Zoom vs Prime: A Closer Look

[@dathofilms]

24-70 2.8 + 50 1.4 that's all I use 90% :) Awesome video!

[@LucForsyth]

Nice one, yeah that's all you need. It's fun (and addictive) to add more toys, but a good zoom and a prime and you can do amazing things.

[@timdanyo898]

Curious if you're using the Sony GM 24-70?

[@MommaCaffeine]

Yep, just starting and I have those guys and a 16-35

[@davidmorefield]

“If you think I’m an idiot, let me know that too.” The comedic timing on this one almost made me spit out my coffee. It was so left field and dry that it worked perfectly 😄 I just started my own bts vlog as a corporate and doc dp and I love seeing everyone’s different presenting styles. Would love to get your insights on my channel if you have a minute. Thanks Luc. (PS I love the broll/stories from your previous doc work. It would be awesome if you could share insight and examples of following a character and when you inserted yourself vs backed off)

[@JUANILLOVIA]

😂😂😂 I was just laughing at the same thing 😂😂😂🤙👋👋

[@micahcrews]

I have watched different versions of this conversation. I really appreciate your approach. You make it pretty straight forward. Thank you for that. I shoot on a 18-75mm, 80-200mm, and a 50mm prime - all Canon. This combo works well for me. I just shot a small travelogue style doc on just the one smaller zoom. I carried the other two just in case, but ended up only needing to use the smaller zoom.

[@svetvhledacku]

I think today's zoom lenses are of such high quality that it doesn't make sense to sacrifice shooting a scene for the sake of the final look. I use the Sigma 24-70II as a base and for interviews and special cases the Sigma 28mm f1.4 and 50mm f1.2.

[@BihnDan]

Crystal clear logic! Thanks for driving these points home. BTW, your recommended tripod is now in my kit - I thought I might be crazy spending that kind of money, but it has totally changed the way (and speed) I shoot. Thanks so much, and keep the videos coming!

[@LucForsyth]

No way! Happy to hear that, you're going to get a lot of use out of that thing, I promise!

[@BihnDan]

@@LucForsyth Way! Your Sachtler review was the first review I found… and then went back and watched it again before I made the big decision. Maybe you can get an affiliate link 8-) Anyway, thanks!

[@mortystation]

I am in the midle of a system transition, with all spending spree that comes with it (GH5 to FX-30). I am used to cover my job with one zoom lense and a 50mm full-frame equivalent prime (I admit that I overuse this one). I tend to mainly a 50mm prime nowdays, in a job that mainly consists on ppl talking to camera on set or interviews. I am quiting and seeking for my own path. Considering the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 as a must, what prime would I benefit more from? Longer or wider? I am trying to stop overusing the 50mm equivalent, but I still love how they look. 🤷‍♂ Hope I can join the course by the end of the year, anywa. Amazing chanel, btw. I've just discovered it. Congrats

[@kennethdonedmund8988]

Great advise again Luc ,spot on man.

[@adriancrespo4274]

I do 100% agree with zooms being the best choice for a beginner, I know some documentary DPs like Mark Bone can shoot an entire doc on primes, but imo they can only get away with that because they have the experience to know what kind of coverage they're looking to get before they shoot, as for lens recommendations if I was starting from 0 and was doing run and gun shoots I'd look at the Canon FD 35-105 f/3.5 the optical quality isnt amazing but it has a constant apature and it seems to be parfocal which is super helpful vintage lenses provide a ton of value imo and considering you can get that lens for under 100$ I think it's a great starting point

[@LucForsyth]

Nice! I’ve also shot whole projects only on primes, but you either need to be ok missing stuff, or be able to really control each scene

[@markthompsonmedia]

My main camera is equipped with a zoom (which I totally love) CN7x17 T2.95, while my B cameras are equipped with an EF 85mm f/1.2 and an EF 24-70mm f/4. The lenses remain attached to the bodies all the time which means theres no set up time, each camera has its own place and purpose. The B cameras are older C100 mk II so they are also very compact.

[@LucForsyth]

That's a beast of a lens! Worked with it a few times, it's great.

[@SvenSimcic]

I'm using a Fuji X-S10 for doc shooting and reporting and almost always use the 16mm f1.4 art .. (24mm eqvt to full frame) and use my feet to zoom in or out. I'ts just amazing how creative you get when your on a budget ;-)

[@LucForsyth]

Yes! The best approach for sure!

[@rasmusflindtpedersen4554]

Couldn’t agree more. 👍

[@timdanyo898]

Zooms allow you to establish, get a mid, and grab a detail close up in a minute. Zooms are essential for most doc work. For setup sit downs then of course primes can add another creative tool for the story.

[@LucForsyth]

exactly!

[@MateenManek]

I love shooting with primes, but I agree that zooms give you a great amount of flexibility. For an upcoming travel doc I’m doing, I’ve decided to borrow a 24-70 lens because there will be a lot of unpredictability. Love the content!

[@LucForsyth]

Yeah, there’s always trade offs, but that’s what’s worked for me

[@kostasrestas]

i agree all the way!

[@captaincarl1603]

I only use primes, they are magic. It's almost like you don't need to know what you are doing. With a fast prime lens everything will always look absolutely beautiful no matter what.

[@johannesl.6850]

I mostly the Sigma 16mm f1.4 and the Sony SEL 35 f1.8 on my Sony a6700 for filming. As I can use Clear Image Zoom up to 1.5 without hardly sacrificing any quality, I get 16 -24mm and 35 - 52mm mm on APSC, equivalent to 24 - 36mm and 52 - 78mm on Full Frame within a very light and inexpensive setup. What do you think about this?

