David Webster

Semi random question I haven't seen answered anywhere else (I did look). Is there a time limit to liveview out over HDMI? Either with or without recording internally? Scenario is that I use a Nikon D5200 to feed an HDMI signal to a Wirecast/BlackMagic rig for live streaming. I use the hacked D5200 firmware to keep it Live View awake for up to 3 hours. I'd love to step up to 4k, but the deal breaker has been finding a camera that can keep Live View open for the duration of a rock show. I've heard the GH4 will do that? Does this one or any other you guys know about? I can obv purchase one and find out the hard way but thought I'd ask first. Thanks!

Yeah, I agree it helps to look side by side.   On my computer, I simply opened up both files and put the windows side by side and stepped through them. You can do that with any of the other clips folks have provided as well. Simply download the original and then open it in two separate windows.    Or, if you can't get the originals, just open two browser windows with the same video and stack them one on top of the other to get a similar effect. Of course in this instance, the (moderately) higher noise levels in the D5200 and the significantly worse moire in the 6D are perfectly visible without any zooming or extra work, which is what I was really looking to confirm. For more subtle distinctions, I agree side by side with a controlled rig is the way to go.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am still inside the return window for my Canon 6D.  So I picked up a D5200 and thought I'd do a direct head to head to help me reach a decision on what to keep. I was most interested in probing what I know are the obvious tradeoffs between the cameras. Lower noise at higher ISO with bad moire for the Canon 6D. Higher noise levels but better moire handling for the D5200.   https://vimeo.com/60560438   As I said, I'm not a pro, just a enthusiast trying to decide which poison to drink. So no need to correct me on my poor filming technique (although do feel free to point out settings I might want to use).   Note I haven't touched the clips coming out of the camera. No corrections or adjustments at all. The lenses I was using are not identical, but I tried to standardize on aperture, ISO, and approximately similar focal lengths. On the 6D I used  a Canon 50mm 1.4 (at 2.8) and a Canon 100mm Macro at 2.8 On the D5200 I used two old manual Nikkor lenses, a 28mm 2.8 and the 105mm 2.5 (at 2.8)   As per usual, download the original file to see the footage without the additional macroblock artifacts introduced by Vimeo.   Frankly given that 100% of the videos I shoot (mostly my kids band) will be viewed on YouTube or Vimeo, I'm not sure how to think about detail and noise advantages anyway. Starting with higher quality is always better, obviously, but if the nuances get trashed by the online codecs, maybe I'm doomed either way.   Certainly the test confirmed what I already knew. There's no free lunch.  But given the large price difference between the cameras and the fact that moire is bad for my use case (stage lights and screens behind  her band) I'm thinking I'll go with the Nikon.

Enthusiast here, not a pro, so take this question in that spirit. My daughter is a drummer, and I often film her gigs. These are invariably indoors, poorly lit, with annoying LED stage lights that produce unwanted flicker. Basic nightmare. I've tried using a wide variety of cameras over the last year, with a mixture of good and mediocre results. At the moment I'm using a 6D with a canon 50mm 1.4 and an Nex-5N with a Sigma 30mm 2.8 and an old Nikon 50mm 2.8 manual lens using an adapter. For fun i also use the occasional Hero3 Black for interesting overhead views. All of those work pretty well with a couple caveats. The 6D has an issue with moire of course, as you know. The 5N is ok in mid range lighting but noise gets bad quick, especially compared to 6D. While I'd love to shoot wide open on the 6D all the time, the super shallow DoF means I have to pic one member of the band at a time to be in focus. Obviously that's the half the point of such a fast lens, but it often means I can't leverage it as intended. I'm still within the return window for the 6D. I can exchange it without penalty. So basically what I'm asking is if I'd be better off (or at least as well off with money saved) by returning the 6D and getting a D5200. Keep in mind my use case is very much video, and often low light. If I did this, I could pick up a fast 35mm and maybe an 85mm to go with it. Going below 1.8 (or even 2.8) may not be worth it given my DoF requirements. I'd love any thoughts.