This thread is a very interesting part of NR to me. I shoot video with the D7000 and have intended to upgrade to some Nikon to improve the video performance. My company (farming business) owns about a dozen video cameras. The Nikon D90 produced some very useful videos but many videos were too soft (low res). I particularly have noted Ron800s statements on video moire on the D800E.

To dormant: I have used iMovie, iPhoto, and Aperature 3 very extensively Of these three a Mac Book Pro and a high end graphics card and fast processor speed seem to drop way fewer frames and that is what I use for slide/sound shows. I also use Final Cut Pro and that does pretty well here to. I will make the comment that many video cameras are less than perfect. Unless you are using the ultra expensive ones and even then movie producers I have talked to feel that without mega editing their movies would have a lot of artifacts!

I've just shot my first video with my new D800E. I only did it because I could (and I had a helicopter available). I am not, and do not plan to become, a videographer. I am a scientist first, a stills photographer second, or maybe third or fourth or ninth.

http://youtu.be/FVPo6EM3FKU

The purpose of the video was to give people an overview of what Plymouth looks like, with no spectacular cinematic stuff.

The video was shot using two lenses. A 16mm fisheye was used for the opening credits and a 24-120 f/4 at 24mm for the main shoot. Autofocus was turned off, with the lens set to the hyperfocal distance. Editing was done using iVideo on a MacbookPro.

Here is what I learnt.
- It's impossible to hold the camera steady without a special mount, especially in a helicopter on a very windy day.
- The built-in microphone picks up the operator's voice very well - even when it's very, very noisy.
- VR should be off (and I had it on).
- iMovie is not good software for HD video (I think it drops frames).
- Video is hard work.

Here is the promised update:

NEW: What is the best external microphone for the D800/D800E?
NEW: Does the Nikon D800/D800E have an ISO sweet spot with video?

UPDATE: How can I do about the rolling shutter effect on the Nikon D800/D800E?
UPDATE: Should I use 30fps or 24fps for recording movies with the D800/D800E?
UPDATE: How do I enable index marking on the Nikon D800/D800E?

Please find the newest articles at the bottom of the index at *link removed*

Given in movie mode the D800 produces 720 or 1080 lines of video (displayable on a television) it will produce pattern moiré just as seen on all televisions. No potential D800 actor should wear herringbone weaves or the like but it's not like we see moiré that often on TV (except on the occasional news anchor tie).

All reports so far indicate a rather conservative low pass filter on the D800. I personally expect to read arguments over the cameras' life on the issue. Something like RAW sharpening processing on the rare image that exceeds a 20X enlargement versus the occasional false color requiring manual verification and de-resolution of affected areas to correct . What is apparent is the camera is a classic either way.

Don't forget the D600 as it too may provide similar video capibilities.

I agree with the testing requirements you mentioned. I would very much like to see a side by side comparison of the two D800's to test for moire in video mode. After watching a video review, I was quite surprised to see how easy it was to get moire in video mode with the D800.

I found the review i previously mentioned: it's on You Tube by Phil Bloom, "Full frame shoot out: D4 vs D800 vs 5DmkIII."

Since moire is turning out to be not a big issue with the D800E in photo mode, I am a little more tempted by this model, but if it is no good in video, I will stick with the D800.

You're welcome, I'm glad to be of help. Posting the link on other websites or social media would be great, thank you in advance. The feature to leave comments on my website is now up and running btw.

About the D800E and moiré:

There is this persistent rumor on internet forums that ‘Nikon says the D800E is not for video’. So far, I have not seen any proof of an official statement by Nikon implying this. On the contrary: on Nikon’s official D800/D800E product page, and specifically the part about video specs, the D800 and D800E are mentioned both every single time as if they were identical.

I do understand the background of this idea though. DSLR video in general and the D800E in stills mode are both rather prone to moiré on their own. This might lead to the false assumption that using video and the D800E together must be the recipe for a moiré nightmare.

In all the sample footage shot with the D800E and D800 that I’ve seen online there was no difference when it comes to moiré. As far as I know, the downsampling for video cancels out the sensor moiré, making the D800 and D800E score equally well (or bad, depending how you look at it). Both have equal moiré issues because of the downsampling/line skipping that takes places because the sensor resolution is so much larger than full hd video.

This is how I see it and I can give you no guarantees. I have not tested the D800 and D800E side by side with video myself and rely on the information of Nikon and other testers. If I can get my hands on a D800E I will surely test this. Please note that a comparison test is not easy. Moving the camera or the focus point by a fraction will change the moiré by a lot. A side by side shoot is not enough; the cameras will have to take turns to be in the exact same spot with the lens focused at exactly the same distance.

I guess I should have checked your blog first before posting my previous comment. I have heard from multiple sources that the D800E is worse for video because of the lack of an AA filter, but you're saying otherwise, "because the video moiré is caused by downsampling and not by the anti-alias filter."

That's interesting, I guess the nay-sayers didn't understand the technical aspect of how video functions in a DSLR. I forget the reviewer that mentioned that the D800E would not be good for video, but he had posted a video review of the D800, D4, and Canon 5D MK3 and he had the Mosiac Moire Filter and demonstrated it's use. It appears to work well in the D800 for reducing moire.

Thanks again for the great site. I will post a link on another Nikon forum if you don't mind.

Thanks, I too am curious and exciting about shooting video with the D800's, and especially if the D800E has a problem with moire in video mode. I'll be checking out your blog.

