Anyone using the JVC LS300 - how does it compare to the C100?

TubEfingers

TubEfingers

Well-known member
I'm considering investing in an LS300 and wondered how the image compares to the C100,
I have the Olympus 2.8 12-40 & 40-150 and some Voigtlanders/Canon FD's I can use with it,
We've shot some projects on the C100 that the client was happy with (run and gun type stuff) and also some with the AF101 (more studio based stuff) they were happy with,
looking at the LS300 mainly cos i need a 4K cam for the social media (square frame) type projects where i can blow up the image a bit,
anyone shot with both, have any thoughts?
 
I bought the LS-300 after getting rid of both my AF102s - having a lot of M4/3 lenses did influence my decision but I've (& my clients) have been happy with the pictures produced. Out of the box the Canon probably produces nicer pics but shooting log with the JVC and a basic grade evens out that difference.
Both have crappy small viewfinders - I think the JVC is the crappiest I've ever used. I've had an Alphatron viewfinder so it wasn't a huge problem, I'm thinking of updating that to something I can load a LUT into to made shooting log a bit easier.
The main downside of shooting with JVC is that no one has heard of it while everyone knows Canon. Tell a new client you've got a canon it's a relaxed shoot with a LS-300 they are nervous and constantly asking questions.

If you are shooting HD the prime zoom function is really useful for run & gun stuff (I"ve also got a collection of Canon FDs) in 4K it really isn't any use.
 
Thanks @Rowy - its very rare clients asks what we're shooting with (outside of ad agencies) so shouldn't be a problem,
a shame about the viewfinder, another user told me this too - maybe i have to invest in the Gratical X alongside the cam.
The prime zoom function looks interesting, thanks for the info
 
That's it, no one else shoots with the JVC LS300?

The camera looks interesting to me and the web video I've seen on Vimeo looks good.

(I know you can't REALLY judge but it doesn't look hideous is my point.)

Be well.

Rob
Smalltalk.Productions
 
The LS300 is a great camera, offering more for your money than anything close to it's price range. I was a Sony and Panasonic camera user for the past 20 years. I considered the PXW FS5 and DVX200 before choosing the JVC. For much less money, the LS300 image quality is, to my eyes, as good or better than either of those cameras. In fact, it compares well well with the FS7 footage that I have seen. Audio quality is also excellent. All of the controls are nicely laid out. A few of the buttons are small, but useable. The only real negatives, although not THAT bad, are the LCD and viewfinder. They are not impossible to work with, just not as nice as those on the other two cameras. Get yourself a good external monitor, gratical, or recorder with built-in LCD....problem solved.
 
jmnpro said:
The LS300 is a great camera, offering more for your money than anything close to it's price range. I was a Sony and Panasonic camera user for the past 20 years. I considered the PXW FS5 and DVX200 before choosing the JVC. For much less money, the LS300 image quality is, to my eyes, as good or better than either of those cameras. In fact, it compares well well with the FS7 footage that I have seen. Audio quality is also excellent. All of the controls are nicely laid out. A few of the buttons are small, but useable. The only real negatives, although not THAT bad, are the LCD and viewfinder. They are not impossible to work with, just not as nice as those on the other two cameras. Get yourself a good external monitor, gratical, or recorder with built-in LCD....problem solved.
Click to expand...

Does the LS300 stream to facebook live, I know it does for ustream and YouTube
 
jmnpro said:
The LS300 is a great camera, offering more for your money than anything close to it's price range. I was a Sony and Panasonic camera user for the past 20 years. I considered the PXW FS5 and DVX200 before choosing the JVC. For much less money, the LS300 image quality is, to my eyes, as good or better than either of those cameras. In fact, it compares well well with the FS7 footage that I have seen. Audio quality is also excellent. All of the controls are nicely laid out. A few of the buttons are small, but useable. The only real negatives, although not THAT bad, are the LCD and viewfinder. They are not impossible to work with, just not as nice as those on the other two cameras. Get yourself a good external monitor, gratical, or recorder with built-in LCD....problem solved.
Click to expand...

i REALLY wished it had access to 10-bit footage in hd.

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
TubEfingers said:
I'm considering investing in an LS300 and wondered how the image compares to the C100,
I have the Olympus 2.8 12-40 & 40-150 and some Voigtlanders/Canon FD's I can use with it,
We've shot some projects on the C100 that the client was happy with (run and gun type stuff) and also some with the AF101 (more studio based stuff) they were happy with,
looking at the LS300 mainly cos i need a 4K cam for the social media (square frame) type projects where i can blow up the image a bit,
anyone shot with both, have any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I have C100 Mark1 that I purchased 3 years ago with a Ninja Blade and a Zacuto rig. It has been very reliable. Image quality is acceptable. My question is are the Olympus 12-40/2.8 and 40-150/2.8 pro lenses compatible with the LS300? I was at NAB NY and spoke with a JVC rep. I mentioned I wished JVC would take the LS300 sensor and put it in a shoulder mount body like the 800 series cameras. He smiled and replied I was not the first person to request this. Any rumors about future JVC pro cameras? I still have my JVC GY-HD250U camera. Have not used it in years. I prefer a shoulder mount camera to the Frankenstein rigged camera.
 
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I have the Olympus 12-40/2.8 and it works perfectly with the LS300. I assume that the 40-150/2.8 would work the same way.

Also, there's a firmware upgrade that's supposed to be coming this week or next. Apparently, it's a paid upgrade that adds the ability to record 4k60p via HDMI into an external recorder. I don't know any more about it, or what the cost is, but information should be coming soon.
 
Here is a picture of the camera with a Metabones Speedbooster and Nikon 18-200 lens on it. I use a Libec LANC zoom controller with it.

LS300 Dance.jpg
 
There is a thumbwheel which you can see in the picture above, under the "FULL/PRESET/OFF" switch. I prefer controlling iris on the lens, which I can do with some of my lenses. For the 12-40, you will need to use the thumbwheel. All of the automatic functions like auto iris and auto focus work with the 12-40, except for image stabilization. I usually do everything manually.
 
jmnpro-

thanks for the pix posting.

do you have any jvc ls300 footage posted online (youtube/vimeo)?

be well.

rob
smalltalk.productions
 
jmnpro said:
There is a thumbwheel which you can see in the picture above, under the "FULL/PRESET/OFF" switch. I prefer controlling iris on the lens, which I can do with some of my lenses. For the 12-40, you will need to use the thumbwheel. All of the automatic functions like auto iris and auto focus work with the 12-40, except for image stabilization. I usually do everything manually.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Looks like the LS300 with the 12-40 and 40-150 2.8 lenses would meet most of my needs. I downloaded the LS300 manual and will go through it. As the saying goes, "When in doubt, read the manual."
 
I shot an interview two weeks ago that I would love to show you, but I am prohibited contractually. The subject was shot against a picture window in the background which was overlooking Harvard Business School. The foliage on the trees and the bokeh really looked nice.

Here is a link to a wedding sample. All of the footage is the LS300 except for the tripod mounted back camera at the ceremony (which is a Panasonic GH4). Lenses used on the camera were the Panasonic 12-35 and the Panasonic 14-140. I was shooting on a monopod.

http://vimeo.com/191375239
 
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Yeah - i love those 2 x Olympus 2.8 zooms, got a GH4 lately for travelling light on overseas jobs but the LS300 or its next iteration are definitely gonna be
my next full size video camera purchase. If they improve the LCD/EVF, add waveforms and some 10 bit (even external is currently 8 bit AFAIK) codecs internal/external they've got a winner.
 
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