Comments on: 35mm Adapter Killer? Nikon D90 DSLR Shoots 720P HD Video, Red throws gauntlet http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html Serving up fresh, crispy news and views for creators and consumers of digital video Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:14:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: David Block http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-221915 David Block Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:55:34 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-221915 Folks I just have to say that this camera is amazing. I will never go back to the standard way of shooting. Shooting directly to file is a an amazing time saver and an editors dream. I never want to see a tape again. The 5min time limitation hasn’t been a problem for me. I’ve only seen my time drop under 5minutes a few times and that was because I was running out of memory on the chip. Not sure about the overheating thing. I’ve shot multiple 5minutes takes in succession all day long without having to cool down. 5minutes does not mean 4gigs. Not sure what the guy above was LOL about. I can get a ton of 5minute takes on a single 4gig chip. I can see the time limitation being an issue if your shooting concerts or weddings. The workflow isn’t too much different to shooting film. There are exceptions, but if you need more than 5minutes for a take you might want to rework the shot. You might just bore people. The sound is separate, but if you’re shooting with this thing you may want pro-audio to go with it so this is kind of a non issue. The rolling shutter is the only real problem. It’s not bad as long as you keep the vertical line far away. The iris control takes some getting used to, but this is a problem that can fixed reliably. Once again the camera is amazing, and cheaper than an adapter. I find it hard to pay 1500 to 2000 dollars for spinning or vibrating piece of glass. Folks I just have to say that this camera is amazing. I will never go back to the standard way of shooting. Shooting directly to file is a an amazing time saver and an editors dream. I never want to see a tape again. The 5min time limitation hasn’t been a problem for me. I’ve only seen my time drop under 5minutes a few times and that was because I was running out of memory on the chip. Not sure about the overheating thing. I’ve shot multiple 5minutes takes in succession all day long without having to cool down. 5minutes does not mean 4gigs. Not sure what the guy above was LOL about. I can get a ton of 5minute takes on a single 4gig chip. I can see the time limitation being an issue if your shooting concerts or weddings. The workflow isn’t too much different to shooting film. There are exceptions, but if you need more than 5minutes for a take you might want to rework the shot. You might just bore people. The sound is separate, but if you’re shooting with this thing you may want pro-audio to go with it so this is kind of a non issue. The rolling shutter is the only real problem. It’s not bad as long as you keep the vertical line far away. The iris control takes some getting used to, but this is a problem that can fixed reliably. Once again the camera is amazing, and cheaper than an adapter. I find it hard to pay 1500 to 2000 dollars for spinning or vibrating piece of glass.

]]> By: see the process details http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-221695 see the process details Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:32:06 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-221695 Now the menu is too complex. Take me long time to learn. I'm stupid. Now the menu is too complex.
Take me long time to learn.
I’m stupid.

]]> By: roger http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-199302 roger Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:11:01 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-199302 I have no problem with capturing multiple 5 minute clips. So far it is working great for me. I still plan to buy a 35mm adapter for my FX1. I have no problem with capturing multiple 5 minute clips. So far it is working great for me. I still plan to buy a 35mm adapter for my FX1.

]]> By: CrackBerry White http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-193755 CrackBerry White Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:56:05 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-193755 There is a five minute limit - on the first shot. Much to my surprise, after the initial five minutes, I could only shoot 30 second bursts. That is totally useless for my purposes. It doesn't seem that a file size limitation would have anything to do with this constriction. That appears to be heat related, my large/fast memory cards should not have had a problem with the data load. I didn't have time to wait and see how long it would take to 'cool down". I just begrudgingly took my new D90 of the sticks, and rigged up my 35mm adapter. On a bright day out in a field, I had great images of myself reflecting off of the beautiful screen. It was infuriating that I couldn't get clean site of the live image with all the rest of the world reflecting back at me. I had to set up a courtesy flag to stop the massive reflecting. Manually focusing was cumbersome enough without having to fight through the image to see what I was doing. The CMOS issue won't be an issue - if there is little to no movement from the camera, or your subjects. But then what have I become? A static landscape videographer that loves racking focus? There's enough of that on vimeo already. I really wish these marketeers would stop insinuating that this is going to kill the 35mm adapter market. As far as I'm concerned, it will be a couple of years before they get this right The stills were really nice, but I don't really need a new camera to get nice digital stills. I no longer possess this camera. I saw some of the potential issues in the Canon footage from their answer to the D90. Why they would go 30fps instead of 24fps for something that is $3,000 and is supposed to please pros - mystifies me. 24 being so much more cinematic than 30. Like I said, perhaps in a couple of years. Don't lose those 35mm adapters! There is a five minute limit - on the first shot.
Much to my surprise, after the initial five minutes, I could only shoot 30 second bursts.
That is totally useless for my purposes.
It doesn’t seem that a file size limitation would have anything to do with this constriction.
That appears to be heat related, my large/fast memory cards should not have had a problem with the data load.
I didn’t have time to wait and see how long it would take to ‘cool down”.
I just begrudgingly took my new D90 of the sticks, and rigged up my 35mm adapter.

