Camera Labs

Hey Folks!

New on this forum and because I don't see the forest through the trees anymore,.. my question to you

I really need a descent lens for shooting a documentary on nature/history, and taking landscape photos. But (and here's the snag) we plan to take pictures while climbing.

Which lens(es) is/are ideal for filming in rough conditions?

I work next to a regular camera(I mean professional camcorder), with a Canon 7D

Thanks in advance!

Well - Canon offers some weather sealed L lenses but those are pretty expensive and most of them (if not the big and heavy tele lenses) are made of plastic outside as well and they still have some glass inside. So in those rough conditions I'd rather think of an insurance than a special lens.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I don`t quite understand what gear you are already using. Do you have a 7D or a professional camcorder or both.

I assume you have a 7D, I think the Sigma 30 1.4 on that body should do the job. Or the 17-40 F4, if you then use a rapid strap or similar to carry the camera.
http://www.blackrapid.com/products#straps

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Thanks for your help so far, both of you.

The main question is which lens is a perfect lens, for shooting video during the climb and for taking stills.

I am using a sony PMW100 together with the 7D

For video I'd really prefer a lens with IS (Sigma OS; Tamron VC) as I guess you can't use a tripod while climbing

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

aside from the prime I mentioned earlier the canon 17-55 is usm could be interesting then, in so far that its not technically a parfocal lens, but based on my experience using it for video, it pretty well is. Parfocal means that as you zoom in and out things stay in focus. Obviously useful for video on a DSLR.

It also has IS, which would be useful like Jiko suggested. Its a good quality lens, possibly a bit big and heavy.

the other parfocal lenses, but without IS is the 16-35mm f/2.8L USM and EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and being L lenses should be a bit more robust.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic