Which Camera? (Recommendations)

S

sabian1982

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3
Name
Michael
Edit My Images
No
10 years ago I bought a Nikon D5300 Digital SLR Camera with 18-140mm VR Lens which I originally used for outdoor photography (the lens was great for getting distance shots with blurred background) however the intention was to also use the camera for some studio based videography.

In more recent years I got a AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G - great for macro photos, especially of small bottle and label photography setup in my home office.

Videography wise, I've used the 18-140 lens for recording studio based product video content - primary white backdrops and minimal shadows. I also have a motorised slider which is great for panning video shots and a white turntable for getting 360 views of product; part of the reason for going with the D5300 originally was due to its 60fps hence making speed ramping (during the editing process) a smooth and useful effect.

The issues with the D5300 however include the limitation of 1080p, whilst the auto focus is not only noisy but also hit and miss, keeping moving elements in focus when needed has always been problematic. Its still decent for photographys (so can continue to use the D5300 for images) but it feels like i need a change for my videography!

So what would people recommend?

Is it worth looking at a camera that I can use my existing lens with (via an adapter) or is it worth going for a completely new setup?

Budget wise I'm looking for something up to around £800 whilst I'm also willing to consider second hand rather than brand new (my DX 40mm lens was bought through CEX second hand and has served me very well).

Suggestions?
 
welshwizard645 said:
Nikon Z50/Z50ii, plus FTZ takes you to £800 or thereabouts.
Click to expand...

I guess my worry with this approach is that the adapted F-mount lens on the Z50ii will still (I presume) have focus in steps and have audible focus motor noise rather than smooth, quiet tracking focus of a native z-mounth lens.

Or am i wrong and the difference between the f-mount and native z-mount lens on the Z50ii will be barely noticable?

The important factor is that i'll be using the new camera primarily for video content creation, with products on a rotating turntable or with the camera on a motion slider.
 
Last edited:
To tell you the truth Michael I don't notice the difference, coming from a screw-drive system to AF-S (Nikon) or SDM (Pentax) I think recent F-mount is 'quiet'...

Think we are spoilt with mirrorless and silent technology to the extent that technology that was perfectly adequate 5-10 years ago is now noisy.

There maybe Z-mount equivalents for your 18-140 - I am not so sure as I am FX (D850 and Z8). But I have not been bothered about the 'noise' when using my AF-S lenses on the Z8...but I do not shoot video.

Sorry I can't give you any more crumbs than that.
 
welshwizard645 said:
To tell you the truth Michael I don't notice the difference, coming from a screw-drive system to AF-S (Nikon) or SDM (Pentax) I think recent F-mount is 'quiet'...
Click to expand...
To be honest, the refocus noise is me nitpicking - my main concern is the potential lack of smoothness with tracking and staying in focus when recording product videos in a studio setting.

In a lot of my footage I tend to turn auto focus off for the specific shot, however in some instances when using my motorized camera slider I need that tracking and auto focus which is where the D5300 struggles (focusing in and out and struggling to find and hold on to that focus sweet spot).

On paper though the Z50ii looks great given the 4k and 60fps specs when recording video.
 
The in and out focus is a "feature" of Nikon DSLR autofocus in live view and you will probably have to go to mirrorless if you want to get rid of it. Plus get lenses to match. The DSLR lenses adapted to Z mount might still do it.
 
sabian1982 said:
I guess my worry with this approach is that the adapted F-mount lens on the Z50ii will still (I presume) have focus in steps and have audible focus motor noise rather than smooth, quiet tracking focus of a native z-mounth lens.

Or am i wrong and the difference between the f-mount and native z-mount lens on the Z50ii will be barely noticable?

The important factor is that i'll be using the new camera primarily for video content creation, with products on a rotating turntable or with the camera on a motion slider.
Click to expand...

once you notice the annoying slow behaviour of the old screw motors, as well as newer but not much different STM, you can't unnotice it. You want a higher spec kit. And you may likely want better optical quality to old megazoom
 
I dabble, in a very amateur way, with videos of studio photography, I'm very much a beginner but have learned two important things.

1. Use manual focus, never autofocus
2. Use an external mike
 
The D5300 doesn't have a screw drive motor. The18-140 is about average speed but I expect the main limitation on the 5300 is the older contrast detect system on them. The more modern cameras have more processing power so can track things more effectively.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
This is seriously extremely hard not to disagree with in 2026
Click to expand...
You may be right, but my camera isn't 2026, and unless the OP goes for a completely new setup, his won't be either.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top