The really BIG question...

[MyFilmPro]

Hello,

Okay, so I'm not an expert, but I'm learning fast and I'm really just trying to have the best equipment that I can afford and make good films.

And so, the question is this: If money is an issue (I can't afford to be buying things on a whim) is the D90 going to be the camera I should get? Or should I be waiting to see what comes out in the spring? Next year?

My thought was to sell one of my DVX100b's and get the the d90.

thanks.

[ryan brown]

Hold onto the DVX. I haven't heard from one person that this camera is a suitable replacement...

[wjm]

Yeah, hold tight - focus on shooting and writing good stories while the nerdo engineers and bean counters in Japan figure this stuff out. Then, when IT IS REVEALED and we all know it, you'll be ready.

[Car3o]

your question is too broad. there are advantages this has over the dvx, that the dvx has over this. what are you shooting now? what do you plan to shoot. and there hasn't been any person from here that hasn't said it'd be a suitable replacement. look over your limitations and compare the two. a while ago, people were asking the same question whether or not they should sell their dvx for an xl2 or vice versa. look into it more and make decision for yourself. it's your money. i can tell you that i'm selling mine for a d90, plus with the extra money left over it'll give me extra gear.

[J.R. Hudson]

The camera wars are over.

[MyFilmPro]

Hey guys,

Sorry about not giving enough info. I currently have two DVX100b because I was doing wedding video stuff, but I'm finding that isn't something I really want to pursue. The real reason I have my video gear is to be making films. Shorts for now and eventually feature length if I can work it.

So, I was thinking of selling one of my DVX's while I can still make some of the money back, and I'm thinking that a D90 might be a good investment.

I'm also working on building a 35mm adaptor for the DVX I'm keeping and should have that up and running soon. Really the big thing is that I want to be able to play with DOF and until I saw the D90 I thought an adapter was the answer. I'm still going to make it and a rail system.

I've basically spent the money I have to invest in equipment, but if I sell one DVX I'll still have a second and I'll have some money to buy the d90.

I know that I'm really the one that needs to make the decision, but I'm really just looking for advice. I'm good at building stuff and filming, but I'm not a huge "tech." Basically I'm learning as much as I can, but at heart I'm still pretty much just a kid running around with an 8mm camera and filming things I think look cool! (too bad I'm way older now!)

Thanks.

[Daryl Auguste]

I'm conflicted to. I own a DVX and a Letus extreme. The lack of light loss te D90 offers, as well as the beautiful bokeh and color make it a hard decisian. I thought I had it pegged and the D90 was my camera, but then I was rewatching some DVX footage and I love the way the camera looks. Its tough, really tough.

[Aroon_Narayanan]

Before you decide, look at the footage in this thread:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=146976&highlight=rolling+shutter
It looks like the D90 has some serious issues with rolling shutter.
Of course, this won't affect all kinds of shooting, but it's something to keep in mind.

[MyFilmPro]

Before you decide, look at the footage in this thread:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=146976&highlight=rolling+shutter
It looks like the D90 has some serious issues with rolling shutter.
Of course, this won't affect all kinds of shooting, but it's something to keep in mind.


Yeah I was looking at that too. What do you think combining footage from a DVX and the d90 will be like? Will it be jarring when you go from one camera to the other?

Either way I'm going to wait to see the results I can get from my 35mm adapter, but the d90 sure looks promissing.

[Car3o]

I can say from footage alone, the colors on the D90 can't be reproduced by the DVX....my opinion only.

[stoiqa]

We are two happy camps on this forum.

Those that have the camera and like it, and those that don't, and criticize it (this can only be constructive).
Look around, you`ll see filmmakers that already got the camera. Of course, this does not have to be grounds for running to the store and buy D90, just to give you a general idea on things.

My advice: buy it, play with it for a couple of days and see if it fits your vision.

If not, you still have your receipt, and 30days...what`s the worst that can happen?

Liking the camera and give up your 35mm adaptor heavy duty construction.

Cheers…

[Car3o]

14 days most likely..

[Joseph Stunzi]

My biggest problem with the D90 is audio. If you want to use a boom mic and what not, the workflow isn't really there to use that with the D90 besides getting an external recorder.

The D90 is nice, but lets wait and see what Canon and Panasonic have in store in this realm.

I vote you wait for now.

