PB PM said:
I just assumed the D5100 was like the D3100, and the D5000, D7000 and D90, which all switched to auto ISO in while recording video. On those cameras you could press the ISO button and change the setting, but it made no difference in exposure. That led me to believe that the camera was actually using auto ISO while recording video. Unless the D5100 is something special I suspect it works the same way.

With D7000 you can change shutter speed and ISO while recording. Aperture, lens with a manual aperture ring (Menu item, F6 Controls, Customize Command Dials. aperture setting "aperture ring")

So again, there is a lot of confusion on these cams...

Tagomago, try this:

1) Slap on a Variable ND filter on the lens
2) Turn on cam and set to A mode and set your aperture to wide open
3) Switch to LV mode (the aperture cannot change now even though it may report a change so don't touch this value or else the wrong numbers will be shown)
4) Set the iso to 100 and the shutter to 1/50 and hit exposure lock.
5) Record a dark spot to see how much grain there is (either by darkening the nd filter or find a dark area)
6) Release the exposure lock (you can change the value during exposure lock but they are incorrect so don't do it)
7) Set the iso to 3200 and shutter to 1/50 and exposure lock and repeat step 5)

You should be able to see that the iso is increasing.

PB PM said:
I find that hard to believe, because just about every review I read about the D7000 said that unless you used a AI or AI-S lens you could not change the aperture while recording video. Just because the numbers change on the screen doesn't mean that there are any real changes taking place.

On the D3100 for example, it wont even change aperture in liveview, let alone while recording video. It shows the aperture changing in the settings, but if you looking at the photos they will all be the same no matter what aperture is set in the camera.

I never said aperture was controllable during recording. We were mainly talking about changing ISO while recording, which you CAN do. I have two D7000's. I know the camera front to back and use them professionaly.

I find that hard to believe, because just about every review I read about the D7000 said that unless you used a AI or AI-S lens you could not change the aperture while recording video. Just because the numbers change on the screen doesn't mean that there are any real changes taking place.

On the D3100 for example, it wont even change aperture in liveview, let alone while recording video. It shows the aperture changing in the settings, but if you looking at the photos they will all be the same no matter what aperture is set in the camera.

PB PM said:
I just assumed the D5100 was like the D3100, and the D5000, D7000 and D90, which all switched to auto ISO in while recording video. On those cameras you could press the ISO button and change the setting, but it made no difference in exposure. That led me to believe that the camera was actually using auto ISO while recording video. Unless the D5100 is something special I suspect it works the same way.

The D7000 does not switch to auto ISO as long as you enable manual video controls in the menu system and turn off auto iso as well(I keep mine set like this full-time). For full control, switch the camera to manual (M mode) and have at it. You have full control of shutter speed, ISO(even during recording), aperture....etc.

I would suggest the move to the D7000, wait for D4/D400 or possibly consider a change to another brand. I have the D7000, but recognize the good quality of other systems video. Obviously Canon goes without saying, but the GH2 is really solid with video. Just check out Vimeo. Philip Bloom enjoys using it on occasion. It just got hacked as well.

Mojo43, I read that entire thread. I've done two separate attempts to replicate the procedure. In both cases I was in A mode and set to aperture first to 100 and then to 6400 in indoor lighting. The shutter speed did change to reflect this, and I put AE lock on.

But --- the videos show no change. They are high-ISO regardless of the setting I put. And I do have auto-ISO turned off.

I see that another person in that thread claims to have done the same thing. I would love for this to work - believe me! But I'm wondering why I and others cannot replicate it.

I just assumed the D5100 was like the D3100, and the D5000, D7000 and D90, which all switched to auto ISO in while recording video. On those cameras you could press the ISO button and change the setting, but it made no difference in exposure. That led me to believe that the camera was actually using auto ISO while recording video. Unless the D5100 is something special I suspect it works the same way.

"You cannot change ISO while recording video, whether the function button is set to change ISO or not, it uses auto ISO."

