C100: Canon C100 vs. C100 Mk II ? Is the upgrade worth it?

J

jpkeenan24

Member
So I've been going back and forth pretty consistently on whether to buy the $2999 C100 or the $5500 C100 Mk II and I'd really love to hear if any people have used both and whether you believe the $1500 is really worth it for the better viewfinder and slow-motion capabilities? (I'm under the assumption both cameras shoot pretty much exactly the same images)

I'm hoping to invest in this camera so I get at least 2-3 years out of it before having to upgrade again probably.

I'm mostly shooting documentary and interview work so trying to be as compact as possible. I don't want to buy a Samurai blade to have to attach with it but if the c100 is worthless without it then please offer your thoughts :)

I've spent so many hours researching on my own, I'd love to hear if anyone has worked with both and has 2 cents to offer. Thank you guys!
 
I'm having a similar internal debate. The features of the C100 Mk II which appeal to me are:

- Face detect AF (I'm a solo shooter, so any focus help is appreciated)
- Slow motion
- WiFi controls - You can control the Mk II using your phone, tablet or laptop
- Better viewfinder (No Zacuto viewfinder needed)
- Ability to remove handle and still get scratch audio for sync

But is this worth $2000 over the cost of the $3500 C100 with dual pixel autofocus? I'm leaning towards "yes" since I want as much flexibility as a solo shooter for the next 2+ years, but I'm still hesitant to spend the extra $$$.

Browsing the manual for the Mk II leads me to believe you can control focus of L glass with AF: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/profe..._cameras/eos_c100_mark_ii#BrochuresAndManuals
 
@All: How long does it take you to earn the difference in price of the two?

IMHO the C100II is the best bang for buck HD camera at the moment.
If you need to deliver broadcast ready files, I would add an external recorder - otherwise I wouldn't bother and shoot AVCHD.
Still, already owning a C100MI with DPAF, I won't upgrade, but have my eye on the C300MII when it hits the road...
 
If you want to stay small I would get the Mark II. I have the Mark I and viewfinder is crap and the lcd is more crap. I had to spend money on a Ninja blade as a monitor and then rig all that up. I would really wouldn't put 5500 on a none 4k camera right now, but if I had to choose it would be the Mark II. I have shot hundreds of videos with the Mark one and always had to righ it out. The Mark II you wont have to do that and it can stay small. :) Mark II gets my vote
 
It's definitely worth it. That $2500 is either one job or less than one job if you're talking corporate video.
 
Matt Turner said:
This. Canon really need to fill the (massive) gap between the C100 MKII and C300 MKII !
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Yea, there are some bassackwards things with their pricing right now. The C300I use to be more expensive than the 1DC. Thats not the case any more. Right now the 1DC has been proven to be a long standing defective unit that is no longer supported...yet its selling for more than the C300I. I think they have some issues to work out with their current lineup and pricing.

Personally, I would love to see the answer be the next generation 1DC. I would love the highlights of the C300II in the form factor of the 1DC and charge $10K. Something tells me...Canon is not really interested in what makes sense though. They are kind of like Apple in the respect that they will "release what they release when they want to release it."
 
yet its selling for more than the C300I......

Here in LA, that is 100% not true....we have moved a bunch C300s since the price drop.

Jim Martin
EVSonline.com
 
Sorry Jim, I'm confused by your statement. Can you clarify? Are you saying the 1DC is not selling for more than the C300I in LA?
 
Got it. This was a conversation that was currently talking about price point. Not volume. To reiterate...Canon has some funny price point issues right now. The 1DC is higher than the C300. That did not use to be the case. That was my point.
 
The entire 4K market is in a state of flux right now. It will probably settle down around the 2016 Olympics. Meanwhile, be prepared to pay a steep premium.
 
ReelWorksMedia said:
Canon has some funny price point issues right now. The 1DC is higher than the C300. That did not use to be the case. That was my point.
Click to expand...

Because of the 4K, the 1DC remains "current" and fills the "perceived" 4K demand. The C300 has been pushed to a lower price point which will enable many more people to buy. A majority of my clients want HD. Viewing is in smart phones. For that category, 4K is overkill.

As far some people branding 1DC being a defective camera, I can prove that every camera on earth is defective and doesn't suit a particular style of shooting. I first took a Canon C300 demo unit to shoot before buying the C300. I immediately got sensor dust. Though Canon improved the sealings, I take precautions in changing lenses, as I work in incredibly dusty environments. Even today give me any C300 or any other camera, and I can make dust spots appear on the sensor. So will I say that a particular camera is defective? Every technology has limitations and we have to understand those boundaries and work within those limitations.

PS: We have moved away from the main topic. To answer the OP's question, the C100 Mark II provides good value. If you are earning money from your projects, then it is easy to recoup the difference. Having said that in multi-camera shoots, one can safely use the C100 Mark I along side C100 Mark IIs.
 
Agreed, need to get back to the original post. I would still love to know the answer to the question: Can the iPhone app control the zoom of motorized Canon lenses? I don't need it to be smooth. Just need it to work so I don't have to pull the camera down from the monopod to adjust it manually. Just curious.
 
ReelWorksMedia said:
Agreed, need to get back to the original post. I would still love to know the answer to the question: Can the iPhone app control the zoom of motorized Canon lenses? I don't need it to be smooth. Just need it to work so I don't have to pull the camera down from the monopod to adjust it manually. Just curious.
Click to expand...
What motorized EF lenses are you talking about?
 
The L 24-105...70-700...16-35...(sigma) 18-35... These lenses probably don't have motorized zoom functionality do they? Focusing, sure....but not zoom heh?
 
ReelWorksMedia said:
The L 24-105...70-700...16-35...(sigma) 18-35... These lenses probably don't have motorized zoom functionality do they? Focusing, sure....but not zoom heh?
Click to expand...

ReelWorks,

Correct, there is no zoom motor in those lenses, so the wifi interface can definitely not control the zoom.

It can control the focus though which has been helpful for me.
 
Thanks for the response. Man, I was definitely NOT going to upgrade. Now, rethinking that a bit. Seems that the C300 is where I ultimately want to end up. That said, its inevitable that the price will drop 8-12 months after its release. So Im now playing with the idea of upgrading the to the C100M2....hang onto it for a year...then trade up to a C300M2. Just don't know. I'm very happy with the C100's image.

My dilemma is that I work for an entertainment agency and have a fixed salary. Its great. My dream job. The problem is, if I decide to purchase gear, there really is no plan for a return. I make the same if I have the next best thing....or not. Its really just me who "wants" it. Its not a requirement. They are totally happy with what we have going for us now.

Interested in others opinions. Would you take a major financial risk (C300M2) for the sake and love of your art without a return on the investment...and to stay current with technology...or not?
 
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