How to Choose the Right Camera Lens: A Guide to Achieving Your Desired Look!
Choosing the right camera lens is essential for producing high-quality images. However, it can be overwhelming for beginners or those who are not familiar with cinema and still lenses. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right camera lens for your video needs. We will explain the different types of lenses, such as zoom and prime, wide-angle and telephoto, and budget lenses. We will also discuss the importance of focal length and aperture in image quality and provide tips on how to choose the right camera lens for your photography. We also discuss our favorite current lens choices and why.
A camera lens is an essential part of a camera that captures and directs light onto the camera sensor to create an image. Choosing the right camera lens is critical to producing high-quality images.
Let’s first discuss focal length which refers to the distance between the lens and the sensor when the lens is focused at infinity. The focal length of a lens determines the field of view and magnification of the image. There are three types of focal length:
Wide-angle lenses: have a shorter focal length and capture a wider field of view
Normal lenses: have a focal length close to the diagonal size of the camera sensor and capture an angle of view similar to the human eye
Telephoto lenses: have a longer focal length
When it comes to choosing the right focal length for your video needs, there are a few things to consider. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for landscape and architectural, like real estate videos, while telephoto lenses are great for interviews and capturing live events. Normal lenses are versatile and can be used for a wide range of video genres. Determine the type of video capture you are interested in and choose the focal length accordingly.
Aperture is the opening in the lens that allows light to enter the camera. It is measured in f-stops (or on cinema lenses T-Stop), with lower f-stop numbers indicating a wider aperture and higher numbers indicating a narrower aperture. Aperture has a significant impact on image quality, as it affects the amount of light entering the camera and the depth of field in the image. While a lot of video content makers like shooting wide open with some lenses going as wide as f1.2 it can be a nightmare for your focus puller. I tip my hat to the focus puller on the Revenant, what an amazing job he did! More on John Conner here.
Choosing the right aperture for your video depends on your subject and the effect you want to achieve. A wider aperture is ideal for a nice bokeh, as it creates a shallow depth of field that blurs the background and focuses on the subject. A narrower aperture is better for landscapes and establishing shots, as it keeps everything in focus.
Zoom lenses have a variable focal length and allow you to zoom in and out without changing the lens. They are versatile and can be used for a wide range of video genres, our favorite is using them for documentary or event projects. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and offer superior image quality, as they have fewer moving parts than zoom lenses. If you need versatility and convenience, a zoom lens is the way to go. If you prioritize image quality and don't mind changing lenses, a prime lens is the better choice.
Budget camera lenses are an excellent option for those who are just starting in video or have a limited budget. We can remember our first Nifty Fifty (which is a cheap canon lens) There are several budget camera lenses in the market that offer excellent value for money, especially if you do not care about having the electronics in the lens.
When choosing a budget camera lens, it's essential to consider your video needs and the type of camera you have. Using budget zooms is not always the best because you will not have the option of wider apertures. But if you can get away with swaping lenses a lot we would suggest filming with budget primes. Research the best budget camera lenses in the market and read reviews to determine which one is the best fit for you.
We at Just Basl Productions have grown to really love the Xeen Primes. Even though they were at first a budget cinema prime lens to us they have really grown on us. We purchased them slowly and continued to add to the set as we could, starting with first the 50mm and the 24mm.
Most recently we have been enjoying companies coming out with budget cinema zooms. In particular the DZO Catta Ace zooms. We use a variety of camera sensors and if you are not able to match up sensors with two of the same cameras, we suggest at least trying to match glass. We are very excited about the newly released 18-35mm cine zoom and can’t wait to get our hands on it!
Choosing the right camera lens is essential for producing high-quality images. By understanding the different types of lenses, focal length, and aperture, you can make an informed decision and choose the lens that best suits your photography needs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, choosing the right camera lens is crucial to capturing the images you envision.