The Best Lenses For Beginning Documentary Filmmakers

[@TheDocumentarian01]

I'm something of an oddball in documentary filmmaking circles. I use Sigma primes only. Two Canon C500 mark II bodies, one will always have the Sigma ART 50mm f1.4 and the other will have the 28mm f1.4. I do have both the 35mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.4 but rarely, if ever, do I use them.

[@timdanyo898]

Yeah.. I purchased the 16-35 GMII thinking it would be great pairing with my 24-70 but I’m kicking myself for not just getting the 70-200 then a fast 50 for interviews.

[@dvang4033]

The insight on the Sundance lens preferences of DPs is solid. Thanks Austin!

[@austinmeyerfilms]

you got it!

[@idougahill]

Super helpful. Really appreciate the recommendations. I'm making the jump from narrative film to doc and this was exactly the info I was looking for. Many thanks.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks so much for watching! So glad it was helpful 🙌

[@thewakeghost369]

Awesome advice! Really appreciate this video. I am just starting my documentary journey and my budget is modest. Seeing your video I thought of a fourth option for my situation. The 18-105mm from Sony + a 35 or 55mm T1.2 from SURUI. Or on the other hand a 24-70 with the SURUI. For the budget I wouldn't be able to afford a telephoto lens. What do you think?

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by the channel. Really glad you got value from the video. I haven't used any of those exact lenses, so I can't speak to them specifically, but from a focal range perspective, I just think the 24-70 is so useful. If I was starting my lens buying process all over again, I personally would get the 24-70 2.8 before prime lenses. But honestly, you can't go wrong! Lenses these days are so great. If you can pop into a camera store near where you live, maybe you can get your hands on them and see what they are like in terms of form factor and weight? Good luck!

[@Mraz75]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the lens. This is really helpful to me.😊

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Thanks for watching! So glad that it was helpful 🙏

[@LouisLuzuka]

Definitely learning a lot 😮

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Woo! Love to hear that :)

[@Wildridefilms]

Great video Austin. I think the lens choice depends on the genre a lot. You would be going to a wildlife documentary shoot with a 24-105 alone. Even the 24-70+70-200 might not be enough reach. But your recommendations cover the needs of most types of shoots. As an alternative to the 24-70+70-200, the 35-150 lenses from Tamron and Samyang paired with an UW zoom like a 14-24 or 16-35 is also a very versatile combo as the 35-150 lenses are f2-2.8 so you might get away without a prime with the low light performance of modern day cameras.

[@austinmeyerfilms]

Hi! The lens choice absolutely depends on the genre a lot. Definitely agree with you on that one. Thanks for your alternative recommendations! I know that will help folks think through some different options. Thanks for being here!

[@ranchofilmsco]

Thanks ❤

[@austinmeyerfilms]

You're welcome 😊

[@sergiypudich]

I would say before 50mm 1.4 better to get 14-24 sigma art 2.8, that will give you a range from 14 to 200 with 3 lenses. And the. Start to collect prime fast lenses ;)

[@austinmeyerfilms]

I hear you on that! Also a great option. Thanks for watching and sharin your thoughts!

[@DarkDrake5481]

That's putting more weight into the focal range rather than the speed. I think the 3 lens option here is the right way to go. 2 good zooms for general coverage and a fast prime for low light scenarios. I don't see a lot of people using super wides more than a fast prime.