Best Nikon DSLR for Video?????

NikonNewbSter said:

What do you guys think is the BEST NIKON DSLR FOR VIDEO AND WHY????

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That is sort of like asking "What is the best car for driving?"

Give us some details of what you are after. Type of video you want to shoot, budget, audio requirements.

D800.

Nikon D800 Holds Its Own in Hollywood: from Janusz Kami

and

Full Frame Shootout: Nikon D800 / D4 / Canon 5DmkIII on Vimeo

About sums it up.

It shoots 1080p at 24 or 25 or 30 fps. It is unique in that it sends an uncompressed video signal through the HDMI port providing a live 4:2:2 HD stream at full 1080p resolution to an outboard recorder, as opposed to the 4:2:0 files it records on CF and SD cards.

If you're serious about video... you're not seriously considering a DSLR... just a thought...

Several TV series' are shot using a DSLR. The show "House" is shot completely with a DSLR. The producer claims it allows them to achieve shots with very low depth of field that is not allowed in standard movie cameras. So it appears that using a DSLR like the D800 makes a lot of sense.

NikonNewbSter said:

What do you guys think is the BEST NIKON DSLR FOR VIDEO AND WHY????

Click to expand...

I agree with Don (Tracsoft). It is a generic question. What is your budget? Do you prefer articulated screen or not?

If it is just video that you are after, consider the Panasonic GH3 with the 12-35mm f2.8 lens.

On the contrary, if you are serious about video especially cinematographic video, then you will be considering the D800. To get the same quality from a regular video camera as what the D800 provides you'd be looking to spend $10-40k. It is that good.

Yeah... those look like $59 rigs to me... They look like you can get them real cheap on Amazon...

Well those are the extreme end of a setup, or you can go with something more simple and still pretty effective....

I'm just bustin' your chops...

Another vote for the D800.

Thanks for all the input....Basically i want to shoot in low lighting. I want to shoot close ups of people getting their hair cut so something with great detail.

I looking to spend about $5,000