Building kit around 5D Mark II...

[gstevens]

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys. Appreciate it.

So, from what I've seen Zeiss seems to be the fan favorite here. As far as lens type/focal lengths; If you had three to choose from to carry in your kit - which would you carry and why? Which do you find best for wide shots, closeups, etc... I'm very curious as to which lenses I MUST have and those I can add later.

Vuilang, and everyone else, beyond body/lenses these are the other items I intend to order: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=wishListDetail.jsp&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=46A71EA9F5 (Anyone use any of these products before, suggestions?)

Thanks again guys.

 

[vuilang]

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys. Appreciate it.

So, from what I've seen Zeiss seems to be the fan favorite here. As far as lens type/focal lengths; If you had three to choose from to carry in your kit - which would you carry and why? Which do you find best for wide shots, closeups, etc... I'm very curious as to which lenses I MUST have and those I can add later.

Vuilang, and everyone else, beyond body/lenses these are the other items I intend to order: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=wishListDetail.jsp&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=46A71EA9F5 (Anyone use any of these products before, suggestions?)

Thanks again guys.

Have you look at Satchtler Ace? ($535 tripod & head) i'm very tempt cuz of its reputation and reviews. btw. I used the manfrotto 546b.. It's a pain-in-da-A$$ to set-up and feel very heavy too (but it was combined with heavier 504hd head thus i returned).

 

[NormanBates]

manfrotto fluid heads are not real fluid heads
if you're spending heavy on a tripod, either go for the sachtler ace, or, if that feels too expensive get a fancier/e-image video tripod (I have the 7060 and I think it's great)
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?266905-500-Tripod-suggestions-for-60d

about lenses: for video, you don't need (or want) autofocus, so consider some samyang primes:
* the 85mm f/1.4 is a non-brainer: really, really cheap, and much closer to the canon-L or the zeiss than to the cheap canon non-L (specifically: the samyang has great bokeh, which is what you want on a portrait lens)
* the 35mm f/1.4 is great for full frame: impressive lens, even sharper than its canon-L and zeiss counterparts (it's not so great for APS-C, because bokeh is not nice, but for a 35mm on full frame that's not so important)

the 24mm is more expensive, and I'm still not sure how good it is; and they don't have a 50mm; for those focal lengths, consider the canon non-L zooms: the 24mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.4 are very nice lenses (unlike the non-L 28mm and 35mm, for example, which are too soft for my taste)

much more here:
http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_lensc.html#samyang

also, you'll need a lot more stuff: a loupe, microphone and recorder, lights, reflectors, etc
http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_video.html

and ND filters:
http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_acc.html#filter


finally, about the wish list you posted:
H4n: I have it; great; never used the remote
glidetrack: I have the DIY igus version; great
followfocus: I wouldn't get one of those friction ones; I have the dfocus
marshall monitor: never used one, but they say they're great; not always convenient, and for color rendition the LCD in the camera is more accurate, so you'll still need a loupe, I think
tripod: as stated above, I went e-images 7060, and I think it's better than that
pico dolly: never used one, but it seems somewhat useful (maybe not so much if you're already getting the glidetrack)
backpack: that's the one I have; great; I made some DIY foam job, which makes it even better
rode ntg2: a couple of years ago, there were some reports of issues when paired with the H4n; research that before you buy; I have the rode videomic, and I wouldn't buy it again if I was buying a mic today (it's not XLR); I haven't used it, but filmriot recommended a cheap shotgun mic recently: http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_video.html#audio

 

[gstevens]

Any suggestions on a stabilizer system (preferably with a follow focus attached)?

 

[Frank209]

you meen stabilizing as in shouldermount, or as in glidecam?

Shouldermount a.s.o.a.s.f.: Vocas.com
glidecam.com

 

[Axilrod]

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys. Appreciate it.

So, from what I've seen Zeiss seems to be the fan favorite here. As far as lens type/focal lengths; If you had three to choose from to carry in your kit - which would you carry and why? Which do you find best for wide shots, closeups, etc... I'm very curious as to which lenses I MUST have and those I can add later.

Vuilang, and everyone else, beyond body/lenses these are the other items I intend to order: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=wishListDetail.jsp&A=wishlistDetail&Q=&li=46A71EA9F5 (Anyone use any of these products before, suggestions?)

Thanks again guys.

It depends on how much money you want to spend, but I'd say to start with either:
•18mm f/3.5 or 21mm f/2.8 for the wide end
•35mm f/2 or 50mm (f/1.4 or f/2, in this case the f/2 is more expensive)
•85mm f/1.4

If you don't want to shoot ultra wide at all you could get away with the 35, 50, and 85, but that 21 2.8 is an awesome lens and so is the 18mm. For the 50mm the 1.4 is only $725, the f/2 Makro is $1200 I think, but it's incredibly sharp and has macro capability (min. focus distance is 10"). The 85mm is an excellent portrait range and produces a stunning bokeh. The 100mm Makro is the only ZE lens they have any longer than that, and while it is amazing it's almost $2k.

You could create some truly sick images with those and keep yourself busy for quite a while. I wouldn't buy any more new lenses than that at 1 time, 3 is already pushing it. You want to spend time learning each lens and figuring out it's quirks, sweet spots, etc.