Ramm Francis

Thanks to all for responding. If price were no object, the Fuji medium format GFX 50S would make killer video using still images. Moreover, a silent shutter. It also supports two (2) camera batts. I use a Dynamic Perception slider and it triggers the move-pan-tilt of the slider and camera head and also fires the camera. I don't know if it works yet with the new Fuji GFX 50S but I will find out. I shoot nothing but archival anymore and 8K is increasingly the format that is requested from buyers. Again, thanks to all for your comments.

I can see where the mirror is an issue. Again, remember that I am still camera illiterate. Mirror lock-up mode? Yes, DR and batt life are both critical. Tony, that's funny. I actually had a crew member take a Mamiya 645 with all the lenses and pelican case years ago. Never saw him again - of course! I'm going to NAB next month in Las Vegas. Don't know how many DSLR manufacturers there will be but it sounds like I need to gather more camera information. Nikon lenses hunt - really? That's not nice. Recent problem - old problem? - jm

Mr. Reid: Thank you for responding. I too look forward to your article on time-lapse. I had originally intended to use the D5 for shooting 4K until I learned it uses 1.5 crop mode and UHD versus true 4K. That's what made me think about stitching together still images for time-lapse. As I clearly can read, it appears that is a very common practice. Moreover, trying to make cameras that were intended to shoot still images and repurpose them for video is somewhat like buying a farm tractor and also expecting it to race and corner like a sports car. That is the reason why still images for time-lapse makes so much sense. If you had to steer me in a direction, would you recommend the 810 or the D5? I want to accomplish some night time-lapse too using available light. I apologize for my ignorance but all my experience is with either Mitchell or Panavision cameras or video cameras. I'm a real schmuck when it comes to still-image cameras. My knowledge does not exceed knowing which side of the camera to stand behind when taking pictures! That will of course have to change. For video, I shoot 60p. Reason? It is far smoother than 30p or slower frame speeds. I also see where in the not-too-distant future, video folks will be capturing and playing back at 60p - not for slow-motion but rather, to retrieve smoother video. Because all the stuff I shoot anymore is intended for archive, quality for the future is the greatest consideration when selecting cameras, formats, frame rates and glass. I will play around with After EFX and look at the other programs to see which one is the most intuitive for putting the files into a finished time-lapse sequence. Again, your name was recommended to me and I can see the reason for the good recommendation. Thank you so much for your advice and counsel. - jm

Wow. Great stuff. Thank all of you so much for responding. You have a really GREAT forum. I have two objectives with the DSLR camera: (1) High quality still images and (2) time-lapse which I cannot do with the video cameras at high 4K resolution. The slider will control the tracking-pan-tilt of the camera and it will also send the trigger to fire the camera so that the camera is motionless when the shutter makes the exposure. I forgot about the 100,000 - 300,000 shutter duty cycles. Time lapse gets up there rather rapidly with use. ATOMOS has a recorder that electronically will record video frames at intervals from a video camera but unfortunately, it is not high enough resolution for archive. It seems that the 810 has a higher resolution than the D5 - true? So the 810 would be better for time-lapse and the D5 would be better for stills - is that correct?

Mr. Reid: I've been in the 35mm motion picture film and then video business for years. What I know about still image cameras is zip except I have always liked the colorimetry of Nikon cameras and lenses. I will soon have nice 4.6K video cameras. What we need is an exceptional time-lapse video camera which brings us to search for the best DSLR cameras. Thus, we have two purchase criteria: A. The best resolution still image camera in the Nikon line which I assume to be the new D5. B. A still camera that can capture true, 4K (4096 x 2160) video images for time-lapse video (not UHD 3840 x 2160). I know the D5 does 4K UHD in 1.5 crop mode. Not what is needed for our archival shooting. Here is the question: "Though the D5 is rated to shoot UHD 3840 x 2160 video at 30p, is there any way to increase the video resolution by shooting single, still-frame images every 8-12 seconds for time-lapse as though one were taking still images? No, not the same as "video" at 30p - but is there a way to save those single frames or files (essentially full sensor still-image frames) so that they can be turned into high-quality 4K time-lapse video that are a higher resolution than UHD 3840 x 2160?" I greatly appreciate your knowledgeable response. Kindest Regards, Jim Mitchell