Understanding and Optimizing the Nikon D90 D-Movie Mode Image

[Kholi]

Maybe I missed something Kholi, but if I put my D90 in manual mode, and then turn the aperture ring of my 50mm 1.8 lens (and get the EE error), it won't let me engage live view mode.

Do I need a non-cpu lens? Your write-up made it sound like this lens would work:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/ProductDetail.page?pid=2137

Right You need a Non-Cpu lens. For one with a CPU you have to do this:

1. Aperture Priorit mode
2. Put the Lens @ F22 or Auto Mode
3. Set the Aperture with the Aperture Wheel on the front of the camera to f5.6 or 8 (electronic aperture)
4. Activate LV mode while pointing at the source
5. THEN unlock the wheel to engage the manual Iris. It'll throw an error but it's fine for recording.

That should do it.

 

[Kholi]

Great write up and much appreciated.

Here is my deciding factor... Is the camera "usable" handheld while recording video, or is a tripod a must?

A tripod is not a must. But you need something to weight the camera down or stabilize it.

Glidecam 3000
Red Rock Shoulder Mount (You don't shoulder mount it, though. You hold it out by the grips in front of yourself. Works like a CHARM. See me using this method here: http://vimeo.com/1696848 )
Monopod would be nice
Tripod
And just wait til someone gets it on a Jib. Imagine the lightweight jib support you can use on this sucker

Lots of great possibilities that will always include great DOF.

 

[cacophony]

Right You need a Non-Cpu lens. For one with a CPU you have to do this:

1. Aperture Priorit mode
2. Put the Lens @ F22 or Auto Mode
3. Set the Aperture with the Aperture Wheel on the front of the camera to f5.6 or 8 (electronic aperture)
4. Activate LV mode while pointing at the source
5. THEN unlock the wheel to engage the manual Iris. It'll throw an error but it's fine for recording.

That should do it.

Thanks! At what point should I AE-LOCK? Before I go into Live View Mode or immediately after?

 

[f64manray]

is it just me, but find it silly so many people want audio in their camera's? you do that, you raise the price. sync sound, cut the price in half.

For the most part I agree with you, but for this singer songwriter I would like to get some live performances, and I would like to run a mix with about three or four sources mixed down into the camera live.

For the music videos, that feature of course won't matter.

I was going to buy a DVX100, before the D90 came out. I'm thinking the DVX100 could be considered antiquated pretty quickly within the next couple of years. I think a barrier has just been crossed with the D90. Other companies will probably be folowing on the D90s heels very shortley. Any thoughts? I'm still trying to make a decision. I don't think I've seen video out of the DVX100 looking as good as some of the stunning samples I've seen form the D90 over the last week. The picture quality is the most imortant factor. I guess I can work around the audio limitation. Just one more thing to learn.

 

[Kholi]

Thanks! At what point should I AE-LOCK? Before I go into Live View Mode or immediately after?

Before you enter LV mode the same. I'm gonna explore the same technique that I used the first time to see what the difference is, because both work, just the new one is easier.

 

[ekai]

Right You need a Non-Cpu lens. For one with a CPU you have to do this:

1. Aperture Priorit mode
2. Put the Lens @ F22 or Auto Mode
3. Set the Aperture with the Aperture Wheel on the front of the camera to f5.6 or 8 (electronic aperture)
4. Activate LV mode while pointing at the source
5. THEN unlock the wheel to engage the manual Iris. It'll throw an error but it's fine for recording.

That should do it.

Kholi, I can get full manual iris on an AF lens on my D700, what I did was put a piece of scotch tape over the contacts on the lens. No more EE error. Will this technique work with the D90? If so it could make things easier.

 

[Kholi]

Kholi, I can get full manual iris on an AF lens on my D700, what I did was put a piece of scotch tape over the contacts on the lens. No more EE error. Will this technique work with the D90? If so it could make things easier.

I was JUST thinkin' about how to do that. Is there harm done to the lens or body with the scotch tape or any dangers? Man, thanks a lot. Sometimes the simplest solutions go right over my head.

That'll make usin' AF lenses a breeze.

 

[Park Edwards]

For the most part I agree with you, but for this singer songwriter I would like to get some live performances, and I would like to run a mix with about three or four sources mixed down into the camera live.

For the music videos, that feature of course won't matter.

I was going to buy a DVX100, before the D90 came out. I'm thinking the DVX100 could be considered antiquated pretty quickly within the next couple of years. I think a barrier has just been crossed with the D90. Other companies will probably be folowing on the D90s heels very shortley. Any thoughts? I'm still trying to make a decision. I don't think I've seen video out of the DVX100 looking as good as some of the stunning samples I've seen form the D90 over the last week. The picture quality is the most imortant factor. I guess I can work around the audio limitation. Just one more thing to learn.

Kholi said he wouldn't get rid of a DVX for the D90, but, that's personal taste, it just so happens I'm selling a DVX...let me know if you made up your mind.

 

[Park Edwards]

I was JUST thinkin' about how to do that. Is there harm done to the lens or body with the scotch tape or any dangers? Man, thanks a lot. Sometimes the simplest solutions go right over my head.

