How big is the serious video market, anyway?

So this is an EOS specific topic.

Canon has obviously been putting a lot of effort into video features in their dSLRS. In some recent threads, some people have implied that Canon is hurting some still photography performance in order to enhance video.

And anecdotally I hear a lot of people talk about how important video is in high end SLRs. I have heard many times that the 5D2 was a smashing success over the D700 owing to video.

Now, I don't personally shoot much (any) video, but that's just me.

But here is the question. I look around and I see a lot of photography businesses in my area. I personally know of a lot of people who hire photographers or who seriously pursue photography as a hobby.

Video in all aspects.....local business, serious hobbiests etc. This just seems like a small fraction of the market from everything I see. I don't see legions of serious video shooters buying high end dSLRs for video work.

So what do you all think? Are there really a huge number of people who buy the higher end dSLRs primarily to shoot video? If so, where are all these people and what kind of stuff are they shooting.

I'm just curious.

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't have bought the 5DMkII if it hadn't been for the video shooting capabilities. The quality of the images, the ability to change lenses, the affordability of the rigs, and the pedigree of projects shot with the camera were all deciding factors. I mean, what video shooter wouldn't want the exact camera they used to shoot episodes of House and 24, not to mention acted as a B-camera in Red Tails, and an A-camera in Act of Valor. For its price, it's about the best you can get. I live in a small market for videography, but there's at least one production facility that principally uses the 5D and the 7D to shoot commercial spots; they're just so versatile.

I had intentions of shooting a lot of video when I bought my T3i, but other than a 30 second clip just to try it out, I haven't touched it. My plans (I hope) include amusement parks, baseball games, etc...

JeffreyG wrote in post #14016834
So what do you all think? Are there really a huge number of people who buy the higher end dSLRs primarily to shoot video? If so, where are all these people and what kind of stuff are they shooting.

I'm just curious.

The 5D2 has been used on eveything from TV shows, sporting events, independent films, and even feature films.

B&H had a nice video series on using DSLR's for video.

So who uses DSLR's for video? Hollywood, that's who (as well as lots of other people)

EDIT: here is a pic from Act of Valor showing the DSLR's being used.
http://www.hurlbutvisu​als.com …ds/2011/05/acto​fvalor.jpg

It really blew up within the industry. Pretty much everyone I know who shoots video professionally bought one and has used them on commercials and music videos, etc. They aren't perfect, but for the price, you can really get pretty amazing results. Plus, they are awesome still cameras.

For example, this was made with 4 of them

http://vimeo.com/29002​444

JeffreyG wrote in post #14016834
So this is an EOS specific topic.

Canon has obviously been putting a lot of effort into video features in their dSLRS. In some recent threads, some people have implied that Canon is hurting some still photography performance in order to enhance video.

And anecdotally I hear a lot of people talk about how important video is in high end SLRs. I have heard many times that the 5D2 was a smashing success over the D700 owing to video.

Now, I don't personally shoot much (any) video, but that's just me.

But here is the question. I look around and I see a lot of photography businesses in my area. I personally know of a lot of people who hire photographers or who seriously pursue photography as a hobby.

Video in all aspects.....local business, serious hobbiests etc. This just seems like a small fraction of the market from everything I see. I don't see legions of serious video shooters buying high end dSLRs for video work.

So what do you all think? Are there really a huge number of people who buy the higher end dSLRs primarily to shoot video? If so, where are all these people and what kind of stuff are they shooting.

I'm just curious.

Just spend some time on Vimeo, and you'll see.

To be honest, I wish they did break the 5d into a primarily stills form (MarkIII) and a primarily video form (C). Video with DSLRs is here to stay, which I've cool with, but talor the body to a specialty. Don't try to do everything perfectly, you just end up making compromises. There is a market for both bodies I believe.
Sure, each body can do video and stills, but make one aspect that model's strength and target consumer.

Considering the C300 is about $1100 more than the MarkIII, I think all of us indie filmmakers are glad Canon isn't dividing things that way...

I purchased the 7D and the 5DMII for the video as well the photo..
half half

I first purchased my T2i for the purpose of video for YouTube. Since I've sold off my T2i and now on my 7d, I use my 7d primarily for photography. My brother has a 60d, which we use for our YouTube videos.

It has been adequately answered, but check out http://www.mediastorm.​com. Almost exclusively 5D2 video in that library. I've had the pleasure of attending a couple of Brian Storm workshops and speaking directly with him about hardware and technique. The 5DII is all he uses and recommends to this point, but he'll capture sound independently as a rule. I'm sure he and his crews and apostles will be anxiously awaiting and thoroughly testing out the new on-board sound capabilities of the 5DIII. It was his only criticism of the camera. His gear guide here: http://mediastorm.com/​train/resources/gear

dSLR Video has become a major player in Sports Television as B- and C-unit cameras for interviews.

There often isn't very much room in auxiliary locker rooms, driver motor coaches, etc. The compact form and light weight makes it easy to tuck one in a corner or hang it from a drop ceiling with clips and a magic arm.

When I picked up my 5Dmkii I was not interested one bit in video. I bought it strictly for still photography. Fast forward to today, I am very interested in video. for me Its much harder than photography. Editing is also much harder due to it not being raw footage. I do love the quality that the 5D produces is very good.

I just recently built a Ball bearing slider and I am thinking about picking up a shoulder mount with a follow focus, monitor and some audio stuff. The Its pretty fun to shoot video and there is a steep learning curve but I think that is what makes it fun.

Personally I am glad canon offers video even though its not a perfect system its still pretty high quality and I love the flexibility changing lenses offer.

I think it's a pretty big market segment. I personally have never used it - don't even know how to turn it on - but I'm pretty lots of other people do.