Video on a DSLR [FORUM POLL]
As a followup to the great recent discussion here on the blog about whether Video belongs on a DSLR (where we’ve had 114 comments left to this point) - we’re running a poll on our forum at the moment on the same topic.
On a related side note. Looking at our stats at Amazon (where we get a glimpse into what readers from DPS are buying after clicking on Amazon links here) it seems that quite a few of you have bought the new Nikon D90 DSLR which has video. I’m looking forward to hearing your reviews from this camera - which should be very soon as Amazon currently have stock of the D90 and are shipping it already (or at least are at the time of publishing this).
19 Responses to “Video on a DSLR [FORUM POLL]”
September 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Nothing wrong with video on a DSLR - providing that it causes no compromise in the camera’s ability to actually function as a camera.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:55 am
And why not? How many of us have had that moment in time when you, armed with your DSLR, where witnessing something that should have been captured on a video, like a whale jumping out of the ocean. How about the other argument, paying for a feature you will never use. Well, you are driving a car, at least a quite modern car, have you used your airbags yet?
Sure, I welcome the moment, recognising the opportunities for the journalist and the sport Photographer.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
its sweet that a DSLR has video, I still carry my point and shoot for that specific reason.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Yes its a great feature that I will use
no its not gone influence my opinion on what camera Im going to buy
combining devices (like putting cameras in mobiles not gone give you great results - well haven’t seen one yet but its fun to play with and comes handy now and thn
September 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
My biggest concern with video on a DSLR is the heat generated by the constant use of the sensor while taking a video. If you take a normal photo after that (with the hot sensor) the extra heat will cause more noise in the photos, thereby degrading image quality.
It’s this reason why Canon and Nikon recommend not using ‘Live View’ for extended periods.
So in my opinion, having video on a DSLR DOES compromise the camera’s ability to function.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
For those who want to use it, it’s a welcomed addition. For those who don’t, guys, nobody is forcing you to use it.
I wouldn’t rely on it for quality and battery effectiveness, but it would come in handy to be able to shoot motion pictures from time to time.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:00 am
I would definitely love a video-enabled SLR. Echoing another poster here, I still carry around a point and shoot to record video when needed. In terms of capturing moments, video sometimes just makes more sense.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:24 am
This is all a gimmick to lure-in gadget geeks not serious photographers. I am surprised that such a fine crafter of camera instruments as Nikon is doing this at this level of device. I could see this in lower end point and shoot cameras where the average parent wants to carry one piece of gear to take snap shots of their kid’s birthday party and videos of them smearing cake all over the place but that is about all the good there is in combining video and still in the same device. If you are serious about your craft this should not appeal to you.
My wireless phone is — a phone. I don’t want to access the Internet with it, I don’t want to send e-mail on it nor do I want to watch television on it. I just want it to do one thing and one thing well and that is make calls. The same goes for my still cameras. They are not video cameras; they are not a GPS device nor are they an MP3 player. I want all the internal circuits and gears to allow them to do only one job the very best they can and that is to help me craft still images.
Putting unnecessary circuitry inside the case that surrounds the camera’s guts is going to compromise its ability to do any one thing well. There is only so much room in there. When you begin to engineer multiple functions into a box that once was designed for a single function something has to suffer. Do you really want that to be your ability to capture and record your precious art?
Cheers,
Bilka
September 16th, 2008 at 2:59 am
I was looking back at my old photography folders from 2004, and this was when I was still using the point and shoot digital camera…of which most of them have video capabilities. I then found several videos I had taken with it that I didn’t even remember.
I guess I’m saying that there are times when you would want to take a short video with your camera. When you’re at a show and you want to also grab a video to capture the moment as well, then you’ll be ready without actually having a camcorder in your bag.
Also with Flickr now accepting short videos on top of photos, I think that there will be more and more of a place for the combination of photos and videos.
September 16th, 2008 at 7:27 am
At first, I really didn’t like the idea of a DSLR shooting video. Who would buy it anyways? I think a lot of purists would turn away from it and I can’t see someone who wants to take general pictures and videos purchase one either. But when I saw the example videos on the Nikon site, I started to see the artistic posibilities with this camera and quite frankly, I think it’s pretty cool!
I do agree with Bilka where you want to have this one thing do its main task very well. If you have one thing performing multiple tasks, it’s like putting all of your eggs in one basket.
