Hi there - just got a C300 Mk II in the mail yesterday to replace our workhorse Mk I. Still waiting on CFast cards to test it out, but I'm curious if anyone has worked out a solution for a quick release for this handle design? I appreciate the difference from the Mk I as I have seen people mention the handle on the Mk I breaking, though I've never had that experience. We do a lot of run and gun, and I really don't want to break out the allen ranch every time we take the camera out of our Pelican case and put it back in. Having the old handle attach to the hot shoe was a big time saver for me. It looks like all the 3rd party replacement handles I've seen don't feature any sort of quick release. If anyone has advice I would greatly appreciate it!
C300: C300 Mk II Handle Quick Release Options?
- Thread starter flybriz
- Start date
I really like the stock handle so I haven't purchased a replacement yet (the only quick release I've seen has been to replace it entirely).
On the other hand, you could always just pack it with the handle attached (this is what I did). I ended up using the space under it for the shotgun mic windscreen and the space above it for a small in-ear headphone case [not pictured]):
On the other hand, you could always just pack it with the handle attached (this is what I did). I ended up using the space under it for the shotgun mic windscreen and the space above it for a small in-ear headphone case [not pictured]):
Nice case layout! Thanks for sharing it with me. I hadn't thought about putting it on its side. We do have a Trekpak insert so I might be able to reconfigure this way. Ideally, the cam will have our Chroziel baseplate, rods, and follow focus attached at all times (yes, I'm lazy and don't want to assemble/disassemble the rig all the time) but I think there's enough clearance. I'll get to work on this and post the results.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Just spend the $500.00, you'll be glad you did. The stock C300 MKII handle is so so and not convenient as you have discovered and without going third party, your monitor/clamsheel will get "the sag" eventually.
https://store.zacuto.com/c300-mark-ii-helmet-kit/
https://store.zacuto.com/c300-mark-ii-helmet-kit/
Thank you! I've been eyeing the Zacuto kit as well. Though, it does seem as if it still needs to be installed via allen screws so I'll need to work out a case configuration that would allow me to keep it on at all times. And yes, I do realize that I'm being stupid and it probably goes on and off in about 30 seconds - I'm just dead set on keeping the handle in place so it's ready to grab and go.
I think that the Zacuto option uses a tool-less quick release, leaving only the low profile base attached via allen screws. This would make it so quick to put on and take off that you could pack it detached.
I've been considering this just to make changing between my Movi configuration and my tripod configuration faster, but I haven't found the need yet. If I know I'll be shooting a lot with the Movi, I just don't bring the top handle that day (mounting the monitor/audio unit directly to the top as needed).
puredrifting
Major Contributor
I am liking the quick disconnect on the stock handle on the C200 but if I had the 300 MKII, I would undoubtedly have the Zacuto helmet and handle. I am not liking how the arm for the touchscreen mounts to the handle, it reminds me of the C100 MKI handle, it's a bit loose and creaky, I am sure I wil be replacing it with some bit of Zacuto or Wooden Camera kit in the near future.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Yep, it's right there on their demo videos. The Zacuto helmets and quick release handle are very good. Their stuff is a bit overpriced but really good. About half of my shoulder mount rig is Zacuto, the other half is Wooden Camera and Shape pieces.
cpreston
Veteran
I like the Zacuto helmet better than the C300II OEM helmet. It's smaller and has a lot more mounting points. I wasn't a huge fan of the Zectuo handle though, so I bought a bunch of small rig Nato raile and cold shoe mounts and attached them all over the helmet. I also have a couple small rig handles that mount to the Nato rail that have 1/4 20 and 3/8 16 holes drilled all over them. I love the SmallRig stuff.
kohl-sudduth
Well-known member
Have a Wooden Camera Nato handle that I really like, but ended up with the Zacuto handle because the clamp style mount is a much more robust attachment point for the hot/cold shoe on the c300 mk ii monitor. If I could have that clamps style mount on the Wooden Camera handle, that'd be awesome.
All the same, I've ended having to go back a few times to the Canon Service Center to get the tiny screws that hold the hot/cold shoe replaced because the loctite/threadlocker stuff broke lose. Need to ask for a bunch of extra screws so I can just do the fix myself. The sad fact is that the hot/cold shoe monitor attachment on this camera will always suck. Particularly when running with the camera in a fast moving environment. It's just physics.
All the same, I've ended having to go back a few times to the Canon Service Center to get the tiny screws that hold the hot/cold shoe replaced because the loctite/threadlocker stuff broke lose. Need to ask for a bunch of extra screws so I can just do the fix myself. The sad fact is that the hot/cold shoe monitor attachment on this camera will always suck. Particularly when running with the camera in a fast moving environment. It's just physics.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Honestly, the whole sagging clamshell monitor, off body XLRs and two big, clunky cables from the body to the clamshell were one of the main drivers in my choice of the C200 over the C300 MKII. Sure, the C300 MKII has more usable broadcast codecs but the physical design is kind of a mess in comparison, so nice to get the XLRs back on the body where they belong. I don't really like the touch screen cable and bracket on the C200 either but's leagues better than what the C300 MKII has.
kohl-sudduth
Well-known member
Yeah man that all makes a lot of sense. If the c300 mk ii wasn't bought and paid for and earning with each job, I'd seriously consider the c200 - load up on 256GB CFast 2.0 and shoot everything in Raw Light. That codec looks awesome.
