Seriously..what's the point of video on Dslr

Hi all

Just got my d750 a recently with 24-120. Love the camera and sold d3s for it. Many years back I used to shoot video with panasonic 3 chip compact video camera and made short documentaries with it. Loved it with great video quality and really smooth zoom and continuous focus.

So now trying out video on d750 and what a pain! The focus zoom hunts a lot and noisy it gets picked up on footage. Zoom is damn hard to use smoothly. The experience is not very good. Or is it just me getting old? My ten year old plus video camera was easier to use and handheld with image stabiliser produced easily acceptable results. With DSLR, I think you need a tripod all the time. Do you 'enjoy' using your dlsr for video?

Anyone recommend a very compact high quality dedicated video camera which has sockets for microphone and headphone? I want to use it for personal and business use to produce very short YouTube videos for clients in additional to photography.

Or have I just given up too easily on video using dslr? Please link me to any videos you have made using your dslr

Regards

Tan

I've never used it on any of my digital cameras.


• Nikon D800E • Nikon Df • Nikon D700 (2) • Nikon D7100 • Nikon D7000 • Nikon D90 (2) • Nikon D80 • Nikon D70s • Hasselblad H3DII-39 • Fuji X100 LE • Canon G15

Digital Click said:

Hi all

Just got my d750 a recently with 24-120. Love the camera and sold d3s for it. Many years back I used to shoot video with panasonic 3 chip compact video camera and made short documentaries with it. Loved it with great video quality and really smooth zoom and continuous focus.

So now trying out video on d750 and what a pain! The focus zoom hunts a lot and noisy it gets picked up on footage. Zoom is damn hard to use smoothly. The experience is not very good. Or is it just me getting old? My ten year old plus video camera was easier to use and handheld with image stabiliser produced easily acceptable results. With DSLR, I think you need a tripod all the time. Do you 'enjoy' using your dlsr for video?

Anyone recommend a very compact high quality dedicated video camera which has sockets for microphone and headphone? I want to use it for personal and business use to produce very short YouTube videos for clients in additional to photography.

Or have I just given up too easily on video using dslr? Please link me to any videos you have made using your dslr

Regards

Tan

Click to expand...

I think video is wonderful for video pros. But for the rest of us, we're paying for so much that we simply never use. I make my entire living from photography and you could argue I don't use 50% of my camera. It's also a lot of r&d money for Nikon to invest in something that most of us never use.

I like it. I don't have the D750, only the D800, but in my opinion it is great to have the ability to shoot video and still images with the same gear. The image quality out of the D800 is much higher than any commercial video camera can produce in the normal price range. Adding a mike improves the quality even more, and if you use an external sound recorder then you actually have a professional video recorder device for peanuts. The weak point is the lens, but that is only a problem if you like to zoom a lot and if you have a zoom which does not run smooth. Focusing isn't a big issue, I focus manually, which in my opinion is the best. With commercial video cameras the focus is a problem, just as the selection of what to focus on. I hate powered zooms because while they run smooth, they are difficult to control, which is why over/underzooming is very common in amateur video shots done with powered zooms. Manual focus is a real PITA with a video camera, I guess to get good video functions in a decent video camera you need to pay tons of money. What is definitely better in all video cameras I know of is the LCD. All of them are fully twist and swivel type, which is really great in video. Sadly, no Nikon DLSR has that type of LCD.

benjaminblack said:

benjaminblack said:

Hi all

Just got my d750 a recently with 24-120. Love the camera and sold d3s for it. Many years back I used to shoot video with panasonic 3 chip compact video camera and made short documentaries with it. Loved it with great video quality and really smooth zoom and continuous focus.

So now trying out video on d750 and what a pain! The focus zoom hunts a lot and noisy it gets picked up on footage. Zoom is damn hard to use smoothly. The experience is not very good. Or is it just me getting old? My ten year old plus video camera was easier to use and handheld with image stabiliser produced easily acceptable results. With DSLR, I think you need a tripod all the time. Do you 'enjoy' using your dlsr for video?

Anyone recommend a very compact high quality dedicated video camera which has sockets for microphone and headphone? I want to use it for personal and business use to produce very short YouTube videos for clients in additional to photography.

Or have I just given up too easily on video using dslr? Please link me to any videos you have made using your dslr

Regards

Tan

Click to expand...

I think video is wonderful for video pros. But for the rest of us, we're paying for so much that we simply never use. I make my entire living from photography and you could argue I don't use 50% of my camera. It's also a lot of r&d money for Nikon to invest in something that most of us never use.

Click to expand...

Please don't speak about the "rest of us" only about you. I am also part of that "rest of us" group and I disagree with you. Remember that no manufacturer makes cameras designed for YOUR needs, they try to make cameras designed for the needs of the "rest of us", i.e. a much larger group than yourself and a few others.

