Question: I can’t wait until the DSLR fad goes away. Sure the image might look good but its not like it’s the future for the camcorder- or is it? Also some of the rigs just look silly, it looks like you’re a photographer and not a pro videographer. Some even say this will put us out of business. What are your thoughts, Brian?

Answer: As of this post, I’m finally diving into the DSLR “trend” with two feet to see what all the commotion is about. The DV Show’s partnership with B&H video has allowed me some time to play around with the Nikon D90 which is not a video camera but it can shoot 720P video. In other words, HD video at 1280 X 720 resolution at 24 FPS. Until the entire workflow is experienced, I can’t accurately report what it’s like to shoot with these cameras- the ups and the downs, ins and outs.

We had the Canon 5D at our disposal but, hey, who wants ANOTHER review of that? Besides, the D90 was first.

For now, the only two things I see as potential problems with DSLRs in general are the videos that people make with them and the shots are becoming so cliché.

If I ever see another test video on Vimeo with a blurred background showing someone in slow motion smiling at the camera or trees blowing in the wind, etc, I will be a happy person.

No matter how much you may not “like” the DSLR by calling it a trend, I don’t want to miss a very important point.

As I casually poke around with the Nikon D90 preparing for a video review, I can see the reason why so many videographers are changing over- it’s incredibly EASY to get a phenomenal shot. Take a little card, read the files onto our desktop, click them and suddenly something in your brains goes POP “Holy crap – that looks AMAZING”

“This looks freaking INCREDIBLE!”

(I suddenly find myself looking down on my JVC-GYHM100 as old equipment after this short experience- but it’s too early to come to any conclusions.)

This is a shooting style some videographers prefer – a private choice. It’s personal. I’m not going to criticize anyone who decides to use their own style and what equipment they use to create that style. Sure, it’s not the future of the camcorder- it’s an option to make it better. I’m happy to see significant improvements in quality from such a small package and at such a small price.

To some, a DSLR camera gets the juices flowing again. Dreams of reaching this level of quality were not possible before but are now. Go for it. I’m not going to stick my foot out and trip you.

Die hard video professionals are quick to dismiss the “DSLR trend” because it’s a threat. This is a WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL from what we’ve seen before – a world many of us don’t know anything about yet. Our current workflow is compromised, we have to set time aside to go past the learning curve  (again) and the thought of the new equipment needed to accommodate the change? yuck.

Is it worth it to dive in, forge ahead and not look back or sit on the side lines and continue to do your thing? Dismissing it as unimportant or a fad simply because we don’t understand it yet is just silly. Many content creators who spent years in this industry (me included) have seen many fads come and go – we’re watching this one closely and are getting our brains re-calibrated.

My philosophy: Not embracing change can put you out of business.

In the meantime, let me play around with the Nikon D90: this camera is going to go through a rigorous, thorough, real world test from beginning to end – I’ll let you know if the JVC-GYHM100 makes it to Craigslist.

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