C100: Canon XC10 Firmware Version 1.0.2.0

A

Alexsey1976

Member
http://www.canon.co.uk/support/cons...digital_cinema_camera/xc10.aspx?type=firmware

Firmware Version 1.0.2.0 incorporates the following enhancements.
1. Enables users to select an MP4 recording format for recording HD video.
2. Increases the AF speed by a maximum of approximately two times.
3. Adds an AF speed settings menu (Fast/Normal/Slow).
4. Enhances the image quality in low brightness during HD shooting.
5. Makes onscreen displays possible during HDMI output (for HD video only).
6. Adds a shutter setting value (NTSC:1/25, 1/50; PAL:1/30) as a flicker reduction measure.
 
How are you guys liking the XC10 in general? How does it do in low light? I have not seen nor heard many write ups about it, seems like an interesting tool, especially as a b-camera for many of us?
 
puredrifting said:
How are you guys liking the XC10 in general? How does it do in low light? I have not seen nor heard many write ups about it, seems like an interesting tool, especially as a b-camera for many of us?
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My partner and I just switched from a BMCC/BMPCC combo for our documentary work to a C100/XC10. Initial impressions are the XC10 matches the c100 very closely (we've only shot c-log so far), great "grab and go" ergonomics. I think its low light performance is decent but not as good as the C series. Definitely better than the pocket. We had some initial weirdness with a color shift (fixed in firmware update I believe)...We shoot almost exclusively run n' gun so it was the perfect camera for us..
 
The latest firmware reduced noise, you can now work up to 10,000 ISO, and is very close to my C100! I enjoy XC10 - great camera, gives a picture very close to C100.
 
Both the mp4 format and sharper HD at high ISOs finally make the camera a much better companion for my C100 MII, for which reason I bought it in the first place.
All I still need is any kind of exposure indication besides the "you are a bit over/under" bar...
 
zwarte_kat said:
Both the mp4 format and sharper HD at high ISOs finally make the camera a much better companion for my C100 MII, for which reason I bought it in the first place.
All I still need is any kind of exposure indication besides the "you are a bit over/under" bar...
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Do you use the zebras? I find it's all I need. Best to ETTR in c-log.

I feel like the MP4 might not be as high quality if you pixel peep.
 
Hearnia said:
Do you use the zebras? I find it's all I need. Best to ETTR in c-log.

I feel like the MP4 might not be as high quality if you pixel peep.
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Yeah I do use them, but I like seeing in an instant when I'm at rather then dealing until zebras appear/disappear.

Do you feel the same way about mp4 ont he C100 II? Because I'm fine with those. I really dig being able to quickly check the files in finder or straight from the card.
It's the inclusion of these details why I love my C100II, I think those new canon files structures are a pain, as those PRIVATE folders with AVCHD were.

I'm not after the perfect image here, just want a fast workflow with both images and files, that don't need a lot of work.
Still hoping the XC10 will allow me to leave the C100 in the bag for more moments, or get decent Broll. This update might prevent me from selling it.

Autofocus vastly improved too. Just tested it.
 
Yo -

This came at a great time! I landed at my shoot on Friday, applied the update, tested it out, and then went out on an all day shoot Saturday using the C300II and XC10, both in 4k. The XC10 still has horrendous manual focus, but now the autofocus is reliable enough that you never have to worry about using the manual focus wheel. Just put a piece of tape on AF and never think about even touching the manual focus.

Anyway, I shot on the Pilotfly H2 gimbal as well as handheld, with a quick release plate and a wireless mic receiver velcro'd to either for quick changing between gimbal or handheld operation. The Sennheiser G3 receiver fits snugly underneath the XC10 LCD screen (and velcro holds it easily).

It was all very fun to use and the stabilization is so good that you really don't even need a monopod - let alone a tripod - for B-roll shooting. The autofocus sometime struggled in underexposed shots, but for the most part worked dependably, as in point the camera, wait 2-3 seconds, and then it found focus. For quick exposure adjustment, set the toggle wheel to control ISO, and then Iris at the top of the Function menu... or alternatively, switch from Manual shooting temporarily to Aperture Priority, and whatever F stop you choose will follow when you switch back to Manual mode. With either of these modes, exposure changes are fast. If you're inside, set aperture to wide open, and then ride the ISO wheel. If you go outside, set aperture to closed down at f/11, turn on the ND filter, and then ride the ISO wheel.

One day I look forward to an entire shoot with just the XC10. Will it ever make me want to sell the C100 and C300II? No way. But it's a really fun camera to use and would be highly preferable on a travel-heavy shoot.

