Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Just out of pure curiosity do you use your DSLR as a picture camera only or you use it as a movie camera too ?
I dont really use my DSLR as a movie platform at all, I use it just to shoot pictures.
When on vacation my sife has her Canon G15 which she uses mostly to take movie clips while she leaves the picture taking to me even though she does take pictures too from time to time with her camera.

I shoot video a lot less often than I thought I would on my 60D.
The main problem for me is that it takes forever to edit things together into a coherent video that isn't dull as dishwater to watch.

^ couldn't agree more.
I do purely only photos with my D800. Haven't use video once since I got the camera.

Only ever tried video out of pure curiousity with macro lenses, but video isn't something I have the time for.

I think most DSLR users use their DSLR mostly for pictures.
I know nowdays the DSLR are becoming a movie camera powerhouse especially the D800 and the 5DIII, still I am glad to see those who buy it buy it to take pictures.

I thought I'd shoot video when I got a D90. Discovered I really wasn't interested, which made the move to a video-free D700 a no-brainer. That said, I know people in event and wedding photography who are increasingly shooting DSLR video.

I have a background in video production - so for me, I love the ability to shoot video on both my D7000 and D800... and I am actually working on a project that I shot back in the summer at the CNE -- I have to get editing it one of these days soon. I capture clips from time to time to incorporate into slideshows.

But this being said - I actually prefer to shoot video on the V1 -- the autofocus is killer on that little camera. And for my D800 - its all about DOF control. I plan to do a series of 1 minute shorts this year.... so maybe I'll post them when I get them done.

I'm not one to shoot video, though I used to be in that business and have a more than decent camcorder.

I admit though having video in my employer's dSLR did come in handy when I had to photograph a product that has a moving scene for their website, rather than having to grab a video camera.

Shooting video on a DSLR is not easy either...... this is the reason why many of the serious film makers get into the rails and rigs with follow focus, etc. It can get quite pricey to put together one of these rigs... but there are technique's and less expensive solutions to render better results, and they will help in rendering better quality captures. I am looking to invest into some sort of grip system for my camera for when I shoot video with it for handheld shots. I have a proper video tripod for static work.

This is a topic I would like to see a TPMG clinic for: DSLR Video. I'm hoping there is someone who has gone to the trouble of putting together a simple rig and has an aptitude for the basics. One wouldn't need to be an expert, just have the equipment and know enough about it to start a conversation. Please PM me if you think you would like to do this and I'll help sort out the logistics such as where and when. All you have to do is bring your stuff (knowledge included).

I have neither the time nor the patience to start learning video post production, I'm still trying to improve my post processing skills wrt photographs.

From your reply I understand you got the D7000, D800 and Nikon 1 V1
Lucky guy
When I bought my second camera the Canon G15 for my wife I was considering the Nikon 1 but I saw less then impressive reviews on it so I decided to go with the Canon G15.

Are you happy with this camera ?

Thanks.... I am very happy with all three camera's - and the fact that they all share the SAME battery! This is like a home run from Nikon. You know .. there are a lot of people out there who slag the 1 system because of its smaller sensor, but I have to say that I have been very happy with the results of this camera... and especially for the video function - it is almost as good as a video specific camcorder. I used it to capture a bunch of video when I was in Whitehorse last March, and the quality is excellent, and the autofocus function is excellent.

For still shooting, the camera does quite well -- although I would love to have a little more DR and capabilities at higher ISO's.. but it does a pretty good job. With the 10mm pancake lens, the camera is nice and compact, and a great walk around street camera with a 27mm FOV.

The FT-1 adapter is also great to have for mounting full size F mount lenses to the camera. It does get really silly at the long end -- for example, I mounted my V1 to my 200-400 one day for kicks - and it was just ridiculous at 400mm that is a 1080mm FOV . It works well with my 70-200VR however - VR helps a lot with longer focal lengths.

Anyhow - if you have any questions about the V1, feel free to ask. I am hoping to get mine back from service this weekend -- I had to send it in to resolve a sensor issue I was having with the LCD/EVF.

Wow thank you for the very detailed description of your Nikon 1.
As I said I already made my choice and went with the G15 but I was very eager to hear how a real user is happy with his Nikon 1.
I think Nikon should have put a slightly bigger sensor, if anything it would have been a good sale pitch since this camera is not directed to the simple camera user, it is directed at those who know more and from what I have learned in photography size does matter LOL
Since I have a Nikon D7000 I wanted to stay in the Nikon family but as I said in the end the small sensor and reviews I read made me decide to go with an other camera.
I absolutly love its design!!!

Thanks

Starting using my slr as a video camera together with still. But Love the video quality on the V2. Don't have to carry a big camera for videos when travelling