topic Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording in EF & RF Lenses

Recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

danpaluck — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:36:28 GMT

Hello!

I'm working with a nonprofit to record and archive their shows/musicals they put on. I have a Canon R8 with the basics, RF 50mm 1.8, RF 35mm 1.8.

Would the 24-105 f4L be bright enough, or would I have to go for the 28-70 2.8? Or maybe there's another EF lens that I could buy with adapter to save some cash?

I would love any options/recommendations!

Here is a still of some video I took with the 50mm below:

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

deebatman316 — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:42:55 GMT

I wouldn't recommend investing in EF lenses for an RF Mount camera. The RF Mount is the future the EF Mount is NOT. Once you factor in the adapter and the EF lens. The price of the RF lens makes more sense than the EF lens. Then who knows how long Canon would support the lens for. F/4 is a moderately fast aperture but it may not be fast enough in low light. The F/2.8 lens would be a better option. How far away are you from the stage. This helps us determine if the lens is long enough.

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

Waddizzle — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:44:37 GMT

If you are shooting video, I would prioritize a wide aperture based on your frame grab. I must point out though, the image quality seems excellent using the 50mm.

Is there something about the video quality that you don’t like or want to improve?

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

danpaluck — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:45:56 GMT

The video quality itself is great yes, but they would like us to zoom in more on faces during certain songs/sets.

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

danpaluck — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:47:44 GMT

It's hard to say without measuring of course. We're filming from the edge of the balcony. Maybe 100 feet away?

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

shadowsports — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 03:42:07 GMT

Greetings,

I'd recommend the RF 70-200 f2.8. Its not inexpensive, but it will do exactly what you need.

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

ebiggs1 — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:09:25 GMT

As the Arts Dept photographer I have done this for decades. I can't remember how many shows I've done but a lot a whole lot. I am a bit more than 100 feet but not more than perhaps 150 feet. I used several lenses. But my favorite and most used lens is my Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. Of course I always have my ef 70-200mm f2.8L and ef 24-70mm f2.8L with me, always, always.

At times you want the entire stage and at times you want real close ups. I never did videos however only stills and pubs. i will warn you if you are doing a video of a copyrighted musical like the ones you can rent from the big musical houses in New York, MTI, etc., video is strictly prohibited except commonly for one archive copy to be kept with the performing company or organization. It can't be shown publicly. Sharing the footage online or otherwise showing it could lead to legal repercussions.

Sometimes even a recording made for classroom use, as a personal memento or as an archival school record violates the authors' separate right to reproduce their work. Make sure you read your contract to see what is allowed and what isn't.

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

kvbarkley — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:30:20 GMT

Find the aperture and ISO you used for the 50mm. Adjust the aperture to f/4 and bump up the iso accordingly. Do you still get acceptable results?

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

danpaluck — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:31:39 GMT

"except commonly for one archive copy to be kept with the performing company or organization."

Yes they know that. This is only one copy for archival purposes, and will not be shown to anyone else.

Thank you for the lens recommendations! Since I have an R8, is it worth getting the EFtoRF adapter and buying the EF lenses to save money? Otherwise it be $1500-$2000 for the RF variants.

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

shadowsports — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:46:34 GMT

@danpaluck wrote:

Since I have an R8, is it worth getting the EFtoRF adapter and buying the EF lenses to save money? Otherwise it be $1500-$2000 for the RF variants.

Greetings,

In the short run, buying EF can be less expensive. However, you are buying a product that is at or near EoL. Canon only services the EF 70-200 mkIII. If you go this route, buy used.

RF glass is the way to go. Buy wrong, buy twice. Buy right, buy once. That choice is yours. The EF version of the 70-200 remains one of the best Canon ever made.

12th row. RF 70-200 f.2.8. 200mm, 1/250, f2.8 ISO 2500

12th row, RF 70-200 f.2.8. 142mm, 1/200, f2.8 ISO 1600

50%

100%

Re: LF recommendations for low light Zoom lens for Theater recording

ebiggs1 — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:59:19 GMT

"... you are buying a product that is at or near EoL."

It isn't as simple as that. Yes, I do recommend folks buy RF for their new R series cameras. EF may be dead as the Canon company goes but it is far from dead in the market. An EF lens can last and work as well as it ever has for a very long time. I have EF lenses that are 20+ years old and have never needed service and they were used full time. I have FD lenses that are half century+ old that they still work just fine.

Every bodies situation is different and still the bets advice is go RF but it is not the only path..