Just official: Nikon introduces D300S with HD video recording: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0907/09073007nikond300s.asp)

Better than the 5d Mark II: 24p, price.

Worse than: 720p, APS-C sensor size, MJPEG codec.

This ain't gonna push Canon to add 24p to the 5d. What's next on the horizon in "Photo for HD Video" land?

Thanks. Noticed the video features are a bit different than the D90: "The D300S’s
advanced D-Movie function benefits from a number of functional and technological
advancements, including an external stereo microphone input enabling high-fidelity
audio, plus in-camera movie editing."

I'm also liking the dual card slots (CF and SDHC). And one important
thing that Nikon does but Canon doesn't: the option for on-camera GPS.

Some more from DP Review: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0907/09073005nikond3000.asp

Here are some sample clips from D300s!

D300S - D-Movie (http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/microsite/d300s/en/d-movie/)


I don't own a D90, but looking at the left bottom corner movie (colored buildings at night), the rolling shutter doesn't look as bad as D90's. The upper right movie also has some panning in the end, and it doesn't stutter. Can anyone else confirm what I'm seeing?

One more thing from that d-movie page!

"And Tripod mode gives you control over the depth of field with a selectable aperture of up to f/16.*

* With exposure modes A and M."


Is the exposure mode M something that is available on the D90/D5000???

I wonder if the sound recording abilities on the nikon will mean not having to use a separate sound recorder as in the 5dmk2?

I see there is a 5 min limit when shooting 720p.


Drew

I see there is a 5 min limit when shooting 720p.


I guess I wont be selling my GH1 to buy a D300s then!

After reading through their stuff, I have no clue if they did or didn't implement manual control and that's the problem. If they gave the camera manual control in d-movie mode don't you think they'd be telling everyone loud and clear?

The image in the viewfinder looks like it has an "M" and an ISO setting of 200 so maybe they have manual control but who knows.

Until we know more about this camera I'll keep the rest of my opinions to myself.

This seems interesting:

"You can also select the sensitivity level for either built-in microphone or external microphone, choosing from auto, high, medium or low."

If they've improved the jello and added manual contols... this could turn out to be a nice camera.

Heck if they'd just make the shutter manual it would be nice, I could live with any errant ISO noise.

How does this codec compare with the Canon Mk2?

Andy

How does this codec compare with the Canon Mk2?

Andy

If it's the same as the D90's codec it doesn't compare. I'd like to see some full rez clips from Nikon.

If its slightly sharper than the d90 footage with manual controls and less jello then to me its very good news, especially considering i recently bought a 50mm f1.4g lens which can be used for autofocus during movie recording. This, i believe works based on contrast detection. Could prove ideal for a situation where there is something very white that needs to be kept in focus in the scene. enough said.

Nice to see that the new version has more mic options and manual control than previous models.

It is nice to also see the new Nikon update of the 700-200mm F/2.8 VR II.

I think that Nikon are working on updates to the pro & semi-pro full-frame versions - D700 & D3X. With a possible video add-on to the mid-pro body at a future date. However, I don't think that the D3X and future top-tear bodies will include a video option for a while yet.

Why are they so vague about the manual exposure control? Is it "fake" control like the d5000? or can you actually select real aperture? I guess we have to wait until someone gets their hands on it.

It’s in Nikon’s best interest to have the successor of the D700 include a video mode as good quality as the Canon 5D Mark II. Lest face it, that’s a big selling point.

Imagine if it was the other way around in which the Sony A900 had a video mode and the Canon 5D Mark II didn’t. The A900 would have been a massive threat to the 5D Mark II.

I've read in a preview that the AF doesn't work after you press the rec button, meaning it can't do follow focus as the GH-1 does.

Very nice video, seems the jello effect didn't migrate to this camera:
YouTube - nikon d300s sur le terrain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIXbmcPjUJw&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fnikonrumors.com%2F&feature=player_embedded)

Does anybody know if the European version can do 25p?

no, just 24p.
and canon have just 30p
and panasonic have 25p but you cant use new nikon lenses (afs) on it due to no aperture ring.
Its all very frustrating really for us pal users.
the 24p footage is ok on a 25p timeline. there is a slight slowdown so it couldnt be used for certain stuff. For instance it would be difficult to match externally recorded sound etc.
If you have the time to convert then ok.

