Atomos Ninja-2 Video Hard Disk Recorder

In spite of the one star rating from the guy that could not get the sticker off of the protective film (instead of just pealing off the film), I give this one five stars. It permits me to record long videos, up to the amount of storage you put into it and the video is superb *1080p from my Nikon D800. It gives me the option to use my Nikon800 as a high end extra video camera at weddings when I need one. Also has nice features that I don't need but you never know what the future holds.

The downside is the cost. It's a lot of money for what it is and will take some time to recoup the investment of $1000 plus the cost of cables and hard drives. I would still recommend it to anyone that wants to use their dslr to record high quality video without the time limits of the camera.

I purchased 2 of these wonderful units ...The operation and simplicity of use is amazing. if you are looking for a wonderful , easy way to monitor AND!, record your hi def video, this unit is the answer. Yes, I will agree it seems to a bit of a price to purchase it indeed, yet you will find after the first big shoot the price becomes non existent. From the first use I fell head over heals for this product. It took only a few minutes to get my wife whom shoots with me, to become a proponent of this recorder. We have gone through most formats of recording video starting way back with VHS. I have to say this recorder cleans up so much muss and fuss being it batteries, cables or other things in the past 20 years. To date this recorder tops everything I have used. A long recording time on the 2 batteries supplied was very nice! Yet I always have back up batteries. Pop the hard drive in and record hours of crisp clean video. Remove it and pop it into the supplied docking station and wham!, you are now ready to edit and do what you will with your videos. I have just begun learning all the wonders of this unit and it excites me to know I will be spending more time with them. I have no reason to lie to anyone about this unit. Its seems pricey yet hey..! You get what you pay for. I bought 2 thus far.. I KNOW as fact I will be looking for additional units. This is a KEEPER!

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There is no other device out there today that can record more that 29 minutes and have a lcd at the same time on your DSLR, with that said, please see below for my feedback base on my use cases. Please let me know if you have any question.

My use cases: To be able to do video (longer than 29 minutes) and picture at the same time on my D800, eleminating carrying an addtional equipment to do video. Also able to have a bigger LCD for helping with manual focus.

Pro: Cost (compare to some monitor that does not even record), Easy of operating, lots feature to aid focusing, long/ dual batteries support, portable size/weight (not with the larger batteries), external hard drive, video file format, full screen screen viewing for the D800, hard case to house everything.

Cons: The resolutions could be better/improve, No hood included to use outdoor (can be purchase on Amazon hood man), No HDMI cable is included (can be purchase on Amazon), the latch to remove the hard drive case is very tight (there are time when you need to swamp out the drive quickly), have to remove all memories to be able to recorder at full resolution (which is ok, but if i need to switch over to take picture i have to reinsert the memories).

Here are some assesories that you might need:

Hoodman http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WK5AAE/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HDMI to Mini HDMI 1.5 feet cable http://www.amazon.com/Aurum-Ultra-Supports-Return-Channel/dp/B00A6VPU5S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361079796&sr=1-1&keywords=HDMI+to+Mini+HDMI+cable+1.5+ft

Read Best Reviews of Atomos Ninja-2 Video Hard Disk Recorder Here

Maybe it is good, I will update the review if I ever get a functional copy. As with one of the other reviewers, my unit has an impossible to get off warranty sticker stuck directly on the LCD surface. No, there is NOT a protective film to peel off (as is common on many mini-LCD screens) at least not on our units. If you got one with the protective film then be thankful. The sticker is glued DIRECTLY onto the LCD surface on mine, and surely the other guy's as well, and will not come off without leaving a total mess of glue.

EDIT: bumped from 1 to 4 stars now that I FINALLY managed to actually get sent a copy that didn't have the sticker directly glued onto the LCD screen!

Users beware though if the stickers seems to be really stuck and directly on the LCD screen, it is and it is a manufacturing defect, keep sending back until you get a copy where the stick is on a protective LCD film as it should be.

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I have had great luck with the Atomos Ninja-2 on the Nikon D4.

From my blog:

Once set up all I have to do is start Live View (in video mode) and start the Ninja-2 recording. When I cycle the Live View button on the D4, the Ninja-2 starts recording when Live View is on and stops when I shut it off. Each time the Ninja-2 creates a new file for the next take. I turn on the Focus Peaking to ensure perfect focus and it stays on the whole time (does not reset when Live View is cycled). Perfection!

You can check out my rig on my blog.Dan at Vigorotaku