So you think video on a DSLR is a gimick eh?

[Nickcanada]

check this out...

http://www.vimeo.com/2581629

I found it over at POTN here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=617567

Video rocks.

[Turn]

i love vimeo :)

yeah its a good video, I'd say video in DSLR's are aimed at people who know what they're doing

I don't think its a gimmick at all

fingers crossed for HD movie mode to trickle down to the ixus series

[JTL]

I think it's fine...even great for the event shooter. As long as the still photographic nature of the camera is not compromised...add in a toaster as well for all I care!

[te1221]

I love the quality from the 5D. The only thing is that it's so hard to edit the hd video on a PC. I'm currently waiting until I install OSX on my pc to run final cut pro.

[Mark_48]

While it may be a neat feature a few people might use, it must add to the complexity of the operating system of the camera and thus the cost. The linked video was shot by someone who knows how to shoot video. I can compose and shoot pretty good images with a regular camera, but put a camcorder in my hands and any creatively artful attempts at video suck. I think when you see videos like the one linked there's a temptation to think that, "Wow, If I have that camera I can make videos like that.", so I think to some degree it is a gimmick for marketing.

Personally I despise manufacturers putting to many all in one features in a product. Not too long ago I needed to replace a VHS VCR (still have old tapes). I couldn't find a stand alone unit, only one that had a DVD player in it also, which was OK because my old DVD player was crapping out. Well the warranty expired on the new unit and so did the VHS side of the deck. If they were stand alone pieces the VHS deck could have easily hit the trash. Now I have combo DVD player minus VHS and need another VHS player. My thought is to get a DVD recorder and gradually convert the tapes to DVD's. Again what I've seen are combo decks that have DVD recorder/VHS in one unit and reviews on Amazon for alot of these indicate either the DVD or VHS side having issues after a while.
Maybe this isn't a good comparison to the 5D mkII multi-function capabilities, but to me stuffing too many things in one box is just enhancing a risk of failure somewhere in the works. I'll stick to my dedicated camcorder, even though I suck at anything other than family movies and it was cheap enough that if breaks no big loss.

[GaryS]

Even though the quality is good and all that, I still think it is a gimmick.

There are some products where I think convergence is the way to go... Cellphones are the perfect example, the more crap they stuff into a cellphone, the better. And I will make compromises on the quality of each function in a phone just to have them in there.

But other devices have a specific purpose that I want them to excel at, and to not include any other functions that would require a compromise. For example, my mtn bike needs to be the best off-road machine it can be... I don't want any weight added or feature tweaked to make it better on the road, or more comfortable on a cruise through the park. That is not it's job. It's job is to travel at insane speeds through tight forest, and anything that doesn't help is a burden.

That is how I feel about my SLR too.

I have a P&S that comes with me when I want to be able to take stills and shoot video.

But the thing is, once a camera has live view, it's a very small step to capture video. If they were adding turn-by-turn GPS driving directions, I might be more annoyed...

[Rhys]

Mark, my in-laws have an all-in-one VHS, DVD unit. They find it so horribly complicated that they're looking for something else now. I'll admit I tried to copy VHS to DVD on it and failed miserably - even with the manual. The instructions just did not appear to work even though they were followed to the letter. I suspect it was the instructions that were bad because I could play DVDs and play tapes but couldn't make it copy.

Gary, I have a phone with an organiser built-in. It's utterly useless as there's just no way of entering data onto it other than via the numeric kepyad on the phone. Now that makes it a useless feature. I don't find extra junk on phone to be at all helpful. The camera on my wife's phone is OK but the phone keeps breaking. I think she's on her 3rd of the same model.

[Nickcanada]

I understand where you guys are coming from but the fact that the 5D does video better then much more expensive units (I'm talking DOF) is impressive. From what I have seen the IQ doesn't suffer because of the video stuff either. It still is the best at high iso work at the moment. The video that I posted really isn't all that complicated to shoot I would imagine. There is a specialty track thing the guy was using to get the camera to move smoothly. Stick the mofo on a tripod and catch rain drops falling against a sunset. It's freaking beautiful!

[Nickcanada]

Off topic but the best multi use thing I've ever used... the ipod touch. Video, music, internet, planner, photos, address book, games, applications, maps..... so easy to use, it rocks.

