Nikon D90

[mizouse]

Hands on preview by DPreview.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0808/08082702nikond90previewed.asp

[mizouse]

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25446/D90.html

[mizouse]

Is this in the wrong section?

[dithiolium]

Guess its just for reference only. Always good to know what's out in the market.
Together with a 18-105 VR

Nikon did not steal Canon's thunder this time.

[illusionest]

50D > D90.

now lets wait for 5D mk2 > D700 :p

[mizouse]

Guess its just for reference only. Always good to know what's out in the market.
Together with a 18-105 VR

Nikon did not steal Canon's thunder this time.

yea they definitely didnt steal canons thunder.

[mizouse]

ohh yea about the video

its at 720p 24fps and with Mono sound.

• File format AVI (Motion-JPEG)

• Maximum single clip length: 1280x720/ 5 minutes, others 20 minutes

if its anything like canons P&S cameras, those files are going to be huge!

[Mark_Cohran]

Is this in the wrong section?

Well, it's not a Canon EOS Digital Camera--so it's going to Talk About Photography.

[mizouse]

thanks, i wasnt exactly sure where to put it.

[Jim G]

Yeesh. Feels like there's been a fair few new cameras of late... particularly on the Nikon front!

[Rimwalker]

This seams like a return to the status quo between Canon and Nikon's mid-range.

50D > D90 > 450D

Just like a few years back when

40D > D80 > 400D

It's still the top-end where the two are really duking it out, and where, as everybody here has said, Canon needs a 5D mkII and a 1dn mkIII to keep up with Nikon's D700 and D3.

The only place Canon has the lead is with the 1Ds mkII, but a D3x is reportedly on the way.

Taking the broad view though, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[powerslave]

This seams like a return to the status quo between Canon and Nikon's mid-range.

50D > D90 > 450D

Just like a few years back when

40D > D80 > 400D



Taking the broad view though, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

You mean a few weeks ago.

[Rimwalker]

You mean a few weeks ago.

Yeah, that was the status up until a few (months, when 450D came out) but I was referring to the beginning of that cycle when all those cameras were new.

Either way, you take my point, I'm sure.

[powerslave]

No doubt.

[sadatk]

This seams like a return to the status quo between Canon and Nikon's mid-range.

50D > D90 > 450D

Just like a few years back when

40D > D80 > 400D

It's still the top-end where the two are really duking it out, and where, as everybody here has said, Canon needs a 5D mkII and a 1dn mkIII to keep up with Nikon's D700 and D3.

The only place Canon has the lead is with the 1Ds mkII, but a D3x is reportedly on the way.

Taking the broad view though, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
40D isn't discontinued.

D700 competes with 5D successor.
D300 competes with 50D.
D90 competes with 40D.
1000D/450D competes with D60

[mizouse]

there are sample videos on the nikon website, they dont look so bad, but the lack of autofocus while recording kind of ruins the idea.

[TheGreatDivorce]

I would much rather have the D90 than the 50D. Very little about the 50D is exciting. The gapless microlenses and extended ISO range (assuming good performance) are great, but evolutionary.

The D90's movie mode is revolutionary, which is what Nikon has been doing a lot of lately (unlike Canon). HD video on a large sensor with SLR lenses? Yes, please.

I love Canon, but Nikon has been absolutely dusting them in the innovation department. And the "we actually listen to our customers/pros" department.

[hsma]

I dont see what the point is in having a video mode in a dSLR. Isn't the reason we buy dSLR to take pictures? Why not invest in a nice video cam instead if you plan on making videos. There are HD handycams that produce decent quality for the price of a mid-range dSLR.

[mizouse]

Id rather get a camcorder than a D90.

[Mark_Cohran]

I have a Canon GL2 - I'll stick with that for video.

[BCBryce]

Id rather get a camcorder than a D90.

Ditto.

My P&S does video too - I've never used that feature. I can see how it could be useful to some in an SLR, but not me.

[fura.s28]

how about movie function? Anyone have a sampe?

[dithiolium]

well, the future trend may be that all cameras will be both video and still capable.
This is just a starting taste of mindset changes.
Canon has a better headstart in video capabilities. but will only combine tech if their marketing dept deems it necessary, or when more camera brands include this function.

[silverhalide]

This seams like a return to the status quo between Canon and Nikon's mid-range.

