Nikon vs Lumix

M

monks19

Active member
Hi. I'm considering changing boat and jump on the Nikon side. What would you recommand, as long as it can match the Lumix G6 ? I need it to be able to shoot, sometimes, long events in low light (meaning continuous recording) & with big zoom lenses (like te Sigma 51-150mm, f/2.8, for Nikon mounts) & also with autofocus properties. That kind of lenses, as far as I know, arent made by Lumix.

Any ideas of which model I should get ?

Thanks to answer
 
Yeah. But the lenses are an issue, especially if the one I can get are mostly nikon. Like I said, I can't really film a live event (weddings, dance events, shows, sports, etc) without autofocus. Most of the Lumix ones doesn't have a long focal lenght or range (the one I saw on Pany's website doesn't go beyond 100mm) and are very expensieve (almost the double price of Nikon, even used). Which is why I'm considering moving to Nikon.

So like I asked, which Nikon camera is the closest to the Lumix G6 with it's features (Full AVCHD 1980p, 24p, 30p, 60p/60i) for videos ?

I was considering the D5200, but what else would you recommand ?

Thanks to answer

Thanks to answer
 
Nikon DSLRs do not do autofocus and none of them record more than 30 minutes at a time. This is not your solution.
 
If it's not good, what would you recommand for lenses ? Or do you have any methods on how to use ergonomically manual lenses during a fast live events ?
 
monks19 said:
Are you sure ? What about this one ?
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I have been a Nikon shooter for 15 years, and a photographer for 30. I have 8 Nikon DSLR's most of which do video, and over a dozen Nikon lenses plus others. You are welcome to take my advice or ignore it. I record video with my Nikon's by capturing the video through the HDMI port to a Blackmagic Hyperdeck Shuttle. This works well.

None of these cameras autofocus well enough to use them on moving subjects. They are quite slow even for static subjects. The Nikon 1 cameras MIGHT be fast enough, but they are likely no better in low light than what you have and for $1k it's probably not worth the jump.

These are not video cameras and from the sounds of it, that's what you want.
 
PerroneFord said:
Nikon DSLRs do not do autofocus and none of them record more than 30 minutes at a time. This is not your solution.
Click to expand...

Nikon DSLRs DO autofocus. Maybe a little slow, but they do. I use it to get me started at the beginning of the shot, then stay on manual focus. I don't recommend using during a shot, because it will hunt for focus.
 
Sumfun said:
Nikon DSLRs DO autofocus. Maybe a little slow, but they do. I use it to get me started at the beginning of the shot, then stay on manual focus. I don't recommend using during a shot, because it will hunt for focus.
Click to expand...

Yes. I know. Which is why I stated the following: "None of these cameras autofocus well enough to use them on moving subjects." For the purposes of our discussion, these cameras don't autofocus in a way that would be helpful.
 
Then I guess the best solution is to build some kind of follow focus that I'll be able (somehow) to synchronize with the focus ring.
 
I can't afford it. I'm just a small time videographer who's trying to get his kick out of it & because I like that. I would like to make a good living out of it, but, in my case, it's only a hobby and I have to live through odd jobs (when avalaible). I can't afford university and the past formations/educations are fading away. So, I'm trying to start from scratch... again... The DSLR seemed to be a good compromise with that situation.
 
DSLRs generally end up costing as much or more than basic videocameras when you get all the stuff on them they actually need. This is not a cheap proposition. In fact, video in general is not an inexpensive hobby. I don't want to discourage you from pursuing what you want to do, but I do want you to enter this with your eyes open.
 
Ok, thanks. What video camera woud you recommand ? Whatever it is, I can't afford it new. I mean, I can't pay between 4k$ to 6k$ in one shot. That's why I'm on the DSLR boat.
 
The best Nikons for video right now would be the D5300 and the D7100.
The D5300 has 1080p60 and is cheaper, the D7100 has better ergonomics and better photography features.
Definitely worth a try if you decide you can do manual focus, I think they are the best cameras at their price right now. But they won't focus for you (in a useful way).
 
