Best Cine Prime Lenses for the Canon C500 Mark II
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Best Cine Prime Lenses for the Canon C500 Mark II

What are the best cine prime lenses for the Canon C500 Mark II? Here’s the list!

Let’s look at the best cine prime lenses for the Canon C500 Mark II.

The Canon C500 Mark II in its base configuration has a standard EF mount that is non-locking. You need to pay $2,199 extra for a locking EF mount (called EF-C) from Canon.

Should you opt for a locking mount?

It depends on the lenses you are going to use it with. If you’re using cine lenses or heavier zoom lenses then definitely yes. If you’re just using Canon still lenses then probably not. Canon sells the following adapters, both with shim kits:

EF locking (CM-V1)

EF to PL mount (PM-V1)

B4 mount adapter

If you need PL lenses, then you’ll need the EF to PL mount (PM-V1) adapter.

First, here are some criteria for the lenses to qualify:

  • True cine lenses, not rehoused still lenses.
  • EF-mount lenses
  • PL-mount lenses
  • Must at the very least cover an image circle of 43mm.

We won’t be looking at specialty lenses or anamorphic lenses.

Pick your mount for my suggestions:

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Best cine prime lenses for the Canon C500 Mark II in the PL mount

Here’s a list of the best cine prime kits available for the Canon C500 Mark II in the PL mount:

FeatureZEISS Supreme Angenieux OptimoCooke S7/iARRI Signature
Aperture Range^T1.5-T22T1.8-T22T2.0-T22 T1.8-T22
Front Diameter (mm)95/11495110114
Blades in Iris169911
Image Circle (mm)46.346.346.3144.7
Close Focus (mm)^460407500450
Weight (kg)^1.21.73.41.8
Focal Lengths in KIt15-200mm18-200mm16-135mm12-280mm
Consistent Length?*NoYesYesYes
Largest Consistent Aperture**T1.5T1.8T2T1.8
Focus Rotation (degrees)300300270300
Price for 50mm (B&H, USD)^$20,625Not Released ($23,000)$23,400$24,920

*For about four lenses in the kit, typically 24 to 85mm.

**If three of the lenses (among the middle five) are T1.5 but the other two are T2.1, then the largest consistent aperture is T2.1.

^For the 50mm lens in the lineup. For the Arri Signature Primes, it’s a 47mm.

Best cine prime lenses for the Canon C500 Mark II in the EF mount

Here’s a list of the best cine prime kits available for the Canon C500 Mark II in the EF mount:

FeatureTokina Cinema VistaSchneider FF Cine-TiltSigma FFZeiss CP.3Canon Sumire
Aperture Range^T1.5-T22T2.1-T22T1.5-T16T2.1-T22T1.3-T22
Front Diameter (mm)1141009595114
Blades in Iris91491511
Image Circle (mm)46.74543.346.343.1
Close Focus (mm)^480500400450450
Weight (kg)^2.111.411.210.771.1
Focal Lengths in KIt18 to 105mm25-100mm14 to 135mm15 to 135mm14 to 135mm
Consistent Length?*YesYesNoYesYes
Largest Consistent Aperture**T1.5T2.1T1.5T2.1T1.5
Focus Rotation (degrees)300300180300300
Price for 50mm (B&H, USD)^$4,499$5,598$4,499$5,790$7,410

*For about four lenses in the kit, typically 24 to 85mm.

**If three of the lenses (among the middle five) are T1.5 but the other two are T2.1, then the largest consistent aperture is T2.1.

^For the 50mm lens in the lineup.

My favorites?

I’ve only shot with a few of these, but for what it’s worth, my two favorites are:

ARRI Signature Primes

These are probably the best lenses as far as this comparison is concerned. Note the following:

  • 12mm T1.8!! (Coming soon)
  • 11-blade iris, which is probably enough (Master Primes have only 9)
  • Goes all the way to 280mm, so Arri is fully committed to this line.

Angenieux Optimo Primes

I had a chance to test them at Broadcast India (just the 40mm), and I’ve seen sample videos and to be honest the look is incredible:

  • Smooth bokeh and great skin tone
  • Warm organic look – matches Optimo zooms
  • Angenieux are experimenting with removable aperture blades and an internal lens element!

On a lower budget, I’d say it’s hard to beat the value, range and quality of the Sigma Cine Primes.

What do you think?