Here is a list of prime lenses that I recommend for video. Lenses are sorted from widest to longest and cheapest to most expensive.
Wide Primes
8-35mm
Rokinon 8mm F3.5 $290
- APS-C and Micro 4/3
- For APS-C (black edges on Full-Frame)
- Available with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A and Pentax Mounts
- Can be adapted to Micro 4/3
Rokinon 8mm T3.8 CINE $330
VIDEO: Watch Caleb's Review
See more in the full review.
- APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Available with Canon and Nikon Mounts
- Can be adapted to Canon, Nikon, Sony, Micro 4/3
- De-clicked aperture
- Geared focus ring and aperture ring
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 $325
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A Micro 4/3 Mounts
Rokinon 14mm T3.1 CINE $365-450
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A Micro 4/3 Mounts
- De-clicked aperture
- Geared focus ring and aperture ring
Zenitar 16mm F2.8 $220
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Cheapest wide angle option
Rokinon 16mm CINE $500
- APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A MFT Mounts
- De-clicked aperture
- Geared focus ring and aperture ring
Rokinon 24mm F1.4 $550
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
Rokinon 24mm T1.5 CINE $750
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A Micro and 4/3 Mounts
- De-clicked aperture
- Geared focus ring and aperture ring
Rokinon 35mm F1.4 $425
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
Rokinon 35mm T1.5 CINE $550
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- De-clicked aperture
- Geared focus ring and aperture ring
Get Yours: Amazon | B&H | Rent
Medium Range Primes
40mm to 85mm lenses
Canon 40mm STM F2.8 $180
- Full-Frame and APS-C
- Can be adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Fast video auto focusing
- Silent focusing motor
Canon 50mm F1.8 $100
- Full-Frame and APS-C
- Can be adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Fast lens for shallow depth of field
Canon 50mm F1.4 $340
- Full-Frame and APS-C
- Can be adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Very fast lens for shallow depth of field
Zeiss 50mm F1.4 $700
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Super smooth focus ring
- Very fast lens for shallow depth of field
Canon 50mm F1.2 $1,620
- Full-Frame and APS-C
- Can be adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- SUPER fast lens for shallow depth of field
Rokinon 85mm F1.4
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Very fast lens for shallow depth of field
Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine $330
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon, Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- De-clicked aperture
- Geared focus ring and aperture ring
- Very fast lens for shallow depth of field
Canon 85mm F1.8 $359
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon and adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Fast lens for shallow depth of field
Zeiss 85mm F1.4 $1,283
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon, Nikon Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Very fast lens for shallow depth of field
Long Primes
85-200
Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro $549
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon and adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Macro lens for great detailed shots
- Great lens for interviews and portraits
Canon 100mm F2.8L IS Macro $1,033
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon and adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Image stabilized for video
- Macro lens for great detailed shots
- Great lens for interviews and portraits
Canon 135mm F2.0 $1,089
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon and adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts
- Very fast lens for shallow depth of field
Canon 200mm F2.8 $769
- Full-Frame, APS-C and Micro 4/3
- Can be used with Canon and adapted to Sony E/A and Micro 4/3 Mounts