ATOMOS Ninja 2: Better Video? Nikon Sample Shots

I've had my eye on the ATOMOS Ninja-2 for a couple of years now and have gone back and forth over whether it would be a useful investment--would it really make my footage any better?

I had it for about three weeks now and have put it to use on a couple of projects and I find it very useful, but not for the reasons I originally though (and for the reason most people think.)

So this isn't a full review, but a few of my thoughts on how the Ninja-2 can make shooting easier or solve other problems inherent with DSLR cameras.

The Ninja 2 doesn't work with all DSLRs--only those that output video via the HDMI port while in video live-view mode. Check the ATOMOS website for details on which cameras work with the Ninja.

This video shot with the following:

ATOMOS Ninja-2:

Nikon D600:

Panasonic GH4 (The Ninja does not record 4K but does capture a beautiful HD image when the GH4 is in 4k mode and down samples the HDMI signal in 4:2:2 10-bit color)

Nikkon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D Lens:

ePhoto 4500W Softbox Kit:

RODE NTG-2 Shotgun Microphone:

On-stage Boom Microphone Stand:

Lastolite Ezybalance Gray Card (for setting white balance and exposure):

Manfrotto 055xprob Tripod (buy once, you'll probably never need another tripod):

All music copyright Curtis Judd, 2014.

[curtisjudd]

+Matthew Hart It depends on the encoder your camera uses. AVCHD seems to have a harder time with quick pans/tilts so if your camera is AVCHD based, you may see some improvement with the Ninja.

[videosandvideosandvideos]

Hey Curtis Judd, I just want to thank you for this clear, well-spoken/explained video, plus the quality of your video is good, unlike on some other Photography channels.
You are the best! 

[AdamMurtland]

Another great review, Curtis. A couple thoughts I'd like to add:
1) This would make an excellent option for someone looking to buy an external monitor. You'll get all the features of a good monitor plus the ability to record ProRes HQ or Avid DnXhd. It may not be a feature needed now, but perhaps in the future.
2) Blackmagic Pocket Camera shooters can use this as a solution to some of the problems with the BMPCC; the camera's poor lcd and expensive/limited SD cards can both be solved with the Ninja 2. (assuming you're shooting ProRes HQ since you cannot record raw video to the Ninja)

[bric]

Best detailed review I've found of it yet. So many missed the basic feature of the codec you described so thank you. 

[thimsmot]

Great overview, nicely done, and very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to produce and post!

[adamsonlinedirector]

Hi Curtis. Great video.
I've been searching hard for people using the Nikon D750 and the Atomos Ninja 2 as the D750 outputs uncompressed 4:2:2 8-bit.

I think you should re-title your video to include the word Nikon as there isn't anything useful on you tube. 
I watched your video just in passing and got excited when you said Nikon.
As you said - Canon users wouldn't use this as they have Magic Lantern but this is an important tool for the Nikon world.

Thanks for your video!

[Lovely_Lizard]

I bought one of those and I think it has some advantages and during color correction it handles more where h.264 falls apart.
I agree with you there is not much difference but it's sweet to have this tool in your bag especially for events that you need to record more than 30min.

[MrJonathan]

Thanks for your help. I have viewed the link and have just purchased the monitor. Will let you know how I get on when it arrives.
Thanks again, keep up the good

[randomgeocacher]

+davidaems not really, Nikon hacks doesn't have raw yet as far as I know so for Nikon there is no comparision yet. On Canon 5DmkIII the raw stream is said to clearly be better than the HDMI out, sharper image - basically the camera degrades the image before sending it to HDMI. On the Black Magic raw is said to be superior to 10bit ProRes - same sharpness but more color information. My personal opinion on raw (based on 5Dmk2 magic lantern) is that it looks good but workflow is too time and resource consuming for me. ProRes 4:2:2 is so much easier to deal with.

[fraserhopewell]

Thanks for this informative and very balanced review.

I'm a stills guy who just got a D800 and I'm looking to learn more about it's video capabilities, as clients are starting to ask if it's something I offer.

Currently falling down the rabbit hole of what gear is needed to make a DSLR actually useable for video work and this review gave me some really helpful advice, particularly in relation to the quirks of using NIkon gear (where my money is invested!).

[gcardinal]

Another great useful feature for Ninja 2 is recording Audio. It is really great, you can check out this vid on the subject: Atomos Ninja 2 Audio Applications Guide

also you will see real effect of HQ 422 when you try to push your video in post below 0.5 or 1 stop - a lot less noise and much better result when doing a lot of color grading. Your vid looks amazing and you do know your lighting - but Ninja 2 can "save" a bad shot that would have been unusable from the camera.

Also, I have Sony A7r and it has focus peaking, zebra and audio levels original from the factory :) (also you are right, it is not a DSLR) :)

Keep up the good vids!

[KSK_Berlin]

Thanks! I was not sure to buy a Atomos Ninja 2 or not. This video was very useful. You are very good at explanation. I guess I will buy one.

[AielSavage]

I just wanted to say thank you for your videos and especially for the links to the equipment that was used. I've been thinking of investing in a Ninja2 for my BMPCC to expand the memory. Focus peaking already comes on the BMPCC but false color is pretty sweet!

[siaoguai]

Hi Curtis, thank you for a very concise and yet informative review!

[wecreatepnw]

Good food for thought.  Thanks for posting this!

[gcprost]

I have two Ninja 1’s and one Ninja Blade and one Samurai Blade. They are essential to my work. I record live theatre, concerts and dance recitals. The essential feature is the recording times. Other important feature for me is the ProRes codec. I record in ProRes LT which has excellent quality and it edits very easily on my system. The Ninja 1’s don’t have great monitoring features but you can put all the important data on your camera’s monitor and leave the Ninja clean which is ok. The Blade versions have excellent monitors with all the professional monitor features that you’d need. For me, using the combination of the camera’s monitor and the Blade monitor gives me all the information I need to comfortably run the camera for hours on end. The units have been extremely reliable for me. Curtis indicated that he didn’t see a great deal of difference between the files coming off the camera and the files coming off the Ninja. I really can’t comment because I very seldom use the cameras without the recorders. In Resolve and Premier Pro I adjust the exposure and match the cameras. I don’t do any colour grading, but I have no issues with colour correction. The solid state drives are more economical than the P2 media that my cameras run natively. These recorders are maybe not for everyone but, I can’t imagine working without them. Gerry in Calgary.

[seannot-telling]

Yjank you for the review. It's quit a bit down the road. What are your feelings about it now?

[JETX]

The deer shot around 8:50 looks like its flexing/wobbling if you stare at a certain spot.

[Turboy]

If you have one of these (I do) then I highly recommend that if you decide to use a hard drive or SSD that's not on the list of Atomos recommended drives, that you should make a half hour test video on that drive to ensure it's reliably fast enough for the job. If it doesn't show any issues in half an hour's continuous recording, it's good to go. Don't use drives that don't survive this test without skipping or terminating the clip.

[matthewhart]

You touched on the subject of lots of movement within shots - but i think you were referring to greenscreen keying only? Any idea if the Ninja would be helpful with quick pans/tilts & fast moving handheld footage more generally? These shots are always a challenge - and especially for low bitrates so I'm hoping this would be a huge bonus for my style of shooting.. Thoughts?