50D > D90 > 450D

Just like a few years back when

40D > D80 > 400D


D700 competes with 5D successor.
D300 competes with 50D.
D90 competes with 40D.
1000D/450D competes with D60

I think Rimwalker's got it right - Canon and Nikon have positioned themselves so that they don't compete with each other (except at the very low and very high ends). They try to position their cameras in between the other manufacturer's lineup.

Buyer: I'm looking to buy a 40D.
Salesperson: Why not a 50D?
Buyer: Too expensive.
Salesperson: Well for $200 more than a 40D you can get a D90, and look at all these neat features.
Buyer: Well the 50D is too big a step, but the D90 is pretty tempting; let me see if I can find the extra $$.

The last thing manufacturers want is to go exactly head to head because then it can really get nasty, and turn into a price war. By offering a midpoint product, they don't have to match every single price cut of the competition. "Yes we know that their D123 just cut $200 of their price and is now $300 less than 456D, but we're going for a different market so we don't need to match the price, and ooh, look at all the extra features we offer."

[AdamJL]

I would much rather have the D90 than the 50D. Very little about the 50D is exciting. The gapless microlenses and extended ISO range (assuming good performance) are great, but evolutionary.

The D90's movie mode is revolutionary, which is what Nikon has been doing a lot of lately (unlike Canon). HD video on a large sensor with SLR lenses? Yes, please.

I love Canon, but Nikon has been absolutely dusting them in the innovation department. And the "we actually listen to our customers/pros" department.

Agreed on all of the above. Well said

I dont see what the point is in having a video mode in a dSLR. Isn't the reason we buy dSLR to take pictures? Why not invest in a nice video cam instead if you plan on making videos. There are HD handycams that produce decent quality for the price of a mid-range dSLR.

I would love a DSLR that takes movies. Perfect travel camera. Why should I have to buy a seperate video camera when the SLR is entirely capable of doing the same job. It's not as if the SLR IQ suffers! You're just streaming live view.

[The_Janissary88]

I thought N*k*n was kind of taboo in here?

[elysium]

With people still not wanting to buy the current 5D and would rather jump ship to Nikon because a 5D II has not been annoucned, don't see this as an issue.

Looks interesting.

[TTk]

Canon's next Camera will it be......FF or with Video?

[farrukh]

Id rather get a camcorder than a D90.

Ditto.

My P&S does video too - I've never used that feature. I can see how it could be useful to some in an SLR, but not me.

Firstly, Your P&S or cannot do 720P HD (unless its new Panasonic), secondly, it doesn't have large sensor APS-C DOF and interchangable lenses advantage and finally its not for free.

[Pete-eos]

Firstly, Your P&S or cannot do 720P HD (unless its new Panasonic), secondly, it doesn't have large sensor APS-C DOF and interchangable lenses advantage and finally its not for free.


Amen.

It'll get people really good at MF as well. I'm sure in a few years there will be video with AF, maybe in the 60D, off to the rumour forums.. :lol:

[Neilyb]

11 point AF.....hmmm...

[Mike]

I'm not too bothered about the movie function. It's natural progression, sure, but I bought my DSLRs to take photos, not videos. I had a video function on my old p&s and have on my mobile and don't use them so I don't think I'd get much use from the function on a DSLR.

[mr kipling]

I'm not too bothered about the movie function. It's natural progression, sure, but I bought my DSLRs to take photos, not videos. I had a video function on my old p&s and have on my mobile and don't use them so I don't think I'd get much use from the function on a DSLR.

Perhaps the reason you never used the video on your P&S and mobile is because they're both pretty god awful??

That's why I never use them on mine, but the D90's seems to be much higher quality. I have been toying with the idea of getting one of those little SD storage video cameras, to carry with my camera gear. But if I can have a device that combines the two, and also has pretty good quality to boot, I know what i'd buy..

[AdamJL]

^ Agreed.

[NuclearWinter]

I dont see what the point is in having a video mode in a dSLR. Isn't the reason we buy dSLR to take pictures? Why not invest in a nice video cam instead if you plan on making videos. There are HD handycams that produce decent quality for the price of a mid-range dSLR.

I think the ability to use your 600mm telephoto or 100mm Macro (or whatever lenses you own) lenses would be a pretty nice advantage.

