Which camera is better for video, the D7100 or D5200? Something close to the GH3.

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Deer Film

Well-known member
Hi, I am a d80 owner and would like to upgrade my camera. I am very interested in the video side of the camera.
The flip screen of the D5200 is very nice, but I am hearing some nice things about the D7100.
I would rather stick with Nikon because I have many lenses then get a GH3.

I would also like to use my dad's old Nikon F camera with lens, what converter/adapter would you recommend?

What would you recommend I purchase, a D7100 or the D500?
I assume I will see a improvement in photo quality on the photo side from the D80.
 
That is the exact question thousands of individuals are asking themselves. And because the D7100s are slowly finding their way out into the wild we have no clue on how they compare image wise for sure. It will take a little while longer to find out how much difference is there between both of them.
 
what lenses do you already own?
Most nikon lenses will work on the older F camera if they are not for a DX sensor.

And you could also adapter your Nikon glass to the GH3 if you wanted.
 
I will check when I get home, but my dad's camera was like a A1 Nikon 35mm. He has many lens and I want to find a recommended adapter to use with a camera like the D7100.
 
The D5200 (along with the D5100) is the only Nikon DSLR that offers a fold-out LCD screen. This makes it the closest functional equivalent to the Panasonic GH3. The D7100 works with vintage Nikkor AI-S lenses and autofocuses with AF-D as well as AF-S lenses. However, the D5200's lack of AF-D autofocus is not an issue for videographers who shoot manually.

If you want to share Nikon-mount lenses with the GH2 or GH3, the most compatible lenses are Nikon AF-D, which have manual aperture rings and work well with both D7100 and D5200 as well as GH2/3. Nikon AI-S lenses will work compatibly with D7100 and GH2/3, but not with D5200. Nikon AF-S G lenses lack manual aperture rings and autofocus on both D7100 and D5200, but are awkward to use on GH2/3.
 
Isn't there also an issue with older Nikon lens that don't have chips in them where the D5200 can't meter, or can only spot meter?
 
BobbyMurcerFan said:
Isn't there also an issue with older Nikon lens that don't have chips in them where the D5200 can't meter, or can only spot meter?
Click to expand...
Yes, that's what are known as "AI-S" (or even earlier "AI") lenses. They're vintage manual-focus lenses that cannot communicate with the D5200's electronic light metering system. The D7100 and higher Nikon DSLR's allow you to manually enter the AI-S lens' aperture data into the camera's memory; the D5200 lacks this feature.
 
If you are just getting involved with video, one of the things you will learn is unlike taking images, shooting video means the cam has to be placed in some awkward positions, in order to get the shot. I've shot a ton of video from over my head or down around my knees and without an articulating screen, it would have been impossible to frame the shot correctly. There is a reason why every camcorder has one.
 
Thank you for your comments. I have been in video for a long time and I have the HMC150 and other canon video cameras. But I never had a DSLR with video, so I am looking forward to this. Trying different lenses and depth of field.
I would LOVE the swivel screen on the D7200.

I am home now and able to look at my dad's camera. It is a Nikon F2 35mm camera with many lens. It takes the Nikon F-Mount.
Would these work with the D5200 and D7200, or would I need an adapter/converter. (sorry for the confusion earlier)
And would the D7200 be able to communicate better with these lenses, then the D5200. If I need an adapter, what would you recommend? And if it needs the adapter/converter, which cameras is better to use these lenses.

I would still of course use my lenses from the D90 more, but it would be fun to use the old Nikon F-mount lens for different effects for video.

The lens I have for my D90 is a AF-S Nikkor lens. Did I understand that the D5200 can't communicate with this lens, but the D7200 can?

For doing video with these cameras, I would mostly have it on a tripod for interviews of educational videos, and maybe use my smartphone with WiFi with it. For running around doing run and gun video, I would still use my Video cameras for that.
Maybe someone can make an attachment flip type holder that sits on the D7100 and use the smartphone.
It seems the main difference between these 2 cameras for the plus side of the D5200 is the flip screen, but for more features, able to use different lenses, weather seal, more focus options, and on the professional level, the D7100 is worth investing into.
It also seems both of these cameras are getting great reviews and both are a great product.

Thank you very much for helping me.
I have the D70 and D80. Can't wait to upgrade!
 
Deer Film said:
It is a Nikon F2 35mm camera with many lens. It takes the Nikon F-Mount.
Would these work with the D5200 and D7200, or would I need an adapter/converter?
And would the D7200 be able to communicate better with these lenses, then the D5200. If I need an adapter, what would you recommend?

The lens I have for my D90 is a AF-S Nikkor lens. Did I understand that the D5200 can't communicate with this lens, but the D7200 can?
Click to expand...
Vintage lenses made for the Nikon F2 were all manual-focus, and are generally referred to as AI-S (or AI) lenses. The first generation of Nikon auto-focus lenses had manual aperture rings and are called AF-D lenses. Modern Nikon auto-focus lenses have no aperture ring and are labeled G or AF-S lenses. Nikon lens compatibility can be quite confusing. Here's a quick rundown:

D5200: works with AF-S and AF-D lenses, but with not manual-focus AI-S lenses. Auto-focuses only with AF-S lenses.

