C100: c100 Mark II and possible successor

Eric Coughlin said:
The differences can seem small, but if a good viewfinder and OLED screen make the difference between you getting a shot in focus, properly exposed, etc., or not, which can make the difference between a client hiring you again, which can mean thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, then the difference is large. In the case where you're doing unpaid videos for yourself, having in-focus and properly exposed shots that you yourself are editing can be the difference between being bald and having hair (if you were to pull out your hair in frustration, that is).

I've always liked the images I saw from the Sony F3 more than what I've seen from the FS7, F5, and F55. The F3 has 3.4-3.6 megapixel sensor, while the FS7, F5, and F55 have 8.9MP, so the pixel size of the F3 is larger than the other Sony professional cameras. The F35 also looks better than the FS7, F5, and F55 in terms of image quality. That said, the newer lineup has a lot of newer features (such as 4K) which to a large degree makes the older cameras obsolete, even though the older cameras oddly still have better image quality. In the corporate and doc world, ease of use typically trumps outright image quality. So I'd really only recommend an F3 to maybe low budget narrative films who can work around its shortcomings in name of great image quality at a low price point.
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So Eric you are using yourC100 professionally and relying totally on the cameras viewfinder?
 
Michael Thames said:
So Eric you are using yourC100 professionally and relying totally on the cameras viewfinder?
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I'm not Eric, but I used the C100 mk1 for over 2 years professionally (my wife and I work together doing only video production -> family's sole income). I had no issues with the screen on C100 mk1 ... the EVF on the other had... hah - not good, but I never needed to use it.
 
Michael Thames said:
So Eric you are using yourC100 professionally and relying totally on the cameras viewfinder?
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Yeah, I use it professionally. If I'm doing handheld I'll often rely soley on the viewfinder as I also use it as a point of contact for stabilization which I couldn't do with the Mark I since the viewfinder wasn't good enough, so my handheld footage (without a rig) is more stable as a result, and I also use the viewfinder when filming outside in bright conditions so I can actually see the image. The rest of the time I use the OLED screen. I don't use field monitors (aside from occasionally for sit-down interviews); too much bulk and annoyance for my workflow.
 
IronFilm said:
Fair enough, you can make the argument for C series camera because you've got a heap of Canon lenses.

But you could still easily use them with a Sony PMW-F3 together with an adapter (but that adapter costs US$1k! However even then, it still works out to great value vs a C100 mk1).
http://www.metabones.com/article/of/Metabones_launches_EF-FZ_Mount
http://www.newsshooter.com/2015/10/...t-adapter-reviewed-by-paul-ream-of-extrashot/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1190615-REG/metabones_mb_ef_fz_bt1_canon_ef_to_sony.html

However, even if skipping an F3 and settling for less, a C100 mk1 secondhand makes a lot more sense than a C100 mk2 as it is a lot cheaper and you'll be using it in an area where you'll not be making any profit of the purchase. So makes a lot of sense to save a heap of money, when the improvements from a C100 mk1 to a C100 mk2 is only rather very small.
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I guess I'll let you know how it goes- the MkII is in transit now. Should be here tomorrow or Monday. I actually, albeit briefly, considered a C300 mk II- now THAT would have been a massive waste of money for me- but a way better camera. I don't think the cost difference between the c100 mkI and MkII is, for me, that great. I would rather have the better processor and focus ability. I've been in the upgrade treadmill with Canon dslrs and am glad to finally have stopped at the 5DIII... The C100mk II with the Shogun (already have) should keep me busy for a while. I absolutely love the Shogun's profiled screen (with the puck), its WB scope, and the higher bit rate Prores files...

edit- also looking forward to working with CLUTs on the mk II, Shogun and Premiere Pro CC
 
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We are speculating about the next Canon pro video offering. Look at the Canon video line that has gone the longest without an upgrade, the XF line. The XF200, an incremental improvement over the XF100, was the last. The previous darling of broadcast work, the XF300/5 has not been upgraded for years. Therefore, I predict that the next pro video choice from Canon will be an XF with the XC internals put into a all in body with a good power zoom lens.
 
chappelldigital said:
I'm not Eric, but I used the C100 mk1 for over 2 years professionally (my wife and I work together doing only video production -> family's sole income). I had no issues with the screen on C100 mk1 ... the EVF on the other had... hah - not good, but I never needed to use it.
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Yea, same here I've never even attempted to use the EVF....... I guess I'm spoiled I always use the Blade, after using it for so long I find the LCD screen useful for just the info. I must admit though I shoot everything on a tripod or slider. I should get out more often and try shooting hand held, but even then I fold back and down the blade and it works good except for some added weight.
 
Eric Coughlin said:
Yeah, I use it professionally. If I'm doing handheld I'll often rely soley on the viewfinder as I also use it as a point of contact for stabilization which I couldn't do with the Mark I since the viewfinder wasn't good enough, so my handheld footage (without a rig) is more stable as a result, and I also use the viewfinder when filming outside in bright conditions so I can actually see the image. The rest of the time I use the OLED screen. I don't use field monitors (aside from occasionally for sit-down interviews); too much bulk and annoyance for my workflow.
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Oh, I thought you had a C100 mk1. I always thought the solution to the View finder was to get a Blade. C100 + Blade is $3500 instead of $5500 for a new C100 mkII.
 