[GaryS]

The Touch is cool.... do you know what would make it better? If it had a phone, and the ability to access the internet while away from wifi! :)

I've held off on updating to a new phone (here in Canada, we have new phone carriers coming online later this year) until the new phone providers come online. I'm hoping they will have that new Palm Pre phone on their networks! (but an iphone will do in a pinch)

[Nickcanada]

The Touch is cool.... do you know what would make it better? If it had a phone, and the ability to access the internet while away from wifi! :)

I've held off on updating to a new phone (here in Canada, we have new phone carriers coming online later this year) until the new phone providers come online. I'm hoping they will have that new Palm Pre phone on their networks! (but an iphone will do in a pinch)


I was going to go with the iphone but the monthly costs are just ridiculous. I don't need to spend all that money on a phone I use once a week... if that! :eek:

But ya, the iPhone is one impressive little gadget.

[DonSchap]

Nick,

did you take note of the selection of lenses this guy was using? Uh, nothing but the "top drawer" stuff. If we all have access to stuff that nice ... well, one thing is for sure ... we'd all have a lot more money to play with! LOL :)

Man, they are all about bokeh ... why else would you buy them?

[cdifoto]

I'm starting to come around to the idea of video, but I know for a fact that everything I would produce would suck.

[Nickcanada]

I'm starting to come around to the idea of video, but I know for a fact that everything I would produce would suck.
It would probably be easier to learn then good flash work is.

[Nickcanada]

Nick,

did you take note of the selection of lenses this guy was using? Uh, nothing but the "top drawer" stuff. If we all have access to stuff that nice ... well, one thing is for sure ... we'd all have a lot more money to play with! LOL :)

Man, they are all about bokeh ... why else would you buy them?

If you can afford the 5D then you probably already have a few good lenses in your bag. ;):D

[adam75south]

i'll one up you there. the iPhone!!! man i couldn't live without this thing. i have mine "jailbroken" so i even use it to tether the internet to my laptop. i hardly ever use it but it really comes in handy when meeting with potential clients. i just wish it had multimedia text messages and the ability to view videos from other sites than youtube. and flash player in safari would be nice.

i don't care what anyone says, the fact that they added hd video to the dslr is freakin AWESOME! maybe a gimmick, or maybe just finally adding what they've added to EVERY OTHER digital camera ever made.

[zmikers]

Sorry - just reread what I've written below, came across as argumentative but was not my intention at all. This was just a comment so please don't take the below post as aggressive at all:p

Just because this camera has a feature that "you" may not use or may not know how to use properly does not mean that it is a "gimick." Saying that just because this guy knows how to shoot video and most people would not be able to get results like that therefore the video should not be in the camera is ridiculous. I think any wedding photog would love the video option. How cool would that be, snapping away at a wedding and then taking a quick video clip of the I do's or the speeches. Having another medium in which to expand your creativeness is not a gimick. Great video by the way!:D

[Rooz]

i dont think its a gimick at all. i still dont get why people call it a gimick. why is it a gimick ? cos its new ? cos some people wont/ dont use it ? as far as i'm concerned they can pile as many features as they like into cameras so long as the IQ for its primary purpose doesnt detiriorate then LOAD IT UP !! its strange that photographers think themselves so above technology that they will happily get multifunctional devices of other types, (phones, stereos etc), but refuse to accept it in dslr ?

now, in saying all that, video in dslr is in its infancy and the implementation of it is half assed, just like LV. nikon didnt even bother to add AF and the MkII's AF is shithouse for movies. so they both have some work to do in the LV department before i can consider it a real bonafide killer feature. when they get the AF nailed properly, allow for exposure corrections and have a flipout screen...then we're talking seriously about it replacing video cams for alot of people.

[DonSchap]

I still believe you can do a heck of a lot more with a SONY HVR-HD1000U (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665551067) ($1799) than coughing up a $2600 for the EOS 5D MkII ... poking for expensive glass to slap on the front of it. If you want movies ... then make movies. Do it with a tool truly designed for it ... not some half-assed MF patch. I feel you will be a lot happier, in the long run ... and not have to worry about splitting the load on one camera and its media.

