Video on DSLR

While looking at a discussion on Amazon about choosing a Canon vs Nikon I saw the following:

I have seen comments like that here on POTN too and I just don't understand the criticism. One person mentioned that "DSLRs are being cluttered up with audio/video features".

The 7D's implementation is clean; video shares one button/switch with live view (which is much easier to get to now because of that button).

I just don't understand the problem people have with the feature. If you don't want it, don't use it. But to claim that it deducts from the package seems silly.

BTW.. I have decided, that I will no longer buy computers with a "scroll lock" key on the keyboard. I never use it and it just clutters up the keyboard. From now on, if you want me to buy your computer, it better be offered without scroll lock.

hairy_moth wrote in post #9216376
While looking at a discussion on Amazon about choosing a Canon vs Nikon I saw the following:

I have seen comments like that here on POTN too and I just don't understand the criticism. One person mentioned that "DSLRs are being cluttered up with audio/video features".

The 7D's implementation is clean; video shares one button/switch with live view (which is much easier to get to now because of that button).

I just don't understand the problem people have with the feature. If you don't want it, don't use it. But to claim that it deducts from the package seems silly.

BTW.. I have decided, that I will no longer buy computers with a "scroll lock" key on the keyboard. I never use it and it just clutters up the keyboard. From now on, if you want me to buy your computer, it better be offered without scroll lock.

I think people feel either that they're paying for features they may not want or that the design and development of the camera suffered due to a focus on video capability.

You have come to the correct conclusion. Once DSLR's incorporated a system to do live view, making it record video was not much more than a few lines of code. The people that say that are foolish and stubborn, hands down.

Try buying a car in this country without air conditioning- it won't happen. Why? because the car would be unsalable to the next person in line. I live in NH, even in July/August I have zero need for air conditioning. It just isn't necessary. But I would never be so ignorant as to refuse to buy a car with A/C.

Jethro790 wrote in post #9216499
Try buying a car in this country without air conditioning... .

It is funny that you mention the car example.

When I was writing this I was thinking about my Dodge. Dodge apparently wanted to charge people extra for automatic headlights that turn on and off depending on how dark it is. However, they must have found it cheaper to build it into all calls (including the headlight equivalent of a light meter). The cars that don't have the automatic headlight option differ by a small plastic "stop" in the switch that prevents the switch from being turned to the furthest left position (and the letter "A" printed on the dash). People have found that they can file off that stop and get the automatic headlight for free.

Maybe canon should offer a 7Dvx with a different switch that prevents the selection of video.

I'm not supporting the idea of video in DSLR's but let me shed some light on what these people are possibly saying by the quote ""DSLRs are being cluttered up with audio/video features".

The one button on the outside may mean nothing - your right, thats pretty minimal. But what "cluttering up" had to go on inside the camera (hardware and software and firmware) to add this functionality? Thats what would make me make statement like the above - and I probably have on this forum.

If they're going to fill up my DSLR with functionality - I'd rather it be DSLR functionality rather than adding features extraneous to its requirement to take great pictures.

But thats just me ......

Once Live View was implemented, it was easy to make video, as it's adding software.

Although, I'm somewhat surprised the Mark IV doesn't have 1080p60, so perhaps that is a hardware concern.

Jethro790 wrote in post #9216499
You have come to the correct conclusion. Once DSLR's incorporated a system to do live view, making it record video was not much more than a few lines of code. The people that say that are foolish and stubborn, hands down.

Try buying a car in this country without air conditioning- it won't happen. Why? because the car would be unsalable to the next person in line. I live in NH, even in July/August I have zero need for air conditioning. It just isn't necessary. But I would never be so ignorant as to refuse to buy a car with A/C.

Why not? If you really do not need it then why would buy it. Cars come fully customizable, not cameras. Cameras are made the same.

Having an AC unit in your car requires you to have another fan on you radiator as well as other things that can weigh you down and cause more rubbish in the future that "zero need for" ultimately creates problems in the future.

hairy_moth wrote in post #9216607
Maybe canon should offer a 7Dvx with a different switch that prevents the selection of video.

But then it would sound like it has video because of the Dvx could mean divx arguement

Personally I don't see why people have such an issue with it. It is not going away and it's only going to be more apparent as the technology improves. They better get to used to seeing this feature added as new models continue to come out or be content with shooting with a dinosaur 5-10 years down the road. Their call. You don't "have" to use the feature and yes you're paying extra for it but just like the car reference above I'm sure there are features on peoples cars that have abilities to do but rarely ever use them, even though they paid for them.

I bought the 7D because of photography first and foremost but also to do short film cinematography. It's VERY economical in the sense that in order for me to get a still camera only that shoots this fast I would of had to spend already over a grand and then to get a prosumer 3 CCD HD camcorder even remotely giving DOF and cinematic feeling I would of had to spend an additional 3 or 4 grand just to start out on a basic 3 CCD. Cameras like the 7D, 5D2, D300s make that dual ability a very cheap option given the prices and performance of dedicated still cameras or prosumer camcorders.

hairy_moth wrote in post #9216376
While looking at a discussion on Amazon about choosing a Canon vs Nikon I saw the following:


I have seen comments like that here on POTN too and I just don't understand the criticism. One person mentioned that "DSLRs are being cluttered up with audio/video features".

The 7D's implementation is clean; video shares one button/switch with live view (which is much easier to get to now because of that button).

I just don't understand the problem people have with the feature. If you don't want it, don't use it. But to claim that it deducts from the package seems silly.

BTW.. I have decided, that I will no longer buy computers with a "scroll lock" key on the keyboard. I never use it and it just clutters up the keyboard. From now on, if you want me to buy your computer, it better be offered without scroll lock.

Some people are just purists. I think video on cameras are great!

Goldilocks.

And I bet that over time all those that say they wont use video WILL use it.

yeah most of them shut up though after the MKIV was announced with video. It then stopped for the most part being a "gimmick". I for one will probably never have a dedicated video camera again I love the 7D quality so much. The only downside for me is the 12 minutes at a time but other than that it is amazing.

nphsbuckeye wrote in post #9216698
Once Live View was implemented, it was easy to make video, as it's adding software.

Although, I'm somewhat surprised the Mark IV doesn't have 1080p60, so perhaps that is a hardware concern.

Yeah, easy - but if you're Canon now you have 2 "core functions" that need to be updated/upgraded when you release new cameras or firmware. And more things to test before release in your regression testing. If you put in a firmware fix that messes up the video - the screaming will begin.

As video technology expands users of the DSLR video want all the latest bells and whistles.

As DSLR technology expands, us still shooters want that.

So, you've got a toaster that also makes coffee. And you've got to keep both the coffee drinkers and the toast eaters happy.

I'd just prefer to get my toast from the toaster and coffee from ... Starbucks.

It comes from pure snobbery. Real pros just silently say "How can I make this work for me" or "I don't need that so I just won't use it". I figure wedding photographers drool over this feature, I know I did.

I bought a t1i because I got a great price on it and its slightly better than an XSI in terms of ISO performance. The video features are pure bonus. I don't mind that they're there, and its not like it gets in the way of shooting normally, does it?