So, what do you guys/gals think of the new promo/discounts on C100 and C100 MKII?

They end just before the NAB.
 
Personally, I think it's a nice option to have for those in need of a camera now. For those that are happy with their current camera...wait until NAB!
 
DLD said:
So, what do you guys/gals think of the new promo/discounts on C100 and C100 MKII?

They end just before the NAB.
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Ok you know what's coming next here don't you??

Sorry but I got to say it....maybe this could point to an update of some sort this year?
 
scaus said:
My business needs to upgrade cameras by the end of the month and I have a bad case of analysis paralysis.

I wish I liked the FS7/FS5 more as they are amazing value spec-wise. Just not sure that the time it takes to get a nice image is viable for our workflow.
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I decided to go with a couple of C100 MKii's. Clients love the image, I love the short amount of time it takes to grade.

My only gripe is that the shutter angle defaults to 360 when switching to 50/60p (had some jittery slow-mo as a result on one shoot when I didn't notice it). Wish I could keep it locked on 180 throughout the range of frame rates as I'm always flicking back and forth.
 
EIREHotspur said:
Ok you know what's coming next here don't you??

Sorry but I got to say it....maybe this could point to an update of some sort this year?
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Ya, maybe. I assume that the major manufacturers always leave themselves some wiggle room visavis a given model specs a year or so prior to its release. Additionally, there are always some Plan-B types or maybe even Plan B, C and D types, aka projects that go through the engineering but not the final testing stages. In other words, an executive might propose a C200/C100MKIII with a mix of C100 MKII and 1 D X MKII technologies and keep it on a back burner just in case the company is forced to come out with something like that due to the changing market conditions. And, my feeling is that Sony's FS-7 and FS-5 may have done just that - they changed the market conditions.
 
Please a recomandation

Canon C100 Mark II or Sony PXW FS5 for wdding video..possible Sony A7SII ? Which ?? I had C100 vs A7S i sold both :-)

Thanks
 
scaus said:
I decided to go with a couple of C100 MKii's. Clients love the image, I love the short amount of time it takes to grade.

My only gripe is that the shutter angle defaults to 360 when switching to 50/60p (had some jittery slow-mo as a result on one shoot when I didn't notice it). Wish I could keep it locked on 180 throughout the range of frame rates as I'm always flicking back and forth.
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What sort of stuff do you do Scaus??

Do you always do the two camera shoots? I have to say having started this thread and read up on the FS5/FS7...I would be happy with 2 C100 MArk IIs myself as everything I do will be on the internet anyway....and 1080 is as good as I need for now...

Question: Why don't you just shoot with 180 50P all the time anyway for flexibility of using slo-mo should you need to?
 
the truth its that we love gear, i dont think that sony have the best pics or color but now they have the edge in specs, models and price...and that sells.
I have a 5dmk3 and c100mk1
In my photo profissional works i dont need any thing better than my workhorse 5dmk3.
For video i would like c100 mk3 with some 4k 8bits and sone 1080p 10bits 120fps for 5000usd..
Great 2016 for all
 
EIREHotspur said:
What sort of stuff do you do Scaus??

Do you always do the two camera shoots? I have to say having started this thread and read up on the FS5/FS7...I would be happy with 2 C100 MArk IIs myself as everything I do will be on the internet anyway....and 1080 is as good as I need for now...

Question: Why don't you just shoot with 180 50P all the time anyway for flexibility of using slo-mo should you need to?
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My company works with start ups, government and corporate clients. A roughly 50/50 split between advertising and talking head/educational stuff. Always a minimum of two cameras.

The decision in favour of the C100 mk2s over a couple of FS7s was simply about project turnaround time. The Sony's are great cameras, but the C100s solve our workflow problems as the image is solid right out of the gate. Too much of our time and resources have been spent in edit/colour, when more time needs to be spent on set design, writing etc. I was slightly concerned about the 4K thing, as we have been shooting everything in 4K for the past year and then downscaling to a really sharp 1080. But the C100 internal 4k downscale looks sharp as a tack anyway. The main negative is losing out on the ability to reframe.

Regarding shooting everything in 50p...it gives too much of a 'real' look when not slowed down. I prefer the motion of native 24/25p for most of our projects.
 
Regarding shooting everything in 50p...it gives too much of a 'real' look when not slowed down. I prefer the motion of native 24/25p for most of our projects.
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If you drop 50p footage in a 25p timeline you'll get 'drop frame' 25p and no 'video motion' look. If slow motion looks ok at 50p, 1/50th shutter, you can use the footage either way.
 
jcs said:
If you drop 50p footage in a 25p timeline you'll get 'drop frame' 25p and no 'video motion' look. If slow motion looks ok at 50p, 1/50th shutter, you can use the footage either way.
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1/50 shutter on 50p is the same thing as using a 360 degree shutter angle right? If that's the case, I don't think it looks quite right (to my eyes anyway) when slowed to 50%. I'll have to do some tests.
 
scaus said:
1/50 shutter on 50p is the same thing as using a 360 degree shutter angle right? If that's the case, I don't think it looks quite right (to my eyes anyway) when slowed to 50%. I'll have to do some tests.
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There are no rules with shutter, it's about desired blur and emotion. 1/100 shutter at 50p will have less motion blur.
 
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