[Rooz]

the useability of that videocam is obviously much easier and probably always will be. but the quality isnt in the same league Don. if dslr comes up with a properly working AF system for movies and a flip screen then i;d take the dslr with a little 35/2 on the end of it over that video cam anyday. video cams today in anything less than ideal lighting absolutely suck.

the d90 and MkII are just the beginning. you wait and see what the next gen entry models will have. you dont need expesnive glass either cos you can shoot it at iso1600 standing on your head with a kit lens. hell ,even a $100 50/1.8. a video cam cant shoot over iso400equiv without looking like rubbish.

[Rasidel Slika]

shooting video is not rocket science. the way I see it, it's not much different from taking pictures. the same (or very similar) principles of composition apply, you know about DOF already, among other things. and regarding lenses, if you want to get one of these and skimp on lenses I can't help you - but EVEN IF you want to go that route, I am quite certain you can do some serious damage with this cam and the $300 50 1.4.

[Rasidel Slika]

I still believe you can do a heck of a lot more with a SONY HVR-HD1000U (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665551067) ($1799) than coughing up a $2600 for the EOS 5D MkII ... poking for expensive glass to slap on the front of it. If you want movies ... then make movies. Do it with a tool truly designed for it ... not some half-assed MF patch. I feel you will be a lot happier, in the long run ... and not have to worry about splitting the load on one camera and its media.
yeah, let me just stroll into a club or casually attend a family gathering sporting one of these things on my shoulder:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7648/16sonyhvrhd10003qtripodcx7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

LMAO

NO comparison, totally different market. I'm not gonna be shopping between the 5DII and this beast.

[zmikers]

I still believe you can do a heck of a lot more with a SONY HVR-HD1000U (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665551067) ($1799) than coughing up a $2600 for the EOS 5D MkII ... poking for expensive glass to slap on the front of it. If you want movies ... then make movies. Do it with a tool truly designed for it ... not some half-assed MF patch. I feel you will be a lot happier, in the long run ... and not have to worry about splitting the load on one camera and its media.

Persistent if nothing else! Still pitching Sony. Now it's video cams. You must be getting a cut eh?:p

[Rooz]

yeah, let me just stroll into a club or casually attend a family gathering sporting one of these things on my shoulder:


i think Don's used to that "what the f*ck is that thing ??!?!?" look whenever he whips that Sony dslr out. :D

[cdifoto]

Persistent if nothing else! Still pitching Sony. Now it's video cams. You must be getting a cut eh?:p
I think he gets 35%. Not that it matters. 35% of nothin is still nothin.

[DonSchap]

Guys ... Canon or SONY ... it matters not ... you know where I am going with this ... and video on a DSLR is still a novelty item. Most people are still not geared up for the storage requirement or editing capability to turn out much in the way of ... IMPRESSIVE.

When I think "video" ... I'm not asking a DSLR-toting hero about it. He/She's not the first one that comes to mind. Nor am I really interested in asking the Mom/Dad holding up the Handycam® (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665335432), with the kids dangling on the other arm. I'm looking for the serious investor ... one with shoulder/tripod mounted bazooka. I figure if they have gone that far with their money ... they may know a thing or two about how to use it ... you know, just a little bit more than changing the tape and the battery from the "getting started" manual. :rolleyes:

For the moment ... it's a gimmick, getting limited play time. Your Canon EOS 5D MkII and Nikon D90 are waiting for you. Manually focusing their way into history. When the "Academy" hands out your "Oscar" for your production ... I'll be clapping, too, asking the same question every cinematographer and videographer will be asking themselves:

"Hey, why didn't we think of using one of those?" :confused:

[adam75south]

still cameras and movie cameras should stay separate. that's the way it's always been and that's the way it SHOULD be. i don't even want them using the same bathrooms as each other or sharing water fountains. next thing you know they'll be wanting to marry each other. that's just nasty.

[Nickcanada]

still cameras and movie cameras should stay separate. that's the way it's always been and that's the way it SHOULD be. i don't even want them using the same bathrooms as each other or sharing water fountains. next thing you know they'll be wanting to marry each other. that's just nasty.


I agree once you let the still and the video share the same bathroom the next thing you know the video will be running for president or something silly like that. :D

GO OBAMA GO!!! :D

[Rhys]

My stepson has a neat video camera. He hasn't used it yet but I quite fancy it....

http://www.adorama.com/RZEZ210.html

http://www.adorama.com/images/large/RZEZ210.JPG

[adam75south]

i bet that thing gives some great bokeh

[Rasidel Slika]

you guys are hilarious

esp DonSchap