Choosing the right lenses for your next big project might be a daunting decision. With so many options out there, the answer isn’t always clear. Should you get a complete set of primes? Zooms? Vintage or modern?

1.The Look

Every lens has a different look, and there are a lot of factors to consider. Each lens will reproduce an image differently from the next. Modern lenses may have a more clinical, and sharp look, whereas Vintage lenses may be more stylized. But what does this mean exactly?

Vintage vs Modern

Vintage and Modern lenses produce significantly different images as they differ in aberrations, aperture shapes, glass coatings, and other factors. While a modern lens may appear to be more clinical and sharp, a vintage lens may include more desirable optical imperfections.

Vintage Lenses

Vintage lenses typically:
Have more optical character
Produce non-uniform background bokeh
May contain halation
May contain some optical aberration
May contain edge pincushioning
May have other interesting characteristics like swirling, barrel distortion, or color shift.

Modern Lenses

Modern lenses typically:
Are more sharp, clinical, and clean
Produce more uniform bokeh in shape and texture
Contain little or no optical aberration
Typically do not have heavy distortion

Anamorphic vs Spherical

Ever seen a movie that has the cropped top and bottom with letterboxing? Anamorphic lenses squeeze your image and compress it down to this cropped format.

Anamorphic and spherical lenses have distinct characteristics that influence cinematic output. Spherical lenses produce a realistic, undistorted image, offering clarity and a sharp visual experience, adhering to a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio. In contrast, anamorphic lenses distort the image to create a squeezed, cinematic look, which is then de-squeezed in post-production, enhancing the widescreen format and adding unique effects like light flares and bokeh.

Anamorphic

Anamorphic lenses squeeze your image from a 16:9 aspect ratio, down to a 2:1, 2.35:1, or 2.39:1. This produces a more “cinematic” look that is similar to many movies and TV shows.

Spherical

Spherical lenses capture images in a standard form, without squeezing the image.

2. The Practicalities of Production

Weight and Size

Depending on your project, you may want to consider the weight and sizes of your lenses. Here are some situations where you may need different sizes and weights of lenses.

Here are some things to consider:

Are you shooting in a tight space?
Will you be using gimbals? Drones?
Are you doing any specialty rigging, like an overhead rig, motion control?

When you might need a more compact/lighter lens:

Tight spaces
Gimbals, steadicams, or other stabilization rigs
Overhead rigs
Motion Control
Specialty rigging, like wall mounts
Car mounts
Drones

Zooms vs Primes

Prime lenses typically produce a more desirable look, as there are fewer pieces of glass between the sensor, and the actor, however there are some practicalities to consider here.

Do you have an assistant camera person to help you change focal lengths between shots?

How does you production schedule look like, will you have time to switch lenses?

What is the directing style of the director, do they want you to zoom in mid-shot to capture more?

Are you shooting out in nature, where it might not be as practical to change lenses?

Are you filming a continuous interview, live event?

These practicalities will typically inform your choice between zoom and prime lenses.

Focal Lengths

What types of shots are you looking to get? Are you in a confined space, and need wider angles? Are you looking to get more stylistic shots with some wide-angle distortion?

Choosing between different focal lengths will help you tell your story, but you’ll also be limited by the space and type of production you’re shooting.

3. Your Budget

As a cinematographer, this is the factor that you’ll most likely have the least control over. Your producers might give you a set rental budget to work with, that includes cameras, lenses, lights, and other grip equipment. In this case, it’ll be all about how to push your budget to maximize convenience and get the best look on your budget.

Here are some tips and tricks to maximize your rental list:

If you’re working on a tight budget, think about which focal lengths you really need. Instead of a full set of primes, consider opting for a 3-set, or 4-set
Consider using filters to add visual effects and specialized effects to your shot
Use Diopters! Diopters greatly enhance the look and feel of your close-ups, and add value to a budget lens.

We’re here to help!

Are you planning a film shoot? If you’re in Los Angeles, feel free to schedule a lens test with us, and our expert team is happy to guide you in making your lens choice! Book from our wide selection of lenses, vintage/modern, spherical/anamorphic.

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