Most people who use the video features are not video pro. Of course a video pro uses proper video cameras and may see still image as a bi-product which he/she occasionally takes. I see it the other way round, I mostly take still images and occasionally video. When I am doing that, the video feature is very useful. I have no idea about what the "rest of us"do.

Digital Click said:

Anyone recommend a very compact high quality dedicated video camera which has sockets for microphone and headphone?

Click to expand...

I don't think that such camera exists. Especially if we add EVF, manual focus and manual zoom abilities as well. IQ may depend on your requirements, because if you only shoot in bright light then it may not be an issue whatever camera you are using, but in low light the full size image sensor is a real blessing.

Digital Click said:

I want to use it for personal and business use to produce very short YouTube videos for clients in additional to photography.

Or have I just given up too easily on video using dslr?

Click to expand...

Yes, it seems so. If you want to use the camera for professional, paid work (even if it is for YouTube only) then you better off learning your camera. Buy an external voice recorder, a good mike and headphone plus a nice and smooth manual zoom/focus lens, preferably with aperture ring. The quality will be MUCH better than anything you could get out of a small video camera with a pea sized sensor in it.

Digital Click said:

Hi all

Just got my d750 a recently with 24-120. Love the camera and sold d3s for it. Many years back I used to shoot video with panasonic 3 chip compact video camera and made short documentaries with it. Loved it with great video quality and really smooth zoom and continuous focus.

So now trying out video on d750 and what a pain! The focus zoom hunts a lot and noisy it gets picked up on footage. Zoom is damn hard to use smoothly.

Click to expand...

The focusing is not stellar, I agree. I use manual focus and I good light, use a hyperfocal setting with small aperture and forget focusing completely.

Re:zooming.

I presume you don't mean zoom while filmimg, but rather actual operation of the zoom ring?

When was the last time you saw a pro film, zoom during filming?

Digital Click said:

The experience is not very good. Or is it just me getting old? My ten year old plus video camera was easier to use and handheld with image stabiliser produced easily acceptable results. With DSLR, I think you need a tripod all the time. Do you 'enjoy' using your dlsr for video?

Anyone recommend a very compact high quality dedicated video camera which has sockets for microphone and headphone? I want to use it for personal and business use to produce very short YouTube videos for clients in additional to photography.

Or have I just given up too easily on video using dslr? Please link me to any videos you have made using your dslr

Click to expand...

I would not give up on it.I'd compare the IQ with your old video stuff, first.

Digital Click said:

Regards

Tan

Click to expand...

Digital, thomo and benjamin, I'm with you on this one. Anyway, others (see the 4 posts below of two forum members) may have different opinion on this.

thomo said:

I've never used it on any of my digital cameras.

• Nikon D800E • Nikon Df • Nikon D700 (2) • Nikon D7100 • Nikon D7000 • Nikon D90 (2) • Nikon D80 • Nikon D70s • Hasselblad H3DII-39 • Fuji X100 LE • Canon G15

Click to expand...

No offense meant, but it's not because you don't use it that others can't do wonderful things with...

I tried a Canon 7DmkII with a Canon EF-M 18-55mm IS STM f 3.5-5.6 a couple of days ago and it's very useable for occasional video with impressing AF capabilities in video mode. Perfect for non-experienced videographers as myself.

TMHO Nikon should Quickly start with STM lenses or they will loose a very big potential market.

Hi everyone. I have just bought the D750 and liking it very much for both stills AND video. The main advantages over the D600 for video are that you can use Auto ISO on any lenses including old AIS lenses or smooth powered aperture control with newer lenses and the tilty screen is very useful.

The benefits of DSLR video over conventional camcorders for me are:

1) low light level shooting - huge improvement

2) image quality far better (especially at low light levels)

3) variety of lenses, with larger apertures allow narrow depth of focus

The trick for using them is to forget zooming and auto focus which looks unprofessional and use a tripod, compose your shots as you would a still photo. The old AIS lenses are great for their smooth manual focusing and image quality.

Narrow depth of focus looks good, but does mean focusing is tricky. In an ideal world, I’d like Nikon to bring out a dedicated video shooting lens (24-120) with fine smooth focusing and zoom.

I went from the D700 to the D600 because of video and would have had to switch to Canon otherwise.

Hi Thorno

I really want to use it my camera now. Now neeb interested before but quite excited about it after hearing all the good reviews about it.

Tan

thomo said:

I've never used it on any of my digital cameras.

• Nikon D800E • Nikon Df • Nikon D700 (2) • Nikon D7100 • Nikon D7000 • Nikon D90 (2) • Nikon D80 • Nikon D70s • Hasselblad H3DII-39 • Fuji X100 LE • Canon G15

Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for the replies. I am definitely going to explore video more with DSLR. I have been spoilt by camcorders in the past that offer smooth zoom and autofocus and realise this DSLR requires a different discipline which is rewarded, so say most of you, with far better quality in all aspects.

