Do you think with all the new gear Canon is announcing, they might be trying to offload some of their existing models that have been around for some time? Who knows, but the Canon Rebates are back, and they double if you bundle them with a select camera body. More information on the dedicated Rebates page (click here).
Canon DSLR Cameras, Lenses, and Speedlite Rebates
I originally picked up this Nikon 50mm F/1.8 E Series Pancake lens for use with the new Sony NEX-7, but I thought I would remind others that are just starting out in DSLR video, that these very inexpensive lenses can be used with your Canon DSLR cameras as well.
One of the first lenses most people suggest to others (if they are strapped on budget) is the Canon 50mm F/1.8 (found here). It's a fast and sharp prime lens that runs around $120 dollars, and the images will blow away the basic 18-55mm kit lens. The main complaint on this lens is the plastic build quality. If you don't require the autofocus feature, you can shop for older manual lenses which are better built with a smoother focus ring for video.
Lately i've been seeing a trend with inflating prices on older lenses. I'm constantly being outbid on many of the faster (vintage) prime lenses. Today, there are more mirrorless type cameras that can use these lenses, and more lens adapters available to mate the older Minolta, Pentax, Nikon, Canon, etc. lenses. If you have any collected from an old stash, keep them close. They have more value today, than they did just a few years ago.
Canon 5D Mark II + Nikon 50mm F/1.8 E Series Lens
If you're just starting out, these Nikon 50mm F/1.8 pancake lenses may not be the sharpest of older manual lenses, but I like the compact size, wide aperture, and the out of focus backgrounds. You can find many of them still for under $75 dollars (click here).
Nikon 50mm F/1.8 E Series Manual Aperture Manual Focus Lens
Hmm..So Canon has announced a new 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM lens like all the rumors were speculating for months now, but where's the 'IS' stamp? No Image Stabilization on this new lens, i'm sort of let down. For folks who are shooting with cropped sensors, they at least have the nice option of the 17-55mm F/2.8 IS (around the same focal range). Oh and the starting price is just under $2300 found below.
A few days ago I posted about using Rubber Hoods as an inexpensive solution to shading your glass (as opposed to Matte Boxes). The LCW - Light Craft Workshop Digi Pro ND Filter starts with a 77mm thread and cones out to an 82mm thread. Since these ND filters can be pretty expensive, you can adapt one ND to several lenses by using cheap step up filter rings. The same idea goes for other filters like a CPL - Circular Polarizer. If you plan to do this, you want to make sure that you get the largest ND filter available to cover all your lenses. The one problem you'll run into is that you can no longer use the stock lens hood, so a cheap fix is to use these folding rubber lens hoods. Here's a look at how it all comes together.
When shopping for Step Up filters, make sure the first number is smaller than the second. There is such a thing as 'Step Down Filters' which you probably won't have much use for. Not sure about the thread size of your lens? Normally you'll find the information on the lens itself, but another tip is to look carefully for tiny numbers on the back of your Lens Cap. Rubber lens hoods can be for under $5 bucks (click here).
Rubber Lens Hoods - via Amazon
Cheaper of course if you check on eBay
Folding Rubber Lens Hoods
I don't suggest stacking a step up on top of another step up. This could work in a pinch, but it will have a slimmer profile if you use just one. I'm using a 77mm LCW Digi Pro Variable ND filter, so to save myself the headache, I ended up purchasing (2) of every filter size up to 77mm. There's only about 7 common sizes to cover most DSLR lenses you'll come across from 49mm-77mm, 52mm-77mm, 55mm-77mm, 58mm-77mm, 62mm-77mm, 67mm-77mm, and 72mm-77mm.. Depending on the size of the ND or CPL you're trying to adapt to, you might want to do the same. For Step up filter rings, they run as low as $1 dollar + Free shipping.
Lens Metal Threaded Step Up Filter Rings
Once you've placed something on your lens like the new LCW Digi Pro Variable ND filter, which can start at 77mm and end in 82mm, you can no longer use the standard hood on your lens. Most likely you'll be using ND filters because you're outdoors on a bright day trying to cut down light. That same light could also cause lens flares and low contrast imaging.
