C300 as a Run and Gun for Reality Show

[Eatsnax]

Hey guys! Man it's been awhile since I've been on here. Well I've been commissioned to supervise produce a traveling food show. The production company is eyeballing the C300 as a main camera. I dont know much about this camera but I feel that this is more of a film camera and wouldnt do well as a run and gun for reality. I can see this being used for the beauty shots and broll but, for shooting things on the fly?

Can someone who uses this camera please advise.

Thank you.

[cowpunk52]

I just used my C300 on a travel show as an A cam, it worked out beautifully - and this particular episode we had a very limited schedule compared to normal. With the C300 I was able to get a 22 minute ep in the can in 3 days, when we usually take 4.

I used the 24-105L IS lens as my main glass, and was able to move very fast and got incredible looking footage. The sensitivity of the camera is a real benefit to shooting travel doc material. However, I did have a small ENG style camcorder (xf100) on hand if needed, but only used it a handful of times for quick b-roll shots when I didn't have the C300 handy.

My recommendation is to try to find a way to keep it built all day. Building the camera with all it's modular components is the only aspect of it's operation that takes time worth considering.

I know a whole lot of reality and docu shows are using the C300 now, it's really proving itself to be an exceptional implementation of a S35 sensor for documentary shooting.

[Mark Smith]

I just shot for a couple of days with my new C300 in run and gun style, and believe me I know about run and gun.

24-105 is good glass and I also like the 17-55 IS for hand held doc shooting as well. I actually find my doc shooting is better with a limited focal length zoom.

I loved the C 300 for what Doc shooting I was doing and am planning on using it as my A cam on an expedition to the south pacific in July. I would not have thought that last friday but after the past weekend of shooting I've changed my mind.

[Eatsnax]

Brian thanks for this. This is good news. When you say 'built', does this mean that when they buy this camera for this shoot, that they need other accessories to make it work out? And if so, can you recommend what we need in order to make this camera work out for this shoot?

Mike

[timbook2]

Let me guess: he means the rigging up so you can shoot from the shoulder eng-style. maybe extra batteries and a recorder as well? plus mattebox, ffocus and the works. this takes time to set up...

[Angelis]

I've tried run and gun with the C300 and couldn't get it to work. Perhaps because I have an XF300 as well which is much easier to use.

How do you guys rig the C300 up and what rain protection are you using?

[cowpunk52]

Actually, when I say 'built' I mean that the side handle, monitor/xlr module, & top handle (if you want it) are already attached, plugged in, and ready to go. For doc shooting, I use the C300 naked with no shoulder rig/FF/mattebox/recorder or anything like that. I far prefer to just use the EVF and shoot like I'm taking still photos.

Everybody has their own preference, though.

[cowpunk52]

I've tried run and gun with the C300 and couldn't get it to work. Perhaps because I have an XF300 as well which is much easier to use.

How do you guys rig the C300 up and what rain protection are you using?

It's definitely a different beast than an XF300 when shooting run n' gun style. Best is to use the camera a bit beforehand and figure out the most comfortable methods for you before going out on a mission-critical shoot. But as I said above, I prefer to not "rig" my C300. I like to stay light and mobile. That being said, my favorite accessory to have with me is the Manfrotto 560B Video Monopod - that thing is a life saver and all-around ridiculously awesome tool!

For rain protection, I usually just use whatever plastic bag I have with me and some gaffe tape - but that's not the best solution, obviously. I've heard nice things about the camrade wetsuit for the C300.

[Eatsnax]

Actually, when I say 'built' I mean that the side handle, monitor/xlr module, & top handle (if you want it) are already attached, plugged in, and ready to go. For doc shooting, I use the C300 naked with no shoulder rig/FF/mattebox/recorder or anything like that. I far prefer to just use the EVF and shoot like I'm taking still photos.

Everybody has their own preference, though.

Thanks man. Ok cool. So seems like a monopod is defenatly something we should consider. Are there anyother DSLR cameras that comes close to the C300 that you think we can use? Good with avaiable light is key. I'm asking because I might need the producers to get two cameras instead of just one C300.

[cowpunk52]

Any of the Canon DSLR's can work. 5DIII cuts nicely and has great low-light capability. They aren't as sharp as the C300, but the color response is very close. If I had to pick a DSLR for 2nd cam, I'd go with the 5DIII for sure. Great for close-ups, inserts, & specialty shots with super shallow DOF.