DSLR's + Video

[Ben H]

So, just a general forum poll.

Now that DSLR's are starting to include HD video, and that although it's a bit first generation at the moment, the video feature is likely to become more popular and added to more and more cameras - how interested are you in shooting video / video clips in high quality from your camera?

Do you think it's a great feature to explore? Or could you care less about video - stills is the only thing that interests you?

For me - it's *definitely* a useful tool that I could use, being that home video cameras have such poor crappy video quality...

[Mad Aussie]

So, just a general forum poll.

Now that DSLR's are starting to include HD video, and that although it's a bit first generation at the moment, the video feature is likely to become more popular and added to more and more cameras - how interested are you in shooting video / video clips in high quality from your camera?

Do you think it's a great feature to explore? Or could you care less about video - stills is the only thing that interests you?

For me - it's *definitely* a useful tool that I could use, being that home video cameras have such poor crappy video quality...

At this point I have no interest in video. I'd have a video recorder if that was my passion.

[kat]

With two young children it is a nice option!

[tirediron]

I'm in agreement with the guy from down under. I look at the D90 and 5D Mk II in the same way I do 18-200mm lenses and swiss army knives. That is: "Do-all" gimmicks. Any time you try and make a tool do too many things, the overall quality suffers.

[Ben H]

I'm in agreement with the guy from down under. I look at the D90 and 5D Mk II in the same way I do 18-200mm lenses and swiss army knives. That is: "Do-all" gimmicks. Any time you try and make a tool do too many things, the overall quality suffers.

While I understand and often agree with that statement (just look at the video cameras that also take stills - horrible!), it's interesting to note that the video capability doesn't make the 5D2 any lesser a camera, and the video quality and potential *vastly* outweighs any camcorders at that price.

No - the 5D isn't going to be a replacement for a real video camera to shoot films or documentaries just yet - it's use in this *is* flawed (first generation, remember, there are definite tradeoffs). If you are primarily making films, one of those cameras is not the right tool for the job.

However, if you do want to capture some video in a decent quality, it appears (to me) to be an excellent additional feature that lets me do things I previously couldn't (or with far less quality).

So yes, as long as the compromises and tradeoffs are in the right direction for me, I'm all for these cameras getting better at video, as long as it doesn't interfere too much with their primary function of shooting stills.

[tirediron]

...it's interesting to note that the video capability doesn't make the 5D2 any lesser a camera...

I'm not entirely sure of that. I've seen a number of fairly learned people express concerns about what recording HDMI video may do to the sensor's life. After all, a five-minute video clip must surely equate to months, if not years of use when compared to taking stills only. I suspect that these cameras, at least for the next few generations are going to be much more susceptible to burned pixels, excessive noise, and shortend life-spans.

[Ben H]

Ok, I see your point on that one. Like I say, we're still early on in the game, and the technology will doubtless improve. I very rarely jump on the first product cycle of these things away to see how it plays out.

[Iguanasan]

I've been hearing a lot about this lately and I really don't think this convergence will eliminate the differences between photographers and videographers. They serve two different purposes. We've had camcorders, in one fashion or another, for 20+ years and yet people continue to buy still image cameras to take photos.

I do believe that at some point in the future we may have one device that will handle either situation but until that time (a long way off) I think I'll continue to shoot video with my camcorder and photos with my camera.

[Mad Aussie]

I agree the video is a cool feature ... IF you want it. I don't and therefore don't want to pay extra for that feature. Hopefully there will be an option to purchase with or without. Maybe that's already decided ... I haven't looked.

[Iguanasan]

I understand that with the Canon 5D Mark II all they did was record the Live View when you want to take video. It's not so much an add-on as it is a side-effect of the camera features that they capitalized on. Unlikely that you'll find a "non-video" option.