Although it wasn’t on my to-do list, when Nikon’s media agency contacted me to offer the loan of a D7200, I said sure.
It took me a little while to adjust to shooting with a DSLR. Although I still sometimes shoot with my BOD (big old dslr) it doesn’t have live view – which really needs to be renamed mirrorless mode, so it took a little time to adjust. As you’ll see, I was impressed, but would have been even more impressed if it was a mirrorless camera (sigh).
I really had to restrain myself from pointing out every inconvenience, which can easily be seen as shortcomings and compromises if you’re reasonably comfortable with mirrorless cameras. In spite of this initial awkwardness, the D7200 really did win me over.
Among my standard locations and local sights, I was able to shoot on the set of the YTV production of Anne of Green Gables, starring Martin Sheen. The loan also coincided with the visit of Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands. Although I did get to meet the King and chat with the Queen, we were admonished to leave our cameras at home for the evening. The pink umbrellas are at Toronto’s Sugar Beach, the ice cream cones at Carlotta’s in Niagara on the Lake – excellent gelato with interesting flavours.
As always, I’m thankful to Juice, who are most gracious to let me shoot video for my purposes instead of theirs.
For the last scene, Doug and I went to The David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill. Most of the on-camera scenes were shot using the Parrot iPhone prompter. It is a little hard to see in bright sunlight.
Screen captures are edited, condensed and sometimes have their speed adjusted to make the images fit the dialog.
If you’d like to see the images in more detail, and check out their EXIF data, all photos used in the review are available on flickr.
The on-camera scenes were recorded on a Sony NEX VG20 with the 18-200. Camera closeups were recorded using a Sony a6000, with the SEL1670Z and the SEL30M35 for macro shots. I’m always happy when the camera outputs a “dirty” feed on the HDMI so I can capture the screens (yay Nikon). The direct recording of the D7200 screens was made using an Atomos Ninja Star. VO recorded using a Rode NT-USB. On camera, I use the Sennheiser ew-2 wireless system. I use the x-rite colorchecker passport for white balance and colour reference.
The D7200 kit was on loan, and has been returned. I am not affiliated with or compensated by Nikon, their media agency or any camera or other device manufacturer.
As always, if there are any details I’ve overlooked, I welcome (and reply to) your comments and questions.
