Will upgrading the body (D5100) help with video autofocus?

[nexus5rocks]

It's well chronicled that Nikon (and of that vintage) are not great at video.
The kit is a D5100 with either 18-200mm or 35mm shooting at f3.5, 1/60s and 1600 ISO and it is constantly "hunting", often times failing, or extremely slow when not failing.

Will a newer body like a d5500 help, or even stepping up to a d7500?
Or are the lenses a limiting factor as well?

Or do I need to abandon the Nikon ecosystem and go to Canon?

 

[jtvang125]

Won't help. Even Nikon's latest d850 didn't improve video AF much if at all. Until they implement some type of on-sensor focusing tech like Dual-Pixel AF on Canon or Hybrid AF on Sony then the video AF is going to remain poor.

 

[nexus5rocks]

Won't help. Even Nikon's latest d850 didn't improve video AF much if at all. Until they implement some type of on-sensor focusing tech like Dual-Pixel AF on Canon or Hybrid AF on Sony then the video AF is going to remain poor.

Ok, when that happens (apparently they have a patent for a quad pixel AF), will my current lenses be "compatible" with it?
The pixel tech is on the body sensor, so I imagine it would, right?

 

[Rifter]

Ok, when that happens (apparently they have a patent for a quad pixel AF), will my current lenses be "compatible" with it?
The pixel tech is on the body sensor, so I imagine it would, right?

They should be yes.

 

[turtile]

It's well chronicled that Nikon (and of that vintage) are not great at video.
The kit is a D5100 with either 18-200mm or 35mm shooting at f3.5, 1/60s and 1600 ISO and it is constantly "hunting", often times failing, or extremely slow when not failing.

Will a newer body like a d5500 help, or even stepping up to a d7500?
Or are the lenses a limiting factor as well?

Or do I need to abandon the Nikon ecosystem and go to Canon?

What exactly are you trying to do with the video? There's a lot of issues with using auto modes in video which is why the professionals usually use manual focus. DSLRs are even worse because the aperture change makes noise along with the focus motor. (you can buy de-clicked manual aperture lenses but they are really expensive)

 

[Rifter]

What exactly are you trying to do with the video? There's a lot of issues with using auto modes in video which is why the professionals usually use manual focus. DSLRs are even worse because the aperture change makes noise along with the focus motor. (you can buy de-clicked manual aperture lenses but they are really expensive)

Its way way cheaper to just use an external mic to overcome this issue.

 

[nexus5rocks]

What exactly are you trying to do with the video? There's a lot of issues with using auto modes in video which is why the professionals usually use manual focus. DSLRs are even worse because the aperture change makes noise along with the focus motor. (you can buy de-clicked manual aperture lenses but they are really expensive)

Bought a Zhiyun Crane and trying to get some smooth video out of my D5100 mounted on it. Being on a gimbal, it's not easy to use the focus ring.

AF sound isn't going to be an issue most of the times I'll edit an audio track in. For the times I need the live sound, a mic will be used.

Yes, I'm probably not using the right tool (Nikon DSLR) for the job (taking video).

 

[turtile]

The larger sensor cameras are always going to have more trouble autofocusing since the circle of confusion is going to be much smaller. Nikon isn't as good as the others because they aren't producing video cameras like Sony and Canon - they have to work around or license patents. The video quality is really great for the price since you can use a large high resolution lens though so I only like using it for recording things that aren't too difficult.

 

[jtvang125]

Bought a Zhiyun Crane and trying to get some smooth video out of my D5100 mounted on it. Being on a gimbal, it's not easy to use the focus ring.

AF sound isn't going to be an issue most of the times I'll edit an audio track in. For the times I need the live sound, a mic will be used.

Yes, I'm probably not using the right tool (Nikon DSLR) for the job (taking video).

For gimbal work you'll want something with good and fast AF. But you can get around that by using a wide angle lens and using a smaller aperture for a deeper DOF. That way just about everything is in focus.