which DSLR to hold me over until scarlet?

[Peter Weisberg]

I am looking to buy a good DSLR around a $1000 price that can shoot at decent video to hold me over until i can get my hands on a 2/3 fixed lens scarlet. I have been wanting to get a nice still camera for some time and i figure nows a better time than ever since the video quality on the DSLR's are finally getting good.

My thoughts are basically i want a good still camera that will last me and i am pretty set on a FF camera which rules out the GH1. I would like a camera that can shoot decent 720P at either 24 or 30 fps with good low light capabilities. From what i have gathered that leaves the new Canon Ti the nikon D90 or the new nikon d5000. So i guess what i'm asking is which of these cameras looks most promising for video. I heard i should go with a canon camera because nikon glass mounts change, any validity to that?

I don't have too much knowledge about still cameras so any info would be greatly appreciated

[Liam Hall]

You wont find a FF DSLR for under $1000 but there are a few options for cameras with a near S35 sized sensor. Nikon D5000 looks interesting enough - good price too - and there's nothing wrong with Nikon mounts.

[Yannick Hagman]

Hi. There is no camera that can do what you want (FF) at 1000$

I'd definitely look at the D90 though (APS-C sized), seems the best offering for you.

GH1 has much better video-capabilities but will you put over $2k and for photography.. well.

[Joyfool]

nikon d90.

[Peter Weisberg]

ohh those aren't ff cameras... i might need to do some more research. are they at least 35mm cameras? if anyone could give me a quick crash course and a recomendation for a camera that would be great. I've seen video from the d90 and i really liked it, but the rolling shutter issue was a bit of a downside. then again that might just be the price i have to pay with using a dslr in their current state, at least til the scarlet comes.

[Thomas Malinowski]

I'm not real happy with the D90 for video, and it would not be my choice for stills.
The D90 does not compare to a D300/700 ... which are both fantastic cameras to shoot with.

For shooting, I use the Nikon D300 (after using the Sony Alpha 350 - terrible color IMHO, and the D60 - too slow). I found the D300 to be snappier than the D700 (FF) and quite a bit cheaper.

Not sure what you mean about Nikon mounts - I think you may have it backwards with Canon FD vs. EOS mounts ... but I have Nikon lenses back to the 60's that work fine on my D300. Even the oldest non-Ai Nikon mounts can be sent in/ machined for $20-30 bucks to work (a small cut needs to be made). If you use an entry level Nikon, they leave the motor out of the body so you need to manually adjust non-AFS lens (i.e. standard AF lens work as manuals on a cheaper D40 type body ... but are fine on any D300/700/D3/D3x/70/80/ etc .. body).

I am seriously considering the GH1 for $1500 ... keep in mind there is still a lot of video compression ... but I'm also looking at the Sony Ex3($8500) to hold me over until the Scarlet (which has decent compression and interchangeable lenses).

For sub $1000, I guess you are left with the D90 or Ti.
For me, I'd rather have a used D300 ($1000-1200) than either and wait for the Scarlet.
It may not do video, but it takes great pictures.

[Peter Weisberg]

what about the d5000?

[Thomas Malinowski]

As a photo camera the ti's 3.5 frames per second and the D5000's 4 per second just kill me.
With grip, I get 8 fps on the D300 (which helps out when trying to catch moving objects).

The D90 will let you auto-focus AF lenses (which are most of the cool Nikon lenses) and the D5000 will not (i.e. does not have body motor, needs AFS lens with built in motor). That alone probably gives the D90 the lead, especially if you want cheap low light lenses like the $75 used Nikon 50mm/ f1.8 AF series. (great DOF).

When I bought my last camera in the Detroit area I got it at Adrays ... they spent much time letting me try the Nikon 300/700's and Canons. I brought my laptop and spent the day shooting/ downloading ... they even agreed to match "best" advertised (i.e. reputable) pricing.

Actually using equipment changes opinions quickly.

[Tom Lowe]

The new Canon Ti is useless with its 20fps.

I would suggest perhaps waiting for an announcement from Canon about the forthcoming 60D, which should have 1080/24p, or wait to see what Nikon releases next. If you're in a hurry, the 5D2 costs $2,600 and is available now, with a FF35 sensor.

[Peter Weisberg]

ohh i forgot to mention this prior but part of my reasoning in which still cam i pick is also to in preperation of one day owning a scarlet s35 or ff35 so i want to pick a camera whose glass could one day be used on a scarlet. i know it might not be the best glass to use with that camera, but i would still rather have something that would be able to work on both the still camera and eventually the scarlet

[Thomas Malinowski]

Hmm ...
What DSLR uses RED primes???

On the Nikon side (here's some of my Craigslist finds):
50mm f1.8 $75
80-200mm f2.8 $450 (although I popped for a 70-200mm AFS).
set of "perfect" low light manual Nikon's 14mm/ 28mm/ 35mm/ 85mm/ 105mm for $150 >> guy didn't believe me when I told him you could use them on current digital cameras.

You can't go wrong with Canon or Zeiss either.

[Thomas Malinowski]

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon

This may give you a feel for what the different lenses can do.

[Brandon Fraley]

set of "perfect" low light manual Nikon's 14mm/ 28mm/ 35mm/ 85mm/ 105mm for $150 >> guy didn't believe me when I told him you could use them on current digital cameras.

christ! 150 each or for all?

[Yannick Hagman]

ohh those aren't ff cameras... i might need to do some more research. are they at least 35mm cameras?

F(full)F(frame) is 35mm.

If you want to use your lenses with an S35 (APS-C) sized Scarlet get a APS-C sized Nikon (like D90) and later a Nikon-mount together with the Scarlet. For sub 1000$ the D90 is your only choice. I wouldn't bother much about it, it's not the camera, it's the guy that takes the pictures anyways.

I personally suggest you to get an old nikon analog, snap some good old nikon glass and rent a good videocam. You'll end up cheaper if you prepare your shots well.

[Thomas Malinowski]

christ! 150 each or for all?

For all .. he wanted $75 each ... when I got there he said if I took 'em all $35 each ... (I did not know he had others, and only had $150 because I was going to buy 2). He said just take 'em for that because he did not want to bother reposting.

There is currently a nice black Nikon film body posted now under Detroit/ Photo+Video that's only $80 for film 35mm camera body, case, 50mm f1.8 and 55mm f3.x.

People are giving the manual lenses away.

[Yannick Hagman]

It's ridiculous to see such prices because everyone jumps on this digigarbage, which doesn't even come in full frame *sigh*.

[Eren Ozkural]

If I'm not shooting on film or renting, I shoot exclusively on the D90. You can check out the results HERE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kinotrigger/sets/). Ken Rockwell has some good comparisons on his site; the D90 can be used for %90 of what the D3 does.

[Matthew Bennett]

You're a Texas oil millionaire ... get a 5D

[Michael Schmitt]

It might be worth waiting for the Nikon D750. A lot of rumors floating around about it.

[Dustin Sims]

yeah, the video on the t1i is certainly better than that on the d5000 or d90--as long as you shoot 720p. don't do 1080p because it's only 20fps.

[Milan Nikolic]

Panasonic Lumix GH-1 is the way to go though it is 1500$

[Stefan Christou]

It might be worth waiting for the Nikon D750. A lot of rumors floating around about it.

He's already waiting for Scarlet!!