That is absolutely incorrect! Have you tested this? I have made many tests and it is not on auto iso unless you have auto iso set in the menu. I keep seeing so many incorrect facts written about this cam, no wonder everyone is so confused...

I have explained it all in this thread: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?248496-D5100-manual-settings-with-AF-but-not-MF-lenses/page5

Let us put this to rest.

D7000 last year, August I think, and at Christmas, they were still hard to get, this is still a very new camera that is being sold at top prices.

D5100, newer still.

It is crazy to even dicuss the replacement for these units.

We are going to have the D300, D700 and D3 and D3100 upgrades before we get back to these "new" cameras.

There was someone on another thread asking when the D7100 will be out.......madness

Tafomago, $750-$1500 is in the range of the 5100/7000, so you choice will be one of these or wait about three years.

Everyone seems to have put the troubles of the Japenese people out of their minds, a slight delay in the release of new product should be expected.

On ISO - I was wondering the same about Mojo43's claim. I greatly appreciate getting the ISO assigned to a button because accessing it via a menu (default) was driving me nuts.

But, I did a quick test: at 100 with AE-lock on and 6400 with AE-lock on the video came out looking the same.

Is it indeed possible to set it?

You cannot change ISO while recording video, whether the function button is set to change ISO or not, it uses auto ISO.

Thanks for the replies, they are helpful. I had the naive impression two years ago when I got the D90 that Nikon would be competitive with video since they were doing the first DSLR with it.

Mojo43, I'm certainly going to try that to adjust the ISO. I know of the aperture work around as well. It's funny how these things are possible but made very clunky.

That said, fooling with the camera some more - it can take some beautiful video, even if I don't have all the control I want. And for those that have not seen the D5100 LCD, it puts out a gorgeous view.

The thing about Nikon is they have definite product life cycles and definite price points. For the lower end consumer models (D3100, D5100, D7000) which are at your price range, they are iterated every 2 years. We already saw the D5100 just a few months ago, so don't expect anything new until next year. You can expect Nikon to update the models with features it put into lower cameras, so you can expect the D7100 to have the same choice of framerates that your D5100 has (possibly even more).

We're expecting a D4 and a D400 announcement in a couple of months, and it is very likely that we will see a complete set of video features here, but these will be out of your price range.

If you're not getting enough control, I'd strongly suggest looking at looking at another brand- video is really a new thing with Nikon, and it looks like they will always be a step or two behind Panasonic, Sony, or Canon who have more experience with these matters.

Maybe I can help you out... I have been shooting with the D5100 a ton lately and have managed to work around pretty much everything that is wrong about the cam. You can set your iso by assigning it to the fn button and by taking off the auto iso.

Let me know if you have any more questions...

Next to zero news on what video will be on any new cameras coming out. Just speculation and desires.

To be perfectly honest, other companies do video better than Nikon at this point.

I just bought a D5100 as the last piece of a puzzle for high quality video. Otherwise, I have the pro editing software, a great tripod, and a great mic.

Before buying I did research on the D5100, but somehow never saw a comparison to the D7000. My previous camera is the D90, and video-wise the D5100 is a great improvement. But - and this is a big but - it is annoying as can be that Nikon does not allow manual shooting with the D5100. Through convoluted methods I can set aperture and crudely adjust exposure, but I cannot change ISO or speed. This is doubly frustrating now that I find this can be done with the D7000.

The obvious thing would be to get a D7000 instead, which also includes significant photographic benefits that I would enjoy. For example, the D5100 has you plug through menu's just to change ISO, and lacks the second dial. For for photo/video I think I am more at the level of the D7000.

I see many discussions on here about what Nikon has next - would anyone mind quickly reviewing word of a new body that would include the best so far of video (full manual, audio jack, 20 mins recording, etc.) but still be within the $750-$1500 range?

I'm really stuck now on what to do. I've shot about 5 days worth of photo and video on the D5100, and don't know if I can get away with "returned items must be in new condition with original packaging and accessories."

I greatly appreciate any advice/suggestions.