New dslr video user – nikon d7000 or canon t2i? Im only breaking free from minidv now!!

[Richard Harrington]

You’re misrading specs

It shoots 24, 25, and 30 in 1080p

the 60 is at 720p (just like Canon).

I have both a 7D and D7000… both good cameras. I own more Nikon glass and like the longer record times of Nikon

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[Joe Kennedy]

hi! thanks for reply!
All I can see on nikon specs are (in PAL)

[PAL] · 1,920 × 1,080 (24p); 24 (23.976) fps · 1,280 × 720 (25p); 25 fps · 1,280 × 720 (24p); 24 (23.976) fps · 640 × 424 (25p); 25 fps

so can only shoot in 25 fps in 720p would that be right?

Thats great you have both cameras, I have good nikon glass but really want to be able to shoot at 6ofps for the slow motion, that being the case, if you were in my shoes would you go with the nikon with a little more audio control and the auto focus or the t2i for the slow mo? quality of video seems pretty similar no?

Thanks again
Joe

[Richard Harrington]

Looks like I slightly misspoke.

But shooting 24P for 1080 is pretty much a universal master. Very easy to convert to 25 or 29.97 in post

If you have more Nikon glass.. stick Nikon. Its the glass that matters most

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[Joe Kennedy]

Thats what my intial thinking was- but then I’m toying with the idea of using a eos adapter onto my nikon glass then using the 550d or the 7d for the function primarily of the ability to shot at 60fps for smooth slow mo, what do you think?

thanks again!

JOe

[Richard Harrington]

Adapters ONLY work on old glass that has MANUAL controls for F-stop (i.e. a physical ring).

Modern lenses won’t work as the controls require dials on camera.

Richard M. Harrington, PMP

Author: From Still to Motion, Video Made on a Mac, Photoshop for Video, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Studio On the Spot and Motion Graphics with Adobe Creative Suite 5 Studio Techniques

[David Braman]

I’ve worked with both the Canon T2i and the Nikon 7000 and I’ll put my chips down on Canon…easily. Besides no 1080 30p (I don’t buy the 24p cool-aid) you can’t change the aperture on the Nikon in movie mode (you have to switch over to the eye piece). Plus the view screen is almost a full stop darker than what is actually recorded. I’m not sure what Nikon’s thinking is on not allowing you to adjust aperture in Live/Movie mode, but it really makes life in the field a very cumbersome outing.

[Nick Vincent]

Would you recommend using this canon T2I for shooting event photography plays, music performances? How long could the takes be in HD, and will they take external mics?
thanks, nick

nick vincent

[David Braman]

In my experience, all the DSLRs have some limitations. Most of these have work arounds that require extra equipment and/or modifications. The biggest revolve around the view screen. It’s fine for compositional purposes, but for accurate focusing, you’re going to need at least an eye piece extender/magnifier. Audio is also a problem. You can plug an external mic into most of them, but you have no control…it’s all auto gain. There is a hack for the T21 that will allow you to defeat the auto gain (even display meters). But otherwise, if audio is important, you’re into running double system sound (PluralEyes is a nice application that will make easy work of syncing up in the edit)

I’ve come to the conclusion that the whole DSLR thing is nice, but it’s no magic bullet. If you’re really serious about your production, you’re going to have to spend more money (not to mention time in location setup). But the T2i does take nice video. You do have the 12 minute recording limit, which might be a problem for you.