Apologies if this has been covered extensively, but SWMBO just sent me an email asking about the camera to buy for DSLR video for her vet clinics. I'm very knowledgeable on photography but very light on video. She mentioned add-on sound equipment as well. I know my D5100 will shoot video, but no idea on external sound.
Any help?
What exactly will the videos be? My initial impression is just about any DSLR with an add on shotgun mic will do what she needs it to do.
Not 100% sure but I think they will be for introducing clients to the clinic, and maybe educational stuff. When I first got my Go Pro camera she mentioned the idea of doing a dog's-eye view of the clinic using a mop bucket, which i thought was awesome.
Guess my big questions are 1)is DSLR video ready for prime time? and 2)availability of add-on sound equipment.
I know my Nikon D5100 will do video, but I wasn't sure how well of a job it would do. She mentioned doing 5-10 minute clips, but maybe 20-30 minute as well, and I know I can stitch shorter clips together in Corel Video-whatever it is that I have at home.
Jerry wrote: 1)is DSLR video ready for prime time?
110% yes
in this thread
Maroon92 wrote: How Matt Farah makes "Cheap Top Gear" Most car stuff is shot on DSLR these days. As for editing software, I use Adobe Premier.
...and while we're dredging up old threads, please offer more opinions in my recent thread on places I should read/watch as I try to learn to make decent videos with my new GoPro.
[Yes, that is related to the OP's idea of gopro on a bucket....great idea, BTW.]
DSLR video is definitely top notch now. Adding a mic to the hot shoe is extremely simple. The only issue you may have is with the longer clips as almost all DSLR's have recording limits. Some up to 30 minutes but others are shorter.
Related question: I've noticed a lot of video taken from "still cameras," even DSLR, have a "swimmy" effect when moving, not necessarily the subject being filmed movement, but moving the camera itself, or panning side to side, for example, filming the exterior of a car or something, as the camera moves around the subject it's kind of an underwater or swimmy transition. I was under the impression that was just, "how it is," either live with it, spend a lot of money on a still camera that can also film, or buy an actual video camera. Am I wrong, has this changed?
T3i is probably a good option. Offers a fold out screen and an audio port.
I have a T3, and it doesn't have an exterior audio port.
JoeyM wrote: ...and while we're dredging up old threads, ... [Yes, that is related to the OP's idea of gopro on a bucket....great idea, BTW.]
Sorry, it was the end of my lunch break and government-funded surveys have shown that this site gets more action during a work day than any other time. 
bigdaddylee82 wrote: Related question: I've noticed a lot of video taken from "still cameras," even DSLR, have a "swimmy" effect when moving, not necessarily the subject being filmed movement, but moving the camera itself, or panning side to side, for example, filming the exterior of a car or something, as the camera moves around the subject it's kind of an underwater or swimmy transition. I was under the impression that was just, "how it is," either live with it, spend a lot of money on a still camera that can also film, or buy an actual video camera. Am I wrong, has this changed? - Lee
That's from the rolling shutter. It's gotten better but is still visible to an extent. Also depends on the camera. DSLRs have come a long way and have become excellent alternatives to more expensive video cameras but the fact remains that they are still cameras designed to take photos first and video second.
In reply to Jerry:
The only apologies needed are mine. I'm the one who dredged up two threads, and requested posts to one of them.
DanielCut wrote:bigdaddylee82 wrote: Related question: I've noticed a lot of video taken from "still cameras," even DSLR, have a "swimmy" effect when moving, not necessarily the subject being filmed movement, but moving the camera itself, or panning side to side, for example, filming the exterior of a car or something, as the camera moves around the subject it's kind of an underwater or swimmy transition. I was under the impression that was just, "how it is," either live with it, spend a lot of money on a still camera that can also film, or buy an actual video camera. Am I wrong, has this changed? - LeeThat's from the rolling shutter. It's gotten better but is still visible to an extent. Also depends on the camera. DSLRs have come a long way and have become excellent alternatives to more expensive video cameras but the fact remains that they are still cameras designed to take photos first and video second.
yup the rolling shutter, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFFRGSCmTWc
the biggest issue for DSLR video is sound... you get top notch video but it's a huge let down when you use the onboard mic.
depending on the camera and what sort of audio you are wanting to get you might be able to just plug a decent mic into the camera... I've got a canon 60d and running aftermarket firmware (magic lantern) I used it for a while shooting "Video announcements" at church until I moved... for simple one man presentation type stuff I've got a nice $25 or so wired lav mic, we did have to fight a bit of background noise sometimes and I think a shotgun mic would have prob helped with that a lot.
I know a lot of video guys also use various zoom recorders, some as stand alone and others as a digital recorder with a quality mic plugged in.
Her clinic is looking to buy it's own camera, and she came to me for advice. I told her I know photography well, but very little clue on video. Her friend at a clinic in the next town is using a Canon DSLR Rebel. And "He says he has audio equipment that we can borrow that is somehow incorporated."
Maybe I'll experiment with my D5100 this weekend and see how it works, and if I can plug a mic into it. I'm also thinking the tripod used would make a difference, as far as how fluid it can move.
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