To shade off that ND glass, an expensive and more cumbersome option of course is to have a Matte Box system on rails, or you can slap on a simple folding rubber lens hood. They can fold back when it's not needed or if it's in view of very wide angle lenses. Unlike the plastic lens hoods, these foldable rubber type hoods take up minimal space in a bag when packing. I had to grab myself one for the new LCW. Many are found for under $5 bucks (click here).
Rubber Lens Hoods - via Amazon
Some of the larger versions are more expensive on Amazon, but here's a seller that has the large 82mm version (needed for the LCW) for about $5.00 dollars (click here)
Folding Rubber Lens Hoods - via eBay
If you're in the market for that Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II (the latest version), there's currently a $300 dollar discount floating around. What you might not know is that there is another link that actually shows you a different price of $400 dollars off. They've listed the deal to expire on Jan 7th, and here's the link (click here)
Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 $400 dollar discount
If you love to shoot outdoors on bright sunny days with a shallow DOF, you'll need to get yourself an ND (neutral density) Filter. The ND filter will cut down the amount of light that comes in through the lens so that you can tame that shutter speed, and use a wide aperture without blowing out the image. Still confused? Olivia has a short video that explains how shutter can change the look of your video here: https://vimeo.com/25851113.
There are static ND filters in various sizes and densities, and then there are Variable ND filters. The convenience of a Variable type ND filter is you can simply dial in how much light you need to block out. Variable ND filters are a two piece glass filter design. Rotate the outer glass, and it will increase/decrease the amount of light passing through.
One important thing to know is that you will get different results from different Variable ND filters on the market. Because the filters are using two pieces of polarizing glass, you could suffer from color cast (reddish/purplish), also color shifting (color temp changes as you rotate the filter), and more importantly Softness of image. The more expensive ones don't suffer as much with these problems, but they can be out of reach for most hobbyist. Of course, I use what I can afford, because in some situations I feel anything is better than nothing. If you're a stickler on quality, or invested thousands of dollars on that Zeiss and Canon 'L series' glass, I think you'll want to try to maintain the best image possible by using something of higher caliber.
Shown throughout this article is the latest 77mm LCW Digi Pro HD, which on the outer end terminates to a larger 82mm. This step up from 77mm-82mm design prevents obstruction when used on wider lenses. Packaged well, the LCW Digi Pro HD comes with it's own padded case and an 82mm Lens cap if you choose to leave the filter on during storage. To ensure the filter does not accidentally rotate during use and changing exposure, there's a locking pin to hold position.
Light Craft Workshop was one of the first companies to really hit the DSLR Video market with a quality Variable ND filter about 3 years ago. Since then, they've improved with an Ultra Mark II version, and now has released a much more improved Fader ND Digi Pro HD. The Digi Pro HD filter was first released in a 4x4 filter used in Matte Boxes, and has now been adapted to this variable threaded filter.
I was lucky enough to have this sent over from LCW [Thanks Guys], and will be taking it out for some use. There's no question in my mind that it will provide top quality results, and i'll try to provide some still images at different focal lengths for you all. The new Digi Pro HD filter was just announced a few days ago, and may not yet be available, but you can see all their announcements at their website here: https://LightCraftWorkshop.com. As this Digi Pro HD is not a replacement for some of their other Variable ND products, you can find those products and prices already available at their official store via eBay (click here).
Light Craft Workshop Variable ND & CPL Filters
Missed the 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II deal? Fear not, there might be another chance for you to get this lens at the lowest prices this year.
If you search Adorama.com for the Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II (latest version), you'll find a nice $300 dollar instant rebate available. You can check out the normal price listing (here).
If you click through the Adorama banner below, the exact same SKU product number changes the price and knocks off a total of $425 dollars off the MSRP price. Not sure how long this will last, but it's here for the time being.
Click banner for Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II Discount
Available again, the fast moving Fuji X10 is currently in stock
Fuji X10 Digital Camera
A few other popular items you might have been eyeballing are also available.
Rokinon 7.5mm Fisheye lens for Micro Four Thirds
