PacificEagle said:
Should the HD Video user stay with Nikon???

Bluntly put...."Having a DSLR that does Video does not Make it a video camera" Lets face it, its another gimmick that they have put into "Digital Cameras" to sell more to the consumer.

I disagree 100%. The video capabilities offered by DSLRs, particularly the 5DMkII and 7D, are used extensively for professional video but you have to use at as a professional video camera and not a consumer camcorder. If you want to have some fun making professional quality video a DSLR offers the best value and quality anywhere.

I know of many large organizations that use DSLRs for almost all of their videos - all Canons though. Nikon is behind and needs to catch up very quickly.

For good examples of excellent quality videos with DSLRs check out vimeo.com and search Canon 5D or 7D. Some of the videos are amazing. I desperately wish my cameras had video abilities.

NikoDoby said:
valonqe didn't you already get the canon 7D? You said you placed an order for one. You use these cameras to rent out don't you? So you personally don't have a need for 1080p or manual control right?

Personally I would like to have 1080p just for the kicks but it's not necessary i am very happy with 720p. At the end of the day everything gets compressed to DV PAL for broadcast over here so no need for 1080p. But some of the clients over here think that the camera makes a good story and not the people. They heard about the 7D so they want that one.

valonqe didn't you already get the canon 7D? You said you placed an order for one. You use these cameras to rent out don't you? So you personally don't have a need for 1080p or manual control right?

nico said:
Guys,
I have invested in a D3s to get one of the best DSLRs on the market AND full manual HD video capabilities. I can tell you how happy I am with the results, especially when you use the video mode with prime lenses. I don't see how making it full HD would impact on the things it is meant to film (primarily insects & flowers in my case), the only feature that I would really like to have in it is 60fps in order to be able to decompose the movements etc. of my subjects. Most people don't even have a 1080p screen to display the full HD vids they are crying for, and having 720p eases the pain of managing and editing your videos. People, stop whining and jumping on Nikon for not providing things you could not afford in the first place... get your hands on a D3s, shoot photos and short clips with it and THEN you will see how wrong you were.
cheers, Nico

Hi Nico !

I wish that my D300s had manual control on DMOVIE as well, it would of been great. I do have prime lenses which I am using with my D300s but contoling the camera in DMOVIE it is pain in the ****.

Having the extra resolution would of been nice but not a necessery thing. Even though in most of cases you are not using because of the TV screens but in terms of working with the footage during editing you can zoom into the picture to get a close up shot because the resolution allow it.

I also would like to have the differnt frame fore those dramatic slow mo shots.

Guys,
I have invested in a D3s to get one of the best DSLRs on the market AND full manual HD video capabilities. I can tell you how happy I am with the results, especially when you use the video mode with prime lenses. I don't see how making it full HD would impact on the things it is meant to film (primarily insects & flowers in my case), the only feature that I would really like to have in it is 60fps in order to be able to decompose the movements etc. of my subjects. Most people don't even have a 1080p screen to display the full HD vids they are crying for, and having 720p eases the pain of managing and editing your videos. People, stop whining and jumping on Nikon for not providing things you could not afford in the first place... get your hands on a D3s, shoot photos and short clips with it and THEN you will see how wrong you were.
cheers, Nico

Auto focusing is for home-video camcorders.

kyoshinikon said:
What about the pioneer D90 with HD video... I have never shot something for over 5 minutes... They need to have AF on the video though

I shot video with D90 and I might say that I manage to get some interesting footage despite the fact that you had to fiddle around wiht the shutter and ISO in AUTO monde.
It did not bother me that it didn't have the auto focus because I used manual lenses but the ISO and SHUTTER was a pain to control. My D300s has auto focus but it is very slugish and boring to bo honest. So there is no use for me, perhaps someone else can use that fuction. I was hopping that the Firmware update will fix the ISO and Shutter problem but that didn't happen so I am waiting for the next camera line up to cum up to find out.

