AC90: Purchase Nikon D800 or AC90??

B

bfrazierimages

Member
Hello All,

I'm so glad I found your AMAZING DVXUSER forum!!

I'm a nikon shooter that would like to get into documentary & music video production and was strongly
considering purchasing the Nikon D800 (I own D700 W/ 24-70MM F/2.8) but "pulling focus" would be pain when
I'm doing "behind the scene" video's of my photo-shoots btw I primarily shoot glamour/Fashion photography http://www.bfrazierPhotography.com

I'm hoping the members can clear up so questions before I make a purchase next week..

*Is there a work around to getting a slightly shallower DOF (I searched the forum and found its impossible with the small sensor)
*Is there a "Cinematic" scene setting in camera (Love that Film look) or would I have to do it in post in "Final Cut X"
* I currently have a ZOOM H2n.... would I have to upgrade to a ZOOM H4N to take advantage of the XLR ports on the AC90

Thanks in advance
Bernard
http://www.BFrazierPhotography.com
 
Hi Bernard, and welcome to the forum!

The D800 is a stills camera that can shoot video, the AC90 is a video camera that can shoot stills. Each tool approaches the job from the opposite end of the spectrum.

The D800, if you can put up with using a DSLR form factor for video, will probably provide a more cinematic look than the AC90 will, just because of the size of the sensor and the shallow DOF. On the other hand, the AC90 has power zoom, autofocus in video, optical image stabilization, XLRs for audio input, etc... so while you won't have the shallow DOF look, it's definitely more suited to the job of video. But we'd have to know more about what types of projects you intend to shoot, before knowing which of these (or perhaps another camera) would be best suited for what you want to do.

1. Shallower DOF on an AC90 -- not really possible, unless you put on a Letus/Brevis type of 35mm lens adapter, and those are so clunky they're pretty much obsolete.
2. Certainly, you can get an AC90 to look quite cinematic in-camera (excepting the super-shallow DOF, of course)
3. No, you wouldn't need to use an external audio recorder at all, you could record directly in-camera.

If you want a video camera with a cinematic look, and are considering the AC90, might I suggest you consider the AF100 as well? It has a much larger sensor than the AC90 and can deliver cinema-style shallow DOF, but it can also use autofocusing/auto-exposing/power-zooming lenses for more of a true video camera functionality. Might be the best of both worlds for what you want to do.
 
Hi Barry,

Thanks for the fast response! I just checked out the AF100 even though its probably what I'm looking for I can't justify the $4K price tag at this time...
I believe I'll be quite happy with pulling off the cinematic look with the $1,845.00 AC90 + your amazing book after I purchase from B&H and I should be "good to go"

BTW.....Is obtaining the cinematic look in your book? Since the AC90 is somewhat new I'm having trouble finding cinematic examples taken with the AC90
Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks Again!
 
Why not also consider the new Panasonic GH3? B&H Photo says that they will have it back in stock next week. It is the most video optimized camera on the market, far superior in every way to the D800 for shooting video. And it has a larger sensor than the AC90 that can give you the more shallow depth of field look. You could buy it with the excellent 12-35mm f/2.8 image stabilized Panasonic zoom for less money than what a D800 body alone costs.

Although admittedly, the AC90 easily offers the greatest value for one's money.
 
Hi Lance I like the DOF the DSLR give's but "pulling focus" is not something I want to do along with monitoring external audio since I'm pretty much
a "One man band".... I also considered the Full frame Sony vg900 since I already have fast nikon glass
 
bfrazierimages said:
Hi Barry,

Thanks for the fast response! I just checked out the AF100 even though its probably what I'm looking for I can't justify the $4K price tag at this time...
I believe I'll be quite happy with pulling off the cinematic look with the $1,845.00 AC90 + your amazing book after I purchase from B&H and I should be "good to go"

BTW.....Is obtaining the cinematic look in your book? Since the AC90 is somewhat new I'm having trouble finding cinematic examples taken with the AC90
Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks Again!
Click to expand...

On page 160 there is a "filmic" scene setting. In my opinion, this is dead on as far as the "film look" is concerned. It gives you the modern color graded look you see in recent movies and tv shows without the need for much color grading.
 
dkamisat said:
On page 160 there is a "filmic" scene setting. In my opinion, this is dead on as far as the "film look" is concerned. It gives you the modern color graded look you see in recent movies and tv shows without the need for much color grading.
Click to expand...

Thanks!! Do you have any sample videos or links i can view with "Filmic" look?
 
Thanks for the info... Those camera selection's look good..... But I'm really liking the AC90. I've i had a few requests
and a passion to shoot music video's and behind the scene's look of my photo shoots and possibly shoot some weddings
 
I have both the D800 and the AC90, as well as a large collection on Nikon glass and an HPX250. As Barry says, it all depend on what you are going to shoot. I shoot mainly event video, and as of yet, have not used the D800 for video.

For the most important work, I'll shoot the HPX250 to both P2 and an SD Pix240 recording to DNxHD. The AC90 would come along as a backup or additional cam.

But for great quality without spending a day getting prepared for the shoot, I'll go directly to the AC90, especially for off tripod where OIS is important.

Someday when I settle down to try a scripted studio project, I'll use the D800 and surely over do all the cliche DOF shots.

Bottom line, I believe that a "real" video camera like the AVC90 is the best all around bet outside of a studio environment.
 
Im with Terry, for what you are doing the AC90 will make you life easy. I use a 5D3 and what a pain for anything than on a tripod or rails. The 90 was made for what you are wanting to do, so dont forget its just you and you alone. The 90 you could have anyone hold while you are shooting stills and it would not be an issue. I also am a one man band, and many times I shoot stills with the 5D3 and my video camera slung over my shoulder then back and forth. Keep it simple as most will never notice shallow shots, but they will notice is really shaky video and really sucky audio.
 
rzr219 said:
Im with Terry, for what you are doing the AC90 will make you life easy. I use a 5D3 and what a pain for anything than on a tripod or rails. The 90 was made for what you are wanting to do, so dont forget its just you and you alone. The 90 you could have anyone hold while you are shooting stills and it would not be an issue. I also am a one man band, and many times I shoot stills with the 5D3 and my video camera slung over my shoulder then back and forth. Keep it simple as most will never notice shallow shots, but they will notice is really shaky video and really sucky audio.
Click to expand...

Thanks!! This described my situation to the Tee!!
 
I wasn't able to carry out the test. Both the AC90 and my Tascam DR-40 have female XLR inputs. I only have male to female cables. You should be able to connect the Zoom to the AC90 with a 3.5mm to male xlr cable.

Sorry!
 
XLR jack is audio input only.
only output is headphone jack or use a y-split prior to inputing audio.
the old days of a loop out audio are gone.
 
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