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Do You Use DSLRs for Video?

September 5, 2011 By Eric Reagan

Canon 5D Mark II w/ Z-Finder

I’ve been shooting a lot more video with my 5D Mark II over the past year.  While I’ve been covering HDSLR video topics more and more here on Photography Bay, I’m wondering what the regular readers are doing with video on DSLR cameras.

I would appreciate it if you would take a couple of seconds and answer the poll below.  If you don’t find an answer that truly relates to your point of view, then select the closest option and feel free to elaborate in the comment section below.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Filed Under: Poll Tagged With: 5d mark ii, dslr, hdslr, Poll, video

 

Comments

  1. Erik Hawkinson says

    September 5, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    I have only shot video once or twice with my DSLR. I don’t like video very much for myself because I can’t watch at my own pace. I do have a video camera but it sits unused most of the time.

  2. Sam says

    September 5, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    I used it once on my D5000 to test it out, that’s pretty much it. Video doesn’t interest me.

  3. sjms says

    September 5, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    an entire new market opened to accessorize limited functionality products. i love it. keep it coming.

  4. Jeremy D. Martin says

    September 5, 2011 at 11:28 pm

    would if I had a capable DSLR.

  5. Richard says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    I took some awesome video of my daughter who is a violinist. At least, awesome compared to most video. But it is a whole new game!

  6. Michael Levine says

    September 6, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    I like the video capture in D7000 need to get an external microphone. Video looks fabulous. chcek out this link . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-IHxY1IeEQ

  7. mana says

    September 6, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    I do take a lot of video for myself and also professionally with 2 same cameras; Nikon D7000
    I’ve invested in these and on many lenses cause I liked the video the minute I tested one. Much better than the new Nikon D5100.

  8. cristina agudo says

    September 6, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    i don’t have a dslr w/ video.

  9. Neal Whitaker says

    September 6, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Yes but with my GF1. Was surprised at the quality of daughters on woman senior show hand held.

  10. forkboy1965 says

    September 8, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Having only recently purchased a dSLR with such capability I’ve only tested it to make certain it worked.

    That said, I’m interested in adding short (think 10-15 seconds) videos to my flickr photostream in circumstances where I don’t think a single frame picture quite captures what I’m trying to… well… capture.

    But we’ll have to see. There’s plenty to figure out just from the picture-taking standpoint with a new camera.

  11. Andy Laithwaite says

    September 9, 2011 at 1:46 am

    Video from stills cameras has its place, but I think its undermining an already unstable industry, getting a stills photographer to shoot some ‘web video’ at the same time is a bad route to go down. There has always been a divide between photographer and videographer but this distinction is becoming very blurred.

    I just wish the big manufacturers (Nikon in particular) would spend more time looking at fixing problems such as SB900 and D700 compatibility or improved vignette control for the 70-200 AFS VR I and please lets get the updated pro cameras on the market.

  12. Tony Hansen says

    September 9, 2011 at 2:52 am

    I like my Sony a33 in every way except for the movie button which is in a position that it is easily pressed by accident.Very annoying when trying for a fast nature shot. Why not go back to a dslr that just takes photos and improve the camera. If someone wants video there are plenty of cheap compacts around.

  13. Theodore Ritz says

    September 9, 2011 at 3:36 am

    I agree with Tony. I have a Sony A580 and only shoot video by accident as the video button is in a place that I sometime accidentally activate. I wish manufacturers would make models that are only still shooters for those of us who want still photography only.

  14. Barbara Simons says

    September 9, 2011 at 4:50 am

    Totally agree with Theodore, please Canon and co, make us some brilliant DSLRs which are JUST for still photography. Not everything has to do everything. There are a lot of us waiting for something very pure and very intelligent but for the photographer.