[HaroldC3]

What about the $300 price difference? That's pretty big to me.

I see different markets for the cameras though. With the inclusion on movies, I don't see how "pros" will take the camera seriously, so I see it still being marketed to advanced amateurs, while the 50D, I think, is more of a pro body.

Someone said Canon wasn't being innovative. I would say a new sensor & processor that allows ISO12800, 14-bit images 6.3FPS and still on a camera of this price is pretty innovative.

The price diff. is actually $400, I made an error.

[AdamJL]

What about the $300 price difference? That's pretty big to me.

I see different markets for the cameras though. With the inclusion on movies, I don't see how "pros" will take the camera seriously, so I see it still being marketed to advanced amateurs, while the 50D, I think, is more of a pro body.

Someone said Canon wasn't being innovative. I would say a new sensor & processor that allows ISO12800, 14-bit images 6.3FPS and still on a camera of this price is pretty innovative.

I bet a lot of PJs are pretty interested. Increasingly PJs are required to carry video cameras for web content. Huge cost savings for the photographer and/or the agency/media company.

[Pete-eos]

http://chasejarvisandfriends.com/

Damn Nikon for being trendy :)

It's a nice feature, look forward to seeing it in the 60D with AF support...

[Woolburr]

I would much rather have the D90 than the 50D. Very little about the 50D is exciting. The gapless microlenses and extended ISO range (assuming good performance) are great, but evolutionary.

The D90's movie mode is revolutionary, which is what Nikon has been doing a lot of lately (unlike Canon). HD video on a large sensor with SLR lenses? Yes, please.

I love Canon, but Nikon has been absolutely dusting them in the innovation department. And the "we actually listen to our customers/pros" department.

Thanks for the funniest post of the week!!! :lol::lol::lol: Yes indeed....pro photographers around the world have been clamoring for a top of the line DSLR that shoots crappy video! :rolleyes:

[sadatk]

Thanks for the funniest post of the week!!! :lol::lol::lol: Yes indeed....pro photographers around the world have been clamoring for a top of the line DSLR that shoots crappy video! :rolleyes:
The thing is, pro photogs won't be buying D90--it's a different market. When you tell regular consumers that it can record short HD clips--it'll sell. I can see myself using it for fun little clips with my friends or kittens.

It should be neat to see the things you can do with the movie mode on a 1:1 macro lens or some primes.

[dithiolium]

Canon doesnt need Video options. It just needs a 2.1MP 24fps mode. and a 500,000 rated shutter life.
Think out of the box, guys.

[timbernet]

Chase Jarvis has a great video: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2008/08/chase-jarvis-raw-advance-testing-nikon.html

I

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ive got to admit this,

Yesterday, and any day prior, the idea of Movies on my SLR were of NO interest.
I don't do Videos, I have no interest in shooting video, and I would not want it cluttering up my SLR...
Mostly, what on earth do you DO with Video? You can't print it and hang it on your wall,. I've no interest in huddling the family around the TV, it's just not my artform. .. etc..

So I've had nothing good to say about this, so I've not said anything.

Except,. that IF I were ever to shoot video, I would only be interested If I could use my Lenses. Canon has a wonderful solution for this, the XL series of Camcorders can and will use all EF/EFs lenses!!
But the XL cameras are pricey indeed. ( $5K - over $10K last time I looked )
So for someone interested in an occasional video,.. it's out of the question.

Now, today, suddenly, it occurs to me that if my EOS SLR could shoot reasonable home video quality, I would have that same functionality at no additional cost. Save $5K on something that would only be an occasional toy...

... and yet still be in a postion to quickly and without changing gear, go from shooting stills of a pack of linos in africa, to full motion video? Maybe the light is no good for agood Still, but the interaction is interesting?

I'm, all for it!
Just as we see with other innovations in the abilities of Digital Vs. 35mm Film, the sooner we forget the legacy and the roadblocks the legacy imposes, the sooner we take better advantage of the new media.

I completely understand that many ,. maybe even most DSLR shooters will not be interested in Video on their SLR, as I say, at first blush, and in fact at many times considering this, this was my own reaction.
But the option, if it won't interfere with the camera as a camera? It will appeal t a lot more people than I would have first considered, including my own self.

Consider 720 HD video taken of a Leopard yawning in a tree using your 500mm with IS...
There is no comparison here with a P&S shoot video with that dinky lens and low res.

