What am I doing wrong with video

[larkspur]

I am shooting video with my Nikon D90 and it looks awful.
Here is a sample:

http://youtu.be/CgBbWLMX6NE

I have it set for 1280x720 but it still looks grainy.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Dennis]

Well I had a look at the video and do agree with you. I'm not a fan of video in a camera, but have it in Lynn's camera Nikon D90 and my D700 as well and was going to take some of the smaller compact flash cards and try this out in Algonquin park.
So my question to you Larkspur is the process that you used to set this scene up with the camera in regards to the focus portion of it. I did a test with Lynn's D90 and if I remember it will allow you to autofocus on the subject if stationary and if you had another subject you could autofocus on it but anything moving is manual focus only. What are the ISO settings and did you do an exposure comp on the camera? I will do a quick test with the video for home and see if I have the same issues and will post a link here for you to see. We are calling for some rain, but lets see what happens.

[Dennis]

Larkspur, uploading a test video for you shot with the D90 and the 70-200mm lens on it and not all that hot. First thing I noticed was that when the light changes you can see it happen in the video, so I think manual mode? Still question that, and need to go over the settings in the camera but wanted to see the results as I nver used the video in the camera. Will post the video as soon as it has finnished uploading for you.

[larkspur]

I just used the same ISO setting that I took the photo with. I think it was 160

Well I had a look at the video and do agree with you. I'm not a fan of video in a camera, but have it in Lynn's camera Nikon D90 and my D700 as well and was going to take some of the smaller compact flash cards and try this out in Algonquin park.
So my question to you Larkspur is the process that you used to set this scene up with the camera in regards to the focus portion of it. I did a test with Lynn's D90 and if I remember it will allow you to autofocus on the subject if stationary and if you had another subject you could autofocus on it but anything moving is manual focus only. What are the ISO settings and did you do an exposure comp on the camera? I will do a quick test with the video for home and see if I have the same issues and will post a link here for you to see. We are calling for some rain, but lets see what happens.

[larkspur]

Thanks Dennis!

Larkspur, uploading a test video for you shot with the D90 and the 70-200mm lens on it and not all that hot. First thing I noticed was that when the light changes you can see it happen in the video, so I think manual mode? Still question that, and need to go over the settings in the camera but wanted to see the results as I nver used the video in the camera. Will post the video as soon as it has finnished uploading for you.

[Dennis]

Here you go does the quality look the same as yours? Oh yes notice that mine has the video in-bedded, next time use the icon to the right of the image URL links one that you use and it will place the video in the thread

[larkspur]

looks much better!

[Dennis]

looks much better!

Go and look at yours again but look at the bottom right it says 360, click on that area and change it to 720 HD looks a bit better. Plus I will check my settings and see if there is anything that I might be able to pin point that can help improve the quality.

When I looked at mine it showed 360 low res and much better in 720.

I was also looking at videos Nikon D90 videos and most of them look soft looking to be, not like a real video camera...I guess?

[larkspur]

Thanks Dennis. I agree and I am not too impressed with the video from the D90 either. I expected high def from it but it looks grainy on all venues except on camera playback.

[Dennis]

Thanks Dennis. I agree and I am not too impressed with the video from the D90 either. I expected high def from it but it looks grainy on all venues except on camera playback.

I totally agree with you. Now that I have tested the D90, maybe if we get some sun on Sunday I will try the D700 and post it in here and I won't be holding breath for thast camera either, but will find out soon.