Deciding on a DSLR for video: Canon/Nikon hybrid setup?

I'm in the midst of trying to decide which DSLR to acquire for video work, but keep running into issues with one camera or another. I have Nikon lenses and gear, so going the budget route (and desiring the flipout LCD) I had my eye on the D5100, until digging deeper and learning that it has no manual video exposure.

So my option now - and what I'm asking opinions on with this post - is going the route of a 60D or Rebel T3i and using a Nikon to EOS lens adapter since I'll be shooting video with manual focus anyway. Suggestions? Has anyone else done the hybrid setup?

For those out to attack would-be DSLR video buyers for not buying a real video camera, please save the comments.

--
http://www.andrewwolfphotography.com

I would recommend... neither. Unless you're looking to go FF video, I believe the best choice is the Sony a55. Then if you ever do need/want AF during video at least you'll have the best currently available.

ATW said:

I'm in the midst of trying to decide which DSLR to acquire for video work, but keep running into issues with one camera or another. I have Nikon lenses and gear, so going the budget route (and desiring the flipout LCD) I had my eye on the D5100, until digging deeper and learning that it has no manual video exposure.

So my option now - and what I'm asking opinions on with this post - is going the route of a 60D or Rebel T3i and using a Nikon to EOS lens adapter since I'll be shooting video with manual focus anyway. Suggestions? Has anyone else done the hybrid setup?

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Yes. I use a Canon 5D II for video with about 40 different Nikon, Zeiss, Voigtlander, Leica, and Sigma lenses. Mostly Nikon mount, one R mount, and several M39 and RMS used only for macro.

I also use the 5D II for serious macro work, microscope work, and occasional telescope work, because it does a second trick, in addition to excellent video. It has a special "electronic first curtain" feature where it can go from liveview to an actual exposure without moving either the mirror or the shutter mechanisms. It's essentially vibration free.

ATW said:

For those out to attack would-be DSLR video buyers for not buying a real video camera, please save the comments.

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I usually ask them to recommend a camcorder that can work with the $25,000 in lenses I already own. Shuts them right up.

--
Rahon Klavanian 1912-2008.

Armenian genocide survivor, amazing cook, scrabble master, and loving grandmother. You will be missed.

Ciao! Joseph

http://www.swissarmyfork.com

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

For those out to attack would-be DSLR video buyers for not buying a real video camera, please save the comments.

Click to expand...

I usually ask them to recommend a camcorder that can work with the $25,000 in lenses I already own. Shuts them right up.

Click to expand...

Interesting point - I was under the impression that canon made some video recorders that had at least some compatibility with canon DSLR lenses - is this not correct? Although I suspect those were rather expensive video cameras, not consumer material.

To the OP:

I have both a 7D and 5DII. I love the 5D II for video with great DOF control. But you need a good follow focus systems as well as a LCD hodd/loupe if you're really into it. I haven't acquired either yet, but I will eventually.

Neither the 7D or 5D II is really recommendable for casual video, unless you use a very small aperture, which means more noise (high ISO) and at that point you could just get a regular camcorder.

Also quick panning motions introduces jerkiness, sometimes quite severe. I still enjoy taking videos, but you should be aware that the current video DSLRs are by no means perfect. I'm looking forward to seeing what the 5D III will bring.

quadrox said:

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

quadrox said:

For those out to attack would-be DSLR video buyers for not buying a real video camera, please save the comments.

Click to expand...

I usually ask them to recommend a camcorder that can work with the $25,000 in lenses I already own. Shuts them right up.

Click to expand...

Interesting point - I was under the impression that canon made some video recorders that had at least some compatibility with canon DSLR lenses - is this not correct?

Click to expand...

Whether it's correct or incorrect depends on how you define "compatible". The sensor is so small that the crop factor is around 5x. Basically, the reason for the Canon EOS mount adapter on that camera is long tele use. Try to do anything else, and you see stuff like this:

• My 8mm f4 fisheye becomes my "normal", with a 40mm equivalent focal length, about 25% barrel distortion, and the DOF (and low light shooting ability) equivalent of an f20 lens on the FF 5D II.
• The 20mm f2.8 is a 100mm f14 equivalent with ghastly bokeh.
• Oh, and being a dichroic beamsplitter 3 sensor camera, it gets very soft when using f1.4 lenses that weren't designed to have prisms in their optical path. So, lenses like the 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 become essentially useless.

