5Dmk3 or BMCC EOS mount for raw

ROCKMORE

ROCKMORE

Veteran
This thread was also posted on the BMCuser. I'm curious what the response is from each side of the isle. Right now I'm stuck in the middle.

I know this has been debated from the beginning of time, but I don't know which way to go anymore. I have a 60D and a 600D I use daily and of course want to upgraded the IQ.
My last 2 commercial shoots I rented a 5Dmk3 and it seems like a good way to go, but the image quality of H-264 is the base problem so the MK3 would have to be hacked to compete with the BMCC. Hacking would be OK for my own projects, but on a commercial location would not be practical or reliable under pressure with a load of people waiting including talent wardrobe and makeup. There is also the question of audio record capability of ML. To be honest I respect and admire what ML is doing, but have never hacked any of my cameras.
I have the 2 Canons so if I need to do an occasional still shot and they are always there, but not a priority. I've been holding off on the BMCC because of a few issues of their own, but they are getting pretty reliable. I also have many Aps-c lenses, but with a FF I only have the 70-200 f4 IS I just bought so the 5D3 camera package would start at about double the cost of the BMCC.
If I already had a 5Dmk2 or Mk3 the choice would be obvious. Any thoughts from people using both cameras?
Thanks
 
Last edited:
It might be clever to wait a bit for the BM 4k production camera. It is quite possible that it handles aliasing much better than the BMCC and the pocket.
 
cpc said:
It might be clever to wait a bit for the BM 4k production camera. It is quite possible that it handles aliasing much better than the BMCC and the pocket.
Click to expand...
Maybe, but moire hasn't been much of an issue for me and the appeal of the BMCC 2.5 is the 13 stops of DR. Also 4K isn't a priority and 2.5k is already quite a bit larger than 2k which is the final delivery size.
 
Michael, I say +1 on waiting for the 4K BMCC, not for its 4k but in how it would look downscaled to your current needs. I've seen how 4k gives good 1080 video. So in the mean time I'm just extending my current canon's (5d2 and 7d) life via ML and VAFs.
 
Wait until NAB, only a couple of months away. There will be a whole new set of choices, and the old ones will be more reasonably priced as a result too.
Your choice ultimately should be based on the following question: Which camera will allow me to work more often and regularly ?
All the rest doesn't matter. However, you may actually have to hold it in your hands to know.
 
This is the thread over at bmcuser, and this is what I posted there:
...for me it comes down to this:* the BMC has better DR (just half a stop if you can shoot ISO 100, but much more at higher ISOs: 3.5 stops if you need ISO 800!): http://www.similaar.com/foto/pocket-dr/bmpcc.html
* the 5D3 has a bigger sensor, which I need not for the shallow DoF look (which you can also get on the BMC with an f/0.95 m43 lens or with a speedbooster) but for making a better use of my lens set (vintage Leica-R, designed for FF)
* the BMC is cheaper


In my case this has meant that I'm not buying until I absolutely need to. Something better may come out in the meantime.
Click to expand...
 
Ted Ramasola said:
Michael, I say +1 on waiting for the 4K BMCC, not for its 4k but in how it would look downscaled to your current needs. I've seen how 4k gives good 1080 video. So in the mean time I'm just extending my current canon's (5d2 and 7d) life via ML and VAFs.
Click to expand...

I guess time will tell, but what I'm after is a tested solution on a budget. It took a while to see what was coming out of the BMCC and I think it will be the same for the 4K. Not just the resolution but the charecter of the footage. There is also the bottom line which is the budget. I can see a few more add ons like IR cut and ProNDs and at 82mm they will add up. I don't think I have anything to loose with a BMCC 2.5k even if I use it for a while and sell it later.
I still have till June till I'm back in NY to pick one up at B&H when I home.
 
I'm for the 5D3 and for a few reasons:

- resale value. Much better resale for a dSLR than dedicated video camera due to photography capabilities. We all know the life cycle of these video cameras is not that great and when it comes time to sell I'd rather be selling a dSLR which photographers would readily buy

- have it. used it. amazing results.