Re focusing, again, spoilt by AF for videos and stills but will have to learn/master it! Hope I have the patience!

However, would really like to see some video samples made by yourselves guys.

Regards

Tan

I made up a promo slide show for a Salon and they loved it. I know my video clips need work and he is right about the auto focusing using movie mode, I guess you need to go manual focus. My iPhone probably can do a better job with auto focus than a slr.

At any rate check out my slide show/video for The Glamour Soiree night.

Digital Click said:

Hi all

Just got my d750 a recently with 24-120. Love the camera and sold d3s for it. Many years back I used to shoot video with panasonic 3 chip compact video camera and made short documentaries with it. Loved it with great video quality and really smooth zoom and continuous focus.

So now trying out video on d750 and what a pain! The focus zoom hunts a lot and noisy it gets picked up on footage. Zoom is damn hard to use smoothly. The experience is not very good. Or is it just me getting old? My ten year old plus video camera was easier to use and handheld with image stabiliser produced easily acceptable results. With DSLR, I think you need a tripod all the time. Do you 'enjoy' using your dlsr for video?

Anyone recommend a very compact high quality dedicated video camera which has sockets for microphone and headphone? I want to use it for personal and business use to produce very short YouTube videos for clients in additional to photography.

Or have I just given up too easily on video using dslr? Please link me to any videos you have made using your dslr

Click to expand...

Video on a DSLR is hard work and needs a (quite) bit of extra gear to do very nicely.

You'll need a external pre-amp and/or audio recorder as well as a mic if you want to do serious work for clients and record sound.

Zooms and Tascams are popular as recorders - these look good:

If you want to focus during the shot, a follow focus is the usual accessory.
The simplest and most inexpensive follow focus is probably some thing like this:

You don't need a tripod.
It is possible to use a monopod. Manfrotto have some video specific models which are quite popular:

Something like this:
AF of DSLRs - with the possible exception of the 70D (debatable) is not considered usuable professionally.
Mirrorless AF is considered more usuable.

The A7S and the G4 are the most vaunted mirrorless for video use at the moment.

With those I think most people still tend to manual focus, but they at least have focus peaking and digital punch in, I think.

Possily a little research might have been inorder before you selected your kit for paying clients.
None of this is a secret.

There are whole industries dedicated to making DSLR video useable.

Here's a Vimeo video by a guy on these forums who takes you for a tour of his DSLR video "rig": http://vimeo.com/15928756

You don't need everyting he has, but as you are finding out, it's not easy to get good video with just a DSLR and a baremstills lens.

This guy has a good (I think) youtube channel with info and reviews about DSLR video:

Why bother?
Because you can get Network TV/Hollywood cinema quality video from a DSLR and stills lenses if you do bother.

But yes if you just want to bang out usable video cheaply then a DSLR is not the way to go.

Digital Click said:

--

Click to expand...

I used to agree with you until...a close friend asked me to video her husbands memorial service. I was 'flying by the seat of my pants' and parts of the video were a little rough, but she will be forever grateful.

Thanks Craig for posting the link. Interesting that you used loads of stills as well. What software did you use as I am so behind on editing software. The last one I used was iMovie (very old version) and a dabble at Final Cut Express

Tan

Craig said:

I made up a promo slide show for a Salon and they loved it. I know my video clips need work and he is right about the auto focusing using movie mode, I guess you need to go manual focus. My iPhone probably can do a better job with auto focus than a slr.

At any rate check out my slide show/video for The Glamour Soiree night.

Click to expand...

I've had 2 DSLR's with video functions, the first was my D7000 and the second is my D610. I'm not a pro but expect a lot from my devices/toys. I have a really well reviewed Canon HD video camera that has exceptional video quality, but it's nowhere near as good as my D7000 was and my D610 is, other than the silent AF that is. When I need AF, I use the HD video camera. When I want WOW video, I use my D610 with manual focus.

I use my MF Nikon 28mm E series all the time for video. I find any of the older lenses with smooth focus rings are amazing for video, just takes a while to get used to manually focusing video. I really enjoy the results, on a large screen HDTV the videos are stunning.

These little extras give us another excuse to spend more time using our gear.....

Enjoy!

jtan163 said:

Digital Click said:

Hi all

Just got my d750 a recently with 24-120. Love the camera and sold d3s for it. Many years back I used to shoot video with panasonic 3 chip compact video camera and made short documentaries with it. Loved it with great video quality and really smooth zoom and continuous focus.

So now trying out video on d750 and what a pain! The focus zoom hunts a lot and noisy it gets picked up on footage. Zoom is damn hard to use smoothly. The experience is not very good. Or is it just me getting old? My ten year old plus video camera was easier to use and handheld with image stabiliser produced easily acceptable results. With DSLR, I think you need a tripod all the time. Do you 'enjoy' using your dlsr for video?

