Hi everyone,
I recently purchased the Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera and am looking to get a versatile lens that is well-suited for shooting video. I mostly film travel vlogs, interviews, and some cinematic B-roll footage. I'd like a lens that delivers excellent image quality, fast and accurate autofocus, and smooth aperture changes.
From my research, it seems like some of the top Canon RF lenses for video include:
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM
The 15-35mm and 24-70mm zooms offer a useful focal range and constant f/2.8 aperture, while the 50mm and 85mm primes have a very fast f/1.2 aperture for shallow depth of field. The 70-200mm could be great for compressed telephoto shots.
I'm leaning towards the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L as an all-around versatile zoom to start with. But I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
What do you think is the best Canon RF lens for shooting video and why? Are there other lenses I should consider?
I'd especially like to know your opinions on:
- What focal lengths you find most useful for the type of videography I described
- Importance of image stabilization for handheld shooting
- STM vs USM autofocus motors for smooth and silent AF while recording
- Cine lenses vs photo lenses adapted for video use
Thanks in advance for your advice and recommendations! I'm excited to hear your perspectives as I build out my RF lens kit for video.
For video, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is outstanding. Its wide-angle perspective captures dynamic scenes, while the fast aperture offers beautiful depth of field and excellent stabilization for handheld shooting. Highly recommended!
The RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z lens is the best choice for video. Only for a bit expensive and heavy.
For shooting video Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is the best choice. Its wide aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur (bokeh), which is great for cinematic looks.
As for a zoom lens, Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is an excellent choice. It offers a versatile focal range and a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, making it suitable for various shooting situations while maintaining good image quality and stabilization for video work.
If you are looking for zoom lens for your Canon RF cameras for shooting video, you'd better buy Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM and Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM.
Both of these lenses offer exceptional performance for video shooting and are equipped with features that enhance stability and image quality, making them valuable tools for filmmakers.
For your needs, I'd recommend starting with the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. Its versatile focal range, constant f/2.8 aperture, and excellent image stabilization make it perfectly suited for travel vlogs, interviews, and cinematic B-roll. Pairing it with the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L for wide establishing shots and the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L when you need telephoto reach would give you an exceptional 3 lens kit covering all scenarios. All three have fast, quiet autofocus and effective stabilization for handheld shooting. Down the road, consider adding a fast prime like the RF 50mm f/1.2L for beautiful portraits and bokeh. But the 24-70mm f/2.8 is the ideal first lens that will tackle the majority of your needs. Its image quality, low light performance, and versatility make it the perfect match for the EOS R5.
As someone who does a lot of travel videography, I'd actually recommend the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. Here's why:
- The extra reach to 105mm is incredibly useful for B-roll and compressed shots.
- It's lighter than the 24-70mm f/2.8, which matters a lot when you're on the go.
- The f/4 aperture is still good enough for most situations, especially with the R5's excellent high ISO performance.
- The IS is fantastic for handheld shooting.
For your style of shooting, I find the versatility of this lens outweighs the advantages of the f/2.8 aperture. Plus, you can always add a fast prime later for low-light situations.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is highly recommended. This lens offers versatile zoom range, fast and consistent aperture, excellent image stabilization, and exceptional build quality, making it ideal for a variety of video shooting scenarios.
