Choosing the right video lens involves considering focal length, aperture, stabilization, and autofocus capabilities. Drawing from my experience, I’m here to present what I consider the best video lenses and how to select the ideal one for your needs.
In this article, I’ve got some top recommendations for you and a few friendly pointers to help you pick the right one.
QUICK TAKE
- For versatile video making, consider lenses with a range of focal lengths and a wide aperture
- Prime lenses offer sharpness and a fast aperture, while zoom lenses provide flexibility in framing
- My top choice is the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM for its consistent f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range and excellent autofocus
- The Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 is a budget-friendly prime lens with a fast aperture, suitable for low-light conditions and achieving a shallow depth of field, ideal for general-purpose videos and portraits
Best Video Lenses
Below mentioned are some great video lenses that I recommend:
Cinema Lens – Rokinon Xeen Cine Lens Kit
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It is a set of cinema lenses that are designed for professional video production.
They have manual focus and aperture rings with standard gears for use with follow-focus systems. They also have consistent color rendition, minimal distortion, and high resolution across the frame.
These are available in various mounts, such as Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, and PL.
Budget Prime Lens – Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8
- For Nikon Camera
- Focus distance indicator to help you adjust the distance and depth of focus
- Live view shooting is available
This is a cheap and cheerful prime lens that offers a fast aperture of f/1.8 for low-light shooting and shallow depth-of-field effects.
It has a standard 50mm focal length that is suitable for portraits, street photography, and general-purpose videos.
It is compatible with Canon EF and Nikon F mounts.
Budget Zoom Lens – Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- Internal focusing
- Superb build quality
- Focus Mode Switch
Next, this lens is a compact and lightweight zoom lens that covers a versatile range of focal lengths from wide-angle to short telephoto. It has a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, which is ideal for video.
The lens also has a fast and quiet autofocus system and optical image stabilization.
It is compatible with Sony E and Leica L mounts.
Check out all the best zoom lenses:
- 7 Best Zoom Lenses for Sony A7III
- 5 Best Zoom Lenses for Sony E Mount
- Best Zoom Lens For Canon Rebel t7
Wide-Angle Zoom Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD
- World's most lightweight large aperture wide-angle zoom in its class (smaller than...
- Superb image quality high mtf performance (utilizing the camera body compensation)
- The RXD stepping motor unit is exceptionally quiet
It is a wide-angle zoom lens that offers a constant aperture of f/2.8 for excellent low-light performance and depth-of-field control. The Tamron lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.19m, which allows for close-up shots and creative perspectives.
This also has a silent and smooth autofocus system and moisture-resistant construction.
The lens is compatible with the Sony E mount.
Telephoto Zoom Lens – Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens
- High image quality and bright f/2.8 aperture telephoto zoom RF L lens.
- Compact and lightweight.
- Optical image stabilization with up to 5 Stops of shake correction
This is a telephoto zoom lens that offers a fast aperture of f/2.8 for capturing distant subjects in low-light situations and isolating them from the background.
It has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry and use. The lens also has a powerful autofocus system, optical image stabilization, and weather-sealing. It is compatible with Canon RF mount.
More telephoto lenses:
X-mount Prime Lens – Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS WR
- A new weather resistant design, same optics: Some things should never change, and...
- Redesigned for enhanced stability: Added stability comes to XF10-24mmF4 R OIS WR lens...
- You asked, we listened: Incorporating user feedback into our products is in our DNA,...
This is an X-mount zoom lens that offers a wide-angle to standard range of focal lengths equivalent to 15-36mm on full-frame cameras.
It has a constant aperture of f/4 throughout the zoom range, which is ideal for video. The lens also has an optical image stabilization system that reduces camera shake, a weather-resistant construction, and an aperture ring.
It is compatible with X mount.
Premium Prime Lens – Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
- Prime Lens
- The Record-High Optical Performance
- Lightweight And Compact
Lastly, this is a premium prime lens that offers a fast aperture of f/1.4 for low-light shooting and stunning bokeh effects. It has a telephoto focal length that is perfect for portraits, weddings, and events.
The lens also has a smooth and accurate autofocus system, optical image stabilization, and dust and splashproof design. It is compatible with Sony E and Leica L mounts.
How To Choose The Best Video Lens
There are some general factors to consider when looking for a good video lens:
Focal Length
This determines how wide or narrow your angle of view is, and how much magnification you can achieve.
For video, you may want to have a range of focal lengths to cover different scenarios, such as wide-angle shots for landscapes or interiors, medium shots for portraits or interviews, and telephoto shots for wildlife or sports.
Zoom lenses offer the convenience of changing focal lengths without changing lenses, while prime lenses offer better image quality and faster apertures at a fixed focal length.
This article might be useful: What’s The Best Focal Length For Portrait Photography?
Aperture
Aperture controls how much light enters the lens and affects the depth of field and bokeh. For video, you may want to have a lens with a wide maximum aperture (f/2.8 or wider) for low-light performance and shallow depth-of-field effects.
A constant aperture throughout the zoom range is also desirable, as it allows for smooth exposure transitions when zooming in or out. Some lenses have variable gaps that change depending on the focal length, which can be problematic for video.
Read: F Stop Chart – Lens Aperture (Full Stops, 1/2 Stops, 1/3 Stops)
Image Stabilization
This helps to reduce camera shake and blur when shooting handheld or in low-light situations. For video, image stabilization can be very useful, especially for longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.
Some lenses have built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), while some cameras have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) that works with any lens.
Some lenses and cameras can work together to provide even more effective stabilization.
Autofocus
Autofocus determines how fast and accurate the lens can focus on the subject. For video, you may want to have a lens with a silent and smooth autofocus system that does not make noise or cause focus hunting.
Some lenses have special features such as linear motors, stepping motors, or direct drive motors that provide better autofocus performance for video.
Some lenses also have manual focus override or focus clutch mechanisms that allow you to switch to manual focus easily.
What’s The Best Video Lens For You?
All the lenses mentioned above are worth considering.
But my top pick is The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM, as it stands out for its consistent f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range, excellent autofocus, and robust build, making it a top choice for professional-quality video production.
The Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 is a budget-friendly prime lens with a fast aperture, suitable for low-light conditions and achieving a shallow depth of field, ideal for general-purpose videos and portraits.
Thanks for reading! 🙏
I hope this guide helped you choose the best lens video 🙂
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