Midrange zoom choice for stills and video?

[kayasaman]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at getting the R5C as I would like to combine my Pentax K1 II and Nikon D500 based systems and add video. The R5C is ideal for this as it can do manual focus and auto focus in a single body with focus peaking in MF and good AF and of course has the cinema OS side for video so great for vlogs and documentary style stuff.

Though sadly only clog3 codec but can shoot RAW when needed....

Also there's the fan too which I've heard the R5 and R5ii and even the R3 will overheat, so essentially it suites my needs quite well....

I'm just wondering if anyone does wildlife stills and video and vlogs, and what they could suggest for a mid focal length zoom lens?

My interests are in landscape, astrophotography, macro, wildlife and of course video and vlogs.

For now I was thinking about a travel setup that I could fit in my backpack (Shimoda X70 - ok you can fit the kitchen sink in this thing it's so spacious and big), take on the plane and even hike easily with if necessary....

My idea so far is the:

RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM

RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro USM

RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM

Unfortunately I am not sure what to do in the middle.... I am stuck between the 24-105mm and 24-70mm & 70-200mm combinations?

My thoughts on these lenses are these, from my reading various reviews:

* 24-105mm f/4L IS USM - Pros: light, inexpensive, good for video Cons: image quality not as good as f/2.8, no weather sealing

* 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z - Pros: sharp, internal zoom, optimized for video Cons: expensive, heavy, big

The 24-70mm and 70-200mm combo would just mean one more lens in the bag for now and adds cost of an extra lens. Is there really any reason to go down this route?

If I think about what I do currently in stills, then really I only need a wide angle and super tele lens plus something in the 100 to 150mm range with macro capability, which I already covered in my lens list.

But I'm just wondering for wide to mid-range video and vlogging plus the occasions where you need to frame something within those focal lengths, like you see a rock formation or something that a wide lens is too wide for or super tele is too narrow for....

Or you wana film something at say 50-80mm focal length.

Hmm.... I'm really stuck over this one! Maybe just grab the 24-105mm f/2.8L Z and be done with it??

That could combine with the 1.4x TC so would even get around to near the 200mm mark of the 200-800mm....

I may add the 100-500mm L series later on with another body, perhaps an R5ii or even R1 as the low light performance is suggested to be better due to the larger pixel size.

But for now I just want to get something I can quickly migrate over and save me having to take 2 systems and just get started in learning the Canon OS etc...

Thanks for any suggestions

[SignifDigits]

You certainly have done your homework!  I cannot tell you want to do for your situation.  I scrimped on the macro by going used EF (actually have both the 100mm and the 180mm macro and have used the 180mm more so far, but early days on my macro work - both superb optically and don't care about AF) instead of RF and then going cheap with the RF 24-105 STM f/4-17.2 IS STM and splurging on the RF 70-200 f/2.8  LIS USM Z.  I also have the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM.  I don't shoot for a living, nor weddings, but this combo works for me.   I just need more time shooting and better skills, not better equipment at this point.

These lenses mount on my R6 Mark II. The IBIS is super helpful - you'll be giving that up.  Have you compared the newly announced R6V versus the R5C?  If not, maybe you should take a look.

[kayasaman]

Interesting!

Lens wise, when I started with my Pentax I couldn't stretch to the 15-30mm f/2.8 so instead I went for the Samyang/Rokinon 24mm f/1.4

Everybody, even in the Canon world on EF mount was like this is the "best" astro lens there is....

What I quickly discovered is that this lens has major internal reflection issues. Design or coating... no idea? but anyway, each time I tried to attempt the Milkyway core I got a massive white circle surrounding the frame.

Now with the Tamron assisted OEM f/2.8 I get the same optical clarity if not better and no reflections on brilliant points of light.

I'm sure there will be no issue between the RF 24-105mm f/4 and RF f/2.8 but however, what was suggested in optical difference between both is difficult to pass up. Even though no weather sealing, I can live with that though not ideal.

I guess one thing I need to do is start reading reviews between the RF 70-200mm f/2. and f/4 and RF 24-70mm.

No difference between the f/2.8 and f/4 optically. So it's a matter of weight presumably (I haven't checked) and of course f/2.8 which for me can help for astro work but isn't essential as you just then need more time acquiring frames for stacking.

I have seen the R6V on the Canon Rumors FB page and there was even a comparison too. The advantage seems that it features OpenGate like the C50 but I'm not sure of any other details there....

Many people where wondering what the point was and if it was supposed to be a competitor to the Nikon ZR.