    • Wayne Carter says

      September 9, 2011 at 7:06 am

      Nicely put Barbara and I completely agree with your perspective on this subject matter. If I had wanted to shoot video I would have bought a video camera but my interest is in shooting still frame shots. I love my 5D Mark II but have never shot video with it nor do I intend to do so. Canon….put all that technology to good use and give to us, who are true photographers, the camera we have been waiting to get out hands on; the one that will make a difference and inspire our photographic imaginations to reach beyond those unreasonable limits.

  15. Joan Robinson says

    September 9, 2011 at 6:04 am

    I chose the ‘one shot at a time’ option because that is by far the most frequent use of my cameras but I occasionally (when I can work out how to do it) take a small burst of shots. I think video takes up far too much room on the memory card (and I am hopeless about clearing a card after putting the shots on my computer for fear of losing everything at some point). I also have a couple of video cameras but I rarely use them and truth be told, what I do film is usually pretty poor plus the thought of trying to edit them on the computer is too terrifying to even contemplate!!! My excuse for all this is that I am a pretty ancient old thing and modern technology is getting away from me.

  16. Paulus says

    September 9, 2011 at 6:43 am

    A DSLR is a photo camera, no video apparatus. It’s imho a big mistake to use it the other way, unless you ONLY use it as a video machine, with all the extensions you need in that case, and that’s not my idea.

  17. gino says

    September 9, 2011 at 7:00 am

    i love taking stills.i have been a pro for over thirty years and video has always bored me to death so i am not going to waste good battery power on video.

  18. Grant says

    September 9, 2011 at 7:01 am

    Where Can I get the viewer attached to the back screen as on this picture?

    Yes, I’m still waiting for Nikon to come out with a new FX body that could do the video.
    The previous Full frame is not better than the D7000. Needs a quick upgrade on the FX models.

  19. gino says

    September 9, 2011 at 7:09 am

    if i wanted to do video i would buy a video camera and not use good space on card and drain my battery.i think its a dumb feature,just another gimmick to sell a product

  20. Davy793 says

    September 9, 2011 at 7:12 am

    It’s handy to have if you need to shoot occasional video but if you are serious, get a Video camera. If they could keep the cost down by omitting video it would be great.
    I do think that by researching video on DSLRs they are improving AF performance.

  21. Tom says

    September 9, 2011 at 8:18 am

    I also only shoot video by accident. I have several Sony bodies and the movie button is in a bad location. I keep hitting it by accident. Hopefully a firmware update will allow turning off the movie function. If I had a good underwater housing for my large bodies I probably would try video. Fish don’t pose long enough most of the time.

  22. Gare says

    September 9, 2011 at 8:20 am

    One of the big factors in my decision to purchase a Sony SLT-A33 over the other brands is the eye popping HD video it provides. I love it and I use it a lot… Obviously, I’m not a professional, but I just shot a relative’s wedding and was able to capture brilliant DLSR quality pics and professional looking videos of the maid of honor and best man’s speeches with the push of a button!

  23. Declan O'Connell says

    September 9, 2011 at 10:45 am

    We’ve been using Canon 7Ds for the past two years to shoot corporate, commercials and a whole range of productions. This short promo on the English Market in Cork, Ireland was shot on the 7D to celebrate the recent visit of Queen Elizabeth II to the Market –

  24. roger shelley says

    September 9, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    I use the canon 500D for video occasionally but it is difficult to see the image on the rear screen in bright light

  25. John Hine says

    September 13, 2011 at 5:13 am

    I am increasingly interested in video and have been using the video capability, such as it is, of my Pentax K-r. Sadly, the K-r does not offer continuous focissing during recording, which is a major drawback. Ideally, I would like to carry just one camera for stills and video but I really want continuous focussing. I am therefore considering switching to a Sony SLT – maybe the new A65. The alternative would be to keep the Pentax for stills and add an HD camcorder. Any thoughts on this choice?

  26. Davy793 says

    September 13, 2011 at 6:02 am

    If you have the cash, go for the A77 with the new kit lens.

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