That'll make usin' AF lenses a breeze.

Woudn't you still not be able to change the aperature on those lens, everything is electronic.

 

[Kholi]

Woudn't you still not be able to change the aperature on those lens, everything is electronic.

Sorry, Ai-S. I get the lens types confused. Way too much. Although I think some AF's also have Manual aperture control as well. You just have to snap a switch down while rotatin' the ring.

 

[ekai]

Nikon lenses get confusing when it comes to the name game. It seems everyone is pretty much up to speed with the AI and AIS lenses so here is what I know of AF lenses.

AF- This is the old style auto-focus lens. It uses the motor in the body to turn a screw which then focuses the lens. These have manual aperture rings.

AFI- Similar to AF lenses except that these lenses have a motor built in. Not to be confused with AF-S, these are not as fast and just as loud as AF lenses. These have manual aperture rings.

AF-S- These are Nikon's silent wave motor lenses. Motors inside the lens adjust the focus but are almost silent and in some cases much faster than the older AF or AFI lenses. There are a few AF-S lenses that have aperture rings the ones that do not are labeled "G" lenses.

G- No manual aperture ring. Aperture is controlled within the camera.

 

[ekai]

I was JUST thinkin' about how to do that. Is there harm done to the lens or body with the scotch tape or any dangers? Man, thanks a lot. Sometimes the simplest solutions go right over my head.

That'll make usin' AF lenses a breeze.

I don't believe there is any harm done to the camera, I actually came up with this idea when photographers wanted to add a teleconverter to a lens with a maximum aperture of F5.6. By putting a piece of tape on certain contacts the teleconverter won't tell the camera about the one stop loss of light, because af cameras won't auto focus if it thinks its too dark(so you are basically cheating the camera).

I thought scotch tape would be good because its plentiful, easy to rip small enough to cover the contacts(I wouldn't want any excess cause mounting it may cause a stray piece to fall into the camera or lens), and it is not all that sticky with very little residue making it easy to remove after shooting.

 

[buildyo]

I think it's totally acceptable as far as 480p goes ....
Vimeo's native display is about 480 ...

Kholi just to clarify this, when you say 480p you mean 853 x 480 right? I ask because Vimeos default display size is 360p (i.e. 640 x 360).


Thanks for all your good info on this camera!

 

[Kholi]

Kholi just to clarify this, when you say 480p you mean 853 x 480 right? I ask because Vimeos default display size is 360p (i.e. 640 x 360).


Thanks for all your good info on this camera!

Yurs. You're right about the vimeo thing, as well. Changin'! The original said "about 480", I think it's close enough to consider. DL the file though and scale to 480. Still looks plenty good.

 

[Neal Buconjic]

Welcome back, Kholi!

Nice write up. I've been debating which DSLR to pick up. I think I just found it.

 

[Kholi]

LoL Thanks, Neal. Dunno how long I'm back but back for a few, at least!

=P D5 might make mince out of my work and social life if it includes 1080p features. Whew boy.

Let me know when you get your D90 if ya pick it up, du~ude.

 

[Norbert]

Once you hit your five minute limit you can hit record again and start all over again.

Does it reset live view as well so you have to redo all your settings after 5 minutes?

-- Dynamic Range/ Latitude: The highlight handlin' on this camera is delicious. Not to mention that, here again-- despite the compression, the image holds up quite well when applyin' grades and corrections. It's quite simply a dream as far as Latitude goes, and I'll worry a lot less about blow outs because they're silky, unlike the harsh discolored blowouts of larger prosumer cameras.

The highlights are sweet, but shadows seem to be very black in most clips I see... black as in crushed. Is there a way to make them a little more neutral in camera?

 

[buildyo]

DL the file though and scale to 480. Still looks plenty good.

I actually did that before and thought it looked good just wanted to hear your opinion :dankk2:

Another question:
To get low ISO you close the arperture on the manual lens, aim the camera at the white wall, you lock the exposure, then enter Live View and then open the arperture manually.

Does this noise free setting stay when you leave LiveView and reenter it. It should but who knows if it really does. It would be a pain if your procedure has to be repeated every time Live View is left.

Edit: Just saw that Norberts question is somewhat related.

 

[frisco]

You might be alone on this one....Remember this is a DSLR....People want/pay for convenience.....

You wouldn't believe how many $8000 Canon 1dsMll and lll's are sold to amateurs with exotic lens.

No still guys are going to want separate syc sound. They just want to plug in a mic, wired or wireless.

There seems to be about 4 different price points for dslr's. People are already accustomed to paying big money for still gear.

frisco

is it just me, but find it silly so many people want audio in their camera's? you do that, you raise the price. sync sound, cut the price in half.

 

[cacophony]

So I finally got this trick to work with my 50mm 1.8 lens. But I'm not really seeing the point yet because I get the same noise free results in low light by just leaving everything in auto mode and opening the lens up to 1.8.

So maybe the easiest "trick" of all is just to shoot wide open with a fast prime in a low light situation?