- Like that ML developers work so hard at revising and updating the firmware and developing great innovations - much more innovation than the camera companies have produced. Makes me feel good to support that.

- I rather like the EF mount lenses. I have a bunch that are worth more than the camera body. They work well with the 5D3 for spot on autofocus which I use a great deal when shooting video. It is quick and very precise.

- I love taking photos and so find myself using the 5D3 almost every day. If it were a dedicated video camera that would not be the case.

- Dual ISO and mini ML ISO have brought the DR to greater than 14 stops in some cases with very little loss in resolution and/or moire & aliasing.

- No moire and aliasing in 5D3 (or virtually none)

- 3x crop mode shooting.

- Amazing ML video (and stills) tools like scopes and aETTR, dual ISO... etc have made it so I don't even use my TVLogic monitor much anymore. It's a light, small and powerful system.
 
Last edited:
Steve Kahn said:
I'm for the 5D3 and for a few reasons:

- resale value. Much better resale for a dSLR than dedicated video camera due to photography capabilities.

- have it. used it. amazing results.

- Like that ML developers work so hard at revising and updating the firmware and developing great innovations

- I rather like the EF mount lenses. I have a bunch that are worth more than the camera body.

- I love taking photos and so find myself using the 5D3 almost every day.

- No moire and aliasing in 5D3 (or virtually none)

- 3x crop mode shooting.

- Amazing ML video (and stills) tools like scopes and aETTR, dual ISO...
Click to expand...

It's always easier to buy a camera than sell one. I keep these camera too long and work them to death. The rubber grip is long gone from my 60D. It's an ugly but reliable camera that only I could appreciate. The value has dropped to a point where I'd rather save them as back up or crash cams rather than sell them. I have a 5 year old already editing in CS6 and he claims my computer belongs to him and also wants the cameras. I agree with him.

I have been renting a 5D3 and I'm loosing interest to buy one as a production video camera. It's less amazing than in the beginning. ML is good but out of the question for paying productions.

EF lenses are very good that's why a BMCC EOS fits right in with what I'm already building.

I shoot a lot of stills but have 2 other DSLRs all the time

I have the X3 crop on the 600D which is great with an apsc 1.6 crop sensor along with a Canon 70-200 f4L IS with a 1.4 extender. That makes it about a 1,344mm view respectively in FF terms.

For moire, I'm starting to believe that the 5D3 is just softening up the picture to solve the moire issue. There are other ways to correct the problem in post where there is a problem not effecting the other 99.9% that has no problem.

I know that ML has x3 crop but not a production tool for me. I'm a very experienced shooter, but the worlds worst hacker. I'm a fast editor and worked with 3Dsmax for 10 years doing complex animation, yet I have trouble installing software. ML would not work for me in a pressure situation. Just doesn't work for me
 
Last edited:
ROCKMORE said:
ML would not work for me in a pressure situation.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100%

I would only use it on artistic projects where there is no time deadline that must be met.

How is the auto-focus capabilities of the BMCC? I once said I would never use auto focus for video but I do when setting a shot. It's amazing how little I rack focus - maybe once or twice a whole short film as I hate that aesthetic and find it distracting. So too love the EF lenses for video and stills work.

How are the scopes tools on the BMCC? As good as ML? I really have to say I love shooting with a small stripped down camera - no follow focus, no monitor, no matte box. Just the camera makes for very flexible and quick setups.
 
Steve Kahn said:
How are the scopes tools on the BMCC?
Click to expand...
Nonexistent. I bought a light meter after my first job with a BMC. There's no other way with that one.

(well, you can hook up a notebook and use ultrascopes, but I didn't even consider that a viable option)
 
Samuel H said:
best use an old camera could dream of
Click to expand...

No he's already shooting video with my wife's Samsung Android and constantly directing me to shoot him so I think I will just give him the 600D and the 18-55 kit lens and see what he can do with it. Kids are not afraid to experiment. Since I edit at home, at 4 he became interested and now he starts the computer, opens his projects and just creates what he wants. Also can open and do all the basics in 3dsmax.
Right now he's on the laptop screening footage I shot of him this evening. That's the future now.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top