[f64manray]

I can say from footage alone, the colors on the D90 can't be reproduced by the DVX....my opinion only.

I share your view. I was on my way to buy a DVX100 until I saw the footage from the D90. I'm just not seeing the same eye popping imagery from the DVX. The contrast and color saturation from the DVX just doesn't seem to be up to par with the D90 unless someone can point me to some DVX footage I've missed. I saw the movie "November" which is probably some of the best that can be done with the DVX, and I'm thinking I prefer the D90. I would really like to see some indie try a feature with one.

I certainly like the audio capability better on the DVX though. ;-)

[John Sandel]

"Those that have the camera and like it, and those that don't, and criticize it (this can only be constructive)."

… laughing out loud at this … jesus. It's true.

I don't have a D90. I'm waiting to see what, if anything, Canon announces at Photokina next week. As someone noted in the Monster Thread, there are strong rumors that the new 5D Mk II will have "HD Video," which hopefully includes the word "out" (if not the words "manual everything," "RAW," "1080i" and/or "XLR").

Here's what I hope: that on testing the D90 I find it's sufficient, given its faults, to replace my cumbersome miniDV package (cam, sticks, jib, dolly, steadicamknockoff etc). Hell, the latitude of the D90's sensor alone shouts "smaller lighting setups!" That could translate into further savings, which I can plow into other parts of the agony of shooting.

So, I'm with the folks who say test, test and decide how you'd use the thing. As Kholi said in his primer, don't let anyone else spend your money for you.

[puredrifting]

I think may people here are getting caught up in the hype of the D90. Is it a cool camera? Yes. Is it capable of shooting good looking video? Yes, with limitations and bad audio and only if you know what you are doing.

The DVX-100 is a great camera, albeit SD. Keep in mind that at least one or two recent Oscar winning films were shot on it.

As a D300 owner and I have played with the D90, it holds a lot of promise but it's a still camera that shoots video. It has lots of technical limitations at this point and the ergonomics and physical limitations when shooting video mean that it is kind of toy for video at the moment. Not to say that great work can't be shot with it, it can be, it makes great pictures, but double system sound, buying fast Nikon lenses, etc. are all issues that are going to nail a lot of noobs that think that the D90 is a great camera for creating their film. It's not, it is a camera that can make great images but only when the user it willing to sacrifice convenience and ergonomics and using a camera not intended for making films.

Caveat emptor.

Dan

[Thebes]

I had just bought a 2nd HV20 when I heard that the D90 was indeed confirmed to have video. I canceled that order and am glad I did. I had planned to use one HV20 with a Letus Mini, I'd tried a home-build-quality DOF adapter and was fairly disappointed.

I think that a D90 could be an excellent choice vs a camera with DOF adapter. I would suggest thinking of it as a 2nd camera, for situations where its appropriate. As much as I am loving mine I don't think I'd suggest it as an only camera.

[John Caballero]

Don't sell the DVX. I got the D90 and as a video DSLR is a great start for Nikon but a professional tool for film makers it is not. For still photography, which is my main use for it, amazing.
The D90 has way too many issues to be used professionally, starting with the rolling shutter issue all the way to sharpness, resolution, compression issues and more. It is great to experiment and be ready for what the future might bring. It is good to have in case a major newsworhty event suddenly unfolds in front of you and you are able to capture it on video and photographs by example. Good for vacations and light moments, but to create something for broadcast or cine projection it is not there yet. Sorry, but thats my final judgement after playing with it extensively in the last few days.

[Matthew Bennett]

So, I was thinking of selling one of my DVX's while I can still make some of the money back, and I'm thinking that a D90 might be a good investment.



Whoah ... DO NOT SELL YOUR DVX! (or any other camera you may have) for a D90

What would do for sound recording??

ONLY BUY the d90 if you can afford to buy it "FOR FUN" and "AN EXPERIMENT". A d90 will never make you money as a videographer (anything's possible, though..)

[Anhar Miah]

I can say from footage alone, the colors on the D90 can't be reproduced by the DVX....my opinion only.

Its a larger sensor, it not really a fair comparison, then there is the compression and color sampling that goes on;

Take a look at Andromeda:

http://www.reel-stream.com/gallery.php

looking at the raw data (rather than the highly compressed MiniDV data), the colors and dynamic range can be better.