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Should I buy a Canon 50mm 1.8 for video?
No! The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II is not a good video lens because it is nearly impossible to use the manual focus ring without either showing your fingers in the frame or shaking the camera. The focus ring is too small and too close to the front element as you can see below!
A better solution is to get the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM.
chief astronomer at planet5D LLC
Mitch "planetMitch" Aunger is the creator and mastermind behind planet5D.com — which covers every aspect of HDSLR cameras (and a whole lot of other cameras as well). A lover of photography since his early days, he graduated to selling stock photos to make a little bit of spare cash. It wasn’t much, but it allowed him to upgrade to better cameras as well as computers, and it wasn’t taking money away from feeding his family.
He loves the stories that the still image can tell. In the summer of 2008, he read a story written by Arnold Kim called “I Quit My Job” — Arn is the owner of macrumors.com. He started macrumors in 2000 as a hobby, and by 2008 he was making more money with the site than he was on his day job, so he quit. The surprise to the story is that he was a doctor making more than six figures! Right then and there, planetMitch dreamed about doing the same thing.
September 2008 rolled around, and Canon announced this new version of the incredible 5D — the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. It was the first Canon DSLR to shoot full HD video and the earth moved! (It really was a huge deal in the photography world.) planetMitch knew if there was ever a chance to ride a wave of something he was really passionate about, this was it — and the blog at planet5D.com was born. It is now one of the most popular HDSLR blogs on the planet, and he is making a full-time living from blogging. He couldn’t be happier!
He loves the stories that the still image can tell. In the summer of 2008, he read a story written by Arnold Kim called “I Quit My Job” — Arn is the owner of macrumors.com. He started macrumors in 2000 as a hobby, and by 2008 he was making more money with the site than he was on his day job, so he quit. The surprise to the story is that he was a doctor making more than six figures! Right then and there, planetMitch dreamed about doing the same thing.
September 2008 rolled around, and Canon announced this new version of the incredible 5D — the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. It was the first Canon DSLR to shoot full HD video and the earth moved! (It really was a huge deal in the photography world.) planetMitch knew if there was ever a chance to ride a wave of something he was really passionate about, this was it — and the blog at planet5D.com was born. It is now one of the most popular HDSLR blogs on the planet, and he is making a full-time living from blogging. He couldn’t be happier!
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A Canon 50mm 1.8 would work fine if you were using a friction-based follow focus. This way you aren’t touching the focus ring directly. Just my two cents…
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LikeDislikeCan you point us toward a follow focus that would work? All the friction ones I know have their wheel too big for the 50f1.8
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LikeDislikeThe nikon 50mm 1.8 is a good alternative. I’ve bought it for my t1i (when no manual video mode was possible) Because it still has an aperture ring. But you have to buy a nikon to canon lens adapter.
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LikeDislikeThere are a couple of setups that one can use for the Canon 50mm 1.8
The first, is using a geared follow focus as seen on this website: www.sinusdigitalus.de/2010/05/04/dfocus-pro-lens-gear-setup-on-the-canon-50mm-f1-8-ii-lens/
and this one as well (French): www.christophemilet.com/?p=1012
I use a friction focus wheel that I found on this site: www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?185853-DIY-Gearless-Follow-Focus
It is DIY, but it works very well.
If you’ll notice, both setups have one thing in common; they use an elastic band(rubber band) as a means to create friction on the focus ring. Give a try, I know it works for me…
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LikeDislikeInteresting solution Gerrick, thanks for the links!
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LikeDislikeRE: 50mm 1.8
If using version ii of the “nifty-fifty” then the answer is a resounding no! HOWEVER look around for a previously enjoyed version i of the lens (50mm mk1) with the steel mounting ring – I have one (along with a similar version of the 28mm 2.8) then you are golden. They both have the focus ring in the middle of the lens barrel and is completely manageable. The only caveat though, is that on an APS-C sensor (7D, 60D etc.,) the 50mm ends up being an 85mm – and hence why I got myself a 28mm which works out to around 45mm- which is close to the 50mm. For each of these lenses I paid $150. On a side note I also use the 50mm as a portrait lens on my 7D for stills, and let me tell you that this lens is insane on the the sharpness/colour/contrast!!! Just remembered too, that Sigma makes (or at least used to) a 30mm 1.4 macro – which is also good.
hope this helps someone
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LikeDislikeJames, the comment was regarding the Mark ii version since the first version is quite hard to get now and not a lot of people are aware of it. If you have one, keep it!
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LikeDislikeConsider some non Canon older glass. Picked up a 50 year old 50mm 1.4 Super Takumar for $100 and used it extensively on my first 7D short. vimeo.com/23634937 It has great focus action.
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LikeDislikeHi Eco…
just wondering your takumar lens – is that the old FD mount from the old canon’s or did u have to get some sort of adapter? Also, if it is an FD mount, what has been your experience using them? Any direction on the matter would be greatly appreciated. BTW, is the barbershop on St. Claire – I think i might have walked by it once?
thanks
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LikeDislikeYES!!!! It is a BRILLIANT lens for video work for someone with a budget. After filming with a 7D, a viewfinder and the 50mm f1.8 in London for a day, focusing is easy without a follow focus.
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LikeDislikeWould the indisystems indifocuszoom not work? It’s friction based and less than $100 and mounts on rails, and while it doesn’t look like it allows for vertical adjustment, it looks like an excellent and affordable solution. I too have this lens and have been considering getting the unit but I haven’t found anyone that has used one. Link here… www.indisystem.com/indifocuszoom/
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LikeDislikeI dont think it would work because the focus ring on the 1.8 is so small and does not have a flat shape. We would need confirmation from someone who owns both I guess!
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LikeDislikeAhhhh! I want it but I need it to be 100% compatible with my ‘nifty’. I may just give in and buy it in a week or so. It’s getting to the point where I look at it at least once a day haha. If I end up caving, I will most certainly give you guys and update on whether or not it works with the nifty fifty. It’s just such an affordable option, it’s GOT TO WORK! Lol.
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LikeDislikeOkay guys, I haven’t bought the indisystem unit yet. However, I ran across this video of a guy that is using his Fotga DP500 ff on a Canon 50mm 1.8. He claims it works fine and judging by his video, I must agree. I’m not sure if he is using the rubber band method or not, but I am quite excited to see a follow focus being used on this lens. Video is here… www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZYt5JMl5JY&feature=related Hope you guys find this helpful!
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