New Toy 7D

[mrapocalypse]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/217.jpg

Got this a while back specifically for Video.

It's got a Zacuto Z Finder screen diopter and a beachtek audio adaptor with a 4x4 Matte Box - rails and follow focus. Using a canon 16-35mm f2.8 - Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 and Nikon 80-200 f2.8. Looking into the Nikon DX10-24 f2.8 to go with it.

The HD images this thing shoots are sensational .....and it was still cheaper than the next HD Capable camera. We shoot with the Nikon lenses and an adaptor that gives us smooth manual aperture controls so all up pretty happy.

Just shot 2nd unit on a Documentary with it and found that Focus and keeping your images under exposed to a small extent are critical. Audio needs a little work too!

Ian

[C0L0N3L]

Thats awesome.

I really need to start saving so I can build up a similar rig. :o

[Chucaro]

Very nice gear, if you have the chance test the Nikon 200-400 VR is an awesome lens for video.

[mrapocalypse]

Those focal lengths are way too long for what we do. But I have no doubt it's an awesome lens. I just wish Nikon would do a Video mode with a decent codec, and better resolution then i would sell the 7d and buy one. No hesitation.

I.

[Chucaro]

Do a search for the work that Robert Bosh do with the D3s and the D300s and I am sure you will be impressed.

[dmdigital]

That's a descent set up Ian. Surprised you have the 7D not the 5D MkII, though I'm starting to think the 7D might be the better camera even though it's not FX (or Nikon;)).

Interested to learn more about why you choose the Nikkor lenses. I've read a few articles about this on Nikonians.org and few other places and from what I can gather they are a better video lens than the Canon for some focal/aperture choices. Does the adaptor ring still allow AF and aperture control?

Also how do you get f/2.8 out of the Nikkor 10-24 DX isn't it f/3.5-4.5?

The D3s continues to amaze me for still work. I'm not much into video.

[mrapocalypse]

Went the 7D over the 5D for lots of reasons. Mainly it shoots 50P, even though it's 720 50P but we were specifically after a high speed camera for shooting slow motion sequences.

The 5d's only real "Advantage" is theoretically the larger sensor which means you get wider wide angle lenses and a better low light capability. Not a big deal as the 7D is still pretty stunning in low light, and the 7D has a fairly specific Video setting that makes life easy. Problem also solved with a extreme wide angle such as the 10mm Nikkor or Canon anyway. Manual overrides were alsso easier on 7D but 5Dmkii has new firmware to solve all that apparently...7D is also half the price of a 5D MKII...

The larger sensor is also extremely sensitive to focus. Almost to the point where I find them unusable for a lot of what the Yanks call Run and Gun work. Marginally better with 7D but the auto focus is pretty
much useless in Video Mode!

With a Canon Lens you get Auto Exposure. But no pro camera guy would use that anyway!

We shoot with the Nikon lenses for two extremely important reasons. 1 We had them :D attached to our trusty D2x.

And 2 As mentioned we have a very sexy adaptor that gives you an aperture ring on a lens that doesn't have one. For video work the stepped aperture ring on stills lenses is a PITA when following action so this new thing is a bewdy! (It cost nearly $500 so it would wanna be) has no auto focus or auto aperture but like I said we never use it....

And you are right, the 10-24 is f3.5-4. I'm still getting one....

I'm a Nikon man myself and to be honest I haven't taken a single still frame with the canon. We still do lots of Nikon still work and they are brilliant for timelapse. Below shot with a D700 at ten second intervals. Needs work because there was no stable platform and the image is moving but I'll get there...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/165.jpg

[dmdigital]

Thanks for the reply. All sounds intriguing. I do wonder where it will all end with the merge of video and still on the DLR's, but time will tell.