How do cine/video lenses differ from DSLR/photo lenses, and why do cine lenses cost more?
Asked 4/6/2012
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Videographers often like DSLR lenses because there are many options and they can be much less expensive than dedicated cinema lenses. Aside from obvious features like focus gears or stabilization, what are the main practical and optical differences between still-photo lenses and cine/video lenses? Why do professional cine lenses usually cost more than comparable photo lenses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
9
This is a good question and one I've recently wondered about, I found this article to be very informative once you ignore his complaints about 'cheap plastic photography lenses with no focus rings and variable apertures'. Lets assume we're talking about professional lenses here (L lenses etc), his points were
Cine lenses have more of a 'oiled' or damped focus/zoom feel which aids in not jarring the viewer with the fact that focus/zoom is changing. I agree, all my (many) L lenses are very snappy on focus and zoom which is helpful when quickly changing focus & zoom before shooting a photo but could be jarring if not compensated for when shooting video.
Cine lenses have more variable aperture adjustment ON the lens which he points out that even if your camera can adjust aperture while recording it can only do it in 1/2 to 1/3 steps which can be jarring for the viewer.
Cine lenses have gearing built in for follow focus (but you can add this w/varing degrees of succes with aftermarket modifications to photo lenses).
It looks like it comes down to photo lenses are optimized to help you quickly change settings before/between shots and cine lenses are optimized to prevent viewers from noticing changes you're making while recording.
Originally by user1819. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1819
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Cine lenses and still-photo lenses are built for different priorities.
Photo lenses are designed for quickly framing and capturing a single image. Their focus and zoom rings often move quickly and directly, which is great for stills but can make focus pulls or zooms look abrupt in video.
Cine lenses are designed for smooth, repeatable motion during recording. Common differences include:
- smoother, more damped focus/zoom feel for controlled pulls
- aperture control designed for adjustment during shooting, often in finer or smoother increments
- mechanics that better suit follow-focus and other video rigs
On the optical side, some broadcast/video lenses are optimized differently depending on use. For example, studio box lenses may prioritize performance across the full image, while ENG-style portable lenses may favor center performance and lower weight.
Why the higher cost? Much of it comes from the precision mechanics and handling needed for video work, where changes happen during the shot and must look smooth and consistent. In short: photo lenses are optimized for speed and still capture, while cine lenses are optimized for controlled operation during motion capture.
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