STM lenses

Hi there.

A quick question - Am I correct in understanding that the STM AF system is more specialized for the video component in the DSLRs - even more so than USM?

If that is true - would an 18-135 stm allow me on my 7d to act more like a camcorder than my 24-105 USM?

or am I simply mistaken?

thanks

the stm is a nearly silent focusing motor. Everything I understand is that it is specifically designed for video ffocus.

A much larger difference would be to change to a 70D from the 7d for the different AF technology in the body. But yes, the STM lens are better at smoother video focusing, while the USM are going to be faster, but jerkier focusing for the most part. For stills USM is better, but for video STM is better.

so a $550 lens for the 7d or $550 for a camcorder is a better use for time to time video of my kids events?

ceriltheblade wrote in post #16579443
so a $550 lens for the 7d or $550 for a camcorder is a better use for time to time video of my kids events?

If all you want to shoot are your kids events, then a camcorder is probably better. However, if you want to do video using all your different lenses for different situations, or you want to do mixed stills and video in one setting with little hassle, then the DSLR route certainly has value.

Do you need the wide end for video? IE. do you need the 18-135 or the 55-250 for shooting kids events?

don't get me wrong - I am not getting rid of the 7d...
and if the 7dII ever shows up - I am considering that (and I will guess that it will have at least as good video performance at the 70d)
but just the other day I used my 24-105 on my 7d for a kid event - and manual focus just wasn't my thing. I need it for showing the family - no real video performance. Of course, I would like the picture to be as good as possible - and HD, if possible - but I think it isn't THAT important to me.... just a decently focused picture. The range of the 18-135 seems ideal (on a crop sensor), but if a $550 mid range camcorder is going to beat hands down my 7d with any lens in regards to my very modest list of "demands" then I will aim that direction. If, on the other hand, the 18-135 can do it - then I prefer having a lens in my bag - then dealing with a whole new set of batteries, cords, memory cards etc.

I almost don't use my 55-250 since getting my 70-200, but keep it around in case I travel to not-so-safe neighborhoods - or let my kids shoot - after all, it is an excellent lens.... just not very used right now.

There is a new 55-250, STM.

Also, when you shoot video with the 24-105, you can always make sure your apertures are such that your DOF is deep enough, you may not have to worry about focus, or at least worry about it much less. Not sports, but stage presentations for example.

The good thing about a camcorder is that someone else could shoot video and you could shoot stills, best of both worlds.

thanks - i wasn't aware of the 55-250 STM. that would indeed be a tossup in regards the the most used focal lengths in my kids events. but at $350 - i may just buy the both of them to cover the options - in case I choose to go the STM route.

But - yes...I much prefer the stills aspect and that someone else would do the video....but since my wife hates all technology - image technology including...I would end up doing both! I have some thinking to do....

ceriltheblade wrote in post #16579536
thanks - i wasn't aware of the 55-250 STM. that would indeed be a tossup in regards the the most used focal lengths in my kids events. but at $350 - i may just buy the both of them to cover the options - in case I choose to go the STM route.

But - yes...I much prefer the stills aspect and that someone else would do the video....but since my wife hates all technology - image technology including...I would end up doing both! I have some thinking to do....

Camcorders make it easy for just about anybody to shoot video, so if you do reviews between the different camcorders, you might find a couple that sit at the top of the heap for ease of use. Then you can concentrate your skills on the still shots.

Sometimes there are sales on the Canon site for refurbs. This is all i see now for consumer level, but 38mm to 1232mm optical zoom, that could be useful!
http://shop.usa.canon.​com …ished-consumer-camcorders

Just out of curiosity, what does the 7D give you that a 70D wouldn't? The 70D would give you HD video at least as good as the camcorders, work with all your current lens, and you could pick up the 18-135 for 300$, add another 100$ to sell your 7D and replace with a 70D. You might make the trade back to the 7D II when it comes out, but at that point I suspect the 70D will retain value better than the 7D after the II is released.

While I know lots of people move from one body to another often, buy and sell, etc
I don't. I don't have the time and I hate the selling process.
I will await the 7dII if it will come....or get another body another time if need arises...
but the monetary value of the body is not so important to me. It works and it works generally well. If I end up not wanting it - I have family members who would be very happy to "adopt" it.

Your suggestion is very practical and useful for many people - but not for me. Thanks though for the suggestion!

ceriltheblade wrote in post #16579636
While I know lots of people move from one body to another often, buy and sell, etc
I don't. I don't have the time and I hate the selling process.
I will await the 7dII if it will come....or get another body another time if need arises...
but the monetary value of the body is not so important to me. It works and it works generally well. If I end up not wanting it - I have family members who would be very happy to "adopt" it.

Your suggestion is very practical and useful for many people - but not for me. Thanks though for the suggestion!

Fair enough. I do agree the selling process can be a PITA.

STM lenses are great regardless of the application, and smooth focusing. Basically: USM lenses are quiet, STM lenses are silent. For video, the lens won't really matter if the LVAF sucks. It will still be subject to focus breathing. The SL1 is a step up for LVAF compared to the 7d, and the 70d is a leap year ahead of that.

BrickR wrote in post #16580279
STM lenses are silent.

Not true.
Check out the EF 40mm STM "pancake" lens.
It is actually noisy.

There are plenty of You Tube videos showing this.

PH68 wrote in post #16580315
Not true.
Check out the EF 40mm STM "pancake" lens.
It is actually noisy.

There are plenty of You Tube videos showing this.

Really? I found mine to be extremely quiet... maybe cause it was new? I don't know... I didn't keep mine since it was too similar to my 35mm but a stop slower, heck of a nice lens though. If it had been out before I bought my 35mm, I'd still own it.