What about the pioneer D90 with HD video... I have never shot something for over 5 minutes... They need to have AF on the video though

Well I had to! I really hate it but I have no other choice. Productions over here have gone mad over 7D and as I run a small renting company nobody wants to rent my video camera any more they all want the new 7D.

I kept telling people that soon my D300s would be able to do the same thing and as I have so many Nikor primes I was able to keep them waiting that by the end of January I would have my camera fixed. So now that NIkon came up with the Firmwares God knows when or if they are going to listen to us for that extra feature. I had order the Canon a week ago because I could sens that NIkon is not going bring the Firmware very soon not to thing that they wouldn't fix at all. I cant afford to wait for another Nikon camera that shoots Full HD in different frame rate.

Even if it comes out it's going to be expensive for me so I might as well buy the Canon and carry on working with it, not to mention that I can buy a new adapter which came out a week ago, which I can use my 10 Russian Prime lenses to get cinematic video look. Remember I bought D300s primary to shoot video and then take pictures as a hobby. I thought that buy know Nikon would do something about it.

You already ordered a 7D? Wow that was fast. I just told you about the firmware updates!

Well Nikon just announced their firmware updates for the D300S/D700/D3/D3X!
No manual control for D300S video so... all hands abandon ship? lol

hahahah Niko .

Don't worry I have already ordered my new ship which is on it's way.

Regards

Valonqe I'm not against HD video, I welcome it! However I don't understand why people are crying about not having full HD or full manual control in current Nikons. It will happen when Nikon's good and ready to make it happen.

Rumors are just that... RUMORS until Nikon makes an official announcement nothing is certain. So just because there is a rumor of a firmware update doesn't mean it will actually happen.

If you need full manual and 1080p video today, right now, then you have other choices at various price points. However remember that a little over a year and a half ago you had ZERO options!

Niko ! Thanx for letting me know on the update firmware. Nikon must of updated their website during my long post.

As to you're question on why people want to have Full HD and the manual control over video are:
1. When you take pictures do you use it in manual mode ore in automatic?
My guess would be both. If you want to be more creative and control the picture u
set the camera in Manual mode. And if you don't have that much time to bother with
so many settings yo just dial it to ether Auto or any other modes andd you take the
pictures. It is the same with in D-MOVE. It is OK to have it auto mode for qick
recording. But I would like to be able to set it to manual so I can contort the
camera my self and not the other way around it. Even though the quality is heavily
compressed it still looks great compared to other video Cameras with ENG lenses.
Because you can change lenses and have pull focus during a shot and so many more
things that you can get out of the D-MOVE. I agree with a lot of people that they
find it hard to focus when they film their kids but with a bit of practice you can
get some amassing videos. That's of causer if you want to us it. If not then don't
us it leave to the others who want it. IT is a simple software program same as the
other updates that they have done to pix the problem with the battery grip and the
card problem that they have. The manual control it's just an extra feature that
doesn't cost a thing for Nikon. I personally would pay an extra $200 on top of the
price that I payed just to have that Manual feature and a different frame rate.

2.Why wanting the Full HD. Well it is the way forward to start with. Plus having
that extra resolution it looks great in LCD/PLASMA SCREENS.

3.Different Frame rate. You get to shoot real slow motion without the need to do it
post-production.

These are the back bone of any filmmaker when shooting video and of course the audibility to change lenses. When D90 came 2 years ago it was the first DSLR to shot HD video and a lot of people started to buy that camera just because it shot video. People sow the potential of the camera and started do use it with their manual lenses. For two years Nikon couldn't come up with a simple firmware just to fix that small problem, which wasn't a problem to begin with but a simple request that people asked Nikon.

You say that a little year a go we had ZERO option. You are right to say that on the other hand Canon fixed that problem with in 6 months. Even for them it wasn't a problem it was requested by Canon users and they wrote a firmware for the camera. Remember 7D was designed by the request of a lot of users that they wrote to Canon to have all the features that the 7d has now. They even improved the jello effect on the 1D mar4 which again was a request from users.

