D90 vs 5D Mark II thread

amen! great shots Zak, we can discuss specs all day but they have no relationship to actually shooting and comparing results. kudos.
 
And don't forget... at $850ish, it's simply a stellar SLR still camera. One that will give you pro results for YEARS as you eBay up a nice glass collection, and one that will hold a lot of resale value when the next body comes out (I tend to get at least 50% return on eBay when I upgrade, for cameras that paid for themselves in the first month). And someday you'll use that same glass on the next level of SLR, or maybe on a Scarlet with Nikon mount. (Heck, a lot of the recent Bourne flick was shot with Nikon zooms with Arri mounts).

I've been through the D100, D70, & D80. I've shot on 'em with pre-AI manual lenses that were considered legendary in the 70's, before AF - same gorgeous glass, jump through some "manual" hoops, but less than $100. I've got late 80's and 90's AF & D lenses that I've shot high-profile clients with (on film with N90's and 8008s and now digital). Consider the video icing on the cake. (And I'm sure the same goes for Canon gear).
 
I believe that none are on par for professional video making the way I like doing, not for aesthetics, but for practical reasons (and strong compression). - Don't flame me, it's a personal feeling, not absolute truth.

So, since they are still just for play (and stills), I'd rather get a D90 and save 2000 for my next serious camera purchase. (besides, I have a lot of Nikkors hanging around)

:D
 
I believe that none are on par for professional video making the way I like doing, not for aesthetics, but for practical reasons (and strong compression). - Don't flame me, it's a personal feeling, not absolute truth.

So, since they are still just for play (and stills), I'd rather get a D90 and save 2000 for my next serious camera purchase. (besides, I have a lot of Nikkors hanging around)

:D
Olha Júlio,

Eu vou com a Canon.

Pq estás pensando isso? Eu tb pensei assim mas tenho andado a mudar de ideias - no Vimeo vem mto + comprimido, o mm p/ o ficheiro disponível p/ download. Vê o link abaixo.



I am on the Canon 5D Mark II route though. Why are you thinking this? I've also thought the same but have changed my mind -- Vimeo is compressed, the same for the download file available there.

Follow the link:

Does the Canon EOS 5D Mk. II have a quality codec?


Abraço e Feliz Ano 2009 (hope see more new work from you soon),
Emanuel :)



PS < aside the manual control thing > Plus, MPEG-4 @ circa 40mbps is more advanced and higher than MPEG-2 XDCAM. Is it not enough even for theatrical release? I've seen MPEG-2 HDV blown up to 35mm @ big screen (it goes very well).
 
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Canon 5d is much better even without 24p. However, I have seen some good work with the d90. Its a tool like anything else. Here is some quality shooting that I found on vimeo. It really shows the potential of the 5d for documentary work.

Link


ohh man ...this is pretty impressive...
 
I have been 100% in favor of the DSLRs shooting video since Nikon started it. I am passionate about it. I went out and purchased a Nikon D90 the minute they were available. I believe in the technology but unfortunetely the D90 is not it yet. I love it for the stills, and I have gotten back my investment, but for movies is just a glimpse of the future. The image quality is not there. No matter what some people say it is not there. It is a good practicing camera for future versions. You play with it now so when better versions come along you will be ready. The Canon 5D Mark ll is showing that it has much better quality. You have to take into account the sensor size as the biggest plus. The quality in a lot of the footage is outstanding. And a lot of it right out of the camera.
I love my D90 but I wouldn't invest a minute of my time in trying to do something serious with it. It ain't a good way to invest your valuable time.
 
I have been 100% in favor of the DSLRs shooting video since Nikon started it. I am passionate about it. I went out and purchased a Nikon D90 the minute they were available. I believe in the technology but unfortunetely the D90 is not it yet. I love it for the stills, and I have gotten back my investment, but for movies is just a glimpse of the future. The image quality is not there. No matter what some people say it is not there. It is a good practicing camera for future versions. You play with it now so when better versions come along you will be ready. The Canon 5D Mark ll is showing that it has much better quality. You have to take into account the sensor size as the biggest plus. The quality in a lot of the footage is outstanding. And a lot of it right out of the camera.
I love my D90 but I wouldn't invest a minute of my time in trying to do something serious with it. It ain't a good way to invest your valuable time.

i guess we'll see, won't we.
 
this reminds me, well since i was just a baby i don't really remember it but whatever, of the 70's when everybody said 16mm and especially super 8 couldn't be used professionally. a lot of people showed that image sharpness is only a tiny part of it. hey people have been making great looking films on mini dv, and the d90 beats most of them by far (not the handling obviously).

