Nikon Blues
 

I have tons of great Nikon glass and have been checking almost daily for the last 18 month, in the hope that Nikon would finally come out with a decent full HD capable DSLR. And today at Nab they announced nothing new. I really feel let done by Nikon. Canonist are much better off. If Nikon hasn't moved by the time the 550D is in the shelves, I'll go for this with a heavy heart.

Everybody is waiting for the revenge...Just came out the lil p something that shoots full hd, so we'll cross the fingers!

So buy the canon body and an adapter for your glass. If Nikon releases something better, sell the body and buy the Nikon body. Consider the difference in price a lease cost.

It's just a body, and Nikon users have been using their glass on Canon bodies w/ adapters for _many_ years... it's was the only option to use older glass on a dslr w/o going to a pro-body.

Even now, the safest way to mount some pre-AI and converted lenses on a DSLR is to use an adapter on a Canon DSLR, due to the possibility of crushing the metering pin.

I would very much like to see someone come up with a HD capable mirror-less full-frame 35mm camera, then I can adapt just about everything I have to it. The Samsung NX is _really_ close.

At least Nikon has a good video capable competitor in the point and shoot category.
The New P100 shoots 1920x1080 30 frames and 1280x720 30p.
COOLPIX P100 from Nikon

That should indicate that their next DSLR will have 1920x1080 resolution and it'll probably have both 24p and 30 frame versions as well as 720p versions.

720P in the Nikons is enough quality for most work (I don't know many people actually making a living selling footage in higher rez) - D300s if require crop-factor or the D3s for full rez low-light work.

Also, Nikon will be releasing the new D900 soon (with full 1080), so I'd wait if I were you...and, if you can't wait that long, just buy a cheap Canon 550D or 7D to tie you over until the new Nikon is launched. As mentioned, you can still use the Nikkors with an adapter.

I'm in a similar boat as the OP, Lots of Nikon glass yet no decent body to use for video. I'm hoping they will announce something soon as I would like to get into shooting video with the DSLR, but a Canon (as mentioned above) will be purchased if Nikon's doesn't have something in the pipes before the 550 hits the streets.

I have a Nikon D3s. I thought it would be the answer to HD video for me. The quality of the video is very good. Focus and DOF are outstanding as long as the camera is on a tripod and does not need re-focused. It's just too hard to focus manually using the LCD screen. I came from fully manual SLR with manual focus but that used a viewfinder.

I ended up buying a Sony camcorder HDR-CX520V, this thing is amazing. The low light ability isn't as good as ISO 12,800 on the D3s but it's close. At 1080 60i the video quality is better than the D3s. Auto focus is quick and auto exposure is very good. DSLR video has a ways to go, but no consumer video cam can match the DOF of the D3s and 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens

I was in the same boat after getting the D90. I'll second this: Get a 2ti for, what, $800?? Get a lens adapter for $40 (I got the metal one from Adorama). Shoots really really nice 1080p. Shoots 720p at 60, which conforms to 24 or 29.97 for perfect, gorgeous slowmo. I understand it shoots decent sills as well. Compared to the Nikon it feels like a plastic toy. Stick a big matte box and a finder on it if you're worried about clients.

Shot a commercial with one last week. Really pretty. Stuck all the footage in Streamclip, did some basic trims, and batched it all to ProRes. Zero editing hiccups in FCP. Sweet.

Did my edits in 720. Re-conformed a couple takes at 1080 and was able to adjust framing and position on the timeline with no zoom artifacts. Just killer.

Looks like Nikon is developing a dedicated video camera:
Patent application for AF in a video/TV camera with interchangeable lenses | Nikon Rumors

Also, the D700 successor is expected to be announced in July, the D90 successor in September. I think those will give us a pretty good idea where Nikon is heading.

They certainly have a lot of catching up to do.

Yes, Nikon know that having a decent DSLR autofocus system that works in both stills and video modes will be a big selling point for them.

So Nikon still (forgive the pun) doesn't have a competitor to Canon? I have the D80 and D300, but neither capture without more equipment.

D3100
 

How about the new D3100? Announced today: Nikon D3100

Video specs: Frame size (pixels) and frame rate: 1,920x1,080; 24p - 1,280x720; 30p - 1,280x720; 25p - 1,280x720; 24p - 640x424; 24p. Maximum Recording Time:10 min. File format/Video compression: MOV, H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Cording. Audio recording device; Supported:monaural recording with built-in microphone.

But I hope it can do 1,920x1,080; 25p as well as I am in a PAL country (50Hz).

Not really a big issue, surely? Most equipment that can display 1920 x 1080 will happily display 24p; if you're downconverting for DVD, say, then just reconform to 25p, the same as theatrical movie DVDs do.

Looks like the 3100 doesn't have full manual control in video mode, no audio input, low-bitrate AVCHD, and low res LCD with no HDMI out while recording. I'd say it's not a particularly good choice if video is your primary use.