Which DSLR/Brand performs well with video?

[lolage]

Hi.

I currently have a D3100 with the stock lens. I am just about to buy another lens for it but before I invest money into lenses I want to make sure I'm okay with Nikon?

Reason I ask this is because I want to start shooting video with my camera. I know the D3100 isnt the best bet for this as its autofocus when in video mode is pretty bad but I'd like to think there is another Nikon DSLR not too pricey which could perform good video? My main reasoning behind this is because I see a lot of good video productions made with Canon DSLR's..?

I reckon I can get at least £300 for my D3100. I could put another £2/300 on top of that meaning I have about £550 to play with body only. Is this enough to get a decent enough body for video?

Cheers!

 

[grum]

There is no real video auto focus on Canon DSLR cameras. The only really useable video AF on a DSLR is on Sony cameras AFAIK.

You can do great video on your camera, you just need to learn to focus manually. It's hard to do using the little screen though, so really you need something like the Zacuto Z finder (cheaper options are available) to magnify the live view display. Almost all serious film and video productions mostly use manual focus anyway - in cinema there is someone who's specific job is just manually focussing.

More people use Canon though because Canon have generally given more video modes and better manual control over settings than Nikon. The latest generation of Nikon cameras have caught up with this though I think.

 

[crofter]

I'm just about to embark on using my Canon 550D for video work, I have a viewfinder attachment on the way, early test using the live view screen have been very good compared to my old camcorder and also there is the option of using the "Magic lantern" firmware to further enhance the camera's capabilities.
http://magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Unified