Heck, I don;t even have a TV that can handle that HD resolution yet,.

[TheGreatDivorce]

Thanks for the funniest post of the week!!! :lol::lol::lol: Yes indeed....pro photographers around the world have been clamoring for a top of the line DSLR that shoots crappy video! :rolleyes:

Glad I could amuse you, champ. Your sarcasm is quite precious, too.

Last time I checked, photography (and photography alone) put food on my table, and money in the bank. And I would love HD video in my cameras. What leads you to the conclusion that the video is crappy? Are pros "clamoring" for it? Maybe, maybe not. I'm not, but I'd definitely take it if offered.

Having seen the video it produces, it's far from crappy. HD footage shot on a bigger sensor with nice 35mm lenses (think real, cinematic DOF) is fantastic. It's even better when you can carry one device to take top-notch stills, and quality HD video.

Yes, you could carry two devices around. But why would you if you don't have to? Especially if you're like me, and stills are your main focus, but video is an absolute bonus (and one more trick to add to my repertoire).

It's not like anything is sacrificed to add video, and no price is added, so I'm at a loss as to the mass quantities of Haterade being consumed here ... put the fanboi-ism aside and rationally analyze things. Brand loyalty gets you nowhere.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2008/08/chase-jarvis-raw-advance-testing-nikon.html

oops, Timber beat me to posting Chase's link. Oh well, worth repeating ;)

[beatle]

One of the real downers of the video is the lack of AF. You can lock the exposure but must focus manually... oh well, maybe Canon will bring an offering that offers AF video. :)

[TheGreatDivorce]

True, but people that make "real" videos (big productions) use manual-focus anyway.

[johnny0415]

The thing is, pro photogs won't be buying D90--it's a different market. When you tell regular consumers that it can record short HD clips--it'll sell. I can see myself using it for fun little clips with my friends or kittens.

It should be neat to see the things you can do with the movie mode on a 1:1 macro lens or some primes.

Totally agreed. The D90 will be stealing the thunder at Photokina. Everyone will be wanting to try out the video mode. Everyone will be talking about D90. Very soon, retail stores will be pushing the D90 to its customers for its video mode and customers will buy it.

To those who say the video function is useless - the video function is an added bonus and it adds value without sacrificing image quality. Its always better to have more.

[yankees3791]

It's finally in a DSLR...24fps HD quality up to 720p HD...Anyone want to guess how they did it?
Here's the link to the d90: http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25446/D90.html

[FlyingPhotog]

They gutted some other part of the camera?

[yankees3791]

In case anyone wants to know...I have no idea how they did it...I am just wondering how you think it was done

[sadatk]

Captures 1280x720 jpegs in live view and combines them into an avi at 24fps. (motion jpeg)

[cctsm]

Movie mode isn't really rocket science - it's just an extension of live view.

It's also quite pointless, IMO. I look forward to dolts with heavy lenses holding their camera straight out to record a thoroughly awesome and shake-free movie. Oh wait.

[cdifoto]

It's also quite pointless, IMO. I look forward to dolts with heavy lenses holding their camera straight out to record a thoroughly awesome and shake-free movie. Oh wait.
I may look like a dolt with my arms stretched out to record movies with my P&S but that feature sure comes in handy when I want to capture a moment that a photo can not. I'm sure I look a lot more retarded when I get into some of the positions I get into with my dSLR just to capture a normal photo...and the most amazing thing is I don't care.

Having that same convenience at far, far higher IQ would be beautiful. IS/VR can help to smooth out some of that dolt-induced shake.

[DocFrankenstein]

Movie mode isn't really rocket science - it's just an extension of live view.

It's also quite pointless, IMO. I look forward to dolts with heavy lenses holding their camera straight out to record a thoroughly awesome and shake-free movie. Oh wait.
Just like the dolts with the video cameras?

I think it's awesome, because you finally can shoot with fast lenses. I just hope they drain all of the image sensor and not just parts of it, if they do, the image quality will be astounding.

[azpix]

does the camera have an electric shutter? anyone know?

[40Dude6aedyk]

David Pogue's review of the Nikon D90 in the NYTimes is gonna make this baby take off: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/technology/personaltech/28pogue.html

If you saw it just sitting there, you’d never guess that the new Nikon D90 is a mind-blowing, game-changing camera.

