Good video lens: Looking for a good video lens for a Nikon D7100. It's for casual video of children's play at school. Thank you for your suggestions in advance.

Jbravi

Looking for a good video lens for a Nikon D7100. It's for casual video of children's play at school. Thank you for your suggestions in advance.

uhaas2009

The 24-70 isn’t good enough? I’m asking because vs 810/850 the focus system on 7100 is not the strongest one. Just saying I may be wrong too

Jbravi

Yeah, they are FX, but the d7100 is for my son, crop body.

Jbravi

Yeah, they are FX, but the d7100 is for my son, it is a crop body.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

While you are looking for a lens, remember that the lens focus motor is near the mics on a camera. It can be possible that the noise of autofocusing becomes an annoying background noise. I haven't had any Nikon gears since film in the '70s so can't suggest anything specific. The specs of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens include a "Silent Wave Motor AF System".

Jbravi

Thank you

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Jbravi wrote:

Looking for a good video lens for a Nikon D7100. It's for casual video of children's play at school. Thank you for your suggestions in advance.

PS the D850 focus is as bad as the D7100 for video which both are very bad.

For a lens the 24-70 is very good for general video work.

You would be far better off using the 5D IV for video as it actually works and focuses unlike the D850 and D7100.
And it appears you have the 24-70 for it as well.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

bsprague wrote:

While you are looking for a lens, remember that the lens focus motor is near the mics on a camera. It can be possible that the noise of autofocusing becomes an annoying background noise. I haven't had any Nikon gears since film in the '70s so can't suggest anything specific. The specs of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens include a "Silent Wave Motor AF System".

The AF-S Nikkor 24-120 f4G has a rather noisy focus motor that becomes apparent when it autofocuses in a quiet environment. No issues if you manus focus. Since I do more video than photo work these days, I sold off my f-mount version and got the z-mount version which is near silent.
For DX DSLR’s, to avoid that autofocus background noise, consider using any of the AF-P DX Nikkor lens series which is also near silent.
Of course, you could use manual focus with any lens. For a children’s play, unless you are creating a professional video, you can probably just set manual focus and sit back and relax/enjoy the play.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Jbravi wrote:

Yeah, they are FX, but the d7100 is for my son, it is a crop body.

An 18-55mm is a good range, but it needs to be FAST — f/2.8 or faster (Do they even make them?). A 24-70mm f/2.8 Tamron would be a reasonable choice, but on APS-C or DX format, it doesn't have much to offer at the wide angle end (It has a 36mm full frame equivalent field of view).

Frankly, the D7100 is a marginal choice for video work. It IS a decent stills camera.

Most midrange dSLR cameras have video added on as an afterthought. If your son gets serious about video, get one of the Panasonic Lumix GH series bodies used (preferably a GH4 or later), and the 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom, or some cheap primes (14mm f/2.8, 20mm f/1.7 II, 25mm f/1.7, 42.5mm f/1.7). They have a 2x crop factor.

WHY Lumix GH series? They have the best video and audio features in the marketplace at a reasonably low cost. They are quite rugged. They are MADE for hybrid (stills plus video) production. They are easy to use, light, and compact, with proven quality. Plus, they have NO recording time limits and DO NOT overheat.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

burkphoto wrote:

An 18-55mm is a good range, but it needs to be FAS... (show quote)

"WHY Lumix GH series? They have the best video and audio features in the marketplace at a reasonably low cost."

I agree that Panasonic cameras are good "hybrids". But, you are overlooking the many choices that have become good hybrids because they are mirrorless designs. I don't think Panasonic owns that market like they used too.

One of my 4K shooting favorites right now fits in a pocket, has a gimbal, wireless mic system and tracking control with a phone app. The price is $500.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

burkphoto wrote:

An 18-55mm is a good range, but it needs to be FAS... (show quote)

OP has a 5D MIV, FF and far superior to the D7100 in AF (As well as the D850) and the OP has the 24-70 for this camera as well.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Architect1776 wrote:

OP has a 5D MIV, FF and far superior to the D7100 in AF (As well as the D850) and the OP has the 24-70 for this camera as well.

I know. I read his signature line. But he wants to set his son up with the D7100.

IMHO, The 5D Mark III was the best of the Canon 5D series video-equipped cameras. The IV doesn't really improve on it.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

bsprague wrote:

"WHY Lumix GH series? They have the best vide... (show quote)

Where Panasonic Lumix GH cameras stand out right now is that they are full-featured interchangeable lens AV bodies at a very attractive used price. You can get lots of new gear if you have the money, but for a student, a used GH4 or GH5 is a great buy. It has a lot of AV controls and features missing from dSLRs at any price.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

burkphoto wrote:

I know. I read his signature line. But he wants to set his son up with the D7100.

IMHO, The 5D Mark III was the best of the Canon 5D series video-equipped cameras. The IV doesn't really improve on it.

So?
The MIII isn't owned.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

burkphoto wrote:

Where Panasonic Lumix GH cameras stand out right now is that they are full-featured interchangeable lens AV bodies at a very attractive used price. You can get lots of new gear if you have the money, but for a student, a used GH4 or GH5 is a great buy. It has a lot of AV controls and features missing from dSLRs at any price.

I wasn't thinking of used and should have been.