zoom for framing, probably as you would for your travel. I'm gutted the current Sony 24-70 f4 seems like a bit of a dog.

 

Hope someone comes in with some real world advice.

How is the sony 24-70 lens for film I've seen some test videos and it does not look so bad but I wasnt really impressed?

[pilsburypie]

Well I must add in right here I am what would be considered an armchair critic. I do not have or have never had any Sony equipment. I am a canon stills shooter (1Dsii with L glass) and a HD videographer with Panasonic gear. I am a very keen amateur and love getting super quality out of all I shoot. I am on the brink of moving over to Sony with the introduction of the A7rii and possibly in the not too distant future maybe a a7sii.

 

All my opinions are based on the reading I have done - and believe me, there is a lot to be read about all this gear!

 

So to answer your question I'd have to refer you to Snowfun's answer which seems pretty logical. But for me, the lens would still be a "dog" as I'd want it for stills as well and the reviews and tests have not been flattering, especially with some of the incredible glass out there. Shame really as 24-70 is such a great zoom length for a walk around on a FF camera. My Canon 24-70 is almost permanently on my 1Dsii.

[VulpineVideo]

I have to say that the 24-70 is a very good everyday lens provided you generally use autofocus. The camera can recognise faces. This combined with the fact that the lens is silent means that unlike with, say, Canons, means you can actually use the autofocus in real world situations. The drawback, however, is the focus by wire. This is a problem with all the sony FE lenses. It makes manual focus outside of studio situations next to impossible.

[FDP]

This is kind of an impossible question. There isn't a "best" lens for film, this all comes down to a long list of criteria that change for every project. Are you one person filming alone (single operator)? Are you going to be shooting with an AC (a camera assistant)? Do you need something light, or small, or something with the best sharpness, or least distortion, etc, etc. All of this being said, here are some good tips for people who are new to video and want to get the best out of their mirrorless cameras:

 

1. Get a zoom. Probably a wide zoom (16-35 might be a good start). Wide lenses are more forgiving to new operators, particularly for focus and you will also notice camera shake less on a wide lens.
2. Get another zoom. Something in the 35-70 range. Now you can shoot more flattering close-ups of actors. 
3. Shoot as much as possible. Pay attention to what focal lengths you like on your zooms. You will probably find that you prefer certain ones over others. Some people love 35mm, some people love 45 or 50 ("standard" focal length for Full Frame, not Super35 though). 85mm is popular for portraits. Just remember things will change when you switch between Super35/Crop and FF. Use your zooms to figure out what you might want to own as a prime. 
4. Buy some cheap old manual primes (the Pentax Super-Takumars in M42 mount are a reasonable place to start, they are not expensive and are fully manual). See how you feel about manual glass. People don't usually film movies with autofocus.
5. Decide what you don't like about your primes, upgrade to better ones. This could mean Cine-style primes, or it could mean higher quality still glass, this will be determined by your shooting style. Eventually you will also want a good zoom and you will have the experience to use it properly. A good zoom can be the cornerstone of a DP's kit, but only if you know how to use primes first. By  now you will have invested at least $2,000-$5,000 in some 15mm rods, a follow-focus and a matte box. You will need these to get the most out of good glass. You will probably also own a variable ND, or a set of ND filters, and a linear polarizer (although beware of mixing that with a variable ND). 

Don't try to buy the "best" first, you will just spend tons of money on glass that you will probably misuse. There are thousands of lenses in the world, and a high-end set of cinema primes could easily set you back $80,000, a high end zoom about $50,000. Nobody should own or try to use glass of that caliber out of the box. Seeing Red User types with Optimos is like watching some joker who's daddy bought them a supercar struggling to shift into the right gear.

[madara]

Anyone use the Rokinon Cine Lenses? Thoughts?