Shooting video: I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be...

Nikon1201

I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be shooting still and switching back and forth or should I invest in a video camera.?
Thanks

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

I use my D5600 for occasional short videos. (In addition to other videos I do) The only disadvantage is that videos take more space on the card and on your computer, and eat up battery Power. I have 2 computers and do videos on one with nothing else on it plus a large backup hard drive.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Nikon1201 wrote:

I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be shooting still and switching back and forth or should I invest in a video camera.?
Thanks

I would take a small dedicated video camera for faster AF, better quality AF and better image quality.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Nikon1201 wrote:

I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be shooting still and switching back and forth or should I invest in a video camera.?
Thanks

Do you have a good cell phone? Use that for video. My iPhone takes 4k video. Just make sure you hold the phone horizontally.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

If you have a good quality smartphone …

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

berchman wrote:

Just make sure you hold the phone horizontally.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Reasons for getting a camera for video

-The settings for video are different than stills. Frequent switching of settings can get in the way of getting the shot.
-Once you've trained your brain to "think video", raising the video camera to your eye can be a trigger to change thinking.
-Video needs rock solid steady shooting. Stabilization systems for video are different than for stills.
-Audio can be the hardest part of video. Is a Nikon D610 good at that?
-Video is transitioning to 4K. Go to Costco, BestBuy, etc and see how many TVs are 4K vs the "old" HD.
-Mirrorless technology is more suited to video than flapping mirror cameras. So the second camera options go beyond the traditional "camcorder".
-It might be fun to buy a new compact mirrorless camera that gets good video reviews.
-On a "critical" trip like a cruise to Cuba, having a small video capable compact or mirrorless (that shoots your video) can be a backup to the Nikon.
-Picking 8MP stills from 4K footage when you are home can produce some amazing "candid" or "street shot" results.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Nikon1201 wrote:

I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be shooting still and switching back and forth or should I invest in a video camera.?
Thanks

Only you can answer that, you said you "messed" with video, then you know how it looks and if you like it or not!

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Nikon1201 wrote:

I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be shooting still and switching back and forth or should I invest in a video camera.?
Thanks

I face the same when I travel.

I recommend the Canon XC15. You will be able to shoot MXF files in 4K and have the ability to shoot slow motion/ fast motion in camera. With a frame rate of 24 you will get the impressive cinematic look and color grading.

Most important is the fan cooled sensor. I have toasted two DLSR's from overheating, but this may not be an issue for you unless it's hot, and you shoot more than 10 minutes at a time.

I am so impressed with this camera and the price is perfect. Check it out on youtube.

Althefarmer Loc: Somerset, Ky

At the risk of being thrown off this site, I use video often. For ease of carry on a trip, I use my Canon SX60 with the following motto: Anything that moves or makes noise = video. Anything that doesn't = still.
The real chore is editing everything together and short enough that people will watch it on a TV while preserving the flavor and memories of my trip. Sometimes that's not compatible and I wind up with 2 versions.
Stabilization is excellent, and I can shoot out to 1200mm eq zoom by holding my breath and stopping my heart. (kidding about he heart) although, if I have been exerting I can see my heartbeat at that zoom.
I love my zoom. (Thank you Mark)

khorinek

Nikon1201 wrote:

I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be shooting still and switching back and forth or should I invest in a video camera.?
Thanks

I'm not familiar with Nikon, but I use a Canon 5D Mark IV and Canon EOS RP. I use both for video. The EOS RP is a lot easier to use for video (just a touch of a button and you are shooting video). Both cameras take awesome video. I think the most important part of taking good video is the lens. I use a Canon 24-70 F/4 L IS for video. The IS (Image Stabilization) allows me to take video without any shake without a tripod.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nikon1201 wrote:

I’m going to Cuba on a cruise and want to have video. I have a Nikon D610 and have messed around with video . Has anyone used their camera for video . I will be shooting still and switching back and forth or should I invest in a video camera.?
Thanks

I generally use a camcorder to shoot video, but on a trip, I would use a digital still camera. It's not like I'm going to shooting a one-hour play. Just be sure to have enough of the right kind of SD card. I like to travel light. Every camera you bring needs batteries, a charger, and a cable. K.I.S.S.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I have only used a D7100 doing video and would recommend using a camcorder. I find that keeping in focus with the DSLR is difficult, it only shoots in short segments (19 minutes) and you need to stop and re-start and my manual says not to use LV or it could over heat (and it did). I bought an external mike but the in camera mike was not too bad.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Good luck with your video shoot. To avoid the shakiness try a gimbal mount. Sure it will make the camera much larger, but it will be easier to hold and the video will be smooth and professional looking.

Have a safe flight.

Happy Videoing!

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

You may want to test your motor focus noise before you use the 610. It’s an audio issue in many dslr cameras. A remote microphone solves the problem but that’s a bit of a hassle.