Nikon have really dissapointed us at this stage. They need impress us on the next model. I think most people will wait for one more release before losing the loyalty they have to them.

Nikon can develop the video DSLR, because it does not have a camcorder or pro video division. I think that the forthcoming 700X will cater most of the needs of pro video. IMO the most significant is full resolution HDMI out and higher framerates, even if the camera itself cannot record them. There are so many Non linear acquisition devices out there to suit everyone, that Nikon doesn't have to develop/charge for that technology.

Ideally:
full frame with pixel management for different aspect ratios
pixel interpolation for better Lo light and/or HDR
422 10bit HDMI OUT
sampling 24/25fps from 96/100fps
over/under cranking

Ok I know that more or less I described a scarlet, but Like Red, Nikon has a clean shot on the video market, and the Nikon badge has much more leverage in the world than the Red badge (not to mention customer support and service).

BTW, does anyone knows if the 300s has full resolution HDMI out? Read the specs from most news reports, but no one seems to care to note about this very important element.

I assume not. up to now menus couldnt be turned off when connected via HDMI.
I assume the same for this model.
Theyre not going to give us that too easily/cheaply.

Nikon have really dissapointed us at this stage. They need impress us on the next model. I think most people will wait for one more release before losing the loyalty they have to them.

Nikon rarely rushes in with new products. They bide their time and usually they get it right when a new model is released - as they did do with the D3, D3X and D700 trio. These alone, made a great deal of Pro stills photographers move back to Nikon.

Video add-ons to cameras such as in the latest models from Nikon, Pentax and Canon show that it is the way forward for the industry and has surprised even Canon & Nikon. However, it is early days and a great deal of things still need changing and improving on before either Canon or Nikon finally offer a fully-fledged DSLR with pro-level sound and manual options - enough at least, to entice a larger slice of the HD-DV market.

Certainly is a wonderful time to be needing to buy a new camera. Might wait another 6 months and see how things go.

Andrew

MJPEG really isn’t that bad as long as it’s implemented properly. The one on the GH1 looks spectacular for only 30MBPS. Just look at some of the footage on my Vimeo account. I just hope the D300’s version is closer to the quality of the GH1’s than the D90’s.

Still, at this stage it’s hard to tell how good it is since a lot of the first footage are very static.

I'm looking forward to viewing the new Nikon D700s with full FX sensor compared to the D300s.

It looks like the latest DSLRs from Canon & Nikon are narrowing the gap between stills & video...although I still hate the juddery affect of vidos produced from the 5D, 7D, D90 and D300s. They all provide lovely sharp video files in high rez...but rarely are they smooth and so can be a headache to watch for long periods other than for short clips.

Hi Y'all,
I have a D300s in hand.


I can tell you these:


-In manual 'M' mode, I can set the aperture, shutter speed and ISO, both before and during shooting.


-the entire LiveView screen ports out via HDMI anytime the cable is attached and LV is selected. It's alot easier to focus manually from an Ikan V5600 than the on-cam LCD.


-so far neither HDMI nor the AV out support live audio monitoring (unless the V5600 does not pass through the HDMI-delivered audio to it's headphone port).

-At 720p24 the five minute time limit cannot be exceeded. Each shot counts down from 5:00 and stops when the time is up.

-Have not played with audio much, but can verify the settings of Auto, Hi, Med, Lo, Off, adjustable from LiveView prior to the shot.

-metering is done in Matrix Mode for video, regardless of the Still mode setting.

The manual devotes 5 pages to Video controls, out of a total of 198 pages covering operational details.

I'm working on a couple short pieces for YouTube.



Ask me your questions.


Happy Labor Day Weekend,

Nice rig Scott.

Scott, I thought there was no manual control of shutter speed.....?

Hello Ger,
I just double checked it.