On a bright day out in a field, I had great images of myself reflecting off of the beautiful screen.
It was infuriating that I couldn’t get clean site of the live image with all the rest of the world reflecting back at me.
I had to set up a courtesy flag to stop the massive reflecting.
Manually focusing was cumbersome enough without having to fight through the image to see what I was doing.

The CMOS issue won’t be an issue - if there is little to no movement from the camera, or your subjects.
But then what have I become? A static landscape videographer that loves racking focus?
There’s enough of that on vimeo already.

I really wish these marketeers would stop insinuating that this is going to kill the 35mm adapter market.

As far as I’m concerned, it will be a couple of years before they get this right

The stills were really nice, but I don’t really need a new camera to get nice digital stills.
I no longer possess this camera.
I saw some of the potential issues in the Canon footage from their answer to the D90. Why they would go 30fps instead of 24fps for something that is $3,000 and is supposed to please pros - mystifies me.
24 being so much more cinematic than 30.

Like I said, perhaps in a couple of years.
Don’t lose those 35mm adapters!

]]> By: Tracey http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-190120 Tracey Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:47:36 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-190120 I honestly don't think the SLR will replace a camcorder...just like taking a still from a camcorder can cut it for a photograph. I still love 35mm adapters. I honestly don’t think the SLR will replace a camcorder…just like taking a still from a camcorder can cut it for a photograph. I still love 35mm adapters.

]]> By: Matthew Jeppsen http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-181746 Matthew Jeppsen Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:52:39 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-181746 Thanks for the mini-review, Anthony! -MJ Thanks for the mini-review, Anthony!

-MJ

]]> By: Ajit http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-181741 Ajit Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:18:59 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-181741 I am loving my D90, I can't stop carrying it around. The rolling shutter is not as bad if you have a wider lens. My biggest annoyance is the compression, it doesn't come close to 25Mbit, it usually hovers around 11-13. Even though the footage looks fine, it could look so much better. I think Nikon should address this. The lack of *full* manual controls is a bother but so far I haven't really been worried about it. The exposure lock is handy though. One other thing. Every digital Nikon DSLR (maybe the pocket cams as well, don't know), when tethered to the computer, shows up as a drive so that you can transfer the footage. But with the Nikon D90, you have to use the transfer software. You can also just use a SD card reader to hook it up directly but this shouldn't work this way. The stills are fantastic, the low-light capabilities put my D40 to shame. This camera is perfect for carrying around everyday. I don't use a case, I just have it slung over my shoulder. A dedicated video camera simply can't do that. This is the future, we will need the big cameras for our professional shoots but we will use these babies for our everyday stuff. I am loving my D90, I can’t stop carrying it around. The rolling shutter is not as bad if you have a wider lens.

My biggest annoyance is the compression, it doesn’t come close to 25Mbit, it usually hovers around 11-13. Even though the footage looks fine, it could look so much better. I think Nikon should address this.

The lack of *full* manual controls is a bother but so far I haven’t really been worried about it. The exposure lock is handy though.

One other thing. Every digital Nikon DSLR (maybe the pocket cams as well, don’t know), when tethered to the computer, shows up as a drive so that you can transfer the footage. But with the Nikon D90, you have to use the transfer software. You can also just use a SD card reader to hook it up directly but this shouldn’t work this way.

The stills are fantastic, the low-light capabilities put my D40 to shame.

This camera is perfect for carrying around everyday. I don’t use a case, I just have it slung over my shoulder. A dedicated video camera simply can’t do that. This is the future, we will need the big cameras for our professional shoots but we will use these babies for our everyday stuff.

]]> By: Eduardo http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-181708 Eduardo Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:22:33 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-181708 5 min = 4gb = max file size for FAT32 formated media! Nothing to do with taxes LOL!! 5 min = 4gb = max file size for FAT32 formated media!
Nothing to do with taxes LOL!!

]]> By: Leo Mumford http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-180155 Leo Mumford Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:01:44 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-180155 I can see a lot of rolling shutter problems in that footage. The D90 isn't practical for video but if you set up a shot and don't move the camera I bet you can get some awesome shots and make quite a nice short film... Leo LeoFilms.net I can see a lot of rolling shutter problems in that footage.
The D90 isn’t practical for video but if you set up a shot and don’t move the camera I bet you can get some awesome shots and make quite a nice short film…

Leo
LeoFilms.net

]]> By: drubioso http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-179904 drubioso Sat, 13 Sep 2008 17:41:44 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-179904 you can control and lock exposure. i could not figure it out and no one would give me a straight answer on how to do it without a battery pack. I finally found it!!!!! menu > custom settings menu > f control > f4 Assign AE-L/AF-L button > AE-L Lock (hold) Now all you have to do is go to regular manual mode shooting, Live Preview or not it doesn't matter. Just click the AE-L and it will lock. : ) ok... now let's make some sweet videos!!! you can control and lock exposure. i could not figure it out and no one would give me a straight answer on how to do it without a battery pack.