Perhaps people are more confused over why not a R5C ii taking advantage of the R5ii sensor over the older gen R5.....

Oh, just re-reading your post and noticed you went for the 70-200Z over the standard one... 

But if you're happy with  that setup then maybe I should read a little more on it and see if it will do the job I'lm looking for.

Interesting you mention the 180mm EF macro! I was looking at the Venus Lens Laowa offering but it doesn't have the magnification of the 100mm version. I think it's like 2x vs. 1x or 1.4x for the 180mm.

Coupled with a macro rail from Nisi or Novoflex and it would really make a nice setup!!

I was actually checking out the DZO PL mount probe... I think you can get an adapter. It's expensive but optically better then the Laowa offerings.

I've seen it in action coupled with an iFootage slider rail and DJI RS4Pro gimbal. You can get very cinematic style motion shots with that setup....

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Lenses are the real investment in photography.  

The R6v is a video centric camera.  I feel like the R5 C has stronger photographic capability at the expense of IBIS.  Personally I've never missed it since all of my lenses have IS.  However, I'm sure a body with IBIS could be in my future at some point.  I have to say however, the R5 C continues to meet my needs making an upgrade less important for me.

I have a staple of lenses that would compliment any mirrorless body.  

You have fairly broad photography interests, somewhat similar to my own.  Landscape and architecture, wildlife and some astro.  Video remains second for me, and you are correct, Cinema OS is special.  😍

I'd use my 15-35 for astro and wide-angle landscapes.  Most vlogging could be done at 35 mm.

A 24-70 for architecture and cityscapes.  If you want to shoot at night you have to go with the f 2.8.  Otherwise the 24-105 f4 would be my choice over the f4~7.1.  It's not that the variable aperture lens is bad. It isn't. It's a fantastic lens.  My photography has taken me to to Canon's L series glass.  I do have the RF 100-400 (use rarely) and it's remarkably sharp.  Best when the 100-500 is too big.  

The RF 100 is the best macro lens period.  

Optional.  A 70-200 for portraits.  The RF 200 800 is now the RF standard for wildlife.  My RF 100 500 has a special place in my heart.  Very good as a wildlife lens since it's not as wieldy as the 200-800.  However, at the expense of reach.  On a 45 megapixel sensor, you have some additional cropping capability over a 32.5.  You can however shoot in crop on a 45 megapixel sensor with a high degree of success.  

If you are going to shoot a lot of 4k60 video and the majority of your footage is under 2 hours. The R6v is an excellent option.  It is reported to shoot 4k30 without any limits.  I like a viewfinder however, so it's probably not my cup of tea.

There are no recording limitations or overheating with the R5 C.  I've had it in Montana and Texas during the summer and that heat will challenge any camera.  Not as dry as a desert but plenty warm. 🤣.

Although your lens choices are sort of at the forefront of your decision, You will also need to determine what percentage of video you will be shooting, how important a viewfinder is to you, and if your shooting scenarios will absolutely benefit from IBIS.  I shoot more stills so a viewfinder was important to me.  Not having IBIS was acceptable to me.  I don't post to social media regularly so open gate is not critical.  The R5 C checks my boxes, and I wanted a 45 megapixel sensor.  32.5 is respectable and enough for many.  I couldn't go any lower on my primary body however.  

From your original post, it sounds like you're looking for a video centric camera to compliment your other body's?  Hopefully some of the things I've mentioned will help in your decision-making process. 

[kayasaman]

Hi Rick,

thanks so much for the detailed response!

Actually, I want a hybrid video/stills camera. I have been checking out everything from Nikon and eventually gave up as the Z8 and Z9 don't have fully articulating screens so no selfie style vlog stuff with them. The Z6 iii does but then my glass in the Nikon world is F-mount.

That includes the big and heavy 600mm f/4 G series lens.

What I'm actually looking for is something that can do what my Pentax and Nikon can do right now but add video features.

The R5C is perfect for this and I think down the line coupled with the R1 would probably be perfect for my long term needs.

I did check out the C50, C70 and even C80 in addition but no stills capability to what I was looking for - as you even say "viewfinder" so yeah, it's important for action and SuperTele moments 

So yeah, the key thing here is trying to find the right lenses to go with this thing. I'm pretty picky about glass as I like tack-sharp and punchy which my Pentax 28-105mm is a big disappointment in that area.

Sure glass is expensive but for me the key thing is how will it fair up to my needs and what exactly am I willing to compromise... eg. weight over optics or price over build or features etc...

That's always the hardest decision... finding the best trade-off