Author Topic: Man, DSLR video (or PEN) is crappy! (Read 1768 times)

voyager · « **on:** October 09, 2010, 10:11:49 PM »

I guess this is just the well known fact that people tend to want to forget because they have a DSLR or PEN that can do video, but face it, I took a video today that looked so incredibly horrible that I think my phone would have done better. Of course some of us can make any equipment work for video, so more power to them!

Centauri27 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2010, 12:41:25 PM »

That's exactly what I've been harping on and trying to find out on this forum... I don't want to think that I was mislead when I read the hype about "crystal clear HD video" from the PEN and other dSLRs. But my results so far isn't close to what I have hoped. I realize that shooting video on these type of devices require a different methodology, different mindset. That's what I'm trying to learn. But it is a little disheartening to learn that the first thing you need--a lens that can focus without making a racket--will cost you as much as buying a good quality HD camcorder from Canon or Sony.

And if that's the case, why not simply get a camcorder?

There must be some advantages to PEN videos (aside from the oft-quoted hype about getting a lovely shallow depth of field--which translates more often than not into unsharp-looking video clips).

mikmas101 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2010, 01:28:09 PM »

I tried video on my E-P1 the first week I got it - on a beautiful sunny day.

That's when I decided it was really a stills camera (which is what I'd bought it for)

kimba1970 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2010, 03:02:15 PM »

I don't know about Pen video but I will have to disagree on calling all DSLR video crappy..

Take a look at this incredible video of the region of Italy I live in... all done using Canon 5D and 7D: one of the best video I have ever seen.. plenty of effort went into editing I guess but the base material was superb... and no professional video camera in sight...


friuli impressioni

Panther · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2010, 03:18:27 PM »

The 5D video capabilities have been used in many Hollywood movies....Iron Man 2 for example (the Monaco GP scene) just to name one...

mikmas101 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2010, 04:10:55 PM »

I have a friend who shoots video with a 5D - excellent quality that the EPs don't even come close to (why should they given the price difference). Even then it has it's limitations. He works with video cameras on a daily basis and has to adapt his approach when shooting DSLR; according to him there is a significant difference in the lens build - most noticeable in pull-focus shots. Tamoio would be the best person to comment, I believe he works with both video and stills cameras

Centauri27 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2010, 08:49:18 AM »

I found a pretty good article that compares dSLR video against camcorders:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/cam-cam.shtml

My expectations for PEN video is actually pretty low--I'm not looking for 5D or even T2i quality. Just something to be a credible alternative to my Sony Handycam or Panasonic TZ5 point-and-shoot.

tamoio · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2010, 11:43:05 PM »

I've always though hand-held looked amateurish. The whole "shaky-cam" thing has puzzled me for like what? 15 or 20 years now? "Verite" style was a big deal back in the 50s and 60s, now I think everyone just associates it with bad utube.

In principle if you put the time into a shot, it doesn't really matter what you use for a camera, but that said-it is possible to get very good results with a GH1, a 5d or a 7d.

I've never liked the video on the Pens. AVCHD makes a big difference.

ddegomez · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2010, 02:05:50 PM »

Does any from Olympus ever read this forum? There are a couple of things I'd liked fixed in a new firm ware release. For video it would be the ability to shoot with manual exposure. I often shoot an outdoor scene panning the camera around the landscape, but the auto exposure keeps changeing based on percentage of sky and foreground. Very distracting!

Peter Hovmand · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2010, 08:32:59 AM »

Well, I have pretty high hopes for video from Panasonic GH1 and GH2 ... Definitely seen some really good stuff out there!

Cirrus1 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2010, 09:37:35 AM »

Don't know about my EP-1 yet but the videos from my Leica D-lux 4 are fine. I use it for all the familly stuff.

Synaesthesia · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2010, 03:19:00 AM »

PEN video is OK, nothing earth-shaking. Unfortunately the M-JPEG compression is so inefficient you fill up a 4gb card in no time.

Centauri27 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2010, 09:42:27 AM »

I just got the 14-150 and I must say the video is 100% better. Focus speed is now (virtually) acceptable and focus noise is (almost) unobtrusive. You still hear the "chatter" in quiet passages. The key thing to remember is to minimize panning around while videoing--the "jello" effect will arise when you move the camera (especially rapidly), but is not nearly as noticeable when the camera is still and the subject is moving. Keeping the camera on S-AF instead of C-AF will help, then use the AEL/AFL button to refocus if necessary while shooting a clip.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2010, 11:17:15 AM »

ive shot video with the 50 mm 1.5 voigtlanderhand held at a dark concert indoors an standard def and was amazed at the clarity color and exposure

reaally great vids using tripods or a panning rig and a proper lens would go a long way toward redeeming micro 4\3as a vid friendly format

i think the potential is there

candyspan6 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2010, 11:36:12 AM »

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with taking video, but I have a project coming up and wondered if a 7d would be both a sufficient upgrade in camera, and provide good video. From everything I read the answer seems to be yes, but I also don't know whether I could spend the $2,000 on a much better video camera, that would provide much better results.?. Not sure if I want to subject my still camera sensor to long video segments and such...

cosinaphile · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2011, 05:01:46 PM »

hollywood is using the pen to shoot video .... look for the thread!

count_zero · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2011, 11:28:45 PM »

I've used the E-P1 for filming a friends concert, and it worked great. What really surprised me was the great sound quality from the built in stereo mics.

voyager · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2011, 01:28:44 AM »

The rings for the strap do cause a bit of a distraction though. Were you not using a strap?

Author Topic: Man, DSLR video (or PEN) is crappy! (Read 1768 times)

Panther

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