[DocFrankenstein]

does the camera have an electric shutter? anyone know?
Just read this (http://yourphotoarchive.com/laugh.htm), it seems amazing.

Here are some samples from the movie:
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/d90/en/d-movie/

Seriously, it's a curtain shutter like any other camera. They still need it for the high shutter speeds, I'd imagine.

[DocFrankenstein]

Ditto.

My P&S does video too - I've never used that feature. I can see how it could be useful to some in an SLR, but not me.
How about a wide angle? How about a fast lens? A large sensor with better ISO?

[Ocean Blue]

Here are some samples from the movie:
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/d90/en/d-movie/

Seriously, it's a curtain shutter like any other camera. They still need it for the high shutter speeds, I'd imagine.

Thanks for the Nikon main page movie link - much more info / samples that what I saw on the Nikon USA page (which has two short movie samples). The comparison to a camcorder is interesting as is the D-movie item. I didn't think "wow" as I've read the leaks/rumors re: the D90 movie mode over the past few weeks, but seeing movie mode samples with the lenses - it looks phenomenal. The quality of the output - it's DSLR good, but a movie (sure that should be obvious, but seeing it is "wow".)

[DocFrankenstein]

Thanks for the Nikon main page movie link - much more info / samples that what I saw on the Nikon USA page (which has two short movie samples). The comparison to a camcorder is interesting as is the D-movie item. I didn't think "wow" as I've read the leaks/rumors re: the D90 movie mode over the past few weeks, but seeing movie mode samples with the lenses - it looks phenomenal.
It is phenomenal - the sensor is bigger than the 35mm film the hollywood is using.

The closest thing to D90 is RedOne right now and that system costs about 50 grand to run. If you compare this with nikon and the ability to use really wide angles and get good blur, it's mind boggling.

I only wish they'd put out a version with pellicle mirror to use as a video camera.

If I ever buy a DSLR again, it just might be a Nikon.

[Ocean Blue]

Bit from Pouge's write-up - makes the same point about game changing re: the cost of a system control and lenses:

"High-definition video, at that. Stunning, vivid, wide screen, 1024 x 720 pixel, 24-frames-per-second video, with the color and clarity that only an SLR can provide.

Now, most people's first reaction is: "Well, duh. My $200 Canon has been capturing video for years." Or maybe: "What a gimmick. Who would ever use video on a $1,000 piece of photographic equipment?" Or, at best: "Well, I guess it might sometimes be useful to snag a video clip when I'm out shooting stills."

But there is something much bigger going on here. Remember: Any control, effect or lens that is available for the D90's still photos is now available for videos. Think of all the freedom you gain that you wouldn't generally have on a camcorder: control over focus, depth of field and exposure, special effects like fisheye, monochrome and vivid and excellent image stabilization when using a Nikon VR lens.

But here's the real mind-blower: You now have a video camera that takes interchangeable lenses. Before the D90, if you wanted a high-definition video camera with removable lenses, you would pay $7,000 for the camera, and $7,000 to $20,000 more for each lens.

On this camera, though, I tried Nikon's $500 fisheye lens, and filmed a complete 180-degree vista without having to turn or pan. With a macro lens, I filmed a bumblebee, huge and clear as though it were in a National Geographic documentary. With a 300-mm telephoto lens, sitting in my bleachers seat at a tennis tournament, I was suddenly filming what other people could only capture as still images."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/27/technology/PTPOGUE28.php

[mizouse]

It is phenomenal - the sensor is bigger than the 35mm film the hollywood is using.

The closest thing to D90 is RedOne right now and that system costs about 50 grand to run. If you compare this with nikon and the ability to use really wide angles and get good blur, it's mind boggling.

I only wish they'd put out a version with pellicle mirror to use as a video camera.

If I ever buy a DSLR again, it just might be a Nikon.

The sensor in the D90 is definitely not bigger than the 35mm film Hollywood is using.
if the D90 was full frame, then it would be the same, defiantly not bigger.

[Ocean Blue]

The sensor in the D90 is definitely not bigger than the 35mm film Hollywood is using.
if the D90 was full frame, then it would be the same, defiantly not bigger.

