HVR-Z7 for Wildlife at DVinfo.net

Bryce Comer · February 28th, 2011, 07:17 PM

Hi all,
Is anyone here using this camera for filming wildlife? I am particularly interested in using this camera with 35mm lens' via an adaptor. What are the results with this sort of setup?
I am also thinking of maybe using an external recorder like the NanoFlash or Ninja if it will dramatically improve the footage.
Thanks in advance ,
Bryce

Zach Love · April 5th, 2011, 10:22 PM

I got a MTF Nikon adapter & put a 70-300mm zoom lens on my Z7. I was using it for political shoots back in 2008, but most politicians often don't act like human beings, so I'm guessing it isn't too far off from being wild life.

Remember that the Z7 has much smaller chips than a standard 35mm camera, so a 100mm lens on a SLR is going to have about a 2x zoom / crop; but a 100mm lens on the Z7 is going to have a 14x zoom / crop.

If you need to get close, it is a great way to do it.

Bryce Comer · April 5th, 2011, 10:31 PM

Thanks for your reply Zach,
Yes the 7 odd times crop factor is what i am after for filming wildlife & the smaller sensor size only helps keep things in focus at those distances. Wow i would hate to be trying to keep anything in focus if it were possible to get those sort of telephoto shots with a 35mm sensor. I think the DOF would be measured in mm!!
Anyway, since you have worked with the camera with longer focal lenths, how did you find the quality of footage? Was there any issues with rolling shutter or any other artifacts related to the CMOS sensors?
my concern is that with the long tele shots, any pan may see problems in the footage.
Thanks,
Bryce

Greg Laves · April 6th, 2011, 08:26 AM

I do not have a lens adapter for my Z7. I have been tempted. But I have seen footage from others. I can't see how the CMOS sensor is a factor. You certainly shouldn't be doing any whip pans with a 35 mm lens attached. The only issues you would have would be the same as any super-telephoto lens on any camera. Such as atmospheric haze. And having a tripod stout enough to hold the camera steady.

Brian Mackey · April 6th, 2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach Love

I got a MTF Nikon adapter & put a 70-300mm zoom lens on my Z7. I was using it for political shoots back in 2008, but most politicians often don't act like human beings, so I'm guessing it isn't too far off from being wild life.

Remember that the Z7 has much smaller chips than a standard 35mm camera, so a 100mm lens on a SLR is going to have about a 2x zoom / crop; but a 100mm lens on the Z7 is going to have a 14x zoom / crop.

If you need to get close, it is a great way to do it.

-- Can I ask where you found the Nikon adapter?

thank you :)

Bryce Comer · April 6th, 2011, 01:25 PM

Hi Greg,
Thanks for your response to my question. I was only thinking there may be a problem with panning where for example i was following a subject running or the like. Animals can move pretty fast & i have concerns that following an animal at speed running by trees for instance, could produce that horrible skew effect. I may well be wrong & it isn't actually a problem at all, but i'm having trouble finding anything on the matter.
Regards,
Bryce

February 28th, 2011, 07:17 PM	#1
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	HVR-Z7 for Wildlife Hi all, Is anyone here using this camera for filming wildlife? I am particularly interested in using this camera with 35mm lens' via an adaptor. What are the results with this sort of setup? I am also thinking of maybe using an external recorder like the NanoFlash or Ninja if it will dramatically improve the footage. Thanks in advance , Bryce __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!

April 5th, 2011, 10:22 PM	#2
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	Re: HVR-Z7 for Wildlife I got a MTF Nikon adapter & put a 70-300mm zoom lens on my Z7. I was using it for political shoots back in 2008, but most politicians often don't act like human beings, so I'm guessing it isn't too far off from being wild life. Remember that the Z7 has much smaller chips than a standard 35mm camera, so a 100mm lens on a SLR is going to have about a 2x zoom / crop; but a 100mm lens on the Z7 is going to have a 14x zoom / crop. If you need to get close, it is a great way to do it. __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS

April 5th, 2011, 10:31 PM	#3
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	Re: HVR-Z7 for Wildlife Thanks for your reply Zach, Yes the 7 odd times crop factor is what i am after for filming wildlife & the smaller sensor size only helps keep things in focus at those distances. Wow i would hate to be trying to keep anything in focus if it were possible to get those sort of telephoto shots with a 35mm sensor. I think the DOF would be measured in mm!! Anyway, since you have worked with the camera with longer focal lenths, how did you find the quality of footage? Was there any issues with rolling shutter or any other artifacts related to the CMOS sensors? my concern is that with the long tele shots, any pan may see problems in the footage. Thanks, Bryce __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!

April 6th, 2011, 08:26 AM	#4
Greg Laves Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 640	Re: HVR-Z7 for Wildlife I do not have a lens adapter for my Z7. I have been tempted. But I have seen footage from others. I can't see how the CMOS sensor is a factor. You certainly shouldn't be doing any whip pans with a 35 mm lens attached. The only issues you would have would be the same as any super-telephoto lens on any camera. Such as atmospheric haze. And having a tripod stout enough to hold the camera steady.

April 6th, 2011, 01:25 PM	#6
Bryce Comer Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rossland, British Columbia Posts: 1,024	Re: HVR-Z7 for Wildlife Hi Greg, Thanks for your response to my question. I was only thinking there may be a problem with panning where for example i was following a subject running or the like. Animals can move pretty fast & i have concerns that following an animal at speed running by trees for instance, could produce that horrible skew effect. I may well be wrong & it isn't actually a problem at all, but i'm having trouble finding anything on the matter. Regards, Bryce __________________ There's never enough hours in the day!