Which Nikon movie DSLR

treeman

treeman

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I'm happy to admit I currently know nothing about making movies with a DSLR, or what the best specifications are.
However I've decide to make some videos about some of the stuff I do. I won't be able to use the D3s as that'll actually be in the video.
So, in terms of video capability, are all the current line of of video enabled Nikons the same quality?
Will the D3100 give the same quality as the D300s?
Will all my lenses work?

As I currently don't have a clue, any help much appreciated :)
 
Will the D3100 give the same quality as the D300s?
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Doesn't the D3100 do 1080p video? In theory it should do better quality! However that being said you cannot change aperture on the fly on the D3100 and you probably can on the D300s.

Will all my lenses work?
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D3100 doesn't have a in-built focus motor so only your AF-S lenses will auto-focus but I'm pretty sure that the rest will meter properly.
 
yeah, D3100 or D7000 are your lot from Nikon, at least until August when the new cameras come out.

main practical difference is the D7000 has a mic in socket.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
yeah, D3100 or D7000 are your lot from Nikon, at least until August when the new cameras come out.

main practical difference is the D7000 has a mic in socket.
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But there's also the D5000, D90 and D300s. I'm not too bothered about functions, though external mic would be good, I just don't understand which one will give the best image quality :shrug:

I think the D3s has lower resolution (or whatever you call it in video terms) but it is F/F, so would that make it the best? (good excuse to buy another one :naughty:)
 
I'm not sure if it's the same for Nikons but in the Canon lineup, the video is essentially the same from 550D all the way up to 5Dmk2, the only thing that changes are the 5dmk2 having less framerates, and of course ISO performance, i.e 5dmk2>7D>60D>550D etc etc etc
 
Except the depth of field and control on an SLR far surpasses that of HD camcorders. Unless you want to drop a few grand on a video camera you're better off looking at an SLR and get a second body thrown into the equation.
 
going by the price of HD camcorders, I'd buy one of those...video is not very good on cameras...ok for a push..but not for dedicated video work...mark
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actually... for dedicated video work, for quite a lot of things, they're better. Try filming your family holidays on it, and they'll drive you mad though.

D5000 only has 720p video, D3100 and D7000 have 1080p, and better handling of jelly effect etc iirc.

Canon really have nailed Nikon on this, who need to step up - I want full manual control, not having to do the whole 'exposure lock' trick every time...
 
Canon really have nailed Nikon on this, who need to step up - I want full manual control, not having to do the whole 'exposure lock' trick every time...
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I don't do video I take stills I'd rather have a fantastic stills camera than a marginal video and stills camera.

If you want a video camera, go buy one!
 
mark richards said:
going by the price of HD camcorders, I'd buy one of those...video is not very good on cameras...ok for a push..but not for dedicated video work...mark
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They are being used on an ever increasing basis for some professional uses. They are especially popular for use in stunts where the low cost means they are viewed as disposable and put in places where normal professional video cameras wouldn't be. At least that is what I was told by someone whose business of renting out professional video cameras is suffering as a result....
 
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James Wright said:
I don't do video I take stills I'd rather have a fantastic stills camera than a marginal video and stills camera.

If you want a video camera, go buy one!
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I shoot video professionally as well as stills :P Dslrs are good for some things, but not ideal 'allpurpose' video cameras.
 
It will not be long before you can have both in one package. Already the 5d Mrk2 is being used to make TV shows adverts and music videos despite its many limitations. Sony have produced a video that can change lenses with its photo cameras so its just a matter of time before someone makes a camera that combines both. They simply have to look at the focus pulling and image stabalistaion issues of the DSLRs (although there are after market attachments for these) add better sound recoding and idealy a more user friendly codec.
 
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