Nikon D750 AF motor noise on video

flashp

flashp

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I want to use the video function of this camera since it's there, but it's not the reason I bought it.
In my first attempts to use this feature the first thing that struck me was how apparent the AF motor noise is. In a quite environment you can hear the motor very clearly when playing back the recording on a PC, it's quite intrusive in fact. I'm using an ME-1 mic and have tried the camera in both AF-S and AF-F. Also reduced mic level to 10 from Auto and noted no significant change.

In a typical situation where there is some level of ambient noise is this a problem or does the motor noise become un-noticeable?

Video quality looks great but this audio issue (if indeed it's not typical) is disappointing.

Any clues of suggestions welcome!

Thanks.
 
twist said:
Use manual focus.
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I can see that that would work, but what's the point of having a brilliant AF system then finding out you need to turn it off to get the best out of the camera?
Especially so since most reviews seem to repeatedly tell how wonderful it is for shooting video.
 
Use an off-camera microphone.
 
Move it further off camera? Sticking an "off camera" microphone on the hotshoe instantly makes it an on camera microphone and any tiny vibrations (like sounds) will be transferred through the chassis of the camera to the microphone.
 
flashp said:
I can see that that would work, but what's the point of having a brilliant AF system then finding out you need to turn it off to get the best out of the camera?
Especially so since most reviews seem to repeatedly tell how wonderful it is for shooting video.
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Because, the af system in most dslrs is only really great for stills. I'd bet that 99% of people who want anything decent out of the camera will be using MF, its far more accurate, faster and quieter.

You should've bought a mirrorless if you wanted half decent AF in video.
 
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twist said:
Because, the af system in most dslrs is only really great for stills. I'd bet that 99% of people who want anything decent out of the camera will be using MF, its far more accurate, faster and quieter.

You should've bought a mirrorless if you wanted half decent AF in video.
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As I said in my first post, it's not why I bought the camera.
None of the promo/advertising/reviews suggest that it should be problematic.

@Nod - I think Nikon have tried to address the points you make. there are two anti-vibration couplings in the mic assy. One at the hotshoe and the other for the mic boom itself. It isn't a solid assembly. How successful they've been is debatable though!
 
flashp said:
As I said in my first post, it's not why I bought the camera.
None of the promo/advertising/reviews suggest that it should be problematic.

@Nod - I think Nikon have tried to address the points you make. there are two anti-vibration couplings in the mic assy. One at the hotshoe and the other for the mic boom itself. It isn't a solid assembly. How successful they've been is debatable though!
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Guess it depends on how much research you did before your purchase when it comes to dslr video af performance in general. Sure, they can do it, but not very well, except perhaps the 70d. Noise will also depend on the lens. Like I said, nobody serious about getting decent focus uses AF in video.
 
I'm sure a decent directional mic will help too, are you using older non ad-s lens so the screw drive is loud?
 
AdamSi said:
I'm sure a decent directional mic will help too, are you using older non ad-s lens so the screw drive is loud?
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No, 24-70 f2.8 & 50mm f1.4. All up to date lenses. May have to look at better mics, not sure what though yet.
@twist Like I said, it wasn't even a secondary concern. I'm trying to make the most of it because it's there, I didn't buy the camera because it has it.

Directed at nobody - this sort of thing makes me laugh. Reviewers rave about this AF and that AF and this camera trounces that camera. Then you talk about macro or video and the consensus is 'no, you don't want that, best turn it off'
Progress, or not as the case may be.

Anyhow, back on topic - If anyone has any firsthand experience with the D750 and video or any other where they've found a work around other than switching it off then speak up!

Thanks to all so far. :)
 
Blank_Canvas said:
Nope, I didn't type that did I ? - I'm saying your wrong, MF isn't faster than AF.
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For video with most dslrs it is miles faster to focus and focus on different subjects in a scene using MF. I'm saying you are wrong. It's quieter, more accurate and faster to obtain focus!
 
I do video work as well as photography. For video works, I'm 100% on manual focus because is faster and accurate. AF for video can cause problem because when the focus is hunting, tracking different subject then it will show up on the actual video. Manual focus gives you control on when and where to focus. Imagine if I have to pull a rack focus on 2 subject and the AF keep focusing on different subject then it will cause a massive problem ......
 
badboy1984 said:
I do video work as well as photography. For video works, I'm 100% on manual focus because is faster and accurate. AF for video can cause problem because when the focus is hunting, tracking different subject then it will show up on the actual video. Manual focus gives you control on when and where to focus. Imagine if I have to pull a rack focus on 2 subject and the AF keep focusing on different subject then it will cause a massive problem ......
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Precisely.
 
Not to mention i prefer manual focus lens on my DSLR if I want to shoot video. i.e old nikon manual lens, zeiss lens etc.

The focus ring on the old manual lens is much much smoother and better for precise focus accuracy, also the focus distance is very useful for marking your focus. So you know how much focus you need to do from distane 1 to 2.
 
Blank_Canvas said:
Nope, I didn't type that did I ? - I'm saying your wrong, MF isn't faster than AF.
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You are right if straightly talking about focusing speed then AF is way faster then MF, but when using the AF system on a actual video projects, MF is faster because once you pull the focus you know is all set, where the AF system can automatically change the focus to somewhere else then you need to change it back. All this hunting and changing of focus will appear on the video ......... not something I want on the footage.
 
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