Is the D300s video supposed to look this crappy?

[fuzzybabybunny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRz5qbSbnI0&sns=em

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55q_RhT5eP8&sns=em

Details in the shadows are gone like parts of the front of the house, and also in dark wood like nightstands. If I were to expose for the shadows other parts would get crazy blown out. Is there some way to bring out details in both shadows and highlights for video?

 

[Cattykit]

D300s's video is far behind Nikon's newer cameras that are EXPEED2 based. EXPEED2 Nikons' are also quite behind Canons and Panasonic GH2. However, that doesn't mean you're stuck with the problem you're having.

The rule of shooting video with DSLR is that you choose flat picture style, turn down sharpness all the way down, saturation -2 steps down, contrast -3 down. The goal is to make it as flat as possible then apply grading process when editing.

If you want to take it further, go to video forums and look for picture styles that are custom made for video. I don't know which one is the best for Nikon cameras but for Canon, it's Cinestyle developed by Technicolor. Take a look at this test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQYEgE1304M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI0NUGQokFQ&feature=related
Notice how technicolor looks very flat thus offering far more more latitude. (Technicolor has been a industry leading company in the area for ages and they knew what they were doing. Many of those individuals who make custom picture styles don't really know what they're doing and develop flat picture styles that are out of whack. It may work fine only in certain situations but would fall apart in different situations. So, whatever you get, try it in various settings before you use it for critical work.)