I finally found it!!!!!

menu > custom settings menu > f control > f4 Assign AE-L/AF-L button > AE-L Lock (hold)

Now all you have to do is go to regular manual mode shooting, Live Preview or not it doesn’t matter. Just click the AE-L and it will lock.

: )

ok… now let’s make some sweet videos!!!

]]> By: Matthew Jeppsen http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-179445 Matthew Jeppsen Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:33:12 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-179445 Browsing the Reduser forum thread on this announcement is a very interesting experience. Most of the responses are gushing praise. But the new product announcement seems to have angered a few that would like to see "old" projects wrapped up. Here's a few highlights: One user says: <i>"3 major cameras that are in development, before you've caught up shipping the first product ? Please don't skip the boring stuff like that set of Primes I ordered last year!"</i> Here's another one that made me grin: <i>"Hi dear am new user with a new reed 4k i have a simple question how can i edit the red files - i need a plugin to dont lost qualite or something ? - i have to use avid or final cut for the 4096x2048 ? thnks for help"</i> But perhaps my favorite exchange came after an excited poster asked <i>"Wow! How do you get involved in beta testing?"</i> The answer from a Red One owner? <i>"You buy the camera."</i> -MJ Browsing the Reduser forum thread on this announcement is a very interesting experience. Most of the responses are gushing praise. But the new product announcement seems to have angered a few that would like to see “old” projects wrapped up. Here’s a few highlights:

One user says:
“3 major cameras that are in development, before you’ve caught up shipping the first product ? Please don’t skip the boring stuff like that set of Primes I ordered last year!”

Here’s another one that made me grin:
“Hi dear
am new user with a new reed 4k
i have a simple question
how can i edit the red files
- i need a plugin to dont lost qualite or something ?
- i have to use avid or final cut for the 4096×2048 ?
thnks for help”

But perhaps my favorite exchange came after an excited poster asked “Wow! How do you get involved in beta testing?”

The answer from a Red One owner? “You buy the camera.”

-MJ

]]> By: andrew http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-179435 andrew Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:54:56 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-179435 Following this I read the scuttle-butt over in the RED forum about a new camera they are working on. Seems like their DSLR-killer is something to pay close attention to http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=18710 Following this I read the scuttle-butt over in the RED forum about a new camera they are working on. Seems like their DSLR-killer is something to pay close attention to

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=18710

]]> By: Matthew Jeppsen http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-179434 Matthew Jeppsen Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:43:52 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-179434 Thanks for the clarification, Mike! -MJ Thanks for the clarification, Mike!

-MJ

]]> By: Mike Curtis http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-179320 Mike Curtis Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:18:08 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-179320 definitely are limited to 5 minutes, the officially stated reason is overheating (I think of the sensor is what they said), but unofficially the scuttlebutt is that it is limited to 5 minutes for tax/tariff reasons - qualifies it as a still camera that shoots video, rather than vice versa, hence different tariff categorization, hence keeps costs down. -mike definitely are limited to 5 minutes, the officially stated reason is overheating (I think of the sensor is what they said), but unofficially the scuttlebutt is that it is limited to 5 minutes for tax/tariff reasons - qualifies it as a still camera that shoots video, rather than vice versa, hence different tariff categorization, hence keeps costs down.

-mike

]]> By: Matthew Jeppsen http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-179261 Matthew Jeppsen Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:14:12 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-179261 Yes, there seems to be a five minute recording limit. It's not clear if this is a licensing limitation, or a heat issue with the sensor. Thanks for the comment. -MJ Yes, there seems to be a five minute recording limit. It’s not clear if this is a licensing limitation, or a heat issue with the sensor. Thanks for the comment.

-MJ

]]> By: andrew http://www.freshdv.com/2008/09/nikon-d90-shoots-720p-video.html#comment-179259 andrew Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:59:54 +0000 http://www.freshdv.com/?p=2466#comment-179259 I read somewhere that there is a limit to how long a shot you can make with this D90. I believe it is 'only' 5 minutes per shot. But interesting (and long overdue) nonetheless... I read somewhere that there is a limit to how long a shot you can make with this D90. I believe it is ‘only’ 5 minutes per shot. But interesting (and long overdue) nonetheless…

]]>