With the enhancements, Nikon has made the new D4S full-frame DSLR a slightly stronger camera that the previous D4 for videographers. Users have the recording options of 1080 at 60p, 30p, or cinematic 24p, at up to almost 30 minutes per clip in H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; uncompressed 60p video can be outputted to an external recorder via HDMI, while video can be saved simultaneously on either a CF or XQD card. There’s selectable image area when in Live View, audio levels can be adjusted (with an auto frequency range for wide or narrow), and the ISO expands from 100 to 409,600. And those are just some of the camera’s new features.
As great as new camera specs look on paper, we would rather see the proof. Nikon commissioned photographer/videographer Corey Rich to create a film about three photographers who are using the D4S to shoot – filmed with the D4S, of course.
“Nikon developed an incredibly intriguing idea for the video component of the D4S campaign,” Rich wrote in his blog. “They wanted me, a still photographer and a filmmaker/director, to use the D4S to shoot an inspirational film about three prolific photographers using the D4S to create powerful still photographs within their genres. Those photographers would be Dave Black, Robert Beck and George Karbus.
“Secondarily, they wanted us to shoot a behind-the-scenes film about the making of ‘Dedicated,’” Rich continued. “Therefore, the film would be multi-layered in that it would tell stories within stories. Most camera-release videos involve setting stunning motion content to a nice soundtrack. ‘Dedicated breaks from that by verging on a very documentary-style approach, one in which authenticity and passion are the focus.”
Rich posted a trailer for the film. It gives us a good idea of what the D4s is capable of, when it comes to video capture, and it’s pretty stunning. Head to Rich’s blog to read more about the project.
