D7100 - Noisy autofocus in video?

[Ed Klein]

I recently got my D7100 as a replacement for my long and well serving D90. Admittedly, one of my big drivers for the upgrade was the improvement to the video capability over the D90. Instead of opting to spend several hunderd on a digital camcorder, I chose to sell the D90 and put that and the camcorder budget into the D7100.

So far, image and video quality wise, I've been well pleased with the upgrade. However, one thing that bugs me is how noisy the focus motor is during video recording and how much it hunts for focus.

Of course, the D90 couldn't autofocus during video at all, so I had been looking forward to the extra flexibility of being able to move about with the D7100 while videoing.

Yet, even though the 18-105VR that I kept from the D90 has a USM motor, the noise it makes it quite noticeable on the video. It also wouldn't bee so bad if it weren't hunting so much, even when it the shot is still clearly in focus. I had the configuration set on the wide area mode, so I don't understand why it was so jumpy.

I hadn't really seen any mention of this before when I've been reading about these newer Nikon's. what has everyone else's experience been?

As the example, this is the first video I put together for a school project for my daughter. Particularly during the second segment where she's describing the setup, the lens noise and defocusing are particularly severe.

 

[Bill Rees]

Ed Klein wrote:

I recently got my D7100 as a replacement for my long and well serving D90. Admittedly, one of my big drivers for the upgrade was the improvement to the video capability over the D90. Instead of opting to spend several hunderd on a digital camcorder, I chose to sell the D90 and put that and the camcorder budget into the D7100.

So far, image and video quality wise, I've been well pleased with the upgrade. However, one thing that bugs me is how noisy the focus motor is during video recording and how much it hunts for focus.

Of course, the D90 couldn't autofocus during video at all, so I had been looking forward to the extra flexibility of being able to move about with the D7100 while videoing.

Yet, even though the 18-105VR that I kept from the D90 has a USM motor, the noise it makes it quite noticeable on the video. It also wouldn't bee so bad if it weren't hunting so much, even when it the shot is still clearly in focus. I had the configuration set on the wide area mode, so I don't understand why it was so jumpy.

I hadn't really seen any mention of this before when I've been reading about these newer Nikon's. what has everyone else's experience been?

As the example, this is the first video I put together for a school project for my daughter. Particularly during the second segment where she's describing the setup, the lens noise and defocusing are particularly severe.

This is a limitation of AF in video on all Nikon DSLR's. I generally only use AF to pre-focus before a shot and will track focus manually in video mode. Nikon claims to have made the AF better in the D7100 but I don't think it's any better than my old D5100.

Another thing you can do is switch to single AF in video and just manually active the AF when you need it.

 

[JeffryZ]

I understand that the problem is that the mics are attached to the body of the camera so they pick up the noise easily. May try external mics?

 

[Ed Klein]

JeffryZ wrote:

I understand that the problem is that the mics are attached to the body of the camera so they pick up the noise easily. May try external mics?

 

[Berend Botje]

Ed, I am very much in your boat - updating from the D90 for an (even better) still camera but also because I want to use it's video capabilities.

I haven't tried this yet, but believe that an external directional mike (e.g. Nikon's own or one of the Rode Videomics) will greatly help to mitigate the focussing noise issue.

The autofocus hunting is a different matter - it does not seem much better than the D90 in live view and was disappointing to me because it means some of the video will not really be useable. Editing it out brings its own issues and work. But I believe it is the result of the live view contrast AF, which is not better than it is.

Together with the lack of powerzoom - which few still cameras have - autofocus hunting or having to use manual mode is going to be a drawback of the D7100 as videocam compared to a dedicated camcorder. It is also my first impression that it is going to be more difficult to run and gun. On the other hand, the D7100 is going to give you very sharp video, excellent low light capabilities, and much better DOF control (the flipside of which is to And of course the comfort of having to take just one camera for still and video.

I am very much weighing these issues myself. I am trying out the D7100 in the hope that I can my aging camcorder home on a trip I will be taking shortly. But I have not reached a definitive conclusion.

 

[nfpotter]

DSLR video is GREAT, IF you want to make a short, a movie, a music video, etc. The ability to change lenses rules. Times when you have time to mess around, and capture audio separately. Otherwise, even a cheap camcorder will smoke any DSLR out there. They're just not there yet, but some brands are getting close.

 

[rockjano]

I think because of the different size of the sensor it will never be the same.

DSLR video does not replace a normal video cam it is something else for different purposes.

It is for art-video, not for documentary

 

[io_bg]

Use a lens with quieter AF or buy an external mic.

 

[jonikon]

Ed Klein wrote:

I recently got my D7100 as a replacement for my long and well serving D90. Admittedly, one of my big drivers for the upgrade was the improvement to the video capability over the D90. Instead of opting to spend several hunderd on a digital camcorder, I chose to sell the D90 and put that and the camcorder budget into the D7100.

So far, image and video quality wise, I've been well pleased with the upgrade. However, one thing that bugs me is how noisy the focus motor is during video recording and how much it hunts for focus.

My personal opinion is that a DSLR is a poor choice for doing video. I don't think you will every be happy with the CDAF in video mode with the D7100 (I know I would not), even with a quieter focusing lens.

A much better choice would be one of the compact Nikon 1 mirroless, cameras, (V1-2 or J1-3) which have silent focus lenses and fast and continuous PDAF focusing in video mode that actually works. There is also a CX mount 10-100mm powered zoom lens available for videographers. The other nice thing about the V1 is the greater depth of field using large aperture lenses, which is real handy when shooting videos. I don't do video much anymore, but I tested out my Nikon V1 in video mode and found the focusing fast and accurate in decent light, and the video quality is excellent as well. Nikon USA is selling the V1 right now for $370 with 10-30mm kit lens.

- Jon

 

[NotMyCupOfTea]

Ed Klein wrote:

JeffryZ wrote:

I understand that the problem is that the mics are attached to the body of the camera so they pick up the noise easily. May try external mics?

 

[NotMyCupOfTea]

Ed Klein wrote:

I recently got my D7100 as a replacement for my long and well serving D90. Admittedly, one of my big drivers for the upgrade was the improvement to the video capability over the D90. Instead of opting to spend several hunderd on a digital camcorder, I chose to sell the D90 and put that and the camcorder budget into the D7100.

So far, image and video quality wise, I've been well pleased with the upgrade. However, one thing that bugs me is how noisy the focus motor is during video recording and how much it hunts for focus.

Of course, the D90 couldn't autofocus during video at all, so I had been looking forward to the extra flexibility of being able to move about with the D7100 while videoing.

Yet, even though the 18-105VR that I kept from the D90 has a USM motor, the noise it makes it quite noticeable on the video. It also wouldn't bee so bad if it weren't hunting so much, even when it the shot is still clearly in focus. I had the configuration set on the wide area mode, so I don't understand why it was so jumpy.

I hadn't really seen any mention of this before when I've been reading about these newer Nikon's. what has everyone else's experience been?

As the example, this is the first video I put together for a school project for my daughter. Particularly during the second segment where she's describing the setup, the lens noise and defocusing are particularly severe.

My question as well. I'm confused. Why did they even upgrade the mic from the d7000?

 

[NotMyCupOfTea]

Ok, I only had my d7100 for a couple week and had it replaced. The microphone works MUCH better now.