You mention Rumor is a Rumor, again you are right! Would id been more professional from Nikon to post it on their website their prediction of the new firmwares as supposed to letting people rumoring around. Canon have their rumors in their website and tell you when the next firmware is coming out.

In one hand I am happy that Nikon finally made it clear for me so I don't have to wait any longer because the Firmware that they brought it out it doesn't fix my problem so I can look for a solution in his neighborhood ( Canon ).

It is shame, and honestly i feel so sorry to sell my Nikon D300s with all the bits and pieces to raise money for 7D. I guess I have me F4 and my Nikkor lenses to soothe my spirit for NIKON.

At the end of the day as they say Business is Business. I have to look out for the business.

Regards

Well Nikon just announced their firmware updates for the D300S/D700/D3/D3X!
No manual control for D300S video so... all hands abandon ship? lol

Valonqe I'm not against HD video, I welcome it! However I don't understand why people are crying about not having full HD or full manual control in current Nikons. It will happen when Nikon's good and ready to make it happen.

Rumors are just that... RUMORS until Nikon makes an official announcement nothing is certain. So just because there is a rumor of a firmware update doesn't mean it will actually happen.

If you need full manual and 1080p video today, right now, then you have other choices at various price points. However remember that a little over a year and a half ago you had ZERO options!

I do not know why this video issue heats always the conversation. Is it because some users do not have a glue why someone wants video DSLR? Or is it that inevitable developments puts them out of confort-zone. They are excellent still photographers but the future video-centric culture won't care.

JArmo: I don't understand ether why the video issue is becoming like a taboo every time somebody opens up a new discussion. I to am a video maker which has access to any camera you basically want and can get it for free but like taking photographs for hobby. I to own a Nikon D300s which I bought only for the reason that shoots video.

The problem I see or at least I feel with some of photographers here in news groups that they feel that we film-videomakres are wasting their time with this discussion over photography because all they say we don't give a @@@@@ over video, or who cares, something like that. To be honest I ma tired of their comments.

It is simple, if you don't like to use video on upcoming DSLR don't use it, or if a firmware becomes available for Video options don't update it. But PLEASE have a courtesy of at least supporting us on our concerns.

If I had the money, and I think I can speak for a lot of people on this issue that we all would buy any camera that is need it for the job but unfortunately we can't afford it so we buy what we can.

A lot of people are commenting by a proper HD camera if you want to shoot video, hello do you thing that we don't know that. I tell you and I put my head to it that none of professional ENG camera Sony, Panasonic etc don't come closer to the LOOK that DSLRs are offering with this new D-MOVIE mode.

Of course that the quality of the picture in DSRL is not even close to that of the ENG cameras but to be honest with you nobody will notes it put side by side even projected on the big screen. I know a lot of people are thinking yeah right I can tell the difference because of this or that pixel, color, resolution etc. Trust me, find the right subject and tell the story from you're heart any camera would do, that's goes same with pictures as well.

Isn't this a site where we can discuss ideas and concerns over our liking and disliking about our NIKON gear. I personally feel a bit let down on Nikon for taking so long to releasing those Firmwares that people are rumoring around that they are coming out soon.

Rumors said it that it will be out before Christmas but it didn't happen so now we have to wait and wait. Nikon should at least post a note on their web site saying that we are working on the matter and give a time frame as supposed to not say anything at all.

They are so many reasons that some of us can predict as to why Nikon is not able to fix this problem, one of them being that is still using a Sony sensor which a lot of people say that they are restricted on the frame rate.

I tell you any DSLR camera manufacture can produce the ultimate camera which they can even surpass any professional HD cameras but they have to thing for other products that they sell.

Example let's discuss Sony alfa DSLR series which a lot of people are saying that it doesn't have video because of the chip restriction. Don't you thing that SONY is not able to write a simple software and make the DSLR record video as well but whats going to happen to its SONY F35 digital HD camera which as far as we know might use the same chip as any SONY DSLR. But of course Sony is not going to say it because F35 costs over $100k and It's DSLR is only few grand.