Now, the 135mm f2.0 would be nice, if I had the need of a 675mm f10 equivalent. The real gem is the 300mm f2.8, acting as a 1500mm f14.

quadrox said:

Although I suspect those were rather expensive video cameras, not consumer material.

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Yup. I've seen Bryce use his with the 500mm f4 on a Wimberly with a Gitzo 5 series tripod.

quadrox said:

To the OP:

I have both a 7D and 5DII. I love the 5D II for video with great DOF control. But you need a good follow focus systems as well as a LCD hodd/loupe if you're really into it. I haven't acquired either yet, but I will eventually.

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I can't say enough nice things about Redrock Micro.

quadrox said:

Neither the 7D or 5D II is really recommendable for casual video, unless you use a very small aperture, which means more noise (high ISO) and at that point you could just get a regular camcorder.

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I've found I can do a lot of casual "documentary" style video at f4 or f5.6, manual focus via the lens ring without the rig. It just takes a little practice.

quadrox said:

Also quick panning motions introduces jerkiness, sometimes quite severe. I still enjoy taking videos, but you should be aware that the current video DSLRs are by no means perfect. I'm looking forward to seeing what the 5D III will bring.

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Long backorder lists...



Seriously, my sources say it's polished, quite a departure from the "get it running and ship it" design of the I and II.

--
Rahon Klavanian 1912-2008.

Armenian genocide survivor, amazing cook, scrabble master, and loving grandmother. You will be missed.

Ciao! Joseph

http://www.swissarmyfork.com

Thanks for the response Joseph. With the lens adapter ring, are you still able to shoot video in aperture or shutter priority or strictly manual? Can the Canon body control the aperture in the Nikon lens, or does it have to be set manually with the aperture ring?

--
http://www.andrewwolfphotography.com

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

Whether it's correct or incorrect depends on how you define "compatible". The sensor is so small that the crop factor is around 5x.
[...]

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Thanks for clearing that up!

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

I can't say enough nice things about Redrock Micro.

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Thanks, I'll look into it!

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

I've found I can do a lot of casual "documentary" style video at f4 or f5.6, manual focus via the lens ring without the rig. It just takes a little practice.

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Well, I guess you can at that, but depending on what you shoot you still have to be somewhat careful with the focus. At least I find it a bit difficult, when reviewing the video at home there are often many parts where the focus is noticeably off.

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

Long backorder lists...



Seriously, my sources say it's polished, quite a departure from the "get it running and ship it" design of the I and II.

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I wish I knew how reliable your sources are. Oh well, there's nothing else to do but be patient.

If this is primarily for video, why not look at the Panasonic GH2?

It's stills capability is not on par with the FF cameras mentioned, but it's video is higher quality.

Also, m43 can adapt just about any lens on the planet.

Still curious what, if any, automatic features as far as shutter/aperture priority shooting there is when using an adapter. Anyone?

--
http://www.andrewwolfphotography.com

Joseph S Wisniewski said:

I usually ask them to recommend a camcorder that can work with the $25,000 in lenses I already own. Shuts them right up

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I don't have $25,000 worth of lenses...only about $10,000 worth. All different makes and types....Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Zeiss, and a couple of Sony's for good measure. I shoot with all of the on my Sony VG10, very successfully too.

There are camcorders out there with interchangeable lens capability that don't fost an arm and a leg....it actually takes very nice stills as well and is an APS-C sensor, so there is nice, shallow DSLR-like DoF for video. The only thing lacking is RAW capability for stills...

Yeah, Canon DSLR's for video are very hot in the industry right now. Read this full article:

http://documentarytech.com/?p=7267

ATW said:

I'm in the midst of trying to decide which DSLR to acquire for video work, but keep running into issues with one camera or another. I have Nikon lenses and gear, so going the budget route (and desiring the flipout LCD) I had my eye on the D5100, until digging deeper and learning that it has no manual video exposure.

So my option now - and what I'm asking opinions on with this post - is going the route of a 60D or Rebel T3i and using a Nikon to EOS lens adapter since I'll be shooting video with manual focus anyway. Suggestions? Has anyone else done the hybrid setup?

For those out to attack would-be DSLR video buyers for not buying a real video camera, please save the comments.

--
http://www.andrewwolfphotography.com

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