In M mode, I set the shutter speed to 1/50, the aperture to 5.6, and the ISO to 200, then hit Record. All settings remained the same as recording commenced.

Then, while recording, I ran the shutter speed up to 1/8000, the aperture to f22, and the ISO up to 6400, and back down to 200.

The image on the LCD changed accordingly.

:)

Sorry Scott but Im going to have to correct you on that. I dont think the shutter speed is selectable. Thats the whole dissapointing part of the d300s and nikons 'failure' with it.

I'd be so happy to be proven wrong, it would save me selling my nikon lenses along with my d90 to move entirely over to the Canon 7d. As far as Im concerned Nikon missed an oportunity and Im tired of hanging around.

And you know whenI think of it. I dont even know why Im being loyal to Nikon . I already own a canon xha1 & hv20 and both cameras have been nothing short of excellent.

The play was called back for video review by the referees.

Upon further review, the numbers on the screen change, but nothing changes in the clip while shooting.

Also, I was working in M mode today, and the camera was adjusting to varying brightness levels in the frame, so Manual mode does not lock exposure in and of itself.

i had hoped Nikon was listening to the ongoing conversations regarding these cameras, but it turns out they are really still photographers and don't give videographers much respect or control to work with. They make it look like control when there isn't any.

yea its all very dissapointing really.

Rumours have it that the d700x/s will deliver. I might just hang around ONE more time. I do primiarily weddings at the moment and wont really need HD delivery until next season so basically whichever is the best camera available early next year will win it out for me.

But all is not lost for your D300s Scott. Its still a pretty amazing machine and in the right hands can produce some cracking stuff....
De l'autre côté de l'objectif - Nikon D300S on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/6163655)

Scott,

I have my D300s for test in hand too. Can you share how you are setting your audio up? are you just recording everything using the Zoom? looks like you are feeding the Zoom into the D300s.

If you are using manual audio control are you finding that even in the lowest setting it is sometimes peaking using mics like the Sennheiser MKE400 or feeding mic level from another device?

Dan

Hi Dan,
I set the Zoom on Auto, running the Line Out into the D300s. For a concert I set the D300s to Auto as well, then, out in the woods, I set it to Level 1. I'll be working on those projects in the next couple days and will post them on YouTube.

Ger,
I guess with your D90 you'be got some experience at events. Given the short recording time and lack of autofocus, weddings would be challenging for an HDSLR at this time in their development.

It's definitely a good question to ask...what will I miss out on by waiting?

Well Scott, I personally think your D300s is suffice for now. A 50mm f1.4 lens on that camera would be an absolute pleasure to use in lowlight evening situations. You have all the advantages these cameras offer - candid recording and Shallow DOF together with the nikon lens choices available make your cam one of the top contenders at the moment. Particularly if you can manage without manual controls, which is very doable.
I hope Im answering your question and if i were you, id be happy to stick with the d300s until something difinitive comes along.
As a single operator event videographer I wouldnt be comfortable using any of these HDSLRs as my main camera.
Its only a matter of time before one of them release a video camera style machine with the large sensors and lens compatibility of the DSLR. Its basically what we all want/need.

2009 09 06 Jammin At Djangos HD - YouTube

Here's another D300s short.

The audio was recorded using the built-in stereo mic on the Zoom H4n, set to Auto levels, then into the D300s, set to Medium (IIRC). Lens was the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 G-AFS ED-IF VR.

Scott, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me if the audio input on the D300s is line or mic?

I've been told it says 'mic' next to the input, but I can find very little info/specs on the web.

Planning to shoot some interview ftage using a Rode shotgun through the Zoom H4 into the D300s. Would you recommend the settings/set-up as you've outlined below?

I can't say for sure either way. I assumed it was mic.

Since there's no way to monitor the audio recorded to the camera, I recommend recording your best sound to the H4 and using the camera's audio for backup and sync.

I returned the D300s several days after receiving it, do I no longer have it here for direct reference.

Thanks for your reply.

That set-up was my plan. Obviously use the D300s audio if it's good enough & have the H4 there incase it's not, and for monitoring.