Same goes with Canon as well, they have a contract with Sony, Panasonic etc to produce HD lenses for them and Canon to turn around and produce a cheap DSLR which is able to compete with any HD camera they will loose the contract and that's is a major draw back financially.

To summer up my thoughts is that what ever comes up in DSLR or HD video cameras we are always going to as for that extra bit to make us happy.

So asking for that video mode in DSLR is not going to hurt NIKON, on contrary it is going to make it stronger in the market and a lot of filmmakers will buy it and shoot movies with it. Same with what they are doing with 7D which they are using ARRI cine lenses on 7D. I to can benefit if Nikon had the different frame rate and manual exposure. I would be bale to rent my camera to the local market to shoot music videos and TV commercials but because of that I have to sit and wait whiles the production market is using the 7d.

I will you all Happy New Year. May this year be the year of happiness in you're lives together with you're families.

Valonqe

Interesting bmxdad. Could it be really that Sony sensors are limiting video -performance of Nikon DSLRS.... That's why Nikon has only 720/24 and Sony does not have video at all it's DSLRs?

Pacific... you can call hybrid DSLR anyway you like. I have money I and I will buy one. There will be others too, so there is demand in the market.

I already have Sony HD videocamera, price was about "24-70/2.8". Still I want a hybrid DSLR.

Monty11. I have money to buy both gears and I often carry all them with me. I am big and strong so the weight is not the issue. Still I want a hybrid DSLR.

I do not know why this video issue heats always the conversation. Is it because some users do not have a glue why someone wants video DSLR? Or is it that inevitable developments puts them out of confort-zone. They are excellent still photographers but the future video-centric culture won't care.

Should the HD Video user stay with Nikon???

Bluntly put...."Having a DSLR that does Video does not Make it a video camera" Lets face it, its another gimmick that they have put into "Digital Cameras" to sell more to the consumer.
Yes its a convienent little extra, yes it can produce decent result, but its in no way meant for anything other than short videos for the general consumer.
This discussion is through each and every forum on the internet, and the discussions are always the same. Most complain about Nikon not having 1080P, or make statements like if Nikon doesn't make 1080p soon then maybe there won't be a Nikon.

Nikon is a first and foremost a camera company!! They make some of the best photography gear there is on the market, Most Serious photographers and Professionals could give a @#%@ about video. Those that are serious about Video have real videography gear, and none of them would classify a DSLR as a Video Camera.

I'm an original Videographer, I have all the video gear, and I still do video professionally, and no matter what nikon does to include video into a "DSLR" it isn't a Video camera.
If you want real functional Video buy a Sony HDR Video camera(they start around 1800 cdn) the price of a 24-70 f/2.8, and are so much better then Nikon DSLR's.

monty11 said:
Why are you guys bickering over the video subject again?
There are those who like the video option and those who are categorically against it. For those who want/need video and still at the same time but don't have the resources to buy equipment for both or don't want to carry around all that gear, a video supporting DSLR is a perfect option. As this is the trend there isn't really anything any of us can do to stop it.

Those who don't like the video options that Nikon is offering, by all means switch to a brand that does have what you are looking for but do stop with the drama of being a lifelong Nikon user and now having to switch.

You are so right, and video will carry on, like it or not, even Sony will have it, properly sometime next year. Actually I would not be surprised if Sony will enter the Video DSLR arena with something wild when they finally are ready, Maybe Nikon simply have to wait for that something that Sony is working on, to be used in future Nikon video DSLR also, But if some you can not wait, then sell your Nikon gear, most of us here at NR honestly could not care less if you jumped, I did not cry and complain on Canon Rumors about lacking AF and poor exposure performance when using my 40D and 580 Flash, I simply decided that it was time to move. Since that the AF performance has improved with the 7D, but I don't think that the flash performance is any better, I like Nikon and have actual become a Nikon Fan, that is something I newer did before with other brands, I tried with Canon, but it did not happen

Pete

Why are you guys bickering over the video subject again?
There are those who like the video option and those who are categorically against it. For those who want/need video and still at the same time but don't have the resources to buy equipment for both or don't want to carry around all that gear, a video supporting DSLR is a perfect option. As this is the trend there isn't really anything any of us can do to stop it.

