C300: Canon C300 mkII

AndreeOnline

AndreeOnline

Veteran
The cat is out of the bag. Let's start clean with a new thread.

I don't think we could have realistically asked for much more.


  • 4k gets 30fps 10 bit
  • 2k gets up to 120fps.
  • 2k gets up to 12 bit.
  • 15 stops of DR
  • Canon Log2
  • RAW output for those who just can't help themselves
  • Variable frame rates 1-X,
  • New AVC Intra codec at 410Mbit/210Mbit (4k/2k)
  • New viewfinder
  • Up to 10 stops of ND with two wheels
  • CFast
  • 80% Dual Pixel sensor coverage, Face detection


Soft launch price is like £11500 ($17k), but launch is 3rd quarter 2015. I wouldn't loose sleep over this. Let's see what B&H lists it at when it's time.
 
Last edited:
According to an earlier B&H page which was accepting preorders, (since removed) it
was slated at $15999 in the US. And in Europe, according to Dan Chung, it is listed at
£11299 excluding tax
 
alaskacameradude said:
According to an earlier B&H page which was accepting preorders, (since removed) it
was slated at $15999 in the US. And in Europe, according to Dan Chung, it is listed at
£11299 excluding tax
Click to expand...

Since this is scheduled for Q3 I'ave been thinking $14k USD myself. Didn't the same thing happen with the first round of Cinema cameras: initial high soft launch price and then a more realistic street price?

Maybe the price is already calibrated, but with a little "luck" it will creep down some before launch. Or at least soon after...
 
AndreeOnline said:
Since this is scheduled for Q3 I'ave been thinking $14k USD myself. Didn't the same thing happen with the first round of Cinema cameras: initial high soft launch price and then a more realistic street price?

Maybe the price is already calibrated, but with a little "luck" it will creep down some before launch. Or at least soon after...
Click to expand...

Yup, that would be my guess as well. From what I recall,
originally the C300 was going to be $20,000.
 
Interesting, nice specs...
If they provide a 1080/60fps firmware upgrade for the c300 I'd just assume take the discount and run...
 
Osslund said:
Compared to the FS7 it's not a nice form factor. I hate dangling cables and tall cameras.
Click to expand...

As a C300 shooter and aficionado, I actually have to agree. From an ergonomic standpoint there aren't really any improvements here. Slightly better button layout I guess. Cable dangling gets worse with jacks for the system cables, although it's probably worth it. I had to take mine out of commission to get a cable fixed.

I was hoping for easier shoulder rigging as that may be my next step with a camera. Currently I'm handholding it. I'm not sure the weight on this, but it doesn't look lighter and probably a bit heavier. I figured I've maxed out the weight I can handle without a shoulder mount.

If I were buying a camera now, I'd look harder at the FS7. Though I'd be hesitant to give up the great skin tones on the Canon. I like the 10-bit, though I'd have really wanted 4K 60P.
 
Screen_Shot_2015_04_08_at_15_52_10.png


Here is how the dynamic range is distributed according to the canon introduction video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8zNtfkLdOQ

tumblr_inline_muutqaaFBd1r514oc.jpg

Here is how the C300 Mark I distributed the highlights, so we gain one stop which isn't much of an improvement. Well if the sensor isn't very noisy perhaps we can underexpose and push middle grey a few stops in post and gain more highlight protection in that way. In the video they claim that by under exposing this camera can compete with any other camera manufacturer because so much detail is retained in the shadows.

We will have to wait for the tests to be sure.
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2015-04-08 at 15.52.10.jpg
    Screen Shot 2015-04-08 at 15.52.10.jpg
    20.2 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
OK specifications but $15,999 is really stupid. I can't think people buying one of these instead of two FS7 for the same price. I was really expecting $8999 and ready to pay that, that but now I will just simply buy a second FS7 and move on.
 
AndreeOnline said:
Since this is scheduled for Q3 I'ave been thinking $14k USD myself. Didn't the same thing happen with the first round of Cinema cameras: initial high soft launch price and then a more realistic street price?

Maybe the price is already calibrated, but with a little "luck" it will creep down some before launch. Or at least soon after...
Click to expand...
Extremely unlikely. This camera may not be in stock for months. For a lot of shooters, this is a direct replacement for C300 MK I, lenses, accessories and all. Even if "real life" specs aren't as high as those stated on paper, this will still become a go-to camera for TV and commercial shooters. I wouldn't be surprised if it replaces a lot of Alexa and Amira pieces, as those aren't legitimate 4K and are priced much higher. For a production with 10-12 cameras on multiple sets, C300 MK II with their AF and the Canon lens lineup will deliver a much bigger bang for the buck than ARRI or Red.

The ball right now is in Sony's court. FS7 has done very well but they need to deliver something newer and better than F5 to go head to head vs. this piece.
 
DLD said:
The ball right now is in Sony's court. FS7 has done very well but they need to deliver something newer and better than F5 to go head to head vs. this piece.
Click to expand...

Why is that? What about this camera puts it in a diff league then FS7 or F5? C300II isn't due to ship till Sept. The C300II will sell very well no doubt. A lot of people will sell their C300 and move up to the C300II. For a lot of people who don't shoot for other production companies often it comes down to the features and image needed to run your business and please your clients. With ever shrinking budgets a lot of people will need to sit down and calculate what makes best business sense. I suspect for many people that still will lie with the C300mk1 especially with the reduced prices or if you bought it at the jump its all profit now which is nice in this industry of shorter gear cycles. For me I will have earned with my FS7 for almost a year by the time C300II hits streets. I can see the C300II being a rental for me when shooting on C300II specific productions.
 
FrameFarmMedia said:
Why is that? What about this camera puts it in a diff league then FS7 or F5? ...
Click to expand...
Some people will say, "The image quality". Others will also add, "The workflow". And, as with most Canon cameras, there's a lot of legacy built in.

Plus, this will probably create an own niche - anything from the theatrical releases in ProRes 444 on the high end to docs/ENG on the lower - if it can reasonably deliver on the promised specs. And that's a huge percentage of jobs for which it can be deemed perfectly suitable.

This doesn't mean people won't be making a living with other cameras, obviously but others will have to offer something more in order to compete. Red, at least, tries it with a 6K Dragon. If Sony doesn't do something similar - which, in my opinion, should include migrating its F65 sensor down its lineup - then it'll find it hard to compete on the same turf.

This is one man's opinion, obviously, but --- much like Alexa that seized the TV and digital film market from ~ 2011 onward, C300 MK II can do that and more.
 
For some a C300 mkII will be the right camera to get later this year and for some a FS7 today is the best choice. Both will make just as good images but with slightly different features.
 
DLD said:
The ball right now is in Sony's court. FS7 has done very well but they need to deliver something newer and better than F5 to go head to head vs. this piece.
Click to expand...

What???? The FS7 beats it on spec in many areas and is less than half the price - I just don't understand how you can come to that conclusion. Also goes on the shoulder and has an ENG styles servo zoom available, or you can rig it up on tripod with full cine-style setup.

A lot of people point to the success of the original C300, but when that was released there really was very little competition - it had large sensor and 50 mb/s codec - that covered all the bases for broadcast without having to add on extra boxes and wires - and was a big part of its appeal. Now there are lots of alternatives out there.

I own no cameras and have no bias.

Steve
 
DLD said:
Extremely unlikely. This camera may not be in stock for months.
Click to expand...

I'm not suggesting the lower price because the camera won't be popular =)

It's just that Canon tends to launch with recommended "retail" prices, but actual street prices are more inline with expectations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top