Best Lens for Using DSLR as a Webcam?

[Michael Erlewine]

Best Lens for Using DSLR as a Webcam?

What focal length would you use for interviews on Zoom with a Nikon DSLR like the D850?

[golunvolo]

I have been using more the 50mm wide open or close to it at about 5 or 6 feet away with a separate rig for the audio straight into the computer.

[David H. Hartman]

I would use an 85mm to 105mm lens for a face shot. Wider will distort features; large nose, small ears. A longer lens will flatten the face and give an aloof feeling. A second lens would probably be good, a wider lens for environmental view. Maybe 35mm to 50mm.

That's my 2 cents.

Dave

[pluton]

I agree that 50mm on 24x36 is a nice look, assuming you want chest-to-head shot size or wider.  I'm very tired of seeing those wide angle phone and laptop shots on zoom connections.

[Erik Lund]

The Nikon Z cameras are by far better suited as web cameras, but I'm sure you know this
Yes 28-35mm or 50mm is just fine at f/2.8-4 can also recommend to sit by a window or use a small softbox 

[Michael Erlewine]

Well, I'm putting together a simple system. I will be using the Nikon D850 camera or if I can make it work, the earlier Nikon D7000. I have many lenses as do most of us, so I will see what lens works best for this kind of interview work.

I am using at present a Sennheiser 441-U dynamic microphone, and I am working on the lights. I understand I can use a simple HMDI cable to get clear video.

Any other suggestions welcome, and thanks for those below.

[golunvolo]

Well, I'm putting together a simple system. I will be using the Nikon D850 camera or if I can make it work, the earlier Nikon D7000. I have many lenses as do most of us, so I will see what lens works best for this kind of interview work.

I am using at present a Sennheiser 441-U dynamic microphone, and I am working on the lights. I understand I can use a simple HMDI cable to get clear video.

Any other suggestions welcome, and thanks for those below.

 Having an idea about your background with music and detail is no surprise you choose such a wonderful and gorgeous microphone. Because of the many online meetings, I have end up using more often shotguns out of frame. More freedom...but I really like to change them now and then 
Oh, just remember Zoom will reproduce whatever picture profile you are using in the camera. Either neutral or portrait works for me.

[Jack Dahlgren]

I use an SC-Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 on a Z6. Usually at f/2.8. People appreciate the out of focus background. MF means I need to keep approximately correct distance, but I did try an AF lens and when I moved out of frame the focus shifted to the parts of the house I’d rather not display. Good lighting is important.

[Akira]

The high quality image and sound mean the high data rate.  When the wifi/internet connection is not optimal on the person you are speaking with, the frame rate and/or the sound quality will drop significantly.  I have experienced lots of such situations during the online interviews with musicians via Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Team or Google Meet.  I the worst cases, I had to switch the video off to make full use of the connection for the sound.

I have learned that the lower quality video will help sometimes and have limited myself to an ordinary webcam by Logicool.

[Michael Erlewine]

I'm still waiting for cables and AC cables to show up. It seems Amazon shipping is slowing down, at least around here.

I'm ready to more forward and produced two videos in the last few days using what I have available or just Zoom recording, which is not great.

One video was an hour long conversation on dharma experience between and a 3-year retreat lama and me, and the other was about various astronomical coordinate systems and their meaning. This was about 48 minutes long. I had to create intros and outros, find appropriate music for those, and work on my video chops a bit. It has been a year or so since I really produced videos and the Adobe software has changed and I have to get back on my contacts with editing, etc.

[BruceSD]

.
I started making videos for YouTube a few years ago  (  https://www.youtube.com/@AffordablePhotography  ).   I was overwhelmed by the complexity and long learning curve on the more full featured video editing softwares.   

I decided a simpler approach would suffice for my needs.  So I purchased a dumbed down version of Adobe Premeire called "Adobe Premeire Elements" (  https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1726571-REG/adobe_65326101_premiere_elements_2023_windows.html  ).  It does a good job on: music, and adding intros and outros.   It's quite simple and easy to use, and seems to get the job done adequately.

[golunvolo]

I use Davinci Resolve, the free version. Easy, complete and friendly but never-ending features of you want to go deep

[Michael Erlewine]

I use Davinci Resolve, the free version. Easy, complete and friendly but never-ending features of you want to go deep

I use Adobe Premiere Pro, as I know and use most of the major Adobe products, mainly Photoshop, Illustrator, Audition, InDesign, Premiere Pro, the encoder, and so on.

[Jan Anne]

This video might provide some food for thought and example pics to show the differences:
https://youtu.be/ZRDwo_9Wm-w

Things to take into account are body type, distance limitations for the camera, background, talking head vs upper body shot, product placement, etc.

For work video calls i ended up using the 35/1.4 GM on the Sony a7IV mounted on a small tripod attached to the monitor stand with tie-wraps, a neutral white wall as the background and found an old wired remote which allows my to zoom in to roughly 50mm if so desired. Am planning to use a diffuser filter to optically smoothen the image a bit versus relying on the limited software options of apps like Teams.

[RobOK]

Things to take into account are body type, distance limitations for the camera, background, talking head vs upper body shot, product placement, etc.

I might have to go with a 16 or 20 until I lose some weight!! I use a z6 for work calls on Teams any usually use a 40 or 50mm.