- Posts: 124
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:13 pm
- Real Name: Chris Duran
Texaco87 wrote:Having said that, I am neck deep in research regarding lens choices for the BMMCC. I got the .58 speedbooster to reduce the crop factor and allow for the additional 1 2/3 stop of light and would love to know what lenses people love/use for the BMMCC, and I suppose the og BMPCC as well.
What mount is your speedbooster for: Canon (EF) or Nikon (F/G)? I like the Nikon one because it has a smooth aperture ring built in, which works on some lenses that don't have aperture rings (e.g., the Sigma 18-35 Art zoom). But then you have to deal with Nikon lenses, which focus in the opposite way of other lenses (the Sigma 18-35 Nikon mount is an exception to that rule).
Many people go with the Sigma 18-35 because it's so versatile; I personally never warmed to that lens as I find it too contrasty and sharp and devoid of character, but I have one anyway because it covers a very useful range and is fast (good for situations where light isn't optimal).
The zoom I used most often with the Speedbooster in recent years is a 1990s-era Tokina ATX Pro 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8 zoom, which is based on an Angénieux design. I was lucky enough last year to get an original Angénieux 17.5-70 f2.2 zoom from the 1970s (PL mount), which was designed for Super 16 and that's now my favorite lens on this camera. No speedbooster required, and that's good; I'd prefer not to have more glass between my lens and the camera. This lens has plenty of vintage character and a very useful zoom range, but the focus breathing is the worst I've seen on any lens, surprising for a lens that was designed for cinema.
I would steer clear of autofocus lenses like the widely recommended Panasonic 12-35 MFT zoom; on both of my BMMCCs the focus tends to shift when I start recording so I only use manual focus lenses on this camera. It doesn't happen on the original Pocket, only the BMMCCs but it happens on both of mine.
For primes, one lens that really shines if you're going to use a speedbooster is the Zeiss 35/1.4 distagon; I bought a cine-modded one in Nikon mount. On the BMMCC it becomes a gorgeous portrait lens. For the wide side I like the SLR Magic 10mm, which is native MFT mount so no adapter needed. It's not the sharpest lens and is very dreamy and soft wide open, but I like its look and it has served me very well.
In general you should try to find lenses that will match well with each other so you have a consistent look across lenses. I didn't do that very well in the case of my primes!