How often do you shoot video with your DSLR?

[bigblue1ca]

I shoot probably 98% stills and 2% video.

I was just at my kids' school Christmas concert last week and I got the stills I wanted to right off the hop when my kids were on stage and then switched to video to capture the action and singing. While I rarely use the video function, I'm happy to have it there as an option, just for such occasions.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I don't believe I've used my 7D for video at all, my 5D MK II a couple of times in three years. I am not a video person, but having video on my DSLR is fine, it might come in handy some day.

 

[daveswan]

Well, my 550D hardly ever leaves Movie Mode (It's what I bought it for), when I want to do stills I use my 5D (Original MkI)

 

[silversurfer96]

I used to carry a Sony camcorder with me for video along with my camera, but since getting the 7D, I stopped carrying it. It's not the same as there are certain things you can do more with a dedicated camcorder, but I preferred to travel light. For 80% still and 20% video.

 

[friedmud]

My 450D couldn't do video... And I've only had a 7D for a few weeks... But either way I don'tlan on doing much with video.

Currently, if I want to shoot video my iphone 4S does a great job without a lot of hassle (if I'm shooting video it's generally just to capture some vacation style moment).

Eventually, I'll try video on the 7D, but that's certainly not what I bought it for...

 

[Richard8971]

Video??? My 7D does video???

One feature I really wish Canon would leave out of their DSLR line. If I wanted a video camera I would have bought one!

D

 

[Image Zone Photography]

Never. By the time you get a DSLR setup for video it looks like some kind of weird transformer, mike, preview screen, audio, etc. You want to shoot video buy a dedicated video camera. Adding video to the DSLR was just a market ploy to sell more cameras. I would like to see the results of this survey. I would venture to bet that the Professional Studio Photographer, ie food, portraits, still life, etc don't use it. The Professional sports photographer don't use it. The professional news photographers don't use it. The professional Wedding photographer don't use it. I hope Canon gets rid of the Video on their DSLRs and provides other features the above photographers will use and lower the price point accordingly. 8)

 

[J. McCabe]

I use my 5Dmk2 for video from time to time.

Usually it's when I'm going to a band's show, and I want to shoot one song (the band and people dancing) on video for the fun of it, or short clips on video (a nephew starts walking, etc), and such. I'm not going to buy a video camera for this kind of stuff, and nobody expects it to be pro cinema level.

Once a friend loaned it for 1 & 1/2 day to shoot a clip of his song. It was done quickly & cheaply, and the results aren't cinema quality, but still better than some stuff I've seen on MTV.

I didn't buy the camera for the video abilities, but it's nice to shoot video with it occasionally.

 

[daveswan]

Well my understanding is that video was added to the 5DII specifically for photojournalists who were clammering for it, it was only later that the quality atracted the cinema crowd.

When I'm using my 550D for cine I'll have a 7" Lilliput monitor hooked up to the HDMI O/P, but that's about it, though I have abandoned my 24-105 L zoom in favour of Leica R glass.

As of now, all the cine functionalaty is done in firmware, so doesn't cost any more in terms of engineering. That may change with the latest generation of sensors / DSP.

When shooting cine on a DSLR one has to take the same care as if one were running 35mm film stock through an Arriflex, it only doesn't cost as much, trying to use it like a point 'n' shoot camcorder is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Lenscracker]

NEVER. If I had wanted video, I would have bought a video camera instead of 5D2 and 7D.

 

[Ryusui]

I wonder if I'm the only one who is confused as to why, if some users don't find purpose in a feature, it means that the feature is;

• absolutely worthless
• needs to be removed

It's already been said here in this thread that there are people who bought their DSLR specifically for its video purposes, and others who do use the video quite a bit. But just because some people never use it or think it's unnecessary, then it automatically makes that feature - and everyone who wants and/or uses it - irrelevant.

Additionally, if they were to split their DSLRs into video and non-video lines, I'd be willing to bet that Canon would amortize the additional cost of said split by increasing the price of both lines, reducing the cost difference of the non-video line.

I just wonder why so many seem like they're personally insulted by having video added to their DSLRs, when it doesn't do anything to impair their use of it.

 

[rocketdesigner]

my DSLR only shoots stills for use as custom white balance, and for lens tests; everything else is video, so I guess my answer is "100%"

edit: I'm sorry, no disrespect, and please don't take this badly, but I hate it when -usually uninformed- people say "if you want to shoot video just use a video camera" - most often they don't have a clue - did I tell them to use a point-and-shoot instead of their DSLR? because it's basically the same: tiny sensor, s___ty pictures

+2

 

[Minnesota Nice]

I shoot more video than pictures.

I bought my 60D specifically for the video quality.

 

[tron]

I don't. I have used it one or two times back in 2009 when I bought it and I realized one month ago that I had even forgotten that I can take videos! I just don't care for now.

 

[Kane]

I bought my 7d when it came out mainly for use as a still camera but liked the option of having video. As I work in television I have used my 7d and a 5d mark ii on a few projects and the results are great for what it is. The 5d mark ii and 7d are not great cameras for high end use but when rigged out properly, much easier to shoot with and create a complementry cinematic look (especially with fast lenses like the 50 1.2), when paired with a prosumer camera like the ex3. I would be greatly disappointed if canon stopped using video as a feature in its dslrs because even if you're not using it for projects, when a once in a lifetime moment occurs and a still wont be able to capture it all you have to do is flip a switch and press record. If your serious about shooting then get a c300 and a set of the cine lenses.

 

[Jedifarce]

Sorry, that 'Portrait professional' ad is really throwing me.

 

[squarebox]

I know I'm just nitpicking, but I don't shoot video as much as I want to because dealing with the MOV files afterwards is a complete hassle and a half. Really wish they were in a more universal container like AVI.

That being said, the reason i bought my Kiss X4 over the 50D was specifically because the kiss had video. I shoot to capture memories, and something I've realized, and it may just be my lack of skill, but you can't capture a persons complete personality in a picture. More specific body gestures and speaking (which is even more interesting in my case cause all my friends are speaking in non-native Japanese so they say screwed up stuff often).

 

[daveswan]

Well MOV is (I think) more universal than AVI now.

You could try MPEGstreamclip or even 5DtoRGB from realvision, transcoding either to Prores or DNxHD (I use the latter, being Avid / PC). The basic DNxHD codecs are available free from Avid.

Filming with a DSLR takes more deliberation than with a handy-cam (Which, I think, would be better for holiday / everyday video).

The "C" crop sensors are comparable to 35mm cine film, while the 5DII sensor is like Vista-Vision, and need the same care in focus. Using a DSLR hand-held is a recipe for Un-watchable footage.

 

[JR]

During Xmas I made a lot of home made familily movie using my 24mm lens on my 5D mkII and I was pretty impressed with the result. Given the near infinit DoF of the 24mm at certain aperture and short distance, I did not have to worry about focusing. I also used a tripod with a fluid head (Gitzo).

Now I am hooked! I will use this for family movies from now one. IQ is very impressive...

 

[daveswan]

At the moment I use my 550D (With 7" monitor) on a fluid-head tripod, Sachtler FSB-6 on Miller solo legs. I am now looking at a mid-range Glidecam for hand-held shots.