Fs700 vs C300 Questions on internal recordings and documentary

Yep, if you are not chasing the BBC ticket there are attributes to both.

And borrow/rent/play will probably sort our the right one for you.

Just remember you can gat a BMC for the difference!

S
 
cowpunk52 said:
They do: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-18-200mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-Lens-Review.aspx
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But I must say the SEL18200 (for all its flaws) is much more usable as a video lens than the Canon (which I actually found almost impossible to use for video, even on a tripod). The focus ring on the latter has way too little latitude. I hated the focus by wire on the Sony at first, but gradually came around to it. And the stabilization on it is quite astounding, and much better than on the Canon.

More generally, I'd say one thing the FS100/700 has going for it for documentary work is the availability of cheap, small, fast, mostly stabilized lenses. The range is still being expanded, but I found the 50/1.8 OSS lens super useful for lowlight, as well as easy to carry and inconspicuous. The Zeiss 24/1.8 also, and I expect the upcoming 35/1.8 OSS to be too. To get the same quality on the EF mount you'd have to spend a lot more money, live with non-continuous iris, and carry more weight.
 
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Hanad said:
Hey guys thank you for all the information, it was helpful. But I can't still decide. I mean the codec and look of the C300 is amazing. But I like the fs700 because I feel like I will be able to be more flexible with the camera...I mean I love the slow motion and because of the short flange distance, I can put any lens I want, compared to the c300 and the slow mo would be great for sports or action sequences. I don't know about the 4k yet, so I am not buying it for that at the moment, but if it proves to work well and be priced well then it would be a worthy investment, it a gamble though...Cowpunk52 you mention that its the form factor is what is letting the camera down, but I think a simple compact rig would solve the issue. and does the dynamic range improve with an external recorder? Last I checked the low light capabilities were quite good for the camera, but not as good as the canon c300. (possibly 10% worse than the c300, but it could be because of the codec.)

I am confused and don't know if I should at £3500 extra on top of the fs700 price for the c300, I think its quite expensive for what it has...There were also rumours saying the fs700 would get a new codec...(could be 50mbt 4:2:2, it could be worse!)so I think its better to wait a bit..
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I confess that I actually covet a C300 very much, mainly for its ergonomics and the codec like yourself, but I'd actually defend the ergonomics of the FS100 for handheld work. If you just shorten the ridiculously long loupe (super easy), it becomes much better. I also found adding a top handle helped tremendously. I shot with it for a week in a kind of desert theme park and appreciated its lightness and compactness and inconspicuousness -- most people thought it was a still camera. That should be part of your consideration of a camera's usability also.

Also, the native E-mount prime lenses are cheap and optimized for video in ways that the EF lenses aren't. The 50/1.8 OSS and 35/1.8 OSS are both cheap ($250/$400) and super small and light and stabilized. The EF mount can't match that. Not to mention the upcoming e-mount powered zoom 18-200.

The FS700 has a real handle and ND filters built in, and is definitely more usable than the FS100. Like many of the posters I initially hated the FS100's ergonomics -- I even sold my first copy and bought the AF100. But the AF100's image just didn't work for me, and I reverted to the FS100. After shortening the loupe and spending time with it, I grew to appreciate the FS100 (despite the positioning of the screen, the boxiness, etc.). I have no doubt that the C300 is more intuitive, but I would give the FS700 a try, to say the very least, and give it some patience.

I also created a minimal rig for the FS100 with Brian Berkey's stuff. It was helpful.

IMG00326-20120518-1238.jpg
 
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Hey thanks guys for all your help. Aly324, that's the type of rig I want, something very small and compact. And the lens reviews are helpful. I mean if I have to I can add external recorder to match or better codec, but i cant add super slow mo to the c300...the c300s image is so amazing and I like it being stealthy. i think i will try and rent both and see how they compare.
And yes like another member said I got get a black magic camera for the difference.
 
Hey thanks for that Bern, I didn't realise the issue with the shutter speeds and angles. Is it something that can be fixed with an firmware update? and do you guys think that Sony would add 50mb 4:22 internal recording on the sony fs700 or even the sony f3?
 
Hanad said:
Aly324 I like the shoulder mount you used for the af100, what is it called?
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Berkey system
http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/15-mm-series/

Spud block
shoulder pad assembly
threaded 6 inch 15mm rod
counterbored accessory mount (to attach to one of the 1/4-20 holes under camera)

I eventually added a small component to lengthen the rod. Great thing about Brian's gear is you can mix and match and he is great with advice and refunds. Great quality nice looking, not fugly gaudy colors. You can configure something for yourself.
 
Hanad said:
Hey thanks for that Bern, I didn't realise the issue with the shutter speeds and angles. Is it something that can be fixed with an firmware update? and do you guys think that Sony would add 50mb 4:22 internal recording on the sony fs700 or even the sony f3?
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unfortunately AVCHD is 4:2:0 codec , so there will be no bumps! unless the codec will be changed completely to something like intra .... what is impossible!

about f3..... canon use same kind of codec as f3 i belive - long gop ..... so as canon can make 50mb 4:2:2 - probobly sony also able to do it,- but it does not mean they would....
 
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i wonder - some photo cameras have 2-3 video codecs on board (gh3 for example i think canon does same ), i wonder how hard would be to make the same for pro camcorder?

would be great to have long gop codec for 30/25/24p on c300 , but also avchd for full hd 60p, and/or all intra.... it would make c300 a perfect one..... i wonder if it possible at all?
 
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