Cheers,
Slavik

P.S. I'm editing the project this week, so we'll see how the cameras match up...
 
A question- I've noticed that I can not decrease my aperture on the XC10 below f/11 even at the long end. Before updating the firmware, I am pretty sure that I could decrease the aperture below f/11 when zoomed out. Was I wrong? Is there something wrong with my camera or my setting?
 
cpreston said:
A question- I've noticed that I can not decrease my aperture on the XC10 below f/11 even at the long end. Before updating the firmware, I am pretty sure that I could decrease the aperture below f/11 when zoomed out. Was I wrong? Is there something wrong with my camera or my setting?
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By decrease you mean closing down to f/16 or do you mean opening up to f/8.0 ?

If you can't close your aperture more than f/11 it might have been changed to maintain image sharpness as diffraction might soften your image when the aperture is closed more than f/11. ( I shoot with a Panasonic GH4 and know that that I should never shoot with an aperture smaller than f/11 if I want to maintain a sharp image, so NDs are a must under bright lighting )
 
Yeah, the camera will not close down past f/11 no matter the focal length. It's a variable aperture, so it currently goes from 2.8 to 11 on the wide end and 5.6 to 11 on the long end. I would have sworn that I used to be able to shoot below f/11 on the long end before the firmware update.

Edit: I just looked at the manual and f/11 is listed as the maximum f/stop available. I'm guessing it has always been that way. I'm so used to using the STM lenses on the C100 that I'm guessing I was thinking of those lenses and never actually fully tested the XC10.
 
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I really want to jump on this as a B camera. I think using it on a rhino slider for interviews would be an absolute no-brainer with the arc attachment. I'm just worried canon will do a massive update on it in Sept :/
 
QuickHitRecord said:
How is it looking? Did the footage match up well?

Also, how does the autofocus (DPAF?) compare to the other cameras in the Cinema line post-update?
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The XC10 AF is still very different than the DPAF on the Cinema cameras. If you're interested, I wrote a quick post about the firmware update on Newsshooter today, along with a short video demo-ing the AF. http://www.newsshooter.com/2016/07/11/canon-xc10-firmware-update-improved-af-test/

The footage between XC10 and C300II matches up alright, but at the time of shooting, I didn't realize the low-light in HD was going to be that big of an improvement, so I shot in 4k instead. Which means Neat Video-ing pretty much every interior shot at ISO 5000 and above. It's also tough because working with C300II footage, even in near darkness, is so damn good that it makes it painful to watch XC10 footage side by side. But outdoors, they match very well, no problems.

Here's what I mean about the difference in low light. C300II on top, XC10 on bottom, both straight from the camera in C-Log. Don't know what ISOs shot, but I don't think over 6400 since we were exposing for the bright stage. It makes me want to get another C300II rather than use a B-cam that will never quite live up to it.

c300xc10.jpg
 
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@slavikb
This is extremely insightful. Thank you for sharing your tests. The low-light noise improvement in HD is remarkable, but makes this camera kind of an odd duck. I can't say that I am very excited about the prospect of owning one, but it seems to be making more and more sense as a compliment to my C100 for my grab-and-go kit (CLog and Wide DR, 4K for a wide shot to make two cameras look like three, progressive 60P). Something tells me that this is no accident on Canon's part. I just want to see the price come down another $500 to cover the cost of a 256GB CFast II card.
 
@QuickHitRecord - Here's a secret on 256gb Cfast cards: you can save $450 by getting the little known Transcend CFX600 card, for about $150, rather than $600 for the CFX650 card (or Lexar's 3500x). They're not available at most retailers, but are at CDW. I got 4 and use them on the XC10 and C300II in all resolutions and frame rates. I know it's not approved by Canon but there's been no reporting of issues yet, unlike the Lexar 3400x cards that have been known to fail with Canon.

Also the XC10 comes with a 64gb Cfast card already (and a reader). I do agree it makes for a very easy compliment to the C100 for picking up extra shots, putting on a gimbal, etc.

You're in Portland? Give Eric Petrie at Pro Video & Tape a call. He might have a good deal on a used XC10, and you can pick it up at their office in Beaverton.

Cheers,
Slavik
 
slavikb said:
@QuickHitRecord - Here's a secret on 256gb Cfast cards: you can save $450 by getting the little known Transcend CFX600 card, for about $150, rather than $600 for the CFX650 card (or Lexar's 3500x).
Click to expand...

I was going to write the same tip: great price/performance on the CFX600 cards. I use it in my XC10 as well.

It might be interesting to know that it does NOT work for 4k60 in the 1Dx mkII, though. For that you need CFX650. But good to know that CFX600 works with the C300 mkII.
 
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