Lenses I’d Recommend
Photos by Samuel Bignell
35MM T1.5 Samyang Prime
One of my favorite lens of all time.
I bought this lens because I really wanted a true 50mm, on my APS-C canon 60D, on an APS-C a 50mm is like a 70mm, so 35mm would get me roughly 50mm
I really do love Samyang lenses, there amazing for the price, they do have a slight green tint compared to there bigger brother the Xeen Series but that’s TBE.
This lens is on my camera 85% of the time. Even on my Full Frame A7RII, it’s just the perfect focal length for me and has pleased many clients.
This lens is quite heavy and is often best used with a lens support but totally not necessary. The focus throw is not as large as real cinema lenses but is nice and smooth.
This lens also balances brilliant on the canon 60D alone & with a matte box and cage it also balances great on the A7RII! Perfect length.
The 35mm Samyang has gotten me epic shots of kids playing/Larping in wales and I use it very frequently on my Glidecam at insane f-stops like 1.4–2.8
Sadly although iv’e looked after my Samyang dearly the aperture ring sometimes doesn't respond and the focus ring has a little wobble now but it’s still hanging in there.
50MM F1.8 Olympus Prime
Looks can be deceiving, really sharp and clean bokeh for as little a £45
This little lens has been through war and was probably being used before I was even born.
Full Frame 50mm used to be used on a old Olympus OM30 Film Camera (Which is still working and used to this day)
This little lens inspired 2 of my friends to also surf the web to snatch one up for a good price of around just £45 and less.
My focus ring sadly is really stiff but still smooooooth, it makes is super nice for Film Work. Both friends do not have that problem, This little lens is a gem.
The lens is a fab travel lens, being super lightweight, and small, got me some great discreet shots around London.
It even still has the Jessops item number on the inner barrel.
135MM F3.5 Olympus Prime
Only a F3.5 but a hellah light, a hellah small, a hellah Sharp & Fullframe
Given to me by a good friend for low low price of FR££
This lens on paper sounds pretty boring, 135mm, f3.5 :L? But it’s the small tiny size and weight combined with sharp images that makes this lens fun to use.
It’s also an odd focal length 135mm? Not quite as neat as an 85mm or a 35mm found it hard to use for framing but still super fun and bokeh is lovely.
Sadly little use will come from this lens as the 70–200mm f2.8 has taken it’s place, but this lenses size and weight still makes it a great carry on lens. Unlike the 70–200 f2.8.
50MM F1.8 Canon Prime
The Nifty Fifty
Oh come on.… you knew this would be in here, this little lens with the Canon 60D is a legend.
Although this lens is also supposedly Full Frame it has some bad bokeh problems at that format size. But because of it’s super lightweight feeling I still use it on my A7RII but not so often compared to my 50mm Olympus.
On an APS-C sensor this is roughly 70mm so close to your 85mm portrait lens.
Got many many stunning portait shots of cast and crew with this little nifty fifty
10–18MM F4.5–5.6 Canon Zoom
A crop lens but good bang for buck (APS-C)
This little lens is made for APS-C cameras and it will allow you to achieve that Super Wide angle look.
This lens still works and is used on my A7RII in crop mode. It also can give this Super Ultra wide not quite fish eye look when used in Full Frame mode, It has some crazy vignetting in Full Frame but doubles as a super wide/MTV Fish Eye lens for BMX/Skatepark use. Check photos at the bottom of the page to see.
This lens has gotten me some epic shots of cars and mountain bikers up in wales i’m one of those guys who thinks 24mm is cool but SUPER boring compared to an epic 16mm super wide lens. I will use the Super wide angle impulsively & mostly likely irresponsibly n_n.
Has a little bit of aberration near the edges, not a low-light beast plenty sharp enough for my needs.
This lens is lightweight relatively cheap, well made for a KIT lens, Smooth zoom and live wire focus (Quick and silent, but annoying for MF)
55–250MM F4–5.6 Canon Zoom
Lightweight, Long Zoom (APS-C)
Although I will no longer use this lens as again my 70–200mm f2.8 has taken it’s place. This lens is still super appealing for it’s small, light weight compact design.
Focus is a tad slow and quite loud but has never had a problem keeping up with a fast sprinting dog or fast super cars.
Got many great pet shots with this lens and used it at may events, never failed to impress me.
70–200MM F2.8 Canon Zoom L
The newest addition to the family
Iv’e had my eye on a 70–200mm f2.8 for sometime now. Iv’e always wanted one for MTB action sports but whats great about it is that it doubles as your Portrait lens,Motorsport lens & Action sport Lens. It has multiple uses.
Got a great deal on this used but crazy good condition considering these lenses tend to get a ton of use.
Focus is fast and also not tooOOoOoOo heavy although not light… best to use a rod support when on the A7RII unless you mount from the lens.
Loving it so far (:
90MM F2.8 Tamron Macro Prime
Quite bad abberation but nice sharpness and super close focus.. hence.. macro..
This little lens doesn't get used much but when it does it always delivers pleasing results.
Focus is loud and quite slow but still fine for my needs.
Although this is a constant f2.8 lens sadly using the commlite Canon EF to Sony FE Active Adapter when manually pulling the f-stop changes from 2.8 to 3.5 even down to think f4 which really sucks, So you must use a passive adapter to keep a constant f2.8 when pulling focus. Far from a deal breaker just something to note.
I use this on bike parts quite often and always looks great.
How did I do these stills, ghetto style!
Just a cheap soft-box I have lying around and x2 160 Light LED panels, with a blue filter on one for a rim. Super quick and simple.