Get that camera into the hands of someone who’s ready to break all the rules and I’m sure we’ll see some new and exciting photography or ummmm…video.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
if it does one thing well, then all be it. but why should a device be capable of only doing one thing well? this means that, for everything that you do, you have to carry a device for each. why should i have to pull out my laptop to send an email, when my phone can do it just as capably as making a call. Why should i have to carry round a map or a seperate GPS when my phone does it too. A netbook to check websites, a GPS, a music player, a video camera and an email device in my bag? or an N95 in my pocket? Does it just as capably as the devices it replaces.
If it doesn’t do it as well as a discrete device, i can understand. What if it does it as capably as the device it replaces? are we going to condemn technology or it’s progress because we’re too busy being nostalgic? Keep looking behind at that beautiful little angel, and you won’t see the pole you’re about to run into.
I’m sure there’s an outrageous outcry of Panasonic taking out what it an endearing trait of SLRS: the Mirror and the Pentaprism/Pentamirror. Oh, they can’t change years and years of history and tradition. That’s just not on. We can’t have that! rawr rawr this, rawr rawr that. Live view? that’s what looking through the viewfinder, into the pentaprism/mirror is for.
As for me, i’ll pass on the Nikon D90’s video mode. Not because i’m outraged that an SLR can do video, but because 5 minutes at HD quality, or 25 minutes at SD quality, and manual focus isn’t what i’m looking for to replace my video camera. Good for some people, and for people willing to break those time honoured photography rules, it will be an amazing tool for them.
Come on Panasonic, i want that Lumix G1 HD. Show them not only Live view done properly, but Hi def video done with a still too.
September 17th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Just think about the possibilities you get with interchangeable lenses. Maybe - I doubt it - the image quality decreases, but for me being also interested in Video the possibilities increase dramatically. A videocamera that lets you change lenses is uneqally more expensive than buying just a body, having all the lenses already.
i think i’ll buy one ;)
September 17th, 2008 at 1:56 am
“Putting unnecessary circuitry inside the case that surrounds the camera’s guts is going to compromise its ability to do any one thing well. There is only so much room in there. ”
Uh…what do you have to add? It already supports live view…it’s software from there on out to record video.
September 17th, 2008 at 4:14 am
While video for me is not essential, having the ability in the body wouldn’t be a deal killer either.
The way I see it, though, is as an ability to get good quality (HD??) video leveraging the glass I already have. As far as I know there are no existing HD video cameras with exchangeable lenses in the prosumer market that are anywhere near affordable for the enthusiast. Even the Red Camera system is well into the 10s of thousands for a useble system.
The killer at the moment is the 5min limit + cool down time. How long before we see sensor cooling systems in the body. This would be cool (pun intended) for lowlight/long exposure on a standard dSLR setup.
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:19 am
@Bilka: Why would there be zoom lenses if set of fixed focus length would do much better job?
October 5th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
GOod idea providing that (technically):
1.Analysis will be at least TV mode awith the ability to use HD
2. AVI format, one of the standard mpg modes
3. No time constraints in recording
5. Ability to use pause in recording
October 6th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
@Alex — to Bilka
Alex,
Good point. I am a big fan of prime (fixed focal length) lenses too. I agree — Why a zoom when fixed works better? It also forces one to compose better than to rely on a zoom.
Cheers,
Bilka
January 30th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I am a Project Electrical Engineer who is regularly taking photos of equipment manufacturing and equipment installation. Until recently used a canon s70 camera to photograph photos and short time video shots. I had no intention of purchasing an DSLR camera until my son purchased a unit and I saw the difference in quality of photos and the ability to get photos in areas the point and shot camera was limited.
The other problem was at various times need a short time video to review various processors and installations and due to the travel requirement is very hard to carry multiple Cameras. On Reading reviews and recieving various demonstrations end up purchasing the D90 Camera with the two lens.
Since then have taken several photos and videos for the installation of a major Electrical Substation upgrade. The results have been more than acceptable with various Manager being impresent with the results.
The only problem I have found with the video area of the camera is the requirement to operate in Manual, which is almost impossible with the 200mm lens. The LV screen is very hard to see in day light when viewing in difference positions. Both these problems do impact on the resultant video this could be overcome by being able to view through the eye viewer or with auto focus.
Therefore even with the problems the camera has given results better than expected.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:55 am
My recent coment due to computer problem was place on the forum before completed.
The thing I need to add to my coment was that in some instants of video’s it was easier to auto focus the camera then turn it to manual and not move your location. This is possible when performing some video shots or by trying to setup the camera for major area to be covered by the video.
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