When you work with smaller lenses like Zeiss Superspeeds, you’re helped by their portability. They make handheld rigs lighter, lens exchanges less cumbersome, and leave more space on the camera cart.
So, you’d expect that working with big zoom lenses, like an Angenieux Optimo 24-290, would be the opposite of those things and therefore, bad.
Well, you’d be half right.
In many ways, having a large zoom lens in your camera package adds a level of inconvenience, but in other ways, it can be advantageous.
For the sake of truly understanding the advantages of large zoom lenses, I’m going to assume you will be using them as your primary lens or your only lens. If you are working with a multitude of lenses, you would ideally use them each where they appropriately apply best.
Pros of Working with Big Zoom Lenses
1. They’re Easier to Maintain
Throwing one lens on the camera and leaving it there for an entire day makes maintenance simple and straightforward. As long as the rear element is clean when you put it on, you should only have to clean the front element occasionally — perhaps even less if you have a mattebox protecting it.
There is also the added bonus that when you do need to check the lens, it’s readily available. You don’t have to fetch the case, secure it in your lap, and then get down to business.
Overall, it’s the availability and simplicity of having one lens that makes it easy to keep in good condition.
2. Your Follow Focus Marks Stay Consistent
Whether you mark on the follow focus or the lens itself, it’s frustrating when right before a shot is set to roll, the director of photography (DP) has a change of heart for a change of lens.
With a zoom attached, however, they can quickly adjust the focal length. For you, that means your follow focus marks will stay consistent and on point (as long as the backfocus is calibrated) even if you “punch in” for closeups.
3. They Add Shot Variety With Minimal Effort
Continuing with the idea of punching in, large zoom lenses allow a certain freedom for directors and DP’s who want to add a touch more coverage without diving into an entirely new setup.
With little difficulty, they can zoom out for a wider take, zoom in for an insert, or go anywhere in between to mix things up.
And because your markings will stay correct, there’s significantly reduced setup time to do this.
Cons of Working with Big Zoom Lenses
1. Results in a More Awkward Camera Rig
Unsurprisingly, the worst part about slapping on a giant lens to a camera is the sheer size and weight it adds. Many large zooms are longer than the cameras they end up attached to.
The whole camera gets front heavy, long, and the size becomes an issue in tight quarters. It will also take more effort to lug around set.
In short, the rig ends up becoming… awkward.
2. They Require a Robust Support System
Part of the reason the rig ends up so awkward is because you have to surround the lens with a more robust support system than usual.
You’ll most likely have to resort to a studio-size mattebox, longer rod support (as well as lens support on the rods), and appropriate accesories to support the weight for your sticks, head, and dolly.
Don’t underestimate how choosing one of these big lenses will dictate additional accessories in your camera package. And if you’re using this in conjunction with other lenses, you’ll likely have two sets of certain accessories to accomodate each.
3. They’re Not Well-Suited for Handheld
If big zooms had a report card, there’d be a big “F” next to the column marked “Handheld.”
Not only do they front load the camera — making handheld uncomfortable and tricky — but they also take an increased amount of time to deal with in handheld scenarios.
It’s not as simple as popping on the lens, attaching the grips to the rods, and throwing the camera up on a shoulder. Putting the camera into handheld mode with these lenses isn’t an easy process nor a fast one because you have to work around them.
Two Key Takeaways:
1. In certain situations, big lenses save you time.
Scenarios where you are limiting camera movement and keeping the camera mounted are ideal. Limiting the amount of shuffling with the camera and the lens is going to let you maximize the amount of time you save by using the zoom lens in the first place.
2. Big lenses are bad for run n’ gun style shooting.
Zoom lenses are attractive to run n’ gun shooters because you don’t have to swap lenses and can tweak the focal length or frame with minimal effort.
These large zoom lenses, however, are a different beast. It’s not like popping on an 18-55mm Canon DSLR kit lens
The setup time for them is front loaded. So while you save time during the day, multiple company moves aren’t a good idea with this type of glass. While you can do run n’ gun with them, they’re more cumbersome and bulky than you’ll want for that style of shooting.
Bonus Tip & Your Experience with Big Lenses
I’ll conclude with one last thing to think about: if you decide to go with a large zoom as your only lens to save money/time/whatever, remember that you’re stuck with what you got from there on out.
If, for some reason, the lens gets a scratch on the front, then every shot will have to be filmed with that lens. It isn’t like a primes set where you just don’t shoot with that one.
Finally, I’d love to hear what your experience has been with big lenses and other pros and cons you’ve noticed. What do you think the strengths and weaknesses are of these lenses? Let me know in the comments!