insights into photography
In class last night someone asked about HD video recording with a DSLR. I started to answer some of their question and quickly realised it would take more than the 10 minutes left of the class and said I would do a little research and send them some links about it. I found this article which although hardly definitive does go some way to answering the questions many people have. I will return to this subject in later posts but for now if you are thinking about using your DSLR for video read this article from Digital Camera World
We take it for granted that new cameras these days come with the capability of recording HD movies. Once scoffed at, DSLR video recording has come into its own, and this feature is now one of the first things people check on the specification list when new cameras are announced. In fact, advances in DSLR video capability have created legions of dedicated HDSLR users, who find the versatility of being able to record HD movies on your camera a wonderful creative freedom.
In this tutorial we’ll start by answering some of photographers’ common questions about DSLR video, then explore some of the finer points of making HD movies, such as how to pace your film, understanding frame rates and what direct controls on your camera can make the DSLR video process easier for you.
New cameras come along at an alarming rate, is it true that we are expected to buy a new camera every three years, I am sure I read that somewhere. There is no doubt that as technology improves daily it is very tempting to want the latest and best, not because it is the latest but because we can produce better images under more difficult conditions. One thing I don’t particularly like about the march of technology is the way that the camera manufacturers always seem to want to wrest control from us, the photographers, and have us use their, the cameras, automatic functions more. The idea seems to be that the camera knows best and can make better judgements about the picture we are about to take. WRONG. A camera that delivers better quality, images with smoother tone, less noise, better colour, able to handle subject brightness range better, all the things that make an image just better are to be applauded but e.g. some auto focus gizmo that means it is harder for me to focus where I want is not a help, it is a hindrance.
There is a new Nikon camera that will no doubt have many salivating. It is a full frame dslr 24 megapixel with HD video, sounds like a competitor for the Canon 5D.
Here is a bit from a Nikon website The D600 is a new model added to the Nikon FX-format digital SLR lineup with a smaller size and lighter weight–approx. 141 
x 113 (H) x 82 (D) mm, 760 g*1 for excellent portability, yet offers the superior image quality and rendering performance, operation, and durability of high-end FX-format D-SLRs. The D600 is a compact and lightweight camera that offers excellent cost performance. In addition to a new FX-format CMOS image sensor with an effective pixel count of 24.3-million pixels and the same EXPEED 3 image-processing engine built into high-end models, the D600 inherits a number of advanced features from its high-end cousins, including an optical viewfinder with frame coverage of 100%*2, a large and clear, 3.2-inch LCD monitor with a wide viewing angle for superior visibility, and the same dust- and water-resistance as the D800
The best go to site for camera reviews DP Review only has a preview so far but anything they have to say is always worth reading, you can find that here
Things just got interesting again. Yes, as has been rumored and leaked for several weeks (months?) now, Nikon just officially unveiled its new flagship professional digital SLR: the Nikon D4, which uses a 16.2-megapixel FX-format (aka full-frame) CMOS sensor that can shoot at up to 11 frames per second and capture full 1080p HD video.
“The D4, which is the successor to the 12.1MP D3s announced back in 2009, will start shipping in late February 2012 for $5999.95. So start counting your pennies now!
The announcement of the new Nikon D4 comes several months after Canon also announced a new flagship professional DSLR, the 18MP Full-Frame EOS-1D X. Though the 12-frames-per-second shooting, 1080p-capable Canon 1D X was announced back in October, it won’t start shipping until March 2012 and will sell for quite a bit more than the Nikon D4: $6,800.
The Nikon D4 will makes its debut at the CES show in Las Vegas next week.” By Dan Havlik..………..MORE
Nikon D4 Specs
• 16.2MP Full-Frame (FX-format) sensor, sized at 36 x 23.9mm
• 91,000-pixel sensor dedicated for 3D Color Matrix metering to assist with autofocus and scene recognition
• EXPEED 3 image processor
• Back-illuminated buttons
• 51-point AF System which is same as in previous model but with new cross-type sensors
• ISO range from 50 to 204,800
• 10 frames per second still shooting for up to 200 JPEGs; 11 fps shooting but focus and exposure are locked at the first frame
• Full 1080p HD video at 30p; 720p shooting at 60p for slow motion
• 0.012 second start time; shutter lag rate at 0.0042 second (same as previous model)
• Two memory card slots: one for CompactFlash cards, the other for new XQD memory cards
• 3.2-inch 921,000-dot LCD screen on back
Like many people I was excited by the prospect of having HD video capability on my DSLR, when I first got my hands on my 5D Mk2 I was trying out all it’s lovely video options. As expected the quality was really great but then I started to notice the drawbacks. The first thing that jumped out was that the sound recording was poor, noise from the body of the camera, noise from wind, in fact any noise was a problem, too loud, too harsh, not directional enough etc. So I bought a very nice twin mic set up with hot shoe mounting from Rode. In my testing I realised this made significant improvements over the built in mic. Then I realised that with the addition of mics on the top of the camera I needed to put the thing on a tripod and this limited what I could do with the camera in video mode. I also realised that focusing the image using the lens manually, focus pulling in fact, on moving subjects was almost impossible, either with the camera on a tripod or hand held, my arms just were not long enough even considering my simian nature. I have barely used the video capture options on my camera a few product vids where subject movement to describe the product’s function and a few talking heads have been the total of meaningful use.
I did have another go but soon relaised that I needed more kit and started to investigate the options and there are many. The obvious was to buy one of the rigs that gives shoulder support, geared focus and zoom controls and maybe a clip on viewfinder. The cost was more than the cost of the camera, so really a non starter. The whole thing made me realise that when a piece of equipment is made for a job it is so much better than something that is adapted.
This article from Pixq perfectly sums up my experience and considerations on the matter. The advantages of dslr video are far out-weighed by the advantage. I have no doubt people will disagree with me, but then maybe they have arms much longer and the ability to focus on things much closer than I do. More gibbon like in fact.
Here is an example of the rigs you can buy to make your video dslr work
“There is a SLR camera in there, somewhere, but if you have to add several lengths worth of metal tubing to your camera to adapt it to be useful as a video camera, it is probably not a good sign.” Pixq
gibbon, very long arms!
It seems that Canon update their range every year and now there is a new entry level DSLR.
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Advanced, compact and affordable: your first steps into the world of DSLR photography, made simple with Canon EOS 1100D. |
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A full review from the excellent DP Review site here Expect prices to be about £500 which means that remaining stocks of the slightly dated but still functional 1000D will be below £350 which is a bargain. |
Got a new camera? Learn how to use it. Our courses, the 4 session Understanding Your DSLR or the 1 Day DSLR courses would be a perfect way to get to grips with your lovely new chunk of technology, but if you do not live near Oxford these tips from Digital Photo School would be a good place to start. I agree with all of the points made and the last 2 , make prints and share your images are suggestions I would definitely make.
Of new cameras, Nikon have recently released an updated version of the popular D3000, the new one D3100 might be of interest if you are looking for an entry level camera here is a review from the clever folks at DP Review
Oxford School of Photography 