(i'm also shooting a feature on the d90 in a couple of weeks btw. we could afford a lot more but for various reasons this is what we chose)

/matt
 
Olha Júlio,

Eu vou com a Canon.

Pq estás pensando isso? Eu tb pensei assim mas tenho andado a mudar de ideias - no Vimeo vem mto + comprimido, o mm p/ o ficheiro disponível p/ download. Vê o link abaixo.



I am on the Canon 5D Mark II route though. Why are you thinking this? I've also thought the same but have changed my mind -- Vimeo is compressed, the same for the download file available there.

Follow the link:

Does the Canon EOS 5D Mk. II have a quality codec?


Abraço e Feliz Ano 2009 (hope see more new work from you soon),
Emanuel :)



PS < aside the manual control thing > Plus, MPEG-4 @ circa 40mbps is more advanced and higher than MPEG-2 XDCAM. Is it not enough even for theatrical release? I've seen MPEG-2 HDV blown up to 35mm @ big screen (it goes very well).

I'm not saying if the camera is or not capable of broadcast (or even cinema) grade images. I'm just saying that I don't have the time to play with camera settings and voodoo my camera like there's no tomorrow, just to get a proper and consistent shutter speed. Not to mention aperture.

Since the canon can't give me what I want: Manual controls first of all, I'm getting a D90. I just sold my D40 and feel like I'm upgrading my DSLR (for one that can meter with my manual nikkors) and getting a cool toy with it.

When the cameras are there, I can get my 2000 bucks I just saved and invest in a proper tool for my work.

[flame shields up]It's not that difficult to make a client pay for a RED rental, anyway... [/flame shields up] :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

Again, the first camera that comes out, that I think is practical and capable enough for my needs will get my order. Being it a Scarlet or a DSLR.

:thumbup:
 
I'm not saying if the camera is or not capable of broadcast (or even cinema) grade images. I'm just saying that I don't have the time to play with camera settings and voodoo my camera like there's no tomorrow, just to get a proper and consistent shutter speed. Not to mention aperture.

Since the canon can't give me what I want: Manual controls first of all, I'm getting a D90. I just sold my D40 and feel like I'm upgrading my DSLR (for one that can meter with my manual nikkors) and getting a cool toy with it.

When the cameras are there, I can get my 2000 bucks I just saved and invest in a proper tool for my work.

[flame shields up]It's not that difficult to make a client pay for a RED rental, anyway... [/flame shields up] :Drogar-Evil(DBG):

Again, the first camera that comes out, that I think is practical and capable enough for my needs will get my order. Being it a Scarlet or a DSLR.

:thumbup:

You and I are on the same page.
 
I don't know how it works with both of you. To me, to deal with workarounds is part of any learning process as my own. I'm always going with the best picture for the buck.
 
Obviously the camera market is changing rapidly. I'd rather be stuck with a D90 and get the right camera in 1 or 2 years, than be stuck with the 5D Mark II and have to still buy the right camera in 2 years. The 5D is 30p, no manual controls, and is about 2 xs the price of the D90. It's a better image but at the price of 30p instead of 24p, and I can get footage out of the D90 that a lot of 5D Mark II owners will never be able to get out of their camera. So its a waiting game. I'm perfectly content with the D90, and my HV20+Letus set ups. The low light with the 5D is amazing to be sure, but it's not worth the extra 1500 bucks compared to the D90, which I'm getting fab results with in low light anyhow. 720p is turning out to be a very nice thing. It's making editing and delivery an easier work flow, and the results are beautiful.
 
For me, the must-have features for the 5d is the full-frame format and much better low-light.

The D90 has 24p, though.....

Something tells me I am just gonna hold out and wait til there is a full-frame 24p camera with manual controls.
 
a four thirds video camera would be cool, but probably less ideal for someone who is trying to create creative advanced video.

It's harder to control DOF on the four thirds (or micro four thirds) because of their smaller sensor. Which means it would also not do as well in low light.

It would still be better than your typical handy cam, and could be really cool depending on your shooting style. As the colors would still be richer. Four Thirds glass is really nice if control of less DOF is not your main concern. Four Thirds glass is sharp and produces nice color contrast.
 
Oh come on, four thirds is double the size of 16mm and 2/3 video, and about the same as academy aperture 35mm. There's plenty of dof options. Full frame 35mm for motion pictures started with adapters and hopefully ends there too, in my opinion.
 
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