D90 video is coming out unusually crappy

I

ir0nma1den

Member
Here is the setup I was using:


D90
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 manual focus lens
Aperture was around 5.6 - 8




On the D90 screen everything looked fine, but once I got the AVI files onto a real monitor, everything looked really crappy... artifacts, soft, etc.


My only guess was that it was too dim to be shooting at f/5.6 - 8 so the camera compensated by jacking the ISO way up. I've shot some short stuff before and never had this problem. I even converted the files to MOV and it still didn't look any better. Is there a way I can salvage the footage, or am I screwed? Also, what can I do next time to not run into this problem? I


I am about ready to get a T2i so I don't have to worry about this.




Here is a screenshot:


http://i.imgur.com/IGUB5.jpg
 
I could be all wet here, but as I understand it ISO is nothing more than what we call "gain" on a camcorder. Gain doesn't really change focus, it just adds or subtracts light. The screen shot you have shows nothing in focus, and maybe that was because the camera adjusted shutter speed possibly ??? I don't know for sure....but I would look somewhere in that direction, more so than ISO changes.

Good luck !!!
 
I agree, but it is capable of much better:
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???? Not really. Get rid of it and at least get a D5100. There is still no manual control but you can trick it and get a lot of control over it. The images it produces are excellent. Nothing at all compared to the D90.
 
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The D90 has worked really well for me. Take a look at my IMDB page with screenshots from some of my projects. It's capable of great things but you have to do a good bit of work in post to help it out, particularly with the D90 rescale plugin as well as a decent amount of sharpening. The footage won't be as sharp and clear as newer DSLR cameras simply because it was the original HDSLR. You have to realize this and work around it and, yes, some footage will look surprisingly soft, the camera does things in full auto so much that the compression could have risen and made things look clumpy. It's just one of those things you've got to watch out for but, depending on what the shot is, it should be fixable to the point of being passable. If focus was missed though, you may have to reshoot or cut to something else.
 
The D90 has worked really well for me. Take a look at my IMDB page with screenshots from some of my projects. It's capable of great things but you have to do a good bit of work in post to help it out, particularly with the D90 rescale plugin as well as a decent amount of sharpening. The footage won't be as sharp and clear as newer DSLR cameras simply because it was the original HDSLR. You have to realize this and work around it and, yes, some footage will look surprisingly soft, the camera does things in full auto so much that the compression could have risen and made things look clumpy. It's just one of those things you've got to watch out for but, depending on what the shot is, it should be fixable to the point of being passable. If focus was missed though, you may have to reshoot or cut to something else.
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Like I said: get something that works. For stills is a fantastic camera, I still use it. But for video, trust me, it is not worth the trouble. At all. We had this conversation years ago.
 
I love my D90 as a stills camera but it never was up to the task for video. I eventually bought a GH2 & the difference is night and day, not even remotely close. Granted, the D90 trashes it for stills & I keep it around for that.

Still waiting for the lovechild of the D90 & GH2
 
Yes, John, it would be better to use something else, I use a 5D Mark II now, but I came from the D90. I'm just trying to be constructive and help the guy out with what he's got. He's already said he'll get a T2i, but that won't fix what he's shot.
 
hmm I must've screwed up when filming because I just shot this video and it turned out alot better, although the quality still isn't what I would like it to be: http://vimeo.com/32728250

Maybe I should just sell it and pick up a D7000 instead, without getting a T2i.

Would that be a good option?

 
Hmm, I don't know if it's just Vimeo compression or what but, to me, it looks like you might have some focus issues there. It's very apparent when the skateboarders come towards the camera and they're only sharp right as they turn away. The shot of the cars coming up the road at the beginning also looked completely out as well. There's no doubt that you'd benefit from a D7000 with autofocus, even actors walking towards the camera can be an awkward focus exercise let alone trying to follow fast moving skateboarders. Plus, you could still use your current Nikon lenses without having to resort to adapters, I know that's one thing I'm going back and forth on for a potential second camera for my 5D Mark II.
 
Maybe I should just sell it and pick up a D7000 instead, without getting a T2i.
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Wonderful idea. The D7000 is fantastic. Nice video, great stills. The GH2 with the hack is the best video of all the DSLRs though.
 
I own a D90 and a 7D for stills. I LOVE the D90 for stills, but for video, to me it is just not worth the hassle. I'd get a t2i in a heartbeat if I was in that position again. I was an early adopter for the D90 buying it when it first came out.

With the t2i, you won't have to deal with that line skip issue, also, the rolling shutter is SIGNIFICANTLY faster on the t2i. Buying the 7D (which is similar to the t2i) was THE BEST decision I made.
 
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