Those who don't like the video options that Nikon is offering, by all means switch to a brand that does have what you are looking for but do stop with the drama of being a lifelong Nikon user and now having to switch.

To offer my POV.
I'm the guy who's primarily a video shooter, with an interest in photography. Last christmas I bought my Nikon D60 and i ADORE it.

A few years back, I bought a panasonic HVX200 to shoot video, and it's served me well, but I've always whished from the get go, that I could change the lenses - then it would be awesome. That's the market you're going to get. There are LOADS of people who want to make films. And until now it's either been a case of spend £2/3000 on a decent camera, then another £1000 on a lense adapter to get the results you want, or settle for less.

I very nearly sold up all my current equipment for a Canon 7D. I'm glad I didn't because it's just not quite there yet, plus, I'd really love to stick with Nikon, I'm a brand loyalty kind of guy, so if something grabs me, I'll stick.

What you can't do though, is bury your head in the sand and mumble about 'video not being for us Nikon folks' because what it comes down to is market share. If Nikon do NOT produce a decent 1080p, variable frame rate DSLR with decent control, they will be forcing themselves out of a market and damaging their brand for the future. Siple as that. If they don't keep up, maybe...just maybe... there will no longer BE a Nikon.

If a 16 year old kid wants to make movies (as I said, there's loads, and it's increasing) - then what will they (or their folks) buy? The one that's the best all rounder - guaranteed.

I love Nikon cameras, but i'll have to jump ship if nothing happens in 2010.

cheers

moog

Vhtran !

I bought my D300s for videos and then shoot some photos if I want to. I do understand when you say DSLR are only for taking pictures but why not have that extra feature when you buy the camera. If you don't want to use it don't us it. I also agree with Jarmo that two things in one doesn't hurt. Video cameras are large and heavy to carry when you are on the field, sometime they are to big ti fit them in small places.
On the other hand DSLR shooting video has open a different perspective in terms of film-making. Just the other day we finished e short film shot on RED, during the filming a brought my D300s and filmed the same scene with it. TO be honest with you you can't tell the difference. I know quality wise DSLR are way behind but boy I was so happy that I could get that look.

Any way a lot of people would argue the fact why DSLRs are shooting video but in time we will accept it and move on. It's only e feature that sits inside the menu for whenever you want to us it.

But one thing for sure, filmmakers around the world are very happy with this new feature because you can get some amazing footage.

Regards

Bland said:
Maybe it's just me but I feel having video on a high end DSLR makes a mockery out of the true intent for a camera. To me, it's like buying the best camera in the world and then hanging an umbrella and cup holder on it.

It would be different if they put a $5000 video process inside of a $5000 DSLR but this isn't the case. I can understand video on a D5000 because it's an all around family type camera but the high end stuff needs this video garb taken off of it. jmo

+1

I know video is a plus but how many of you bought a DSLR to shoot video? Or any of you even touch that video mode for the 2nd time?

What is the "true intent for a camera". Technically it is only a lens & sensor & cpu & software & user interfaces. Why should we limit it's use only to still picture? You do have a one PC for all websites in the internet, not one pc for each site. It is very economical and practical to use one camera for both, videos and stills.

And weather we like it or not, future is video & still hybrids. Mobile phones, P&S cameras and consumer videocameras are there already. Now it is time for SLRs to evolve.

Maybe it's just me but I feel having video on a high end DSLR makes a mockery out of the true intent for a camera. To me, it's like buying the best camera in the world and then hanging an umbrella and cup holder on it.

It would be different if they put a $5000 video process inside of a $5000 DSLR but this isn't the case. I can understand video on a D5000 because it's an all around family type camera but the high end stuff needs this video garb taken off of it. jmo