Photo Lenses for Video
Posted by Roger Cicala
Lens Recommendations
This list isn’t the coolest lenses or the best special effects lenses or the sharpest lenses. This is a list of lenses that give nice sharp images, work well, don’t cause frequent problems, and don’t require special alterations of technique.
Canon SLR Cameras
Full-Frame (e.g. 5D II)
- Prime lenses: Zeiss CP.2 or ZE 21mm, 35mm, 50mm f2.0 Makro, 85mm, 100mm f2.0 Makro, Canon 14mm f2.8, 24mm f1.4 II, 35mm f1.4, 100mm f2.8 IS Macro, 135mm f/2.0, 200mm f/2.8, 300 f4 IS
- Zoom lenses: 16-35 f2.8, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 Non IS or IS I
- Special effects: Canon 24mm f3.5 TS-E, Schneider 28mm Super Angulon, Sigma 15mm fisheye
Crop-Frame (e.g. 7D)
- Prime lenses: as above, also Zeiss ZE 18mm f3.5 and ZE 28mm f2.0
- Zoom lenses: as above. Also Tokina 11-16 f2.8, Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS EF-S
- Special effects: as above, also Sigma 10mm fisheye, Sigma 8-16 DC.
Nikon SLR Cameras
Full-Frame (e.g. D3s)
- Prime Lenses: ZF Cine Set, ZF.2 21mm 35mm, 50mm f2.0 Makro, 85mm f1.4, 100mm f2.0 Makro
- Nikon 24mm f1.4 II, 35mm f1.4 G, 50mm f1.4 G, 85 f1.4 G
- Zoom lenses: Nikon 14-24 f2.8 G, 28-70 f2.8, 24-120 f4 VR G, 70-200 f2.8 VR I
- Special effect: Any Nikon PC-E, Sigma 15mm fisheye
Crop-Frame (e.g. D300s, D7000)
- Prime lenses: as above, also Zeiss ZF.2 18mm f3.5 and 28mm f2.0
- Zoom lenses: as above. Also Tokina 11-16 f2.8, Nikon 17-55 f2.8
- Special effects: as above, also Sigma 10mm fisheye, Sigma 8-16 DC.
Micro 4/3 mount cameras (e.g. Panasonic AG AF100)
- Prime lenses: Panasonic 14mm f2.5 ASPH, Panasonic 20mm f1.7, Panasonic 45mm f2
- Zoom lenses: Panasonic 7-14mm f4
- Special effect: Panasonic 8mm fisheye
- Used with 4/3 to Micro 4/3 adapter: Olympus 14-35 f2.0, Panasonic/Leica 25mm f1.4, Olympus 35-100 f2.0
- Used with Leica to Micro 4/3 adapter: All Leica M mount lenses
Sony NEX mount cameras
- We do not recommend any NEX lenses.
- Used with Leica to NEX adapter: Leica M mount lenses
- Used with Sony alpha to NEX adapter: Sigma 8-16, Sony 24mm f2, Sony-Zeiss 85mm f1.4 Sony Zeiss 24-70 f2.8
There are many, many other excellent lenses, particularly when you don’t mind using adapters and pulling focus. The above were chosen because they are user-friendly without too many peculiarities or weaknesses. Our staff will be happy to go into more detail about any specific lens you are considering. Just email us at support@lensrentals.com.
19 Responses to “Photo Lenses for Video”
144Jim said:
“This list isn’t the coolest lenses or the best special effects lenses or the sharpest lenses. This is a list of lenses that give nice sharp images, work well, don’t cause frequent problems, and don’t require special alterations of technique.”
THANK YOU!
Jason Attaman said:
will you consider a blog post “Video lenses for photo?”
Roger Cicala said:
Actually I’ve been thinking about just that. There are a few interesting combinations worth a quick blog.
Michael Underwood said:
What an awesome article. I have been trying to figure out which of my Canon lenses are parfocal for a while now. Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!
Nick Junkersfeld said:
This is a great piece of reference material, thanks for posting. I do have one inquiry however, I’ve heard that the older Tokina/Angenieux AT-X PRO 28-70 f2.6-2.8 is also a parfocal lens, is it possible that deserves inclusion here or can you confirm it is NOT a parfocal lens? Thanks!
Roger Cicala said:
Nick, I don’t have information on that lens, although older designs are more likely to be parfocal than newer lenses.
Roger
Alex said:
The Tokina AT-X Pro 28-80mm 1:2.8 lens is parfocal, and it is also internal focus and internal zoom… I know this as I have one, (although it ‘really’ needs a service… parfocals are like that I believe… the BMW’s of lenses…) Hope the service doesn’t cost more than the lens though!
Jacob said:
My 24-105L is definitely parfocal. I’ve been reading that most of the Canon L series zooms are parfocal except for a couple, along with a few standard ones.
Photoxication said:
I can also attest to the fact that the 24-105L is parfocal. The zoom/focus rings are a bit tight to turn, we’ll see how this changes once I use it a bit more over the years. Definitely a keeper, even though there is a bit of barrel/pincushion distortion throughout it’s range. Sharp wide open.
Eugene Powers said:
I guess according to you Sigma 12-24mm (both versions) is not compatible with my 5D2.
What a shame I guess I have to put it on the shelf and just enjoy looking at it.
Eugene Powers said:
I don’t think 24-105mm is parfocal but it changes focus very little with the zoom so as far as video it could be considered as parfocal. Nevertheless it does change focus with the zoom.
Roger Cicala said:
Eugene,
I’m not sure where you got that – the article doesn’t have anything about compatibility in it. The Sigma 12-24 (both versions) are certainly compatible with the 5D II.
Buck Brinson said:
Tamron 17-50 2.8 and Sigma 50-150 2.8 are parafocal and work well for video.
Harry Rabin said:
I don’t believe that any of the 4 Canon 70-200 zooms are parfocal. At least that is what I have read in several articles. Also the 24-105 is varifocal but minimal OOF issues compared to other Canon L Glass like the 24-70
Roger Cicala said:
This article is now a bit dated and I just want to point out to everyone that lenses that appeared parfocal on a camera with, say, a 2/3″ sensor may show themselves WAAAAYYYYY not parfocal when you’re filming on a full-frame sensor. Depth of field is dramatically different nowadays.
Chris Lawes said:
So… this list does not apply when using full frame cameras? What about smaller sensors above 2/3″ like APS-C?
Sami said:
The new EF 24-70mm 4L IS is parfocal -(at least very close).
Richy Lacey said:
The Tamron 17-50/2.8 I own definitely isn’t parfocal. There are fairly dramatic shifts in focus between wide and long. Or at least there were until the zoom ring broke…