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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Video Mode for DSLR, is it really a good thing?
Christopher Szagola, Photographer
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Richboro | PA | United States | Posted: 6:53 PM on 11.11.08 |
->> Just seeing what other people think, for it has been something that has been on my mind. This is not to say that it isn't cool or anything, but what use would we really have for it. For I don't know about most of you, but I send photos not video for my work. If we were to be sending video, wouldn't we want a real video camera, like the Red camera or something similar. Now, here is another issue that I haven't heard come up yet. There are different rules for video crews over photographers when you cover a pro event. I can only imagine the camera police now, for when people are coming with Video camera disguised as a DSLR. So I am just seeing what others think.
Take care,
chris
You can use a screwdriver as a hammer, but why would you, when a Hammer works better! |
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Jack Howard, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Central | NJ | USA | Posted: 7:04 PM on 11.11.08 |
| ->> Yes, Christopher, you've got a point; but enough screwdrivers will get you hammered... |
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Luke Sharrett, Student/Intern
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Norfolk | VA | United States | Posted: 7:22 PM on 11.11.08 |
| ->> Multimedia. Its where the industry is heading. Raw D700 and 5DmkII footage seems like the perfect medium to feed the ever increasing demand for online news content by newspapers. |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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McCall | ID | US | Posted: 7:42 PM on 11.11.08 |
->> That really depends.
... |
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Landon Finch, Photographer
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Colorado Springs | CO | USA | Posted: 8:52 PM on 11.11.08 |
| ->> (The D90 shoots video, not the D700.) |
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Jack Howard, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Central | NJ | USA | Posted: 9:08 PM on 11.11.08 |
->> Honestly, I've been having a lot of fun with the D90 and a Lensbaby Composer, among other lenses. Quite honestly, it feels so much more natural to me to be shooting video with an SLR than any other camera...
There's an interesting confluence of visual language occurring right now, as the technology of still and video converges to allow for much greater pixel capture in both motion and still pictures at the same time the migration of visual information is moving, at least partially, to active displays capable of displaying dynamic, non-static imagery. Just look at Soundslides, Timelapse hdr videos, chop-action animations from 10 fps pro slrs interspersed with still frames and HD video for examples of evolution of the visual language.
Why not offer different tools in a format we're all comfortable with? It's the wise photographer who will figure out how to add the benefits of the new tools to their arsenal.
Just think, 2 years ago, we were all confused about Live View...and now...so many people see the benefits ;) |
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Ron Scheffler, Photographer
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Hamilton (Toronto area) | Ontario | Canada | Posted: 11:13 PM on 11.11.08 |
->> Your comment about the camera police is certainly valid when it comes to major league sports, or any other event where there are TV/video "rights holders." It's a topic Vincent Laforet raised in his blog when the 5DII was released (though I haven't followed it since, so don't know if he's discussed it further). But I also have a feeling it won't be as easy to shoot quality video of sports the way we shoot stills now. There are significant differences in technique. It probably won't stop people from trying. Anyway, a colleague recently shot video of high school football... To put it politely, it's nothing like NFL films (I have more and more respect for those guys the more I shoot video).
I covered a Remembrance Day event today on video. I also brought along two still cameras, but it was just too much of a pain to work the two formats, so mostly concentrated on video, which was the original aim of the assignment. But I think I could have done 95% of what I did with the video camera on a 5DII. The only exception would be takes spanning the entire zoom range. I guess I'd have to buy a 28-300 for that... It would have been nice to also grab high quality stills with the same camera. My guess is in 6-9 months I'll be doing just that.
BTW, it really depends on where your video is going. In the newspaper.com world, a RED would be sheer overkill. Our department shoots at DV quality because 1080p HD completely bogs down post production (and is unnecessary for the web), so even here a 5DII is excessive. Just imagine trying to process RAW RED footage for deadline... It would be technically beautiful. Unfortunately probably only 2% of the audience would appreciate it. Or would care, because the video was posted a day late. If you think about it, photojournalism has always been about technical compromises - of good enough quality to get the job done quickly. When others used 11x14 or 8x10, the news guys used 4x5 Speed Graphics. Or until recently, 35mm vs. 6x6 or 4x5 in the commercial photography world. |
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Myung Chun, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 2:07 AM on 11.12.08 |
->> Video for DSLRs is something pros (and serious hobbyists) have been asking for for a long time. I'm very excited about the technology that offers photographers another tool for telling a story all packed into one camera body and using the very lenses most of us already own.
As for shooting video at pro events, shoot all the video you want but don't post them anywhere. |
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James Madelin, Photographer
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AKL | Auckland | New Zealand | Posted: 5:18 AM on 11.12.08 |
->> unfortunately for my freelance video cameraman friends, i keep getting asked to shoot video as well as stills. not to such a high level of quality that i need a dedicated camera, but it is proving to be a way that i can add value to my clients and increase my bottom line.
so yes, i think video in SLRs is a mighty fine idea. |
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Ron Erdrich, Photographer
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 10:44 AM on 11.12.08 |
| ->> It's better than being handed a video camera and having to carry that around in addition to everything else. |
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David Harpe, Photographer
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Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 4:54 PM on 11.12.08 |
->> If you need quick and dirty while also shooting stills, or have plenty of time to futz with the limitations of a DSLR video rig, it's not a bad option. You could shoot full blown productions with a DSLR rig, and again if I was doing it on my own and had the time and patience it might be a neat exercise. But with with money on the line I'd probably opt to buy or rent a more appropriate tool for the video side of things.
I could see situations where having both would be handy: a hidef camcorder for the run of the mill shots and the DSLR for some creative B-roll.
It's a tool - not a religion. Use it when it makes sense, use something else when it doesn't. |
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