Didn't anticipate the funky monitor mount on the c300 mk ii. All good though. I'm super fortunate to have such problems. Great camera.
Fact is, it has solid name recognition. Just ran into an old friend about an hour ago while walking the streets of Brooklyn. She has shot, directed, and edited many a fine documentary. She knows me more for other stuff I've done in this industry, but asked what I'd been working on lately. Told her I've been operating a lot more these last few years. She asked what camera I use. Now I have another job.
Certainly not saying that's the only reason - we've known each other for years and she knows other people I've shot for - but having this specific camera didn't hurt. Unfortunately, perception still makes a difference in this world.
I'd imagine that when the c200 proves solid over time, it will be as bankable as the c300.
cpreston
Veteran
Fundamentally, I don't think it is bad to have a monitor unit that is repositionable like on the C300II. Sometimes I have it vertical on the back, sometimes on the front without the handle, I have a cold shoe mount screwed in on every side of the helmet. I also have a NATO rail cold shoe mount I can attach anywhere or stick it on an arm. There is even a 1/4 20 mount on the monitor in case you want to stick it on an arm. I just think it is more adaptable than a monitor stuck to the body. The C200 seems like a nice evolution, although I would completely detach the monitor from the mic shock mount apparatus and stick it on an arm or some sort. When I tested it, the mount seemed cumbersome and heavy for what it did.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
I agree, I think the conceptual design on the C300 MKII is sound, they just kind of failed to execute it elegantly, it's a hodge-podge. The touch screen mount arm on the C200 is nothing to write home about either, it's a bit funky and loose too, but the monitor us pretty positionable. I have not yet tried relocating the monitor, I am hoping Zacuto or Wooden is going to figure out a three sided sunshade like the EVA 1 has and a way to move it forward so it could be used as a de-facto EVF. After playing with it for a while, you really don't need to use the touchscreen for average shoots with single subject interviews or just shoulder mounted b-roll, it's really more for use when on sticks and trying to pull off cinematic rack focusing more. If you are running around handheld, the face tracking pretty much will pick up on what you want most of the time and you can always use the joystick on the grip ala C300 MKII. I don't think i will use the touchscreen as often as I thought and without it, the camera is pretty small, light and easy to carry and position.
As far as what Kohl said, I also agree, having a C300 MKII today is money in the bank. It's a very typical camera in LA in my little world, I never see Sonys or BMDs out there, it's Canons, Reds or Arris for almost everything, Canon for lower end to middle and REDs and Arris for middle to high end with an occasional F55. One of my DP friends just bought a C300 MKII and the 18-80 T4.4 last week, he booked one shoot for 14 days that will pay for 90% of his new package. He knows the C300 MKIII is hitting next year but so what, he'll be far into profit before it is even previewed. Same with my C200, I will have it paid off by end of this year, then it's all profit until the next hot thing hits that everyone "must have". Or maybe I'll trade up to the C300 MKIII and pick up an EVA 1 as well, who knows?
Jon Roemer
Well-known member
I have been fighting with this for years. Never cared for the C300 handle. Tried an early version of Zacuto's handle but didn't like it. So, settled on Wooden Camera's Nato Plus Handle.
Now with the C300 Mark II Canon, in a certain way, made the shoe on the monitor even worse. They took away the locking pin.
What I have settled on is putting a small Wooden Camera clamp in the C300 Mark II monitor's ¼-20 thread and then adding a small Wooden Camera Nato rail to the handle. Both with some Loctite to keep them from twisting. This allows me to mount the monitor on the handle or directly to the Nato rail on the top plate. It's really secure.
Photo here in my IG feed: https://www.instagram.com/p/BW-Z04qDs9r/?taken-by=jonroemer_ .
I also made a vertical cold shoe for the handle if I want to mount the monitor vertically.
The Zacuto handle is simpler as its clamps are built in but what I describe above is working well for me.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Some inventive gripology Jon but it must be a PITA to carry the camera with the handle that way? Which monitor is that, it's interesting looking from the back.
kohl-sudduth
Well-known member
Totally agree. The flexibility of being able to reposition the monitor is quite useful. We were able to very quickly rig up the camera above a pull up bar in a hotel in a compact set up when we were stealing a shot and still use the monitor due to this flexibility. Now I keep a WC Magic Arm with various length configurations handy, but multiple cold shoe attachment options is great.
Be interesting to see a design that has a more robust alternative to the hot shoe that still affords this valuable flexibility.
This reflects my anecdotal experience as well. I'd actually really wanted to buy a Varicam LT - still do in fact. In my use case, the economics just didn't any make sense. With all the necessary gack tallied up including P2 Cards and Reader, it was several thousand dollars more the c300 mk ii. A producer I was working with at the time didn't know the camera, but would use the c300 mk ii. That was just the reality of my situation. Being able to pay off the camera quickly was much more important than what I wanted. So it goes.
Ingenious. Thanks for sharing. Tried a similar hack with all Wooden Camera parts but abandoned it as it was not robust enough. I literally bought and returned the Nato Plus twice trying different set ups. Do you still get any drift from the c300 mk ii cold shoe loosening?
Jon Roemer
Well-known member
It's not an issue at all. The handle is more than big enough that it's still comfortable but there's no denying the simplicity of the Zacuto handle at this point.
That's a SmallHD 502 in the IG picture.