By Dan Chung
This month has seen the launch of several new lenses that are of interest to DSLR video shooters:
Today Canon launched the new 24-70 2.8L USM II, a 24mm f2.8 IS and a 28mm f2.8 IS. Eagerly awaited by many pros the new version of the 24-70 does not feature an image stabiliser. To me this is slightly disappointing as I have come to expect this feature on new Canon zoom lenses. The new lens does have a much nicer design that the lens it replaces and according to the press release features one Super UD and two UD lens elements along with a nine blade aperture for better bokeh. It is weather sealed and has a zoom look for safer transport, similar to the one on the 70-300L lens. Suggested retail price is $2299 US.
The two prime lenses both feature image stabilisers and are priced at $849.99 US for the 24mm and $799.99 US for the 28mm. To my mind it is slighty odd that these smaller, easier to hold lenses have the IS, but the bigger more video suitable 24-70 does not.
According to 43rumors.com Voigtlander are about to launch a 17.5mm f0.95 Micro 4/3 manual focus lens to go alongside their popular 25mm f0.95 lens. Used on a Micro M4/3 camera this lens would give the equivalent of a 35mm field of view on full frame. Users of the Panasonic GH2 and AF100 may find it very appealing.
Korean lensmaker Samyang have also commenced shipping of their manual focus, manual iris 24mm f1.4 lens for EOS and Nikon. It has 13 elements in 12 groups, with 2 Aspherical elements in the mix. Close focus is 25cm and front filter size is 77mm.
Samyang have slowly been building their range of fast primes at less than manufacturer’s own prices. There are already budget priced 8mm f3.5, 14mm f2.8, 35mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 lenses. Below is one of their promotional videos shot with Samyang lenses on Canon DSLRs:
Tamron have announced the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD which unlike the new Canon has a built in Vibration Compensation (VC) system, the company’s equivalent of Canon’s Image Stabilising technology. It will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts and is said to feature a more rounded aperture diaphragm for better bokeh. It is also weather sealed. Price is TBA. Full details here.
Tokina are showing a mockup of a 70-200mm f4 AF lens in their popular AT-X lineup. The new lens will be image stabilised and have a close focus distance of 1m. Nikon and Canon mount versions are promised and the photos show that is has a large manual focus ring which may prove useful for video. I use Canon’s 70-200 f4L IS lens a lot for video and this new lens should provide it some competition.
With all the new lenses around it shouldn’t be forgotten that some of the best lenses for video are in fact manual lenses that can be converted for video use. Here is a great blog post by Philip Bloom where he discusses lens de-clicking by the Lens Doctor Eddie Houston.
