C300: C300 Colorimetry

cowpunk52

cowpunk52

Veteran
So, I've done quite a bit of testing over the last few days on multiple C300's and C100's, and I can say with almost complete certainty that the colorimetry of the C300 has changed slightly with the most recent firmware (version 1.0.7.1.00). This actually explains a lot - like why their are conflicting reports on how well the C100 and C300 match, and why Art Adams' Alexa-emulating profile looks great on some cameras, but gives a magenta cast with purple-ish skin tones on others.

The new colorimetry of the 1.0.7.1 firmware seems to be a very close match for the C100, and far more accurate with no custom profile activated. You may be aware that there are conflicting reports on how well the C100 matches the C300 out of the box, and I'm betting that the installed FW is the deciding factor here. I'm also speculating that Art designed his CP on a camera with older firmware, and that's why it seems to behave unexpectedly on cameras with the new FW.

There is another benefit to getting the 1.0.7.1 firmware upgrade as well: it's been confirmed that the updated does eliminate the color fringe issue that you may have seen on high-contrast horizontal edges.

The firmware is not available for download, and your camera must be sent to or dropped off at a service center to receive the firmware. The reason for this is that they have apparently also redesigned the sealing around the sensor block to better eliminate dust, and they will install that when they upgrade the firmware.

If you don't have FW version 1.0.7.1.00, I suggest getting on the phone to the Cinema EOS tech support and scheduling it. Should be done free of charge. I just wish they had made an announcement or at least an official statement about it all, it's very disappointing that we have to discover these 'features' on our own accord.
 
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cowpunk52 said:
There is another benefit to getting the 1.0.7.1 firmware upgrade as well: it's been confirmed that the updated does eliminated the color fringe issue that you may have seen on high-contrast horizontal issues.
Click to expand...

It's nice to hear this. Thanks for good news.
 
Canon Hollywood installed FW version 1.0.7.1.00 while I waited. The C300 has never looked so good. I've just finished using Art Adams' Alexa profile on a night shoot and am blown away by how good the camera looks. Will post my test to Vimeo shortly.
 
Brian, thank you for putting in the time on this. It's quite possible that the rental house hadn't sent in their C300 to Canon in the past few months--their techs do their own internal cleaning and they have several C300's. I certainly thought our C300 PL with new firmware matched a C100 well, as did my DIT. Interesting news about the sensor sealing, wonder if it was done on my camera in November? Repair order showed a new ND filter assembly. Could this be the new part? Still irritated that I had to pay for the sensor cleaning and shipping both ways, in addition to lost rentals.

Glad that Canon has a fix for fringing and sensor dust, hopefully, but they need to be much more transparent to their owners and provide some communication. And, after a year, where is the new firmware to give things like zebras below 70 IRE? C-Log view assist on HD-SDI or HDMI output for on-set preview? Waveform in the viewfinder? I'm not holding my breath for higher frame rates, but the other features should be pretty straight forward to implement.
 
Has anyone had an issue with the iris wheel on the left side of the C300 wearing out? Mine still works, but is definitely funky. Training myself to use the one on top of the handle until I can send it in for that and the sensor cleaning/sealing. Unfortunately this will be out of warranty as the camera is in transit and will be waiting for me for a job out of Buenos Aires in two weeks.
 
Just called Canon Professional Product Support Center and they said no problem. Gave me the NJ address and said send it in and we will turn it around as fast as possible (3-5 days) and you will have 1.07.1.00.

Too bad I did not know about this 10 days ago since I leave for a shoot all next week and need the camera. Oh well following week it goes in.
 
Good news from Canon Australia is: Take it in to the service centre and they'll do it for you while you wait.
 
My C300 is with Canon UK having the new firmware applied, and also having a new fan fitted hopefully as that started to sing quite loudly when the camera warmed up. When I called Canon UK CPS they were extremely helpful and even arranged the collection of the camera via UPS. No mention of me having to pay yet but that can't be ruled out.

I certainly found with the original firmware that colors were handled differently from the C100. Out of the box the color from the C100 was much more pleasing so it would be great to get it back and find the colors a lot closer.

I based my picture profiles on the old firmware so it will be very obvious if the colorimetry has changed when I get it back.
 
We took our C300 to the Canon Hollywood location (after 1st setting up an appointment). They changed the firmware while I waited.
I agree with what others have said. Even with picture profiles turned off the colors seem better, more natural.

I've also tried a few of the profiles that are available here on the boards and it appears to me that the c300 and c100 are a much closer match. To me they are closest when both cameras have no profile on. I see a very very slight push towards green with the c300 when compared side by side with the c100 but nowhere near as pronounced as it was pre-firmware update.
 
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