Anyone recommend a very compact high quality dedicated video camera which has sockets for microphone and headphone? I want to use it for personal and business use to produce very short YouTube videos for clients in additional to photography.

Or have I just given up too easily on video using dslr? Please link me to any videos you have made using your dslr

Click to expand...

Video on a DSLR is hard work and needs a (quite) bit of extra gear to do very nicely.

Click to expand...

Oh dear!

jtan163 said:

You'll need a external pre-amp and/or audio recorder as well as a mic if you want to do serious work for clients and record sound.

Click to expand...

Yeah I know - but it is not serious work - its additional work to stills but not high end. I make that clear to the the client and he is happy with that. Not interested in the high end stuff - best to leave that to the pros and experienced

jtan163 said:

Zooms and Tascams are popular as recorders - these look good:

Click to expand...

Yes its looks good and makes me think of DSLR is being catered for in accessories this way, it must be worth it to do so!

jtan163 said:

If you want to focus during the shot, a follow focus is the usual accessory.
The simplest and most inexpensive follow focus is probably some thing like this:
http://www.b-hague.co.uk/hague_follow_focus_zoom_lever.htm

Click to expand...

This is excellent - I will get this. Thanks for posting!

jtan163 said:

You don't need a tripod.
It is possible to use a monopod. Manfrotto have some video specific models which are quite popular:

Something like this:

Click to expand...

This is also excellent and not too expensive. The guy waffles on too much though but this si worth getting I think

jtan163 said:

AF of DSLRs - with the possible exception of the 70D (debatable) is not considered usuable professionally.
Mirrorless AF is considered more usuable.

Click to expand...

How does D750 AF compare to Canon 70D?

jtan163 said:

The A7S and the G4 are the most vaunted mirrorless for video use at the moment.

Click to expand...

I have the Panasonic Fz1000 which has 4k video - need to try it out sometime but AF and zoom suffer same problems. Not so smooth and you need an external mike (hence e the Sennheiser MKE300) I got to rid the AF/Zoom motor noise!

jtan163 said:

With those I think most people still tend to manual focus, but they at least have focus peaking and digital punch in, I think.

Click to expand...

Have no idea what yo are talking about!

jtan163 said:

Possily a little research might have been inorder before you selected your kit for paying clients.
None of this is a secret.

Click to expand...

No not really. I am a still photographer and basic video is all that is needed. Do not want to get into video in any big way. The items you mentioned earlier are excellent, portable and affordable.

jtan163 said:

There are whole industries dedicated to making DSLR video useable.

Here's a Vimeo video by a guy on these forums who takes you for a tour of his DSLR video "rig": http://vimeo.com/15928756

Click to expand...

OMG! No thanks! Carrying more than 2 lenses is enough! If I was 25 years younger, this would excite, now this level of kit frightens!

jtan163 said:

You don't need everyting he has, but as you are finding out, it's not easy to get good video with just a DSLR and a baremstills lens.

Click to expand...

Yes you are right - but will try and get usable video otherwise have my eyes set on a Panasonic HC-X920

jtan163 said:

This guy has a good (I think) youtube channel with info and reviews about DSLR video:
https://www.youtube.com/user/curtisjudd

Click to expand...

This is a good link and he has a number of videos - the tack Sharp Focus Video is very good

jtan163 said:

Why bother?
Because you can get Network TV/Hollywood cinema quality video from a DSLR and stills lenses if you do bother.

Click to expand...

I will give it a try!

jtan163 said:

But yes if you just want to bang out usable video cheaply then a DSLR is not the way to go.

Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to provide these links. very very useful and encouraging!

Tan

jtan163 said:

jtan163 said:

--

Click to expand...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/9762497@N05

Click to expand...

Thanks for the input here. What kind of videos to you film using the DSLR? Need to get a HDMi cable now to hook up the camera to tv

Tan

incrediblehark said:

I've had 2 DSLR's with video functions, the first was my D7000 and the second is my D610. I'm not a pro but expect a lot from my devices/toys. I have a really well reviewed Canon HD video camera that has exceptional video quality, but it's nowhere near as good as my D7000 was and my D610 is, other than the silent AF that is. When I need AF, I use the HD video camera. When I want WOW video, I use my D610 with manual focus.

I use my MF Nikon 28mm E series all the time for video. I find any of the older lenses with smooth focus rings are amazing for video, just takes a while to get used to manually focusing video. I really enjoy the results, on a large screen HDTV the videos are stunning.

These little extras give us another excuse to spend more time using our gear.....

Enjoy!

Click to expand...

i use it for fun when shooting kids birthday parties and family event...not serious movie making..