Why you need movie mode
Camera skills
22 December 2009 10:43
Did you know that the DSLR movie mode is so revolutionary that film professionals are starting to adopt it? Ben Turner explains its appeal.
A gimmick. Pointless. White elephant. These are typical comments that photographers used when video was first introduced into DSLRs a little over a year ago. Nikon did it first with the D90, followed by Canon with its EOS 5D Mark II. Opinions may have changed little since, with most dyed-in-the-wool photographers regarding it as a feature too far that they’re probably paying extra for.
But the reception from videographers has been different. They love it, and for a whole bunch of reasons that I think you should get excited about too. I’m a stills man at heart and always will be. But I also know that lurking in my camera bag is a tool capable of producing highly creative footage akin to what’s normally possible from a movie camera costing a lot more. Imagine using your DSLR to creatively capture your baby’s first steps. Actually, don’t just imagine it, because now it’s all possible...
The full feature on DSLR movie mode can be found in Practical Photography February 2010, on sale 30th December 2009.
