Lens Conversion Chart – Super 35mm – Full Frame

This Super 35mm to full-frame lens conversion chart provides a quick reference for comparing the equivalent field of view of popular focal lengths. A lens does not physically change focal length when used on a different sensor size; instead, the smaller Super 35mm sensor captures a narrower field of view. Using an approximate 1.5x crop factor makes it easy to compare how common cinema lenses will frame a scene compared with a full-frame camera.

Understanding Super 35mm vs Full Frame for Video Production

Choosing between Super 35mm and full-frame is about more than simply converting focal lengths. Sensor size affects how a lens frames your subject, the working distance required to achieve a particular composition and, together with lens choice and aperture, the overall visual character of a shot.

Super 35mm has been one of the established formats in professional cinema and television production for decades. Many cinema cameras and cinema lenses have been designed around the format, making it particularly useful for narrative filmmaking, corporate video production, documentaries, interviews and commercial productions.

A simple way to understand the difference is to consider a 50mm lens. On a Super 35mm camera with an approximate 1.5x crop factor, the field of view is similar to that produced by a 75mm lens on a full-frame camera. The lens itself has not changed focal length; the smaller sensor is simply capturing a narrower portion of the image projected by the lens.

This distinction becomes particularly important when planning a professional video production. Lens and sensor combinations influence how much of a location can be captured, how far the camera needs to be positioned from an interview subject and which lenses are required to achieve the desired composition.

Lens Choice in Professional Video Production

At Visionair Media, lens selection is part of the creative and technical planning that goes into every production. Different projects can require very different approaches.

A corporate interview may benefit from a longer focal length that provides a natural perspective and greater separation between the subject and background. An architectural or infrastructure project may require wider lenses to establish scale and environment, while a brand film may use a combination of focal lengths and camera movement to create a more cinematic visual style.

This is why professional video production involves considerably more than choosing a camera and pressing record. Camera format, lenses, lighting, composition, movement, sound and post-production all contribute to the final result.

Visionair Media provides professional video production services for corporate organisations, government departments and agencies across Australia and New Zealand. Our production teams manage projects from initial planning and creative development through filming, cinematography, drone footage, editing, colour grading and final delivery.

[Learn more about Visionair Media’s professional video production services →]

About The Author

Jim Moustakas

Jim Moustakas is a seasoned professional in the realm of video production and commercial photography, born in the vibrant city of Frankfurt, Germany, in 1973 and then migrated to Australia in 1981. Jim’s passion for content creation ignited at the tender age of 15, a flame that has only grown brighter with time.

In 1988, while still at Randwick Boys High School in Year 9, Jim embraced the role of the resident school photographer together with other school mates, cultivating his skills in the magic of the dark room which he ran at his school. This early exposure to the art form laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Between 1992 and 2000, Jim honed his craft in the wedding photography business, capturing countless moments of joy and celebration.

The turn of the millennium marked a new chapter in Jim’s career as he embarked on a decade-long adventure from 2000 to 2011, traversing the diverse landscapes of Australia. As a national school photographer, Jim not only chronicled the academic journeys of countless students but also extended his services to Indigenous children in remote communities. His commitment to ensuring these students were not deprived of cherished school memories due to their geographical isolation speaks volumes of his character.

During this period, Jim also collaborated with Australian Geographic as a freelance shooter, skillfully documenting various assignments that aligned with his travels across Australia.

After a brief interlude from the industry, Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the inception of Visionair Media in 2012. Under his leadership, Visionair Media has flourished into a reputable commercial photography and video production agency. The company prides itself on delivering top-tier photography and video production services to both the commercial and government sectors, showcasing Jim’s unwavering dedication to his craft and his ability to adapt and evolve within the ever-changing landscape of visual media.

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