D7100: works with all AF-S, AF-D, and manual-focus AI-S lenses. Auto-focuses with AF-S and AF-D lenses.

GH3: works in manual-focus with AF-D and AI-S lenses. Needs a special adapter to work with G lenses.

The GH3 adapters for Nikon AI-S and AF-D lenses are simple spacer tubes that mount and position the Nikon lens the correct distance from the image sensor. These are available in a wide range of prices and mechanical quality. Adapters for Nikon G lenses have a mechanism that allows you to manually control the lens iris, though not very accurately since they lack calibrated f-stops.
 
Thank you for the very detailed help on lenses.

I am not going to get a GH3, but I did find an adapter for the Nikon F-Mount for that camera.

I want an adapter for the Nikon D7100 for the Nikon F-Mount. Has anyone bought one or tried one or can recommend something and maybe where to buy. I realize I will have to do all manual settings. And that's ok.
I found a few on ebay, but not sure what is worth to get?
here is an example
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Visoflex-M-mount-Viso-lens-to-Nikon-F-Mount-Adapter-D3-D4-D90-D800-D7000-/151007518019?pt=US_Lens_Adapters_Mounts_Tubes&hash=item2328bfdd43


I saw some good videos of people using Nikon F-Mount adapters on the GH3, just curios if it will work as good on the Nikon cameras.

thank you

 
Ah, OK. This is where it gets weird.

The lens mount on a D7100 is... an F mount. Nikon haven't changed the mount mechanics since the days of steam. Oh, the lower-end cameras lack the screw drive for the early AF-D autofocus lenses (D5200 lacks; D7100 has), and as you go further back in time with your lenses you start losing features. WIth AI and AI-S lenses you'll get metering on the D7100, on the 5200 you won't even get that. But the lens will still mount.

Ken Rockwell has a handy chart here (scroll down).

The joy of Nikon AI & AI-S lenses is that they can be adapted to work on most other SLRs bodies. The reverse is, sadly, not the case: buy a Nikon body, and you're pretty much locked into F mount.
 
Wow, simply amazing. This is great news for a camera like the D7100. It brings new life to all these new llenses. I thought most of the F-series type lenses would be worthless someday on ebay, but now this camera brings so many options for lens choice.
So the people on ebay selling converters for the f-series lens to D7100 is just a joke or rip off?

I miss the swivel screen, but it seems the D7100 is one heck of a winner in price and options.

Thanks, I must go dust off all those lenses now and find a place to order this camera. :)
 
Ok, so with AI-S lenses (or, in my case, leica-R lenses with a dumb adapter) the D5200 would not meter light. But what does that mean exactly? You still get to see the simulated exposure in live view, and playing back stills will show the histogram correctly, right? If it's just the meter for stills that won't work, I wouldn't care a lot, I've hardly ever used that one.
 
This thread's getting a little bizarre...

For DSLR video, you're not going be using AF. If you want to use auto exposure or ISO, you may be better off with a "video" camera.

Manual AIS lenses and screw-drive AF glass on a Nikon body are dynamite for video... much nicer focus feel (and bigger focus rings for focus gears).

There's not really any "great new news" from nikon as far as this goes.

I've shot a ton of projects on DSLRs, including corporate videos and broadcast spots. The #1 accessory, in my opinion, is a good loupe/viewfinder. I really like the Swivi loupe for the D7000 (but I had to mill an aluminum block to use it on my rail system). I've never owned a DSLR with a swivel screen - for crazy angles or crane shots, I use an HDMI monitor.

If you don't have the budget to add a loupe and monitor, chances are you're in the lower-end swivel-screen body market; but I wouldn't trade my D7000 for any of the swivel-screen DSLRs out there. They're just too compromised for commercial still shooting, and according to the repair shop, that's the 2nd most frequent repair (after card doors). You can get a loupe and a decent monitor for under $500 - used Marshall 5" HDMI's go for $250, and they're really sweet pro screens.

BTW - if you don't have the budget for a loupe or a decent monitor - go to the drugstore and get a pair of those cheap reading glasses. $10-$20. Really really nice for focusing!
 
If anyone has time, I could use a lens critique.
These are the lens I have. Tell me straight out if they are good, or if I should sell them. Or what they may be good for.
I would use these with the D7100. Mostly for video(corparate, educational, wedding), and second for family photos and wildlife. Sometimes the later 2 are the same. :)

This is my list I own(they were used with my D80)
Nikon AF-s Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED DX VR
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED DX
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-135mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED

Here is my dad's F2 old 35mm nikon F-mount lenses
(I know I will have to do manual settings with these, but hopefully they might give good results) Looking forward to do some testing.
Nikkor - H.C. 28mm 1:3.5
Zoom Nikkor Auto 1:3.5 43mm- 86mm
Nikkor P.C. 105mm 1:2.5
Nikkor-H Auto 1:2 50mm

Is there a lens around 300 or so that you recommend would be good for the D7100 that I should have?

Thanks
 
Does the d7100 have face priority and subject tracking for video like the D600?

-I just read the D7100 does have face priority... I think that is face detection, not sure.
I am more interested in the video quality of the D600 and D7100.

Would love for someone to do a test on low light and sharpness on D600 vs d7100.
And other video features.
 
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