If you find yourself swapping lenses throughout a project, or cutting between multi-camera angles you'll find your footage will be easier to match looks if you have a matched set of lenses. Color, Contrast, Sharpness, and more could look quite different if you're just using a random set of mixed lenses. Probably the most talked about affordable set of lenses for video use are the Rokinon Cine DS Lenses. The 'DS' is a more improved version of the original Rokinon manual photo lenses that has better optical coatings and have been 'matched' to have a more consistent look across the set.
Even though I feel Canon L series lenses are optically better, I ended up selling many of my Canon L series Autofocus lenses just because I wanted to work more with Manual Focus lenses, de-clicked apertures, with a matched 'look' when doing video projects. Not to mention I haven't been shooting much with Canon DSLRs. In fact, just one Canon 85mm F/1.2L lens paid for an entire bundle of Rokinon Cine DS Lenses. That's just how affordable a complete set is.
Personal set 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm Rokinon Cine DS Lenses seen w/ GH4 and A7sII
If you're working with many of today's mirrorless cameras, these lenses are highly adaptable and cover a full frame sensor. Unlike camera bodies, lenses like these also hold their values really well, so I feel it's a good investment for people starting out in video. You can always sell them off later if you decide to upgrade to set of true Cine Primes. Though, it's not uncommon to see just how many people are throwing these lenses on even high end cameras like the BlackMagic Design or RED these days.
So if you're looking for a decently matched set of lenses for video work, the '4pc Lens Bundle' is currently discounted an Instant Savings of -$350 OFF which includes the most popular Rokinon focal lengths 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm (found here).
Rokinon 24, 35, 50, 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens Bundle
Emm
Post author@Maurice Kreul - I'm not sure what camera(s) you are shooting with, but 24mm on a Full Frame camera is wide and at the same time will have less distortion when shooting people. Sometimes it's not flattering to the subject, and you don't want to go too wide. But if you are shooting architecture or landscape on a Full Frame, then you might want to look into some wider lenses.
If you are on Super 35 (aps-c) or MFT sensors, then 24mm might not be wide enough unless you can add a Metabones Speedbooster
or something similar.
Maurice Kreul
In terms of a wide angle, I personally think 24 is plenty wide on a FF camera. For Super 35mm a 16mm or 18mm is a great option. Hope this helps! I m wondering whether it s worth buying the 16mm instead of the 24mm? It seems to be almost half the price, so I figured I d get that with the 35mm and the 85mm. Do you think that would be a good kit? or should I just pay the extra and get the 24mm?
Emm
Post author@Phil - The handles are part of the cage kit. I just used an ARRI Rosette Clamp to make them shoulder rig handles. For the A7sII / A7rII Cage: https://www.came-tv.com/camera-dslr-rigs-rig-for-a7sii-a7rii-cametv-c-41_86.html
CAME-TV Cage for Sony A7sII / A7RII
You will need one of these to attach them to your rods:
Phil
Emm, what rig are using above? (The one with the foldable suede kitted handles).
Thad
I was wondering what follow focus you use with your setup.
Chris Bernard
I think another advantage of Canon mount is you can then use a speed booster with these guys with the A7Rii or A6300. Making them even more versatile.
Emm
Post author@Aldous - The Sony mount is exactly the same lens as a Canon mount, except that it has a portion of the housing that is built to fit the Sony cameras directly. The problem though is that if you wanted to use that lens on a different camera, you can no longer use adapters (as the lens has already been stepped down). Buying a Nikon mount can be adapted to Nikon and Canon cameras (or to just about any other camera system). Buying a Canon can be adapted to just about any camera system (except Nikon I believe).
I guess buying Nikon is just a little more versatile, but I personally prefer to buy Canon mounts because that is super common for most cameras today. So if I decide to sell these lenses later (or if anyone else wants to use them) then it's more versatile. Take a look at Panasonic's latest Varicam LT, they actually built their camera with a Canon EF mount. Most Blackmagic Design cameras come with a Canon EF Mount option (never Nikon). The RED Raven is also available in a Canon mount. For some Zeiss lenses or often any new lens that comes out, they are first sold in Canon mounts. Because it's too expensive to make a lens with several different mounts, and by starting with Canon EF, they can quickly be adapted to just about anything.
Aldous
Which mount do you recommend I get that'll be compatible with most cameras? I was thinking Canon then use adapters if I need to use other mounts?