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Camera Lens for Shadow Puppet animation?

Started Feb 8, 2021 | Questions thread
Gato Amarillo Veteran Member • Posts: 9,340
Re: Camera Lens for Shadow Puppet animation?

Bobby Thunder wrote:

Hello!

I'm looking for some advice on Camera Lenses.

I am just starting a project to make a short animated shadow puppet film and I'm trying to work out the best Lens type to use when down shooting with my Canon EOS 550 camera. I have a strong light source below the table and three glass shelves with the lower two for tracing paper backgrounds and the highest one for black silhouette puppets. I want to be able to have sharp focus on the black silhouettes and to play with the focus on the background layers. I have been advised that an older glass lens is the way to go but I'm not sure which focal length is the right one. Currently thinking perhaps a 28mm canon lens but any advice would be hugely appreciated!

Thankyou!

If you're shooting straight down height and viewing may be an issue. If you have the kit zoom you can try your setup with that and determine the best focal length.

Aside from that, your best bet is probably a standard 50mm 1.8. If that puts the camera too high then you can go to a wider lens. Keep in mind that changing the camera working distance will change the foreground-background size relationships -- a wider lens may need larger backgrounds.

If your camera offers live view through wifi control from a tablet or phone may be a good solution.

Gato

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