Video on DSLRs is still a gimmick?
 

This is a comment a friend of mine keeps making to me about video on DSLR cameras...

"Video on DSLRs is still a gimmick."

I'd love to blast him with some great feedback from the community that actually knows the truth...would some of you please leave some feed back here on what you would say to him in response to his obvious uneducated comment...

I will be sure to provide him with the knowledge you all have to share!
I know its not a gimmick, but I'm not using it yet with my 5DMKII, but I will in time.
I just know that from all my research, its not a gimmick...and need the proof to show him.

Thanks.

The tale of Lucasfilm, Skywalker Ranch, Star Wars and Canon DSLRs on a 40 foot screen! | Philip Bloom


If your friend cannot understand the gravity of the cameras being used on Fox's House, "24", and being tested for an upcoming film with George Lucas, then he's hopeless.

Thanks, sent this his way, haven't heard a reply from him yet. I'm sure there will be one.

When I shot news, there were people who would come up and ask what you were shooting, and no matter what you said, they'd reply, "WHAT, SLOW NEWS DAY??? hur-hur-hur!" It didn't matter if you had a water-skiing squirrel, or you were waiting for the arraignment of a mass murderer, they just liked to toss a soft-sided insult at you.

IMHO, just about anybody using the phrase "video on a still camera is just a gimmick" is the same type of person. There really isn't much of an answer to it... if you think it's not news, or if you think it's a gimmick, nothing we can do for you. However, in both cases, if you don't like the product, don't buy it.

I'd respond with silence.

Too late, I already posted the links provided above...and here was his response...

"Yes, they are a nice gimmick to be used every now and then. 99% buy a DSLR because they need a camera. Let me know when Canon changes their product link. They still list these in the camera section."

it might be a gimmick, but a good one since it procure me a really decent income since september 09, the date I bought a 7D.

I second that motion...

His reply to some compelling evidence shows he is a brick wall not worth banging your head on.

I think he's just trying to push buttons, so no matter what I respond with, he's going to come back with something, I think he's trying to be annoying and get me rowled up.

Those are the people I ask what they are shooting with... then just laugh and walk away. Life is too short to deal with morons... Keep it movin'.

He owns a Nikon D5000 right now, but wants to upgrade to a Canon 5D Mark III when one eventually comes out. He's also the type that likes to buy cheap the first time then realize he made a mistake and buy better the next time, buying twice to get to one point, when he should have just bought right the first time. He now realizes why I bought Full Frame in my 5D Mark II and is trying to cover for his mistake by pushing buttons.

In the meantime I'm educating him on all the stuff he's missing out on, while he pretends he doesn't care, but I know he really does.

Sure wish I was as smart and as informed as your friend. ; )

Yes, video on DSLRs is still regarded as a gimmick to many...However, some seemingly trivial gimmicks of the past have evolved into useful tools.

This is a gimmick that is capable of producing outstanding results in the right hands. A gimmick so impelling that any stills photographer using them would be mad not to now seriously use the video option in a more useful capacity than merely for occasional 'fun'.

In fact, the gimmick has become so compelling for me that I will be making another movie in France & Italy during the next few months, but the big difference this time is that I'm going to be leaving my camcorders behind and taking only DSLRs. Yes, I must be mad and a little apprehensive because my livelihood is on the line...but I'm also quite excited! :)

Hehe. I think you walked into a trap.

Smug silence is the only appropriate response, IMO.

In the meantime enjoy the great footage you are creating for yourself . . .

I did, and he's been watching this thread too, so he's seen all the responses.
I'm waiting on him to show me some Canon 5D Mark III footage...but I guess I'll have to wait a while for that...in the meantime I can't even get any Nikon D5000 footage out of him...not sure what his plans are with owning both a Nikon and Canon?

He'll be waiting a while. Remember how long it was before the 5D MkI and MkII.

I saw a lot of people like that when I sold cameras for a living. They'd come in and kick the tires every week, never buying because something greater was always around the corner.

Those are the people who care more about insignificant details like megapixels than taking photos or shooting video.

He'll buy a MkIII in the future. In the meantime, you're going to have a fun couple of years playing and working with a camera that takes beautiful video. I'd say that you win in that situation.

I don't understand owning a Nikon D5000 now, knowing you want a Canon 5D Mark III in the future, why not sell the Nikon and get something to help you become more familiar with Canon so when the time comes, you aren't having to learn a new camera?

Or stay with Nikon and get a FF video monster like the D3s? http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Ni...25466/D3S.html

Owning both to me is just silly.

Tell him that people that shoot video with DSLRs grown a Unicorn horn out of their forehead and wherever they walk, Wood Nymphs and Sprites shower the sidewalk in front of them with gold coins. He is just jealous that he doesn't have a horn and pocket full o' Gold. We all do and let me tell ya, it is sweet.

Dan

I've been a photographer for quite some time now and after a acquiring 5DII I've decided to check into its video abilities. I would not call it a gimmick but I would not call it a serious professional video camera as well. Its perfectly fine for some applications but it's just not up to par to do serious work. Member of this forum are die hard fans of DSLRs and I will become a target of stupid replies but if you really want to get a whole picture I suggest visiting a few forums and hearing other opinions as well.

Here's the bottom line. If you want to shoot filmic video with a camera budget of less than $20k, you pretty much have three solutions: a RED ONE ($17k), an HD video cam with a 35mm adapter (maybe $7-10k, and it loses lots of light), or a DvSLR ($800 - $5k).

If your friend has a better solution for making a filmic video *today* with a camera that costs less than $5k - and for as little as $800, he's welcome to offer suggestions.

Would I rather shoot on a RED ONE, or on 35mm film? Sure! Please have your friend make out the check to J-O-N F-A-I...

It's not simply a matter of what people are saying, just look at the imagery produced by these cameras. In the hands of a professional they can create unbelievable work. I really don't see how that can be argued against.

I think there's a pretty strong consensus that DSLRs are in no way a full replacement for traditional video cameras, but they do have significant advantages which, used properly, can produce images simply not available at these prices previously.

Honestly guys…

When are we just going to leave this alone?


Avey

Sorry, this was my first post on the topic. I hadn't come across this discussion before, didn't realize it had been covered.

I agree, and this is why I was trying to make a point and gather feedback that its not a "gimmick", but it doesn't really matter anymore as I've found out he was just being immature with his comments and has proven he doesn't know much about the subject anyway. I'm sorry to have brought you all into his kid games, my apologies.

I'm doing very serious work with my 5D mkII. I'm doing event work with it. All of the things it is supposedly not suited for. So, these things sound like opinions to me. But, I appear to be the execption.
Bill