PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Discuss any of the full size solid state XDCAM camcorders here.
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Finbo
Posts: 39
Joined: May 13th, 2012, 12:07 pm

PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by Finbo » October 18th, 2012, 1:03 pm

Following on from my previous post, I'm pricing up a lens to go with this camera when I buy it.

On my list are:

Canon HJ 17ex7.6 IRSE-a
Fujinon HA 18x7.6 BERM-M 137mm Focal

Both lens are similarly priced. As most of my work is ENG style, I'm looking for a good all rounder. In an ideal world I'd like a reasonably wide standard lens as I can't afford a separate wide angle lens as well.

Has anyone had experience of either of these two?

Or can anyone recommend another lens in the £7-9k bracket (excluding vat).

Many thanks
Finbo
Posts: 39
Joined: May 13th, 2012, 12:07 pm

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by Finbo » October 23rd, 2012, 11:37 am

No one on the forum with a 500??
Robin
Posts: 79
Joined: April 26th, 2012, 9:25 am

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by Robin » October 23rd, 2012, 4:44 pm

I do but I use the Fujinon 4.5mm wide angle zoom... with a doubler .... 99% of the time.. but yes it cost not that much less that the camera.. !! personally I dont think 7.6 is wide enough.
Finbo
Posts: 39
Joined: May 13th, 2012, 12:07 pm

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by Finbo » October 23rd, 2012, 11:04 pm

Thanks for the response. I know what you mean as I leave the wide angle on my current camera most of the time. But with ENG work you do need a longer lens as well. Unfortunately I can't afford a HD wide angle as well a standard lens. I know quite a few people that use a SD wide angle with an HD camera, so that's a possibility as well until I can afford a wide angle HD lens.

Robin, where do you find info on the settings for the 500? I see on this site Alister hasn't really made any recommendations for the 500, only the 350 and makes mention that they would different for a 500.
Robin
Posts: 79
Joined: April 26th, 2012, 9:25 am

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by Robin » October 24th, 2012, 3:22 am

No real one source .. here and .. just general reading.. I havnt done anything special.. Ive put the detail down as they all seem to be very sharp even at "0" setting.. and aperture at -20 .. the main thing would be learning about the hyper gamma,s .. as i had a Panasonic HD before the 500.. now I tend to use them rather than REC 709.. with the knee settings etc.. I did follow Alisters advise about sometimes adding some minus Blk gamma to give a bit more contrast when I know the post grading isnt going to be the full monty..
But yes would be great if Alister could get hold of a 500 !!
Finbo
Posts: 39
Joined: May 13th, 2012, 12:07 pm

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by Finbo » October 24th, 2012, 5:00 pm

I agree. It would be very handy if Alister were able to feedback on settings.
Icreative
Posts: 2
Joined: February 4th, 2013, 7:35 pm

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by Icreative » February 4th, 2013, 8:32 pm

Hi!

I'm using a Canon HJ14x4.3 since 4months back. It's a great lens and the extender works like a charm as well.
Crisp and clear images 8-)

I had to choose between this and a HJ22, but since I'm a steadicamoperator with own rig... well HJ14 was the right choice!
simonedwardscamera
Posts: 9
Joined: July 7th, 2012, 3:14 pm

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by simonedwardscamera » February 18th, 2013, 11:28 pm

I use both an HJ17 and an HJ11 on my 500 Finbo.

Personally I love my 17, it breathes a bit but its a dream handheld being heaps lighter and more compact than the 11.

The 11 tends to only come out when I REALLY need it now.
andysal1959
Posts: 3
Joined: March 10th, 2013, 11:10 pm

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by andysal1959 » March 14th, 2013, 12:24 am

Hi Finbo
You quote "As most of my work is ENG style," Its down to choice real but have you tried both lens on your type of camera? If not do so. there is plenty of dealers who have hands on demos just for that reason. you might get it a bit cheaper if you purchased it as an all in package deal. times are hard not just for us but also for the dealer I would shop around once you know what you want.

Myself I have a Canon HJ11 with doubler on my Ikegami HC500 I know a HD lens on a analogue camera is an over kill but it was purchased as a one off as long as you dont drop it its a good investment. I never buy second hand because of that reason. spread the cost over the years and it becomes more realistic as an investment for your video career otherwise the whole kit becomes an expensive toy.

Canon changed the HJ11 as they do over the years I got mine about 6 years ago with different end numbers.
ENG work is close up and the glass is perfect. For £100 I picked up a second ZSD zoom controller and second hand focus gearbox like new for about £150 and the £300 for the controller all canon I saved a good £1000 and all without problems.

I purchased the Sony pmw 350 2/3 chip not long ago because it came with a good HD lens and being a B4 mount my Canon HJ 11 fitts perfect together with a nano flash I up the bit rate to to whatever and have 4:2:2. That the reason I didn't go with the pmw 500.

I hope my ramberlings might have helped.

Regards

Andy ;)
thecamerachap
Posts: 6
Joined: May 16th, 2012, 10:51 am

Re: PMW 500 - What lens do you use/recommend

Post by thecamerachap » March 29th, 2014, 8:07 pm

Hi All, I have a Canon HJ17 for sale on eBay at the moment, was used on a Panny Varicam and PMW350, but just got an F5 so looking to fund some nice Nikon Lens. open to offers.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310911717360? ... 1555.l2649

drop me a line if you are interested
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