Well I'm staying with Nikon

[inTempus]

And you know how useless it is through you extensive experience with the 5D2?

No, my bad. Please, enlighten me. Let's see some of your killer wedding videos.

 

[ANDS!]

I don't recall saying anything about the 5D, nor did the OP. But yes, I would agree - it's equally useless. I didn't make this about Nikon vs. Canon, that has nothing to do with it.

As I noted, you can hobble together short clips and make some pretty creative videos as evidenced by the vidoes on the net. However, since you have no control over ISO, aperture, or most other settings outside of manual focus while shooting, you'll find it nearly impossible to shoot anything meaningful with it.

I reference the 5D, simply because it happens to be only other camera out there with this capability. And while I will agree its DIFFICULTY (for the average user) may render the utility of manual focus suspect (to the average user), more capable users have been, and will continue to, make some pretty impressive stuff. Doesn't take much Google-Fu to see that. :hugs:

That's because you can't change the camera settings while you're shooting outside of focus.

Why would you change camera settings in a single "scene" other than focus?

 

[fwellers]

I don't think the video on the D90 is useless at all. It's a neat little function to have as a 'gimme' for an otherwise EXCELLENT midrange camera and can come in very handy.
It's not professional ? so what ? It's not on a professional camera.

 

[inTempus]

I reference the 5D, simply because it happens to be only other camera out there with this capability. And while I will agree its DIFFICULTY (for the average user) may render the utility of manual focus suspect (to the average user), more capable users have been, and will continue to, make some pretty impressive stuff. Doesn't take much Google-Fu to see that. :hugs:

I guess I wasn't clear the last two times I said it. :mrgreen: On the net I've seen some pretty creative videos. I've yet to see a wedding reception, wedding ceremony, or anything else "practical" posted. I've seen some great looking short clips patched together into a couple minute long videos that were quite creative. By useful, I mean use it like a video camera and not a still camera with very limited functionality.

Why would you change camera settings in a single "scene" other than focus?

Oh, I don't know... because lighting conditions? I know my video camera is forever auto adjusting to ambient light and movement both by me and the subject.

There's little doubt you can get creative with it... it's just very-very limited. Most people who don't know anything about the video feature would be inclined to think it would be similar in functionality to a camcorder, and it's clearly not.

That's what I'm trying to convey... as badly as I possibly can. :mrgreen:

 

[Beth81]

On my goodness.....can't we all get along....Smiles and Hugs to everyone. I know wel all have our own opinions on stuf and we ar entitled to give them. I just hate when things get a little snooty. I just need help and ask for opinions from you all because I'm sure most of you have experience.

 

[mrodgers]

Why do people constantly spout their opinions as if fact about the video on the D90, or in similar thought, live view?

An automatic transmission in a car is useless.

The fact that with most new cars the AC compressor kicks on when you have the selector on defrost is useless.

Having 8 bathrooms in a house is useless.

Having 4 bedrooms when there's only 2 of you and you share the same bedroom is useless.

Yet, stuff like that is sold every day (well, maybe not so much in these economic times, hehe). So, just because video or live view on a dSLR is useless to you, it doesn't mean it would be useless to someone else.

 

[inTempus]

I don't think the video on the D90 is useless at all. It's a neat little function to have as a 'gimme' for an otherwise EXCELLENT midrange camera and can come in very handy.
It's not professional ? so what ? It's not on a professional camera.

The 5D is a professional camera and it has the video feature too. The technology isn't thoroughly baked yet. It's a neat gimmick for some, useless for most outside of some screwing around, and I'm sure will be quite useful in later iterations. It's just not there yet.

Can you find one review that says "WOW! The video feature on this camera ROCKS!"? Or one review that says, "This will replace the camcorder"? Or one that says, "Perfect for family functions or weddings"?

Right now it's added probably because of the intense market rivalry for features and for brands trying to set themselves apart from the competition.

 

[inTempus]

An automatic transmission in a car is useless.

Apples and oranges.

Today the automatic transmission is highly evolved. Now, go back to the first automatic transmission and it was useless. Once they hammer out the technical issues, I'm sure video will be a kick-butt feature.

The fact that with most new cars the AC compressor kicks on when you have the selector on defrost is useless.

Not similar.

Having 8 bathrooms in a house is useless.

Not even close to being similar.

Having 4 bedrooms when there's only 2 of you and you share the same bedroom is useless.

Nope, not similar either.

 

[tsaraleksi]

The 5D2 is no replacement for a camcorder if your goal is to videotape a children's play or something, but most serious video work is, as you say "short clips cobbled together." A single scene might have dozens of different shots that go into it.

I haven't had the opportunity to put together really extensive video products but for my purposes (producing raw content for multimedia news packages) the usability is good. To me, the biggest issue is really a video issue in general-- I'm not used to having to take shake into account when shooting, and still camera image stabilizers make noise when functioning that is readily picked up by the mic.

While it is indeed not a replacement for a professional level motion camera, it is indeed a very usable video capture device depending on your application.

--and I didn't understand your comment at first, but depending on how you set it up the video adjusts for changes in the light while shooting. You can lock it down so that it doesn't if you don't want it to, but it will change like a camcorder would if you want. You can also tinker with exposure compensation if you want. The big complaint is the lack of Aperture Priority, which is a very fair criticism. It's not totally clear why they left that out.

I think the 5D2 would still be an excellent camera without the ability to shoot video, but it's a very useful addition for many users, particularly those shooting for media outlets.

edit:sorry for going off topic...

 

[jlykins]

The D80 is a really nice camera, the D90 is just that much better. The question from the OP wasn't should I get the D80 or D90, it was should I get the D80 with this lens combo or that setup. Frankly speaking the two lens combo is better. They are better built lenses. Now that I have answered your question with my opinion, get the D90. The D90's sensor is wayyyy better and can handle low light better. Oh and for those who think that the Video on the 5D MKII is useless check out David Ziser's blog: Digital ProTalk he uses it to shoot all of his video for his tutorials...

 

[inTempus]

On my goodness.....can't we all get along....Smiles and Hugs to everyone. I know wel all have our own opinions on stuf and we ar entitled to give them. I just hate when things get a little snooty. I just need help and ask for opinions from you all because I'm sure most of you have experience.

Hehe, you're right.

Sorry.

 

[ANDS!]

So essentially, someone has to use it in a professional capacity before it has relevance?

Oh, I don't know... because lighting conditions? I know my video camera is forever auto adjusting to ambient light and movement both by me and the subject.

Different sensors, different behaviors. If I'm shooting in a static scene for say - a hobbyist short film -the ambient light is not going to change so drastically in 5 minutes that i need to recompose/reshoot the entire scene (this of course assumes i dont have continuous lights to take care of that problem).

Again, I can see average to newbie users have a problem with the HD Video and simply writing it off as a fad; the fact remains that it has untapped (and tapped - youre not looking hard enough) potential. Is it better than a pro level camcorder - of course not, and it never was meant to be so such an argument is fallacious at best.

 

[Beth81]

Low lighting is definitely something I've been having problems with lately. Also depending on setting I have the camera on. Why does the picture flash in the bright spots on the screen? What does that mean?

 

[tsaraleksi]

Low lighting is definitely something I've been having problems with lately. Also depending on setting I have the camera on. Why does the picture flash in the bright spots on the screen? What does that mean?

The flashing indicates places where the image's highlights are 'blown out' meaning that part is too bright to be recorded and is nothing but pure white.

 

[Beth81]

Oh ok well how do I fix that then? I now the settings are either on no flash auto or the M setting.