Nikon Announces D850 Filmmaker’s Kit

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Nikon has been making moves lately to appeal to the video audience, with the spectacular D850 and its UHD 4K video and 8K time-lapse mode allowing multimedia productions to create stellar video and photos. Today, they are taking things a step further with the D850 Filmmaker’s Kit, a specially put together bundle that includes all the critical components needed to capture cinematic video. Of course, the full-frame 45.7MP D850 DSLR is at the center along with the AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED, the 35mm f/1.8G ED, and an 85mm f/1.8G lens, allowing for varied shots and spectacular images. Then, to make it more video-centric, Nikon has added in a spare battery pack, the ME-1 Stereo Microphone, the ME-W1 Wireless Microphone, and the Atomos Ninja Flame, a 7” monitor/recorder that will help maximize the video quality from the D850.

Are you considering the D850 for its combined stills and video skills? Let us know your thoughts on this new kit in the comments below!

 

5 Comments

In regards to the comment made by Martha W. on the lenses not having aperture rings, are you meaning having geared lenses in which a follow focus system would attach to the lens element? A solution around that missing feature would be to cinematize the D850 system by using a rig like the Arri Cage II system which features zip-gears with the correct gear pitch needed to operate an Arri Mini Follow Focus unit. The only concern I have with this kit is the lack of a wireless microphone system using selectable radio frequencies within the UHF A band spectrum. The decision to go with a Bluetooth connection method concerns me since Bluetooth compresses audio real bad and its distance limit of 30-Feet. This implementation for sound would have been better executed by using a Seinheiser or Shure wireless based system which is commonly done in Electronic News Gathering and Electronic Field Production settings. The ME-1 Stereo Microphone is okay, but using a Tascam DR-40 or a Zoom H4-N  Pro digital audio recorder would have provided for better stereo dynamic range. The Nikon Nikkor lenses are good, but it would be nice to see Nikon compete with Canon in bringing out a line of Cine lenses manufactured to the precession where lenses are measured in T-stops. Today, Zeiss has a series of Cine lenses using the Nikon F-Mount, but Nikon is missing in action here. Then finally, I would like Nikon to work along side an accomplished cinematographer and help develop a log file profile like Canon and Panasonic have. I guess it would be called F-log and it would have a corresponding LUT for the Atomos series of display/recorder displays. I have spoken to support people both at Atomos and Nikon at length about this concern the following day after the announcement of the filmmakers kit. Yep, I am asking a lot, but Nikon has catch up work to do in the video realm where Canon has many options across the pro level user to the broadcast division of the company. Overall, it is a great starter kit for someone getting into a line of photography work that also requires video as well. I am a Nikon owner, so this is why I bring forth the above mention concerns.

I have not upgraded to the D850 yet as I have allot of trouble with my D810 with staying in focus as subjects creep.  It is so annoying even in Sports Photography.  Nikon's got to fix their Auto Focus on moving objects or they are going to loose allot of sports photographers on the HIGH END!   I switched to Nikon in the early days of Digital.  I had been a Cannon shooter until that point.  Like many things in life, my decision to switch, the move was do to a BAD EMPLOYEE who would not listen.  I had just completed purchasing one of the early Cannon Digital Cameras.  I bought one toward the entry level and before I reached the car I realized my mistake.  The Cannon dealer said the would need to send my camera back to Cannon to make sure I hadn't dropped or damaged it on the way to my car.  I asked what the return procedure was and he quickly answered 48 hour "No Questions Asked" thus I'm a Nikon Owner! 

Any idea when we will FINALLY see a servo zoom for cameras like this? Isn't this a no-brainer?

I am curious to know about how the lenses work for film without aperture rings on the lens?

Hi Martha,

While not absolutely perfect for filmmaking, the D850 features a Power Aperture control function for smooth aperture changes while recording movies. So while it isn't a physical ring with a gear that pro cine lenses use, these lenses are a better hybrid option where shooters can quickly switch back and forth between stills and video.