DSLR Video Question: I never shoot video with my still cameras, but I know a lot of people do. Let's say I put a Nikon DsLR on a tripod and push Record. Will it keep running till I...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I never shoot video with my still cameras, but I know a lot of people do. Let's say I put a Nikon DsLR on a tripod and push Record. Will it keep running till I stop it, or is there a short time limit? With a time limit, a DSLR would not be able to record a two-hour event.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Check your manual where they'll discuss the types of cards best for video and the applicable time limits and file sizes based on the specific camera model, type / format of video, and card used.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Don't do video, but checking the manual for the D 750, max run time with battery grip and 2 freshly charged EN EL 15 is 110 minutes.

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

It depends a lot on the camera. But for a two hour event, I don't know of any that will run the entire time. My GH3 can record as long as the battery lasts, so I have an AC adapter for long shoots. On the other hand, My GX8 has a longer battery life but only shoots in 6 minute segments in 4k. But those six minute segments are actually continuous shooting with the data split into 6 minute files that join seamlessly in editing. There seem to be no rules and your manual was probably written by an engineer who understood what he was writing about but had no way of conveying that to a user. I'd say read the manual carefully then call Nikon for a simple clarification. Oh, and good luck.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Currently, there is a 30 minute limit on video with digital cameras (DSLR, etc).
I am seeing articles saying that this limitation may be on its way out.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

jerryc41 wrote:

I never shoot video with my still cameras, but I know a lot of people do. Let's say I put a Nikon DsLR on a tripod and push Record. Will it keep running till I stop it, or is there a short time limit? With a time limit, a DSLR would not be able to record a two-hour event.

No DSLR will record video more than 29 min and 59 sec. Some, like some of the Sony's, will stop long before that because the sensor gets hot. There is a built in heat sensor and the computer will not let it overheat. I think some of the others out there do the same.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

rwilson1942 wrote:

Currently, there is a 30 minute limit on video with digital cameras (DSLR, etc).
I am seeing articles saying that this limitation may be on its way out.

That is what I have read and is due to tax structure of some countries because if it goes longer there is a different category or something.

DennisC. Loc: Antelope, CA

The D750 will stop recording after 29 mins 59 secs when recording to the internal card, then you have to restart it. If you use an external recorder connected through the HDMI port the time limit will be removed. The D750 only records in 1080, your Fuji X-T30 will record in 4K but is limited to only 15 min. clips.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I never shoot video with my still cameras, but I know a lot of people do. Let's say I put a Nikon DsLR on a tripod and push Record. Will it keep running till I stop it, or is there a short time limit? With a time limit, a DSLR would not be able to record a two-hour event.

My mirrorless has a 30-minute limit. On the rare occasions I use it for video, I use it for events longer than 30 minutes. To work with this, after around 20-25 minutes, I watch for a lull in the action: a change in scene, presenter, etc., then push the stop button and immediately the record button to resume with a fresh 30-minute limit. Later, I digitally splice the recordings together.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

This limit apparently will soon be a thing of the past at least for Sony shooters, as Sony's most recent two releases (a6400 and a7Riv) have no limit.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

I never shoot video with my still cameras, but I know a lot of people do. Let's say I put a Nikon DsLR on a tripod and push Record. Will it keep running till I stop it, or is there a short time limit? With a time limit, a DSLR would not be able to record a two-hour event.

Get a Lumix m43 system if you want a dSLR-form factor mirrorless that records unlimited video AND decent stills. With dual, hot-swappable SD card slots and a battery grip or AC adapter, the GH5 or GH5s can keep recording indefinitely. It has really good audio, too, unlike most dSLRs.

Most Canikons are limited to between 4 and 29:29:29 (<30 minutes). Either they overheat, comply with EU tariffs, or the video quality is a bit limited in some respects.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

jerryc41 wrote:

I never shoot video with my still cameras, but I know a lot of people do. Let's say I put a Nikon DsLR on a tripod and push Record. Will it keep running till I stop it, or is there a short time limit? With a time limit, a DSLR would not be able to record a two-hour event.

Yes a DSLR would be able to record a two-hour event, but it would create several files and not a single file for it, although the recording would go straight through!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jeep_daddy wrote:

No DSLR will record video more than 29 min and 59 sec. Some, like some of the Sony's, will stop long before that because the sensor gets hot. There is a built in heat sensor and the computer will not let it overheat. I think some of the others out there do the same.

Oh, right. I remember reading that. It has nothing to do with the camera. It's all political/economic.

"The new Canon EOS 5D Mark III and other cameras have a time limit of 30 minutes that is a result of a completely arbitrary decision from the EU, to classify high-end digital cameras as video recorders, increasing the customs duty. Mar 1, 2019"

"Back in 2006, the EU controversially decided to classify high-end digital cameras as video recorders, which attached a customs duty of 5-12% for digital cameras imported into Europe"
https://www.tested.com/tech/photography/44445-why-digital-cameras-have-a-30-minute-video-recording-limit/

tcthome Loc: NJ

jerryc41 wrote:

I never shoot video with my still cameras, but I know a lot of people do. Let's say I put a Nikon DsLR on a tripod and push Record. Will it keep running till I stop it, or is there a short time limit? With a time limit, a DSLR would not be able to record a two-hour event.

I'm not 100% sure because I don't shoot vid either ( will try 1 day ) but, I believe its 30 min. Some legeallity rule.

khorinek

I shoot video all the time, but have never taken more than 2-3 minute videos. One issue with video & DSLR's is overheating. which may be why they are limited to 30 min. I haven't had that problem with my EOS RP.