Thank you Ron800. I just previewed your site and it appears to be a great compilation of need to know information for those wanting to video with their D800s.

Thank you for posting this and I look forward to reading your posts. I, too, am new to video and the D800E is my first video-based DSLR.

-Andy

Saving and restoring the camera settings works by writing a binary data file on the root of the primary storage card called NCSETUP8.BIN. You can define a new definition of camera settings by saving to any new card (or a secondary made primary).

So two cards allows restoring two entirely different sets of defaults (and so on). You can read protect the file to protect it from later redefinition if desired.

Latest additions:

• What battery should I get for movie making, the EN-EL15 or the EN-EL18?
• Should I use 30fps or 24fps for recording movies with the D800/D800E?
• How does the Nikon D800/D800E perform at high iso with video?
• How do I prevent autofocus and handling noise to be picked up by the microphone?
• How do I reduce preamp noise on the D800/D800E?

Thank you for the link. I don't own one yet however am getting close to deciding.

Hello fellow D800 users,

With over fifteen years of experience in shooting with Nikon equipment, I thought I knew quite a bit. Now video has entered my life and I can start all over again... The D800 is my first DSLR capable of shooting video and I am stunned by the quality it can deliver. Curious as I am, I've gathered lots of info on shooting video with the D800 and decided to share what I've found so far. Enjoy!

*link removed*

I'm writing new stuff every day and I'm working hard on a feature to leave comments.

I'll let you know of major updates by expanding this thread.

WOw Thanks alot for all the help guys :)
-Roman

+1 merlin, I've seen it in action and the results are amazing
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/521721-REG/Steadicam_MERLIN_Merlin_Camera_Stabilizing_System.html

The X-Grip is (of course) based on the principle that anything that's bottom-heavy tend to be stable when held from above; and -- due to momentum -- heavy things help dampen high-frequency shakes.

So...

1) You might want to make sure your setup is bottom heavy. With a light DSLR like the D7000, you might need to add weights to the bottom of the grip. I've seen people attach a few pounds of wrist / ankle weights which can be bought from any sporting goods store.

2) Ease up on the grip, as well as your wrist & elbow, as much as you can. The stability of the system is due to the bottom-heavy setup, not how tight/stiff your grip is. By gripping tighter you're only transmitting more shake to the system (as you've already discovered).

The *downside* to a bottom-heavy setup is the tendency for the system to pendulum and rock side-to-side / front-to-back. So you need to find the right compromise -- too little weight and your videos come out shaky; too much weight you'll really notice the rocking effect.

If you have a really hard time keeping a light grip, then you might consider making or buying a system like the Glidecam. Glidecam works on the same bottom-heavy principle but it has a pivot to isolate your movements, so it doesn't matter how hard you grip it.

Personally I use a Steadicam Merlin which is a much more refined solution than the Glidecam, combining a very precise way to control weight distribution with a high quality gimbal to effectively isolate angular movements. You can get beautiful results but the downside here is $$$.

In any case it takes a ton (and I mean, a ton!) of practice to effectively use any of the above systems!

When filming skateboarding i film and try to keep my hand as stiff as possible i once saw recommended but it made my videos more shaky, i use a homemade type cam caddie/opteka X-Grip. Does anyone have any ways i can improve my filming techniques. i am always open for critasism :)

Thank you
-Roka

Back on the article - I watched a few of the videos and read a couple of the articles and it is basic overview - Kind of like a high school journalism how-too. It does hit all the good points though.

I never worked or did any photojournalism work but I am always amazed of photographers using wide angles and 50s and getting really close. Growing up and living in the central US/Midwest our personal bubbles are much, much bigger then the large cities on both coasts. Inner circle around strangers is really 6ft. Not exaggeration, if anyone got as close as they suggest, if you were lucky you would be arrested and if you were pushy, you would get thrown down to the ground by others thinking you were attacking someone. Doing street photography I will run-into this even if I'm across the street (40ft) away. People don't like see someone with a camera. That is just the culture in this area. Oddly enough, Iphone photography has become something no one even notices so I'm using that more.

I would find it interesting hearing how photographers work on getting that close in the parts of the US/world where it is similar.

casperwb said:
would not expect this kind of comment from a moderator

????

It was a JOKE. Hence the little smiley face at the end of my sentence. I swear, for some of you the word "Apple" is like finger nails on a chalkboard :-(

BACK ON TOPIC

The Old Guard took pictures of every grave at Arlington, not only the new burials. This was to document every grave due to the poor record keeping that was revealed last year (or earlier this year). They did this at night over the course of three or four months.

NikoDoby said:
Here's an interesting article that might convince some of you to buy an iphone5 instead of a D4 ;^)

<ehttp://www.cnn.com/2011/IREPORT/09/02/capture.photo.bootcamp.irpt/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

would not expect this kind of comment from a moderator

NikoDoby said:
Here's an interesting article that might convince some of you to buy an iphone5 instead of a D4 ;^)

Maybe NR should add an "Apple Rumors" tab.

I know the Seals aren't Marines, hence the "comma" - Marines, Seal Team 6, etc. Just referring to the specific forces that have more often been mentioned in the news lately. Also aware that there're more Navy Seal teams than "6".

You may not have meant it to read like that, Rx4, but just wanted to make a point that the Seals are not Marines, they are Navy, attached to the Naval Special Warfare Command.