[@pizzomedia7261]

What about cine vs stills lenses? When do you prefer one over the other?

[@balsaratkovic]

I use Lumix GH5 with Canons Sigma 18 - 35 combined with Viltrox EF - mount and the aperture goes down to 1.2

[@brandonpierce]

Thank you, you confirmed my lens strategy. 🤓

[@robmcd]

I’ve been so tempted to get the 18-35 sigma for my Fuji’s or canon r5, I have no issue cropping down when attaching those lenses.

[@LucForsyth]

Loved that lens so much…

[@RotterStudios]

I only use primes. I love them so much. The only zoom I have is the Canon 70-200L F2.8. I won't use anything else.

[@storydoc2115]

Just subscribed and looking forward to checking out your content! I found your channel by watching the podcast you were on with Austin Meyer.

[@LucForsyth]

Nice! Had a lot of fun talking with him, he’s a great interviewer!

[@stevestrasser6833]

Hey Luc! Great content, again. I have a 24-70mm zoom, that lives on my S1H and a 24mm on my S5. I really do not like to clean sensors :/ so I prefer not swapping lenses all the time. One question: do you have lens support for your Fujinons? They are rather long and I wonder if this (+matte box) puts stress on the camera mount. Cheers!

[@LucForsyth]

I don’t…they’re actually super light

[@AndyMoradi]

Thank you Luc for this valuable content

[@rafael_daguerre]

I agree, but not completely. LOL. I've always worked with zoom (24-105mm f/4 and 70-200mm f2.8) and in recent years I've also worked with prime (examples: sigma 16mm f/1.4, viltrox 23mm f/1.4, canon 85mm f/1.8). And many times I prefer the prime over the zoom, for the quality, but also for the need to think, to move, whether to photograph or to film. But I really liked the content and started following the channel. Congratulations! One question: do you know Meike's FF cinema prime lenses? From everything I've researched and from a "cost-benefit" point of view, this line seems to be of great quality and conveys a cinematographic image that I really like. I'm interested in cinema lenses to work with documentaries and who knows, short fiction films. But it will all depend on my financial condition. LOL

[@jbasproductionseditorial1287]

EXCELLENT... even better, as I'm just starting out in documentaries... all I need from your list - is a decent tripod - my monopod just doesn't cut it, but... THANKS Great tips (!)

[@sardanapalos]

really like your logic....i d love to see more of tips maybe while in the field in case you are wondering what your next video should be :P

[@justjesse247]

Hi Luc, I just ordered an Ember high speed (suuuuuper slow motion) S35 to walk around grabbing clips. and I am looking for a cinema zoom for Sony E. There's no autofocus on this camera. Do you recommend the Sigma 18-35 etc versus the Fujinon? They both run 4k usd. The more light the better for this camera, but weight, single operator and image being the most important factors. Any thoughts? Thank you for your time! Great vid ;)

[@ClementFaucher]

Hello, have you already consider the tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 ?

[@robertwilsoniii2048]

I feel like diffuse lighting is even better than sharp backlighting.

[@JimFeeley]

Nice video. A question: When you suggest a 24mm or 35mm prime, is that a suggestion for cameras with an APS-C/cropped sensor, full frame, or both?

[@LucForsyth]

I'm basing that on FF mainly. Old habit from being a photographer!

[@brianmengini]

Haven’t owned a zoom in 2-3 years. Think I may get the 24-70 sigma art for Sony. After that, it’ll be the 35mm sigma then the 70-200 f4. Then a proper cine camera (using a7iii now). Appreciate the content!!

[@LucForsyth]

You're welcome! love that, sounds like you're going to have a solid kit!

[@leonardkuper3951]

4:30 they can go down to T2.9🤓 not F🙈 For all the "not nerds" here, different measuring method.

[@LucForsyth]

haha...love a good nerd out!

[@sstteevveenn77]

Whats your opinion on using the new Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 for run&gun/doc work?? Its definitely on the chunky side but the range is insane

[@LucForsyth]

For me I’d want something a little wider than 35, but that range is appealing for sure. Maybe pair it with a cheap 24mm prime for those times you need to go wide? That said, no reason you can’t do amazing work with what you have!

[@darkphotographer]

when i start photography on film 20y a go , first lent i got was 28-105 and second 50mm 1,8 still got that 50 and using it , after i got 17-50 ,28-70 ,70-200 all fix 2.8 , also had a 50-500 , and i have a 18-200 , but now am not shouting sports or reporter work , am shouting more video or studio photography and thinking to get 3 prim a 28 a 35 a 80 at 1.8 am starting to like more the feel and the look of prime ,

[@LucForsyth]

50-500? crazy range! Primes are wonderful as well though!

[@darkphotographer]

@@LucForsyth i don t shoot much action thows day so prime are the way to go , ye it was a sigma , i buy it when i was shooting sports track and field was the only 500mm i could aford at the time well was back in 2003 :) and i had only one body d70 so big range was must ,

[@scottievee330]

Good stuff. I'm a Canon user. If I could only bring one lens, RF 24-70 all day.

[@LucForsyth]

That’s do it!

[@mobilography6786]

Great info

[@LucForsyth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@akcine]

Link to the tripod doesn't work :$

[@LucForsyth]

damn! www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1431234-REG/sachtler_5585_flowtech_100_ms_carbon.html

[@grossearwax3777]

100%

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

like if you were an amateur like me who thought that a prime lens means a cool lens!