Canon 18-55mm and other lightweight lenses on BMCC

Hi everyone,

I am currently on the hunt for ultra lightweight lenses. I have a gimbal stabiliser on order that will hopefully arrive in the next few days. Due to its load capacity limit of 2.0kg, I was going to use it mostly with a 5D Mark III and ML RAW hack, but I am looking for lens options that will allow me to use the BMCC as well. So far I have come up with two lenses:

1) BMCC EF (1.70kg) + Sandisk SSD (0.082kg) + Canon 40mm F/2.8 Pancake lens (0.124kg) = 1.906kg
2) BMCC EF (1.70kg) + Sandisk SSD (0.082kg) + Canon 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 Zoom lens (0.2kg) = 1.982kg

I was wondering if anyone has tried the new 'STM' version of the 18-55mm on a BMCC, which would be preferable to the older versions of that lens, as it has a proper manual focus ring? I saw a video shot on the 'IS Mark II' model (previous one) and it said that the IS didn't work on that lens. I wonder if this is the case with the STM version as well?

Additionally, if you can think of any lenses that can be mounted onto EF mount that are roughly 200g or less, please let me know

Interesting question. First, I have the older version of that lens, and it seems to work on my EF. If I read you right, you are talking about the one with the very narrow focus ring. It appears to me the stabilization does work. ( I am using firmware 1.4)

But I wonder if you should even be using stabilization with the gimbal stabilizer. The gimbal itself acts as a stabilizer right ?.

But I wonder if you should even be using stabilization with the gimbal stabilizer. The gimbal itself acts as a stabilizer right ?.

I guess I should have split the question in two parts:

1) Does the new STM version work on the BMCC? - not for the STM feature (since it wouldn't work on the BMCC), but for the focus ring.

2) Does IS on that lens work? - not for use on the gimbal, just a general question.

Chris, which older version do you have exactly? Is it the 'IS' or the 'IS II' (Mark 2)?

Lens only says IS. Came with a T2i a few years back. I was just eyeballing the screen when I tried testing it, but it seems to me to be working. Not sure how to confirm it positively for you.

I decided to just buy one and return it if it doesn't work. I received it today and I can confirm the STM version of the 18-55mm EF-S lens works with the BMCC, incl. Aperture and Image Stabilisation! The new focus ring on the lens body is quite smooth and exactly the right width to attach a lens gear.

The Image Stabilisation on this lens looks/feels quite different to the IS on my 24-105mm F/4 L IS lens. It's not great for pans, but quite effective for static handheld shots (no or little camera movement).

Definitely worth buying if you're restricted to using a very lightweight lens (205g) for use on a stabiliser.