Best L mount lenses for video? Opinions sought.

[texandrews]

New to L mount this summer. Moved into it to improve my video options, using Leica SL3 and now Blackmagic Cinema 6K FF. I have a group of lenses already, but am interested in established members' thoughts. I have Panny 24-105, 14-28, 20-60, and 85; Sigma 45 and 70. I got the 20-60 mainly to glue onto the Blackmagic.

 

[xaviergut]

I use for video (and photo) the Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8. I find the focal range really useful. I guess you can record in apsc mode in the Leica SL3 and the Blackmagic 6k cameras, I don't know, but in that case the focsl leght would be almost 70mm. Of course the aperture f/1.8 is optimal for shallow depth of field videos and for low light situations. It is not parfocal; it is a varifocal lens. However, unlike older lenses, camera bodies and internal linear motors manage focus adjustments so quickly that it can simulate parfocal behavior.

Another Strengths for Video Recording:

- The lens does not physically extend or change size when zooming (optimal for gimbal)
- Controlled Focus Breathing
- De-clickable Aperture Ring
- Silent AF motors

Ok, it is big and heavy, but you are carrying a prime lens set (28mm, 35mm, 40mm, and 45mm) in a single body. It is an excellent lens, and there is a cinema version: the Sigma 28-45mm T2 FF AF Cine Line. It is 2.000 € more expensive than the standard 28-45mm...

 

[marlowcrest]

take the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II or the Sirui Night Walker/Saturn cine lens for anamorphosis. I like them

 

[texandrews]

Thanks for the replies. Right now I'm using several options, including the Panny 20-60 which I have found to have pretty snappy AF. I'm using it on both cameras and it works well. I've also used the 24-105. Right now the video I'm doing doesn't require sound.

 

[Babylonia]

As it comes to video, and you love some character and atmosphere.
Although I do not have an SL3 but Panasonic S1R.
Looking to the observations and comments of "Alexandru Don" by this < YouTube demo >

Most lenses out of these series are "sold-out" for every camera mount "today", except the L-mount as for the 25mm.
So last week I bought < this 7Artisans 25mm / T1.05 Cine lens > specially for that small DOF and bokeh effect at full wide opening
Arrived last week. It didn't disappoint me at all. Wow !! That lens is worth every penny. My "short" experience.
Those Cine lens options are even far better build than the (more cheap) photo build lenses. (In past I bought one "photo" 7Artisans lens for my daughter).
Optically speaking I did some quick testing at 4K "in the night" hand held. Better than I expected and still some spare left as for exposure.

So "Cine" lenses can be a choice to, as it comes to video. Keep in mind thought that the above 7Artisans lens is an APS-C lens.
So there are "some" limitations at full frame video mode, as giving more vignetting / dark corners. (As explained within the YouTube demo).
And keep in mind though (not mentioned within the demo video) a strange distortion at the corners. So not suited for filming buildings when using at full frame.
But you can switch to APS-C mode and even more cropping (Panasonic do have a "pixel to pixel" mode, when using 4K video mode).

Unfortunately the other T1.05 lens options are sold out. Otherwise, I had bought a 35mm / T1.05 as well.