The 10 Best Canon Lenses For Video

Editor's Notes

November 06, 2019:

In revisiting this list, we decided to include several prime options from Canon's cinema series, as the company's EF mount will accept these on both their cinema cameras and their traditional DSLRs. That puts serious imaging abilities into the hands of the vast majority of Canon camera users, even owners of somewhat smaller APS-C bodies. One potentially confusing aspect here is the difference in aperture rating, as cine lenses use T-Stops rather than F-Stops (listed as T and a number as opposed to f/ and a number). T-Stops tend to represent a more thoroughly tested and consistent real-world exposure standard, making them ideal for matching shots in-camera, as opposed to relying on a potentially long and expensive post-production process.

The most useful of these cine lenses may be the CN-E 35mm T1.5 L, as it offers a focal length that could sustain an entire movie shoot in the hands of a capable and creative director. Call Me By Your Name, for example, directed by Luca Guadagnino, was shot on nothing but a single 35mm lens, and that garnered a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars.

Of course, Canon has unveiled their new mirrorless full-frame lineup of cameras since we last curated this list, and their EOS R is undeniably designed to be used by cinematographers and videographers. That new body design came with a new mount, so none of the company's EF-mount lenses (including their cine lineup) are compatible without the use of an adapter. We included one dedicated lens for this system, though, a very capable model called the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L.