What's the cheapest DSLR with continuous autofocusing while filming video?

[Doppel]

Looking for an entry level DSLR and it must have the ability to record video. I saw some demo vids of the D3100 and the refocusing click sound while filming video is really atrocious. What else is there with continuous focusing, hopefully not as loud? I'd go maybe a step up from entry-level if I had to!

 

[RobDickinson]

Your choice is sony. a33, a55, a77.

There not SLR as such but as close as.

 

[Doppel]

Your choice is sony. a33, a55, a77.

There not SLR as such but as close as.

Is this because video with an SRL you're basically stuck with the clicking sounds unless you really ramp up in price a lot?

 

[RobDickinson]

with an SLR you can either use slow contrast detect focus or the fast phase detect but you cant use phase detect with the mirror up filming video.

sonys slt cameras can.

but it still takes a lot of effort to get decent video out of them. If you want a video camera buy a video camera.

 

[Anubis]

the d7000 doesn't click it makes a little wirr sound when you re AF, i could see it being annoying but for the 3 times ive used video on it i was not concerned with the audio quality

 

[dougp]

the d7000 doesn't click it makes a little wirr sound when you re AF, i could see it being annoying but for the 3 times ive used video on it i was not concerned with the audio quality

A33 makes the whirr not the clicking too. Not sure why the post above you says it takes some work to get nice video though.

 

[RobDickinson]

Because AF with fastish lenses is going to be iffy, and your best running in manual with manual focus, any camera movements, zooming etc are tricky to do nicely etc too.

 

[nboy22]

Is this because video with an SRL you're basically stuck with the clicking sounds unless you really ramp up in price a lot?

I use a rode videomic with my t2i. The rode videomic eliminates hearing the focus motor clicking.

 

[novasatori]

there is also the SLT A65 which basically has the same video capabilities as the A77 for $899 body only

the focusing speeds are really fast, but you have to shoot in automatic "P" video mode for phase detection focusing which has the aperture wide open

 

[Doppel]

I wonder if there is a simple way to run the video through an audio filter and clean out the clicks...

 

[Kaido]

Is this because video with an SRL you're basically stuck with the clicking sounds unless you really ramp up in price a lot?

dSLR video footage looks fabulous, but yeah - they stink as a camcorder replacement. My T2i only does 12 minute clips at a time and overheats after awhile. I typically only use it for film-type projects, which require shorter clips anyway, but it is annoying if you want to record stuff camcorder-style with autofocus, long recording times, good optical image stabilization, etc. One alternative you might look at is the Panasonic HDC-TM900K camcorder. 35mm equivalent with a fast lens - looks great, does zoom, full HD, etc.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKJnbTorxRs

 

[Ancalagon44]

Why dont you just buy a proper video camera and a half decent still camera? Likely to cost you less than an SLR plus lens and the proper video camera is going to be better at shooting video.

 

[Munky]

Panasonic GH1 or GH2 or G3. These have full time silent focusing during movies if you use the appropriate lens.

 

[Doppel]

I have a half decent vid camera but it gets no use. I hate carrying it around, so we just don't make use of it. In fact, a half-assed vid camera in a picture camera would be better for us than the vid cam we already have

For DSLRS that do NOT have autofocus while filming, how does one focus? is there any auto-focus at all, like regular half-pressing of the button or something? Obviously, I have no idea at all about video with DSLRs hence the question!

Really refuse to spend more than $850 but would much prefer $550

 

[mchammer187]

The D5100 has an external mic input so that is probably your best bet

 

[sswingle]

I have a half decent vid camera but it gets no use. I hate carrying it around, so we just don't make use of it. In fact, a half-assed vid camera in a picture camera would be better for us than the vid cam we already have

For DSLRS that do NOT have autofocus while filming, how does one focus? is there any auto-focus at all, like regular half-pressing of the button or something? Obviously, I have no idea at all about video with DSLRs hence the question!

Really refuse to spend more than $850 but would much prefer $550

You either half press to focus or you manual focus on the lens itself. I have a D3100 but have NEVER used the autofocus feature.

 

[Doppel]

The D5100 has an external mic input so that is probably your best bet

That looks pretty snazzy--saw pics of the D5100 with a mic sitting in the flash seat. So with that I'd have no click sounds? It looks like it doesn't interfere with the built-in flash. Do you think the camera could support going back and forth with the video+mic and taking pictures with built-in flash without removing the mic?

You either half press to focus or you manual focus on the lens itself. I have a D3100 but have NEVER used the autofocus feature.

So basically I'd just have to keep pressing it over and over while filming? That doesn't seem all that terrible.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

Looking for an entry level DSLR and it must have the ability to record video. I saw some demo vids of the D3100 and the refocusing click sound while filming video is really atrocious. What else is there with continuous focusing, hopefully not as loud? I'd go maybe a step up from entry-level if I had to!

Video autofocus is picked up by the internal mic. The kit lens is louder than some lenses (the 35mm f/1.8 is quieter). Also, a lot of these vids really put the video autofocus through an ordeal of drastic focus changes. You won't notice it as much in casual video shooting.

If the DSLR has an external mic jack, then one of the mics that mount on the flash socket really make a difference. I think the D3100 does not have the jack, but I know the D7000 does and records very nice video. I think the D5100 does, also.

JR

 

[Doppel]

Thanks for the posts! Is it fair to say most DSLRs can focus during the movie by the manual button press, too? I worry I'm making way too big a deal of this and that it's possible to get good DSLR vids without this if practiced.

 

[CptObvious]

All DSLR on-board mics will pick up AF noise, zoom noise, etc. so you need an external mic to avoid this. A refurbished Canon T2i would probably be your best lowest cost bet along with a shotgun mic or portable audio recorder for $100-150. A new Canon T3i or Nikon D5100 on sale would be worth looking into as well. The T2i/T2i don't have continuous autofocus AFAIK while the D5100 does, but you can manually re-focus at any time. Many videographers manually focus their lenses.

 

[sswingle]

Really manual focus (with the occasional focus check with a half press of the shutter release) is the only way to go for me. I would NOT trust an important shot to the cameras auto focus.

 

[AkumaX]

t2i, MF and magic lantern :awe:

 

[Doppel]

Thanks for all inputs. For better or worse I ended up with the D5100. can be had for $761 and has great reviews, though it seems that I probably won't use autofocus on video much anyway! Got it from BB and with $150 off a telephoto got a 55-300 $350@Amazon lens for $250.

 

[nboy22]

t2i, MF and magic lantern :awe:

Yes! I've got t2i, Magic lantern, and the rode videomic. It's really nice.