Rockwell has a note that backs what Doc says up: "What Nikon's still camera division probably doesn't realize yet is that the DX sensor is very close to the size of Hollywood 35mm movie film, which is a half of the frame that still photographers call "full-frame." In the roughest terms, Hollywood shoots 18 x 24mm frames all day."

[mizouse]

Rockwell has a note that backs what Doc says up: "What Nikon's still camera division probably doesn't realize yet is that the DX sensor is very close to the size of Hollywood 35mm movie film, which is a half of the frame that still photographers call "full-frame." In the roughest terms, Hollywood shoots 18 x 24mm frames all day."

interesting, i had no idea about that, well i take back my statement then.

[FlyingPhotog]

http://www.panavision.com/aspect_ratio.php

[TeamSpeed]

However, read page two, and see where this mode falls apart. Mono sound, which won't be good, no AF, 5 minute max duration, and an AVI memory hog. It would be good for small clips and macro fims, but unless you have great lighting, the movies produced as you try to manually focus while filming will be tough at best holding the camera in front of you while massaging the lens.


Now then, before you get on the D90 waiting list, a word of warning: It's not a camcorder. Its screen does not flip out and swivel, so you can't easily film yourself. There's a microphone and speaker, but the sound is mono. And the AVI-format video, while easily editable in programs like iMovie and Movie Maker, eats up an insane amount of memory-card space - about 400 megabytes per minute. (Fortunately, the camera accommodates SD cards as big as they come - 32 gigabytes, for example, which is good for 80 minutes of video.)

An individual high-definition shot can't be longer than five minutes, either, or 20 minutes in standard definition; after that, the sensor heats up too much.

Worst of all, the autofocus doesn't work for video. You can use autofocus before you start rolling, or you can use the manual-focus ring while filming, but that's all.

[powerslave]

If the sensor heats up by recording videos, wouldn't this, to some extent affect the life of the sensor?

[TheGreatDivorce]

However, read page two, and see where this mode falls apart. Mono sound, which won't be good, no AF, 5 minute max duration, and an AVI memory hog. It would be good for small clips and macro fims, but unless you have great lighting, the movies produced as you try to manually focus while filming will be tough at best holding the camera in front of you while massaging the lens.

How often is there a single take/cut that's longer than 5 minutes in a movie? I'm not sure I've ever seen one where they don't cut away much sooner than that. I don't think the lack of AF is that bad either. If you adapt 35mm lenses to use on, say, a Canon HV30, you lose AF also.

If you want AF, and interchangeable lenses on an HD camera, be prepared to drop between 7 and 20k, with lenses.

[DocFrankenstein]

interesting, i had no idea about that, well i take back my statement then.
The hollywood doesn't use a "photographic" frame. They space the frame so that the widest side is in between perforations.

Of course I'm talking about imax, but your general run of the mill Arri system.

[DocFrankenstein]

However, read page two, and see where this mode falls apart. Mono sound, which won't be good, no AF, 5 minute max duration, and an AVI memory hog. It would be good for small clips and macro fims, but unless you have great lighting, the movies produced as you try to manually focus while filming will be tough at best holding the camera in front of you while massaging the lens.
All of the films you've seen were shot on manually focused cameras - the hollywood doesn't use autofocus most of the time.

Also, a lot can be done without changing the focus at all.

[DocFrankenstein]

You're not getting the excitement. The capabilites of D90 are beyond "making a video of yourself". Nobody will watch that anyways.

You can make production quality films with it!

It's not a camcorder. Its screen does not flip out and swivel, so you can't easily film yourself. There's a microphone and speaker, but the sound is mono.
The built in mike is always crap, I'd use an external mike anyways with a clapping board.

And the AVI-format video, while easily editable in programs like iMovie and Movie Maker, eats up an insane amount of memory-card space - about 400 megabytes per minute. (Fortunately, the camera accommodates SD cards as big as they come - 32 gigabytes, for example, which is good for 80 minutes of video.)
This is good, because you have high quality and low compression.


An individual high-definition shot can't be longer than five minutes, either, or 20 minutes in standard definition; after that, the sensor heats up too much.
Did you get your hands on D90 yet? How do you know it's too much after 20 minutes?

Also, 5 minutes is more than enough to make any film.

Worst of all, the autofocus doesn't work for video. You can use autofocus before you start rolling, or you can use the manual-focus ring while filming, but that's all.
And that's how hollywood has been shooting from the start, and still does.

