D7100 for docs

L

lenogen

New member
Hello all!

First time poster here.

So I have a Canon T3(no 'i') and a Fujifilm X-E1(primary camera) and I am just now starting to explore video for some very specific applications. I am primarily a stills guy, mainly due to being terrible at video at the moment. I want a camera that performs great for stills AND video. I primarily want to create documentaries and documentary-commercials(docu-mercials?) and for interior architecture filming (for homes).

The D7100 sounds like an amazing camera. DR, weather-sealing, high FPS, no filter, 1080p/24fps, clean hdmi out, mic/headphone jack.

However, I have seen 'test' footage comparing it to other cameras and the D7100 always appears soft. Have you guys found the footage to be troublesomely soft? Note that I do plan to color grade and fully utilize post processing. Is it capable of delivering video that is commercially viable for say the web or local tv? Any pitfalls to be aware of or other recommendations?

So glad I found this group. A lot of you have done some amazing work!

Thanks!
 
It's not the sharpest camera around. It seems to resolve about as much detail as the best Canon DSLRs. If those seem to be sharper, it is because all but the 5D3 are plagued by fake detail (which is what happens with aliasing).
Since it's clean, you can apply sharpening if needed, this one takes it well.
 
Well that is good to hear!

This camera should perform quite well for the applications I listed then?

Thanks!
 
I bought my d7100 last summer after shooting run and gun at a comic convention with my t2i w/juiced link and having my audio go bad.

As a run and gun camera, it offer a lot of usability upgrades over the Canon rebels.

In terms of IQ, to my eyes, it is a lot better than the Canon stuff. It has a decent amount more DR and is sharper than all the Canons.

I like how the Nikon handles colors and I've found the footage to hold up a bit better than the canons when playing around with it in post.

All these comments are in regards to video performance.

When it comes to stills, the d7100 is in another league completely. It stomps on the Canons.
 
That is good to hear. Both sides are important to me.

Do you record sound and video through the camera or use external recorders? I assume it is acceptable out of the camera.

Thanks!
 
It's a stellar video cam for a $1k DSLR, and I have no sharpness problems - I do have nice glass though.

I would not use the internal audio - even with an external preamp, it's sub par. I posted a thread in the general DSLR thread regarding my experiences with the Tascam DR-60D ($200, includes pluraleyes - pretty much a steal). The line out of the Tascam does upgrade the internal audio quality a bit, so if you forget to hit "record" on the Tascam, you'll have useable sound if you stage your gain correctly.

This is a freebie I did recently - the main teacher interview used a Nikkor 85mm 1.8, the female customer and the class shots an old 35-70 2.8, the guy interview the 85. (I've since gotten the 28-70 2.8 which isn't as misty and flat as the 35-70. That 85 is freakin' gorgeous for a $300-ish lens{used price anyway}). Audio was all tascam:


That said, DSLRs are not great run & gun cameras, but they'll work. I really find having a 'real' pro video camera (XLRs, viewfinder, power zoom, built in NDs and remote control) to be a major part of my kit. You will miss a LOT of shots dicking around with ND alone on a DSLR, and having one lens that covers everything is a huge timesaver - I find DSLRs to be best when there's more of a "plan" to the day.
 
Very good to know.

I plan on using some old Canon FD lenses on it. I currently use them on the Fuji and love them.

Most of the stuff I plan to shoot should be pretty 'staged' and I really want the DSLR DOF. Plus the stills as thats what brings me the most business at the moment. Though a strong 'real' one would be nice down the road...just in case.

Very nice work. Thank you very much for the info!
 
Michael awesome footage! any other videos out there that show us how the d7100 performs in the documentaries?
Thank you
 
All 4 videos linked on this web site. The big guy with glasses is the 85 1.8, the guy with the beard is the 50 1.8.

Here's some grabs from upcoming music video (graded outdoor shots have some magenta tint, playing with faded film look):

awaydear+TC-alt-1080.jpg
85 1.8

DSC_7987.jpg
probably 28-70

DSC_8259.jpg
18-35 3.5

DSC_8276.jpg
28-70 2.8

cam.jpg
28-70 2.8
 
lenogen said:
Very good to know.

I plan on using some old Canon FD lenses on it. I currently use them on the Fuji and love them.
Click to expand...

Well sorry but you can't use Canon FD lenses on the Nikon D7100. You can use them only on mirrorless cameras that have a shallow flange distance.

Concerning the D7100, it's one of the best video-shooting DSLRs on the market. The image is adequately detailed, has no moire/aliasing, and excellent in lowlight. Image is comparable to the 5D mk III so it will be a huge step up from your 1100D (I have one somewhere. Horrible video image but decent stills though)

If you can give up some of the photography features, the D5300 is an even better video camera than the D7100. Does 60p 1080p, has a bigger articulated screen, and the image is better in low-light (less fixed pattern noise found on the D7100).

If you need the photography features (weather sealing, twin dials, tougher body, 1/8000 shutter, top lcd, etc) then the D7100 is a very good hybrid for both video and photo.
 
Ebrahim Saadawi said:
Well sorry but you can't use Canon FD lenses on the Nikon D7100. You can use them only on mirrorless cameras that have a shallow flange distance.

Concerning the D7100, it's one of the best video-shooting DSLRs on the market. The image is adequately detailed, has no moire/aliasing, and excellent in lowlight. Image is comparable to the 5D mk III so it will be a huge step up from your 1100D (I have one somewhere. Horrible video image but decent stills though)

If you can give up some of the photography features, the D5300 is an even better video camera than the D7100. Does 60p 1080p, has a bigger articulated screen, and the image is better in low-light (less fixed pattern noise found on the D7100).

If you need the photography features (weather sealing, twin dials, tougher body, 1/8000 shutter, top lcd, etc) then the D7100 is a very good hybrid for both video and photo.
Click to expand...


Thanks, Ebrahim!

I found that out later on and have since sold most of them ( I kept the Fujifilm X-E1 and Canon FD 50mm 1.4).

Ended up with the D610 and have been loving it so far. Using it for both video/stills.
 
Ebrahim so you think that for video the 5300 is better then 7100? I m about to buy the New DSLR just for the video not for pictures....so i m interested in t'he discussion
thx
 
lenogen said:
Thanks, Ebrahim!

Ended up with the D610 and have been loving it so far. Using it for both video/stills.
Click to expand...

Enjoy! The full-frame aesthetic is simply stunning compared to any crop-sensor image.

Stelvium said:
Ebrahim so you think that for video the 5300 is better then 7100? I m about to buy the New DSLR just for the video not for pictures....so i m interested in t'he discussion
thx
Click to expand...

Yes, Stelvium. The D5300 is a newer generation compared to the D7100, therefore has more features and better video overall.

-Shoots 1080p slowmotion (60p) compared to only 720p on the D7100
-Has an articulated screen which is super important for video shooting
-The screen is also bigger and higher in resolution
-The video image quality is better. (Has no ugly fixed pattern noise in the shadows)
-Lighter in weight and smaller in size, more compact for carrying

The D7100 has an advantage though for serious sports/news photographers as it shoots photos faster, has a stronger weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, goes to 1/8000 shutter speed, has top LCD, more buttons, etc. So if you're not a professional photographer and require these extra photography featurs, the D5300 is a better video camera.
 
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