I recently invested in a Canon Cinema EOS C70 and I'm looking to build out my lens collection to get the most out of this powerful video camera. What are some of the best lens options that you would recommend for the C70? I'm particularly interested in lenses that excel at capturing cinematic, high-quality footage with great image quality, low distortion, and beautiful bokeh.
For telephoto zoom lens, the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens is the best choice.
If you are serious in Video, get Canon CN-R cinema lenses. https://bhpho.to/4a75r7q
This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖
@Reply #9 - good point! I saw this thread earlier but wanted to chime in since most of the talk has been about the high-end RF zooms or those expensive CN-R primes. Unfortunately, I have found that sticking strictly to native RF glass is not as good as expected for most real-world productions where you actually have to worry about the budget. Here is a methodical look at why I prefer other routes:
- Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x with EF lenses: This is easily the most practical choice for the C70. You gain a full stop of light and get to use the massive library of affordable EF glass while maintaining a full-frame field of view.
- Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art: Even with an adapter, this lens is a workhorse for S35 sensors. Its way more cost-effective than the native RF 24-70mm and looks better for cinema work, tho the autofocus can be a bit more temperamental.
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z: I know others suggested this, but for the price and size, it felt like a bit of a letdown on a smaller body like the C70. Its kinda disappointing that Canon hasn't released more dedicated S35 RF lenses yet. Having to rely on adapters for the best price-to-performance ratio isn't ideal, but until native options get better, the EF glass route is still the way to go...
Stumbled upon this discussion today and honestly, I feel the frustration deep in my bones. I've been shooting for over twenty years now, and building a kit for the C70 has been one of the most stressful experiences of my career because I value gear reliability over literally everything else. In my experience, you cant just slap any lens on and expect it to survive a long day in the heat or dust. I've tried many different combinations, and it's just exhausting how much we have to compromise.
- The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM is optically gorgeous but it's so heavy that it throws off the balance of the C70 completely.
- Using the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM feels like a gamble because focus-by-wire is just never as reliable as a physical linkage when things get fast.
- Staying native is the safe route to avoid mount errors, but the cost of entry is basically a second mortgage. I'm just tired of the constant trade-offs. You want to focus on the story, but instead you're worrying if the iris is gonna flicker or if the mount is gonna wiggle during a lens change. It's a total drain on the creative process tbh... I just want gear that works every single time without the drama.
Wait Sigma and Tamron to release RF mount full frame mirrorless lenses. (They already planing to release RF mount APS-C lenses.)
For the Canon Cinema EOS C70, I've had great results with the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. It's versatile for both wide and medium shots, and the image stabilization is fantastic for handheld work. If you're looking for something with a bit more reach, the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is another excellent choice.
