Which lens for video on the nikon Z series cameras? – Can you really see the difference? (z6/z7)
Whether your just starting with your nikon Z series mirrorless camera (nikon z6 or nikon z7) or venturing into video from stills which lens to buy and use can be a challenging decision if you want to get the best from the cameras.
In this real world video focused review we look at and compare 3 popular lenses:
Nikon Z mount 50mm f1.8 lens –
Nikon Z mount 24-70 f4 lens –
Nikon F mount 24-70 f2.8 lens –
And also provides comparisons between:
All 3 lenses @ f4 –
Z mount 50mm & F mount 24-70 @ f2.8 –
Z mount 50mm @ f1.8, f2.8, & f4.0 –
Nikon Z 24-70mm f4
Nikon Z 50mm f1.8
Nikon Z7 + FTZ + 24-70 lens
Nikon Z7 + FTZ
Nikon Z7 + 24-70 lens
Nikon Z6 body
Nikon Z6 + FTZ
Nikon Z6 + 24-70
Nikon Z6 + FTZ + 24-70
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So which of the 3 lenses do you think is the best for video? Z 24-70mm f4; Z 50mm f1.8; or F 24-70mm f2.8
Great video
If the goal is to shoot more video than still – my thinking is that the focal length is (a little?) LESS important than the ability of the lens to support movement – both capture and facilitating movement of the camera AND the body on a Gimbal or Slider. In my (limited) shooting, the FTZ introduced weight and balance issues that are difficult enough to control with a zoom… Heck, even the lens cap requires rebalancing on the Gimbal!
I think there is an expectation (other than the Interview video) that the Camera/Lens be in a constant state of motion… until it’s more interesting to have camera stop moving because the subjects movement is the focus.
If that is correct, the lenses that make it easier to mount on your Gimbal and Slider (and, yes, I think we NEED both) is the lens you will use more often than lenses that need the FTZ Mount (as I was disappointed to learn) and focal length is going to be less important than still photography (were it was critical for composition) than its ability to cover the subject in context… then we hit on the tweedle-Dee, tweedle-Dum of Manual Focus vs Auto (Eye) Focus and Which lens works BEST for each choice (depending on the scene)
My coverage is the kitted Z 24/70mm… still waiting for my Z 14-30mm which I expect will cover 90% of what I need to shoot (of a play) and I’ll deal with the Zoom on the Gimbal…
But I did get the Venus Laowa 12mm for the very specific purpose of covering the 17th Century practice of delivering an “Aside” which needs to be visually set off as the character talking directly to the audience w/o anyone else privy to their thoughts. That. I suppose would be replaced by the Z 50mm 2.8 Interview lens (which I would avoid to keep the whole project as a non-realistic piece of parody)
The only Z-mount lens I have is the 24-70 S 1.8 and based on your test, it performed like a champ. It's exceeded my expectations. I appreciate the tests. Thank you.
Adrian: Will you use the eye detect for your studio videos or keep on using face detect