Advice Needed - Shooting ENG/Documentary with Nikon D90

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Hey guys, I've been a long time lurker, looking for info about HDSLR filmaking and other news, but I am finally knee deep in a situation I need some help with.

I currently have a Nikon D90, and with just a very limited budget, I am trying to handle ENG/Documentary coverage of the new Formula 1 track they are building in Austin with my website, The Austin Grand Prix.

In our two different on-site shoots, we've struggled to get usable video because of:
1: audio clarity
2: harsh lighting
3: stable shots with photographer's tripod head
4: clip length limited to 5 min (d90 limit)

Video 1: Track Site Visit (had friend to press record, no other assistants)
Video 2: Construction Update (done by myself with no assistant, big pain in the ass)

Now, I am looking to expand my capabilities on a tight budget and it seems like the first priority is to get a good microphone and an external recorder. I am curious if you guys can watch the videos and maybe give me some feedback on what major technical problems you see (please ignore editing for now, done in 1 hour total for both) and shed some light on my anticipated phasing of new equipment over the next 6 months or so.

1: Microphone (still debating about a hot shoe or a handheld for interviews: Rode VideoMic Pro or a Shure Extended Handheld)
2: Portable Digital Audio recorder (Ikey MP3/WAV recorder)
3: Collapsible Reflector (Wescott Illuminator)
4: Video Head (Manfrotto micro fluid head)

Again, please refrain from bashing, video is new to me and I am trying to do this all on my own while in graduate school in Architecture. Of course, I am interesting in using video in my presentation of architecture, hence my reason for lurking here and at REDuser (dreaming of Scarlet and a millionaire investor...)

Thanks for you help in advance, I have been pleasantly surprised with this community.

KO
 
My first thought... I really don't know your plans or exact type of shooting you will be doing. But I would not use a D90 for ENG/documentary as you stated. You need to be able to get shots quickly and efficiently. It's OK for a set up sit down interview and shots that aren't time critical. A D90 certainly wouldn't be my choice of camera for the usage I envision you doing. Now if you are planning and setting up every shot maybe you'll pull it off. This camera really limits your ability to run and gun with ENG/documentary type shooting. Storage time is another issue. You might want to rethink using this camera for one better suited for ENG/documentary.
 
Thanks Tommy, I totally agree and understand that the D90 is not suitable for this environment. However, I already own it and love it for stills work, but I am now finding that the video is important to my website and our fans.

I know it's somewhat a lost cause, but since the camera is already something I own, I need to add on to get some better results than I have now. Seems like audio is number one, and I may be buying a Handheld and a Boom/Shoe mount together to ensure I cover myself for interviews since that is going to be important for me.

I'm changing my list to include the Tascam DR-07 instead of the IKey, seems like a better product all things considered.
 
ok, went ahead and bit the bullet though I haven't gotten much response, hope things turn out ok, I'll post my impressions on the following equipment after I have had a chance to use them a bit.

1: Tascam DR-07 Digital Recorder
2: Shure VP64AL - Hand-held ENG Microphone
3: Microphone Flag (for branding)
4: Manfrotto 700RC2 Mini Video Fluid Head
5: Redhead Windscreen
 
I hope you see this before you really start rolling...I have a D90 and know the issues with it so might I make a suggestion. Get something like the Canon RF10 ($279 at B and H) or if you can afford it, one of the models a bit higher up...doesn't truly matter though. Just use it for those deep focus shots...like the fencing etc. You will not have the dreaded colored moire and aliasing that the D90 has. I would use the D90 strictly for interviews with nothing in the background in focus. (Do you have ND filters for it...you'll need them in bright light to maintain correct exposure/shutter speed and shallow dof) Another option maybe to use the camcorder for the majority of the video while using the D90 for stills/timelapse. The other items you purchased would still be valuable tools...I just think for not a lot more money, you could really add a better tool for those high detail deep focus shots the D90 has so much trouble with. Anyway...good luck with the project.
 
Thanks a lot for your recommendation PulpFiction007, I think you are completely correct, I absolutely dread the moire and aliasing problems of this line skipping camera. I have thought about picking up a used DVX100A/B or just a HV40/HF10, do you think these would help us? What about the differences between mixing camera footage for a single video, how could I help to minimize that effect between a camcorder and a d90?
 
Yes on the HV40 being a help...I'd also recomment the one I have- the Canon HFS200...and it's REALLY cheap right now - $650 or less at B and H. The picture with good to moderate lighting is very very good and the touch screen focus actually works. You also get zebras, selectable gain limit, audio level conrols, headphone jack for monitoring, the LCD is high res, 1080 24p or 30p. The Dynamic OIS really evens out handheld stuff. It's a pretty incredible camera. As far as matching...I think if you just use the D90 for the close ups and the camcorder for master shots/following what's going on you could get it pretty close with some experimenting and touch up in post. You might find The HFS so good that you end up doing most of your filming with it - if you stand back or mount the camera 15 to 20 feet or so from your subject and zoom in - you'll get a pretty nice subject isolation (not DLSR shallow) but it works.
What I've thought about at times with my set-up is just using the D90 for stills dropped in at certain times (Ken Burns style I guess) and then filming all else with the HFS 200. Now on a narrative, I would probably want a DLSR 35mm style a lot more, but for docs or events I think the camcorder is an extremely valuable tool.
As far as AVCHD goes...you need a pretty fast computer. The HFS200 can convert the footage in camera to SD as well. The DVX might also be a good option, depending on if you don't mind that it's SD only.
 
I agree with pulpfiction. There are some really good deals to be had on dedicated video cameras these days. I'd highly recommend a used DVX, which can be had for as little as $800 or so now. They are such fantastic cameras and SO much more fun to shoot on. And it sounds like you don't need HD if this is for the web.

I shoot all in HD these days, but spent a couple nights editing DVX footage this week and it reminded me how awesome those cameras are. I miss my DVX!!!
 
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