Capturing cinematic footage in filmmaking is a delicate balance of many things coming together to the right degrees. Part of this is choosing from multiple kinds of lenses to find the one that will make shooting the right scene a breeze.
Prime Lens
Prime lenses are lenses set at a single focal length. Two of the best sizes for prime lenses are 35mm and 50mm because they realistically mimic how humans see the world.
Prime Lens Pros
Lightweight and Compact
A benefit of a single focal length within the SIRUI Jupiter Prime Cine lens is that it requires fewer components. This makes the lens smaller and lighter, allowing for better maneuverability and carrying options while you’re shooting.
Better Image Quality
Prime lenses have less distortion and chromatic aberration. They also produce sharper images because the lens is specially formulated and tailored specifically to that single focal length.
Great Low-Light Performance
The SIRUI Jupiter Prime Cine lens features a wider aperture. This wider aperture allows for more light to enter the lens. This makes the prime lens ideal for shooting in low light conditions because it can still pick up the smallest details, even when the lighting isn't perfect.
Prime Lens Cons
Lack of Versatility and Flexibility
A single focal length limits the flexibility of the prime lens. You have to change lenses to get a different focal length, which can be a hindrance in dynamic situations.
Zoom Lens
The zoom lens is less popular with established filmmakers, but it is still an excellent one to have in your repertoire to increase flexibility. You're saved from having to buy several lenses to cover all the focal ranges you want to protect, and you can instead use a single lens to cover all your needs.
Zoom Lens Pros
Wider Focal Range
Depending on the lens you choose, zoom lenses can give you focal ranges between 24-105mm or 55-250mm in a single lens. This means more versatility in a single lens.
Flexible Framing and Zooming
The flexibility of zoom lenses is built right in. This flexibility allows you to change and adjust your framing, increasing your creativity.
Zoom Lens Cons
Tend to be Bigger and Heavier
Because of the wide variety of focal lengths, a zoom lens needs more internal components. This makes the lens bulkier and heavier.
Risk of Distortions and Aberration
Zoom lenses often have a problem with magnifying different parts of the image unequally, leading to a distorted image.
Consider Lens Speed
Another thing that's important to take into account is the lens speed. A faster lens speed gives better visibility in low light. Lenses with wider apertures are also known as fast lenses. Prime lenses are especially known for having a wide aperture which takes in a lot of light and makes it perfect for poorly lit situations.
A fast lens has a low T-stop number. A high-speed lens could be 1.4, but this is at the higher end of the price point. A good middle ground for T-stop numbers that won't break the bank but are still fast is between 1.8 and 2.0.
Choose the Right Lens When You’re Shooting
Picking between a prime lens or a zoom lens might seem complicated, but it comes down to what you need when you're shooting. Choosing the SIRUI Jupiter Prime Cine lens for filmmaking gives you creative flexibility that can be seen on the screen. For more ideas on getting the best out of your filmmaking, visit our website.