DSLR live view.... movie mode??

[dombower]

Now that some of the latest Dslrs (eg Nikon d300, d3, canon 40d etc) are providing Live view function on the digital screens, how long will it be until a DSLR will provide a movie function?

I love shooting macro photos and I also loved making macro video of bugs with my Canon S2is digital camera which had an amazing macro and movie function, however my S2is has taken a beating with trips snowboarding,hiking and drunken karaoke. i am thinking of upgrading to the S5is from canon as my easy to use video camera.

to see all the videos i made with the canon s2is check my youtube
www.youtube.com/dombower

or should i wait until a DSLR finally produces a movie mode function?

[coldrain]

No, you should not expect that. The AF systems of DSLRs will NOT be usable for "movie modes", and the bigger chips are not suitable for constant use like that. The shallow depth of field of the bigger chips will also pose a problem (AF related).

[JTL]

Now that some of the latest Dslrs (eg Nikon d300, d3, canon 40d etc) are providing Live view function on the digital screens, how long will it be until a DSLR will provide a movie function?

There was a time not that long ago when the idea was unthinkable for both technical and marketing reasons...but now...I think it's only a matter of time. Even if the feature is delivered by technical trickery such as a separate sensor for the movie mode...it's inevitable on consumer DSLRs...

[Rooz]

maybe a stupid question...but what effect would the lens have on movies on a dslr is they ever had this feature ? ie: will the movie quality vary dependant on the lens ? will the zoom depend on the lens focal length ?

[photography555]

Now that some of the latest Dslrs (eg Nikon d300, d3, canon 40d etc) are providing Live view function on the digital screens, how long will it be until a DSLR will provide a movie function?

I love shooting macro photos and I also loved making macro video of bugs with my Canon S2is digital camera which had an amazing macro and movie function, however my S2is has taken a beating with trips snowboarding,hiking and drunken karaoke. i am thinking of upgrading to the S5is from canon as my easy to use video camera.

to see all the videos i made with the canon s2is check my youtube
www.youtube.com/dombower

or should i wait until a DSLR finally produces a movie mode function?

I wouldn't wait until a DSLR produces a movie mode, that may be a while.
I also don't think you should upgrade to the S5 IS just for the movie mode. If you really want to take videos, you should get a dedicated video camera. I myself have the Sony TRV-280, a Digital8 camcorder. It takes great video for its price, and the macro is good (like 1 inch).

[JTL]

maybe a stupid question...but what effect would the lens have on movies on a dslr is they ever had this feature ? ie: will the movie quality vary dependant on the lens ? will the zoom depend on the lens focal length ?

That's a really good question! As I was posting my response, that thought popped into my head as well. But, in the end, I think just like with live view, it will all depend on the lens. What I think the challenge will be is AF in movie mode. I don't think movie mode happens without a beam splitter and a separate sensor...but will there be separate contrast detection for the movie AF? Or can it be the same AF as for the still image? Will movies be manual focus only? Hmmmmmm...........