Moving to Canon, looking at 35mm lens options for 4k video

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about switching systems completely (leaving Sony) and jumping aboard the Canon ship, potentially with the 5D Mark IV. I do lots of landscapes/cityscape photography, but I was mostly interested in the 4K video with smooth autofocus capabilities that Canon and hopefully the 5D Mark IV would provide.

Which 35mm would be better for video and smooth focusing? The:

1. EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM  or
2. EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

For features I noticed f/2 has IS and "low speed focus drive delivers optimal results for video shooting" according to Canon. I didn't see IS or low speed focus drive for the f1.4L.  Obviously 1.4 would let in more light and I know that's a sharp lens. But is the f/2 better for video?  I appreciate any input!

DR05 wrote:

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about switching systems completely (leaving Sony) and jumping aboard the Canon ship, potentially with the 5D Mark IV. I do lots of landscapes/cityscape photography, but I was mostly interested in the 4K video with smooth autofocus capabilities that Canon and hopefully the 5D Mark IV would provide.

Which 35mm would be better for video and smooth focusing? The:

1. EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM or
2. EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

For features I noticed f/2 has IS and "low speed focus drive delivers optimal results for video shooting" according to Canon. I didn't see IS or low speed focus drive for the f1.4L. Obviously 1.4 would let in more light and I know that's a sharp lens. But is the f/2 better for video? I appreciate any input!

Are you planning on handholding at all?  If so, get the f2 is.  That lens should be plenty sharp for video and the focus ring is very nice.  Is is very helpful for handheld video even at 35mm.  The 1.4 is likely great for focusing and does have f1.4 and crazy sharpness, but the f2 is is pretty sharp too.

diness wrote:

DR05 wrote:

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about switching systems completely (leaving Sony) and jumping aboard the Canon ship, potentially with the 5D Mark IV. I do lots of landscapes/cityscape photography, but I was mostly interested in the 4K video with smooth autofocus capabilities that Canon and hopefully the 5D Mark IV would provide.

Which 35mm would be better for video and smooth focusing? The:

1. EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM or
2. EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

For features I noticed f/2 has IS and "low speed focus drive delivers optimal results for video shooting" according to Canon. I didn't see IS or low speed focus drive for the f1.4L. Obviously 1.4 would let in more light and I know that's a sharp lens. But is the f/2 better for video? I appreciate any input!

Are you planning on handholding at all? If so, get the f2 is. That lens should be plenty sharp for video and the focus ring is very nice. Is is very helpful for handheld video even at 35mm. The 1.4 is likely great for focusing and does have f1.4 and crazy sharpness, but the f2 is is pretty sharp too.

Definitely on the hand holding. Thanks diness this is great insight.

NWT wrote:

DR05 wrote:

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about switching systems completely (leaving Sony) and jumping aboard the Canon ship, potentially with the 5D Mark IV. I do lots of landscapes/cityscape photography, but I was mostly interested in the 4K video with smooth autofocus capabilities that Canon and hopefully the 5D Mark IV would provide.

Which 35mm would be better for video and smooth focusing? The:

1. EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM or
2. EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

For features I noticed f/2 has IS and "low speed focus drive delivers optimal results for video shooting" according to Canon. I didn't see IS or low speed focus drive for the f1.4L. Obviously 1.4 would let in more light and I know that's a sharp lens. But is the f/2 better for video? I appreciate any input!

I suggest you move to Panasonic, it has better 4K capacity.

Thanks for the suggestion NWT. Although required for me, that 4k capability will come in second to my cityscape/landscape photography. What attracts me to Canon is potentially the 5DS if I ever wanted to expand my megapixel count and the native support for Zeiss landscape glass (such as Milvus 21mm 2.8, Otus 28mm 1.4) plus the other awesome Canon lens lineup, stuff like the 85mm 1.2.  And I desire the capability to use these nice lenses in *certain* video situations when a 35mm won't do the trick.  I'm also currently a Sony A mount user and appreciate that Canon has stuck to their mount for a few decades, whereas Sony is leaving my current glass out to die.

I know I've got a picky wishlist, 4k capability (hopefully 60p) & awesome/dependable lens lineup & decent megapixel counts among a few other things. I'm getting the sense Canon might be a good route, assuming decent dynamic range on the 5D Mark IV, but always interested in anymore insight.

Dan_168 wrote:

DR05 wrote:

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about switching systems completely (leaving Sony) and jumping aboard the Canon ship, potentially with the 5D Mark IV. I do lots of landscapes/cityscape photography, but I was mostly interested in the 4K video with smooth autofocus capabilities that Canon and hopefully the 5D Mark IV would provide.

Which 35mm would be better for video and smooth focusing? The:

1. EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM or
2. EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

For features I noticed f/2 has IS and "low speed focus drive delivers optimal results for video shooting" according to Canon. I didn't see IS or low speed focus drive for the f1.4L. Obviously 1.4 would let in more light and I know that's a sharp lens. But is the f/2 better for video? I appreciate any input!

Between the two 35mm, I like the 35 F1.4 II a lot better, it has larger max aperture, and it's sharp. but the F2 version has IS, I am not big fan of this lens but if IS is important for you that would be your only option.

Curious what's your main reason switching from Sony to Canon? as a landscape guy and multiple system user, I like the Sony ( A7R II) a lot better than my Canon, even the latest offering, another huge advantage for me using the A7R II is I can mount pretty much every single lens I have in my collection any lens on it, Canon, Nikon, Zeiss, Sigma , Samyang, Leica, Voigtlander..... But i only use it for landcape, for everything else I still prefer my Canon 1D4, 1Ds3 and Nikon D800E.

For 4K, I would give Panasonic a look also, just another option.

Thanks for your insight Dan, this helps a lot. I'd love any input you have - I just posted to the other forum https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4032366