[lonelyjew]

At first I was a bit shocked at the new features, they make it seem as though they're turning a prosumer camera into an oversized point and shoot, but the video function seems very intriguing. It's a shame they didn't get the autofocus squared away(though I can see that being difficult without an a/f overhaul) but either way it is a very cool feature with a lot of possibilities. Comparing it to a point and shoot camera's video mode is like comparing pictures from a point and shoot to a DSLR's in that they can end up being the same but with a huge selection of different lenses and a better ability to control depth of field I'd be willing to bet a person knowing how to focus could outshine all but the best video cameras. Seriously, what video cameras give you good depth of field control, macro possibilities, allowing you to use lenses that range from fisheye super wides(imagine an 8mm lens!) to super telephotos. I have to agree that it's pretty damn innovative and though I'm not likely to switch to Nikon any time soon I do hope that Canon follows suit and starts working on fleshing out new features rather than just improving old ones and copying successful ones from competitors.

[Ocean Blue]

If the sensor heats up by recording videos, wouldn't this, to some extent affect the life of the sensor?

On Luminous Landscape, it was mentioned that DP Review asked about the 5 minute limitation and was told by Nikon it was for EU tax purposes - apparently, 5 minutes is the difference between a still and motion camera and there is some financial consequence to that.

This seems to make more sense than heat because apparently, you can shoot five minutes, stop for a second, shoot another five, etc. and just keep going that way for 80 min with a 32 GB card. Whatever the cause, it's likely to be discussed by Nikon at some point.

[AdamJL]

On Luminous Landscape, it was mentioned that DP Review asked about the 5 minute limitation and was told by Nikon it was for EU tax purposes - apparently, 5 minutes is the difference between a still and motion camera and there is some financial consequence to that.

This seems to make more sense than heat because apparently, you can shoot five minutes, stop for a second, shoot another five, etc. and just keep going that way for 80 min with a 32 GB card. Whatever the cause, it's likely to be discussed by Nikon at some point.

You made that up.

You can record for 20 minutes on a compressed format.

[Ocean Blue]

You made that up.

You can record for 20 minutes on a compressed format.

:rolleyes:

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27536

Passing it along. Posted your good point (after your silly assertion) on LL. Seems like a file size issue.

[Ocean Blue]

Chase Jarvis and staff using it - video on his blog here: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/

[CyberDyneSystems]

5 minutes would be about the longest single take in a Hollywood film in the last century..
this is NOT a limitation in any real sense of the word. No one shoots five minute takes unless they are grandpa with the vid cam...

[powerslave]

But home videos go for hours...

[CyberDyneSystems]

And no one watches them... ever.

[FlyingPhotog]

5 minutes would be about the longest single take in a Hollywood film in the last century..
this is NOT a limitation in any real sense of the word. No one shoots five minute takes unless they are grandpa with the vid cam...

From IMDB.com re: Hitchcock's "Rope"

-The film was shot in ten takes, ranging from four-and-a-half to just over ten minutes (the maximum amount of film that a camera magazine or projector reel could hold) duration. At the end of the takes, the film alternates between having the camera zoom into a dark object, totally blacking out the lens/screen, and making a conventional cut. However, the second edit, ostensibly one of the conventional ones, was clearly staged and shot to block the camera, but the all-black frames were left out of the final print. Most of the props, and even some of the apartment set's walls, were on casters and the crew had to wheel them out of the way and back into position as the camera moved around the set.

[AdamJL]

:rolleyes:

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27536

Passing it along. Posted your good point (after your silly assertion) on LL. Seems like a file size issue.

Like someone posted on your link:
"But you can shoot lower quality for a 20 minute clip? That sounds more like a file size issue"

So, the EU will restrict you to 5 minutes video for tax reasons, to which Nikon will comply, but then allow you to record 20 minutes?
Riiiiight. Someone is making up a whole lotta BS.

[Ocean Blue]

Like someone posted on your link:
"But you can shoot lower quality for a 20 minute clip? That sounds more like a file size issue"

So, the EU will restrict you to 5 minutes video for tax reasons, to which Nikon will comply, but then allow you to record 20 minutes?
Riiiiight. Someone is making up a whole lotta BS.

Yes Adam - that was my post that you quote.