Choosing the right lens kit for my own Sony FS5 and rented FS7 have been a challenge, as we use them for both narrative films and non-narrative work as corporate videos and documentaries.
What I now present is the current lens-kit in my bag and the reasoning behind the choices.
Wishlist
The things we want from the lenses in a kit are:
Focal lengths for common shots
High or very high optical quality
High mechanical quality
Color matched
Fast lenses
Reasonable cost for kit
Full-frame
Auto-focus
Follow focus
Optical stabilization
Native mount
“Feel good“
”Character”
The issue with the above list of wishes is that we have to make compromises. Even worse, the two last one is very hard to measure.
Compromises
The budget doesn’t allow to buy real cinema primes and rental for a basic kit is not an option when shooting documentary type of work on a regular basis.
We have tried some of the standard Sony E-mount lenses for a while, but have slowly upgraded to an improved kit as some of the initial compromises were to big.
Lens selections
I was a still photo guy from the beginning, using manual cameras, prime lenses and slide film. Therefore I have a preference for fixed focal lenghts.
This Sony Zeiss kit have a high optical & mechanical quality, feels good and have a character. They are all native mount, color matched, have AF and is probably on the high end of a reasonable cost. If needed, you can add follow focus rings as they all have a usable manual focus.
The Sony Zeiss E 16-70/4 OSS was initially bought with a mirrorless camera. It is not fast, neither full-frame, but otherwise a very versatile lens. Bonus for optical stabilization and a usable focal length from wide to short telephoto. (24-105 mm full frame equivalent). Can be used for Very Long Shot to Close-Up.
Next, the Sony Zeiss E 24/1.8 is a fast gem, but it doesn’t have OSS and is Super35 only. Used for Long Shots to Medium Shots.
Sony Zeiss FE 35/2.8 is more slow than usual for a prime, but have the benefit of being an extremely sharp full frame lens. Bit tighter than the 24 and used for Long Shot to Medium Close-Up.
Sony Zeiss FE 55/1.8 have even a higher optical quality Than the other lenses, is full frame and fast with a beautiful bokeh. But it doesn’t have image stabilization and the price is high for a 50 mm photographic lens. To be used for Medium Long Shot to Close-Up.
I still miss a companion 85 mm lens for tighter shots with Super35 and we would sometimes need a really wide lens, so the kit is not yet complete. For events do we need much more reach and another solutions are needed.
The lenses were all bought with discounts or used, thus a reasonable cost, e.g. less then the barebone camera without accessories.
Final thoughts
In the end, you have to learn how to use the equipment you have in the best way to create fantastic images.