Blackmagic Forum

We're looking at replacing a Canon XA45 camcorder with a camera that has 12G SDI. The Canon is currently mounted above the booth about 70' from the stage and used for a fixed, full stage safety shot.

It looks like the Blackmagic MicroStudio 4K G2 would work quite well, but I'm not sure which lens we should be looking at. The Canon has 20x optical zoom which we use to reach the stage. Don't necessarily need to dynamically zoom once the shot has been set but don't know how to convert this into the right telefocal lens.

Suggestions?

What is the width and depth of the stage area to be covered that is about 70’ distant (or is the 70’ distance to the middle of the stage in terms of the depth of the stage)?

If it’s a small stage, the Olympus Pro 45mm prime mFT lens field of view would cover a horizontal width of 20’ and a vertical height over 11’ in a quality fixed focal length fast f/1.2 lens.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1811114-REG

If it’s a wide stage, I’d recommend the SLR Magic Microprimes, mFT mount, either 25mm T1.5 or 21mm T1.6 would cover 36.5’ or 43.67’ respectively.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1496001-REG

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1507352-REG

Thank you... It's quite a large stage. The distance from the camera lens to the front of the stage is 70'. The stage depth is another 20'. Width of the stage is about 65', but the FOV would be slightly less than that - about 50'. I'll look at your suggestions.

Unfortunately, the Canon XA45 camcorder does not have a removable lens. In any case, we plan to repurpose it so reusing the lens wouldn't work. Your suggestion did prompt me to look closer at the XA45 manual. It states the built-in lens is 29.3mm (35mm eq) with a 1/2.3 sensor. I'm thinking now it might be better to look for a short throw MFT mount zoom lens. Something like https://shop.panasonic.com/products/g-s ... leica-lens

wrldtvlr wrote:… The distance from the camera lens to the front of the stage is 70'. The stage depth is another 20'. Width of the stage is about 65', but the FOV would be slightly less than that - about 50'...

Then if you go with the SLR Magic Microprime 17mm T1.5, it might be a perfect choice for your needs.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1599011-REG

Horizontal view is 53’ at stage front.
Vertical view 30’.
You can set focus at 70’ or even say 45’ and you’ll have part of the audience in focus as well beyond the back of the stage.

If someone wanted to go with a zoom that would give you the opportunity to vary the focal length depending upon the varying needs of different productions, the Tokina 11-20mm could also be an option. You wouldn’t really need the 11mm wide end but you might use the 14-20mm focal lengths.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1435279-REG

14mm provides a 65’ horizontal view when needed and 20mm provides 45.5’ horizontal view.

Very helpful. Thank you - exactly what I was hoping to learn