What lens to use? The Sweet 16 celebration for my granddaughter is the following Saturday. In a previous post I explained that I will be taking videos. I was told by some members that...

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

The Sweet 16 celebration for my granddaughter is the following Saturday. In a previous post I explained that I will be taking videos. I was told by some members that my 7D MK II will work quite well, so my question is, which one of these lens would be the best all around for video in an club atmosphere:

Canon 50mm 1:1.4 AF/MF
Canon 70-200 1:2.8L IS USM II
Canon 24-105L 1:4 IS USM

I played around the house with each but it's hard to simulate the distances inside, and the atmosphere of the club. Should I use the same settings as if I were taking pictures?

Thanks for all advice and suggestions.
Cookie

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Cookie223 wrote:

The Sweet 16 celebration for my granddaughter is t... (show quote)

It would be nice to have the flexibility of a zoom, but unless the club is extradorinarily well-lighted, you’ll need all the low light performance and fastest lens you have (50 f1.4). Just my opinion...

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

Cookie223 wrote:

The Sweet 16 celebration for my granddaughter is t... (show quote)

For video, 24-105 as it is most flexible as long as it does not "focus breathe" (google it).

For video, cranking the ISO is fine so any of these lenses will do. (For photos the 50mm 1.4 )

Using a tripod or gimbal or handheld?
200 is too long for video without a tripod

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

TriX wrote:

It would be nice to have the flexibility of a zoom, but unless the club is extradorinarily well-lighted, you’ll need all the low light performance and fastest lens you have (50 f1.4). Just my opinion...

Thanks TriX, I’m still contemplating using a Sony XR 200 camcorder. It’s small, light, and has IS mode. The problem is downloading the video from it to a DVD. It’s about 13 years old but takes good videos.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

crazydaddio wrote:

For video, 24-105 as it is most flexible as long as it does not "focus breathe" (google it).

For video, cranking the ISO is fine so any of these lenses will do. (For photos the 50mm 1.4 )

Using a tripod or gimbal or handheld?
200 is too long for video without a tripod

Thanks Daddio
Due to the amount of teenagers jumping around a tripod might be a disaster in the making. I do have a good monopod that I could use.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Cookie223 wrote:

Thanks TriX, I’m still contemplating using a Sony XR 200 camcorder. It’s small, light, and has IS mode. The problem is downloading the video from it to a DVD. It’s about 13 years old but takes good videos.

I can’t speak for the 7D2, but most Canon bodies (including my 5D3) will (suprisingly) not AF as you zoom. To zoom, You have to stop the exposure, zoom and then restart so that you re-AF at the new FL. It’s in the manual, but you have to look for it. For that reason, and the fact that video cameras typically have a smooth auto zoom rather than the jerky manual zoom of your DSLR, I typically choose a video camera when zooming is involved rather than my DSLR. There’s also a time limit for a single video clip on DSLRs which isn’t the case with video cameras, although this may not apply to your situation. Also, most modern video cameras are a lot lighter than your 7D2 - not a trivial matter if you’re planning on holding the camera up (without shaking) for extended periods - for that reason alone, the 70-200 is a non-starter, at least for me. What is the storage media for your video camera?

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

TriX wrote:

Also, most modern video cameras are a lot lighter than your 7D2 - not a trivial matter if you’re planning on holding the camera up (without shaking) for extended periods - for that reason alone, the 70-200 is a non-starter, at least for me. What is the storage media for your video camera?

TriX, the recording media I have are (5)-60 min. LP-90 cassettes, and 4 Lithium batteries.

Based on suggestions from my previous "Sweet 16" post, I was going with the camcorder which I really never used until recently, (It belongs to my wife) but when someone mentioned how good my camera records video's, then I wondered if I should take the camera.

I think with the recent advice from you folks, and the ease of use and portability of the camcorder, plus the kids jumping and having fun, the Sony would be a better choice.

I'll use my camera to take video's at some safer and calmer location when it warms up.

As always you folks are great!
Thanks,
Cookie

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Cookie223 wrote:

TriX, the recording media I have are (5)-60 min. L... (show quote)

A good choice (for all the reasons I mentioned), but do you have a strategy to import the data from the cassette into a digital format that you can edit and save on a digital media?

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

TriX wrote:

A good choice (for all the reasons I mentioned), but do you have a strategy to import the data from the cassette into a digital format that you can edit and save on a digital media?

I’m looking into figuring that out. Years ago when I had my own camcorder, I was able to play my recordings directly from the recorder to the TV. Whenever I wanted to show the video, and played it through the recorder.

I’m sure if I can’t burn it onto a DVD, there’s a service somewhere that can.

Thanks a bunch.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Cookie223 wrote:

The Sweet 16 celebration for my granddaughter is t... (show quote)

I would recommend the 70-200mm as having the most useful focal length, but since you will be inside where the light won't be too good, you should use the 50mm f/1.4. Zoom with your feet.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Ditto on the 70-200 for video / 50 for stills.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

jackpinoh wrote:

I would recommend the 70-200mm as having the most useful focal length, but since you will be inside where the light won't be too good, you should use the 50mm f/1.4. Zoom with your feet.

Thanks, it would also be the lightest lens.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

sirlensalot wrote:

Ditto on the 70-200 for video / 50 for stills.

Much appreciate your help.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I have heard good thing about the Canon 24-105L 1:4 IS USM for video. I think the 70-200 is going to be too long to move about much. f4 should be plenty fast enough for event video.

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

dsmeltz wrote:

I have heard good thing about the Canon 24-105L 1:4 IS USM for video. I think the 70-200 is going to be too long to move about much. f4 should be plenty fast enough for event video.

The 24-105L produces some nice clear pictures, it should be more versatile than the 50.
Thanks.