Comments on: Nikon D3s manual video control explained again

By: bwolf

bwolf — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:08:44 +0000

I’m sorry but manual video does not work on the D3S that I borrowed from Nikon Austria. It’s true that I can change ISO, aperture and shutter… but it does not have any impact on the video itself. Also, while shooting scrolling through the info-menues won’t give me any live histogram. Thing that frustrates me the most is that even the AE-L button doesn’t seem to work – meaning it’s even more automatic than the D90/D5000/D300S. Still, video quality itself is quite impressive – especially in low light.

By: HenryB

HenryB — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:54:12 +0000

Is the 1080p or 1080i, and 24,30 and 60FPS option a hardware or firmware issue? Can we expect a firmware update making this possible or need the camera be updated? I am in ordering the D3s soon.

By: Evan Johnson

Evan Johnson — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:52:58 +0000

Just tried this on my D3s. I hope everyone is happy to know that i have FULL control over Shutter Speed, Aperture, And ISO, so long as i keep the shutter speed above the 1/25 limit, otherwise it just pumps up the ISO. This feature still seems a little bit raw to me, however anyone here can email me at erjohnson227@gmail.com if they have any questions or would like to see sample video’s.

By: Ron Adair

Ron Adair — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:15:29 +0000

That’s one of the first things that tipped me off that this was at minimum a hack job by Nikon. It looks like something that was created in Japan by the anime loving type, and then hurriedly translated into English and pushed out. Then again, you may be right that this is a fake.

I still think the simple answer could be that Nikon is thrashing after discovering that manual control wasn’t wiped from the camera before shipping. They now realize that the cat’s out of the bag, so to speak.

By: Ron Adair

Ron Adair — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:10:26 +0000

+1 @Low

By: Ron Adair

Ron Adair — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:08:15 +0000

I love the post, and would love it regardless the source (official vs. unofficial) of the news. Thanks, Admin!

By: Ron Adair

Ron Adair — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:03:48 +0000

I hope so. Your assessment sounds about right. Here’s to hoping it reaches more than just the D3s.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:09:25 +0000

This graphic is fake.

“Large depth of fiend achieved only with a large image sensor”

If you thought that was right, Nikon wouldn’t give you a job, would they?

If you missed the mistake, read it again before you flame.

By: nubz

nubz — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:36:31 +0000

It is on my D300s. I can turn the front and rear control wheels as well as change ISO while recording and those settings change at the bottom of the live view display. The only problem is that nothing is actually changing in the video from what I can see. Also as it was stated by others, it ads a pleasant clicking sound on the onboard mike too.

By: nubz

nubz — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:29:11 +0000

I bought it for still photos, not for making movies so I really don’t care about the rolling shutter problem, no manual settings and lack of 1080p. I’m sure it will work just fine if I come across some cops giving a beatdown or something.

By: low

low — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:13:29 +0000

just buy canon now, why are you waiting for?????????????????????????????????????

By: pher

pher — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:31:42 +0000

zibi – you’re asking a question no one knows the answer to. All we know is that there is supposed to be firmware updates/news this month… or soon. They have an entire division devoted to FW updates now.

Johnny – You can’t do this w/ your D90, but there are a couple of tricks/hacks. One is using your exposure lock, and another is using an older manual lens to stop down your aperture ring, enter video mode, and then adjust it after to get correct exposure. You can also use variable ND filters to adjust for exposure. It’s the closest thing you can get to manual for now.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:56:13 +0000

Can I do this on my D90?

By: ZIBI

ZIBI — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:50:15 +0000

When we will get new FW for D90 and D300s? Or i can buy new Nikon DSLR but whit FULL MANUAL video, 1080p or 1080i, and 24,30 and 60FPS option. I have big collection of Nikon lenses but if this FV or V-DSLR will not come out soone i will sell my big collection and buy canon. Nikon Whyyyyyyy…….!!!!!!!

By: Ole M Helgesen

Ole M Helgesen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:46:22 +0000

See my comment above. You can adjust brightness with quick exposure control, but so far it seems you cannot change the aperture or shutter in auto modes when filming has started. It changes all right, but seems to have no effect.

By: Ole M Helgesen

Ole M Helgesen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:42:13 +0000

At least you can use the quick exposure compensation, but I don’t know what it is adjusting, probably ISO only. This is using the secondary command wheel, if enabled in the custom settings.
You can also adjust shutter/aperture combo with the primary command wheel, but it seems to have no effect when filming though.
And using any of the command wheels give nasty clicking sounds with the built in mic.

By: pher

pher — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:55:09 +0000

nubz – were you refering to the d3s or d300s?

F-stop – Could you be a litte more specific, please? You were able to change your shutter speed? I find it kind of hard to believe no one has found this out on the d300s yet. The 8fps trick I can kind of understand, but not undocumented manual operation.

By: pher

pher — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:47:39 +0000

Pavement xo

By: F-stop

F-stop — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:38:28 +0000

just tried it on my 300s and setting can be changed…need to do more test with moving objects to tell if the shutter is actually changing…..this could be fun..

By: Polvo

Polvo — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:20:51 +0000

Its pretty simple -as it says in the manual in Tripod mode you can set the aperture – but camera sets auto exposure by adjusting shutter and/or ISO. You can adjust the shutter and/or ISO but the exposure on the Liveview stays the same – you can’t under or over expose as such. The ‘secret mode’ – not mentioned in the printed manual -involves pressing ‘OK’ and you can adjust any of the three settings and over/under expose however you want. This is important in video as you often want a set aperture for DOF but also want a set shutter (180 degree shutter – or twice the frame rate). This is easier to achieve if you can control everything and fine tune with either ISO – or ND filters if it is too bright and you still want narrow DOF.

If you’re not interested in shallow DOF and using manual settings then a DSLR is a bad choice for shooting video – as that is the main advantage of using them! If you want everything in focus (and easy to use auto stuff ) then just use a camcorder – that’s what you get with small chips no matter what iris you set.