You didn't say what type of shooting you do. Sometimes people mean different things by auto focus. If you're talking continuous tracking, then no the Nikon isn't for you. I have a D7100.

Instead, if you mean you want to quickly find focus on an animal or athlete at a distance and then are willing to make minor adjustments by hand if the subject moves, then the Nikon set up will work with either of those two lenses. VR, Nikon's image stabilization can be helpful for these longer lenses. I don't know about the sigma lens though.

The speed of the auto focus on Nikon HDSLRs is largely dependant on the lens that you're using. You're probably thinking of the Nikon 55-200mm lens, there are a couple of verson. The F2.8 version is expensive and heavy similar to a Canon L lens. The modern gelded version is cheap has VR which is okay and useful because of the light weight but is F4.5-5.6.

The older 70-300mm VR is a big heavy beast and the aperture ramps (4.5-5.6), but focuses fairly fast and is great for outdoors. The smalller aperture size helps keep it in focus. However, in the longer lens you can feel the components moving inside. Tapping the trigger will cause any of them to hunt for focus. I'm not a fan of the more modern nikon 55-300 even though it's lighter.

I'm considering a Sony FDR-AX100 4k video camera that has tracking focus, although I don't think tracking focus is a reliable feature in all situations. The AX100 has a fairly large manual focus ring which I would use. The Zeiss lens that comes with it is not removable, but is very versitle for a $2,000 highly portable camera.
 
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Sumfun said:
Nikon DSLRs DO autofocus. Maybe a little slow, but they do. I use it to get me started at the beginning of the shot, then stay on manual focus. I don't recommend using during a shot, because it will hunt for focus.
Click to expand...

Let's put the AF thing to bed. I shot a music video all day Sunday with a D7100, mostly on a crane. I put in a lot of hours on the 7100, 7000, and various Canon models. Using the shutter remote, yeah, half-press AF is great for setting your initial focus point, especially with a crane or steadicam. But then you physically have to turn OFF the AF switch, since triggering video with the shutter button will send the AF hunting all over again. If you're not using the remote (and using the dedicated button for video) you can leave the AF switch on and set initial focus. But with a follow focus and many lenses, you have to turn AF off anyway to manually focus or you're fighting the motor and damaging it. So from a utilitarian standpoint, set focus point with AF, turn off AF switch, and roll... might as well just work completely manual.

Like Sumfun said, AF during a take will hunt like a blind dog that can't smell. Calling it "autofocus" is massively wishful thinking.

The current crop of Nikon SLRs are not capable of video AF in any useful sense of the word. Hell, my AC-130 (which cost about $3500 when I bought it) is barely capable of meaningful AF and it's a video camera.
 
The best Nikon for Video is probably the D4s (out of my price range). Next best is the D5300.
They both do 1080 P60 but you will need an external recorder like the Atomos Shogun to record continuously.
If you stay behind the camera and use AFC and AFS, you can just hold down the AF-ON button while tracking.
At least, this works well for me. It is Nikon AFF that is a disaster (except for the V1).

I kept my D5300 but now have a GH4.
It not only does 4k (that I have not come close to mastering yet) but nearly unlimited 1080 P60 unattended.
The AFF is very good and has no problem following someone around an indoor stage in low light.

As for Lumix lens, I really like the fixed aperture (Pro) ones. I use the 12-35 most of the time.
I find the pricing/performance similar to Nikkors.
With a cheap adapter or SpeedBooster I can use all my Nikkors but loose AutoFocus.
What you can gain is the benefit of bigger and/or longer glass.
This is not a problem for true Film Makers as they use follow focus and set their lens to manual.
 
If getting solid focus is your main goal, you'll probably want focus peaking, which I believe the G6 has, and the Nikons don't. At least my d5200 doesn't, and I haven't heard of it being implemented in any of the more recent models.

Video cameras are expensive to buy new, but you can find them for relatively cheaply on the used market. And there's always the hybrid large sensor cameras - I've seen AF100s going for 1600 Canadian used.

AFAIK, there is no autofocus system currently on the market that is able to track a moving subject continuously for video use.
 
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