C100: If you didn't have your C100...

krick

krick

Well-known member
I have been working in the video industry for 15 years and my nightmare has always been to get robbed of my work tools. Well it finally happened and my office got broken into and they took my beloved C100. Hopefully my insurance is covering most of it...

So that brings me to my question. I am in the market for a new camera, and I loved the C100, it was the perfect tool for me. But it is tricky today because of the 4K coming ( I know it's not for right now), maybe new cameras from canon to come soon to refresh the C100 and C300...

If you didn't have your C100. What would you do or buy?

I know this is a very common question but...
 
First of all sorry for your loss!

If it happened today I'd Probably buy a FS700 mainly for its slomo capabilities. I wouldn't replace my C100 with another C100... Feature wise it is starting to look old IMHO even compared to my Gh4.
 
I would be interested in Sony. Because at this point I could switch from Canon, I hate that they are always cripping their cameras, always behind while Sony and Panasonic are innovating and pushing.

With that said, the ergonomics of the FS100 and FS700 just completely turn me off. I may rent one to try though. The C100 was a Joy to use. I guess what I am bummed about is to buy a 1080p camera that is 2 years old when we are about to see a lot of options for 4K soon.
 
krick said:
I have been working in the video industry for 15 years and my nightmare has always been to get robbed of my work tools. Well it finally happened and my office got broken into and they took my beloved C100. Hopefully my insurance is covering most of it...

So that brings me to my question. I am in the market for a new camera, and I loved the C100, it was the perfect tool for me. But it is tricky today because of the 4K coming ( I know it's not for right now), maybe new cameras from canon to come soon to refresh the C100 and C300...

If you didn't have your C100. What would you do or buy?

I know this is a very common question but...
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I believe that there is a special place in the afterlife for bicycle and camera thieves. He'll get his some day!

I've been finding myself wanting a second C100 despite its age. If it's the perfect tool for you, why change?
 
Well it's not that I want to change but if I can see the only positive thing in that loss, it would be the opportunity to upgrade or change for better. But we're such in a weird limbo between 1080p and 4K.

and you are right. I may just have to buy it, not look back and get back to work. The FS700 seemed interesting for 4K and slow mo. But to get the 4K going you need to buy another piece... It's not that convenient.
 
IMO the C100/300 has the nicest looking cinematic image right now, for HD and in at our price point (ie excluding Alexa). At least to me, I even prefer it over the Scarlet and BMCC. I've given up on the whole what camera has best features debate and there doesnt seem to be one camera fits all. Screw 4K. I had 4K for 3 years and never used it. Sure it was nice to reframe but that just made me lazy. All it meant for me was tons of storage and headches in post processing. None of my clients want it and personally I think the 4K future is rocky because no consumer gives a damn about 4K. So unless you absolutely need a specific camera to suit your clients needs (which is so cheap to rent these days anyway), choose one that you are happy with.
 
Sorry to hear about the theft. I can not stand a thief. I had most of my gear stolen(except my camera), actually my entire truck with my gear in it, about eight years ago while in Atlanta on a shoot. I got the truck back, but almost none of the gear. Fortunately my Betacam and new HD W/A were with me. Hopefully you have a good replacement cost policy and they catch the scumbags who did it.

But back to the camera Q. I don't have a C100, I have a 300. And while I like the camera and the image it can produce, I'm not sure I would buy it today. I would probably go with an F5 or 55. Personally I'd go 55, but lot's of people are just doing the 5 and saving the extra $10K because they don't need/want some of the extra features right now, but they know they can upgrade it to a 55 later on. The C's are great bang-for-the-buck, but I think the F5/55's are even more so and MUCH more versatile. They're pretty much 'universal' cameras, HD, 2K, 4K, 24P, 60P, HFR slow-mo, compressed, RAW, real native VF's, accept almost every lens mount around(PL, EF, sony, BF w/adapter, etc.). And Sony just keeps adding to what they can do with a known, planned firmware path. Hell, with my Canon, I still have audio issues when I power the camera from an external(NON-Canon) source like an A/B battery.
 
krick said:
Well it's not that I want to change but if I can see the only positive thing in that loss, it would be the opportunity to upgrade or change for better. But we're such in a weird limbo between 1080p and 4K.

and you are right. I may just have to buy it, not look back and get back to work. The FS700 seemed interesting for 4K and slow mo. But to get the 4K going you need to buy another piece... It's not that convenient.
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I've got exact same dilemma. If I could I would wait at least few more months (for JVC cam release) but I have to buy camera now. I really like C100 image and ergonomics but it's really hitting end of the production cycle. It's going to drop in value VERY much in the next few months (at longest - by the begining of 2015 or NAB 2015) and you want to spend money as best as possible (if you can get A LOT more for your money...). So I was decided for C100 for a long time but few days ago I kind of switched - FS700 is much more versatile and will last for longer. And even though you need external recorder for 4K it's still probably one of the cheapest options to get it in such a quality - you can always rent that recorder for only certain project. It's nice to have to ability.
Last thing that I am justifying purchase - I am kind of sure that FS700 will hold it's value much better then C100. So after few months it could be sold...

My dream camera:
Super35 sensor, internal 4:2:2 10bit (2k and 1080p), weatherproofed, built ND's, xlr's, SDI.
 
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If it were today and I were in your situation - I would buy another C100.
The FS100/700 is a pain ergonomics, and I do a LOT of weddings, concerts and corporate videos. Everything is there with the C100, in a small package, ready to go.

I want to get a GH4, but that would be for a B-Cam, and not replace my C100 for what I'm doing (Having to deal with Lens adaptors, ergonomics, attachments/accessories, post, etc)
Definitely feel the issue though - such an awkward time camera-wise. For today - in my case, I'm doing 5-6 weddings in July, so I would need a replacement C100 right away.
 
It is more important to buy the camera that works for your current needs. Buy the C100 since you had it earlier and then make money with it. Later when you feel the need of 4k, sell the C100 and buy which ever camera has that X factor at that time. These cameras will continue to work even after you have upgraded. May be someone else can buy and shoot with your C100 when you upgrade. There are so many low budget programming that happens, these cameras will never go to the garbage dump unless someone seriously manhandles it.

Technology keeps on becoming better and better. So cameras are going to be better. You decide your camera replacement cycle based on your clients needs. Nothing is or can be future proof. Some people were predicting 3D will be the future and that died an untimely death.

For a recent feature film, I was doing the main camera for the second location and most of the shots were run and gun style as we didn't have permissions to shoot in some of the iconic locations. With some effort could pass off the C300 as a still camera. I only used the EVF and not the LCD on top. No tripods were allowed, so just plain handheld without rigs. We couldn't have done that with a FS700. The reason for stating this is to remind people about the small footprint of the C series cameras and that is also a strong point along with the beautiful files, low light ability etc.
 
I started a reply, trying to sell you the C100 as one of the greatest HD cameras out there. But you owned it and liked it, so why should I?
Your "problem" isn`t factual, it's emotional. What if there´s sth better out there? What if I need 4K next week?
Been there, done that;)
I looked at your site, you did great work with the C100. Get another one, start shooting as if nothing happened and earn the investment back in a couple of months and then SEE what 4K is all about.
Where I live the FS700 is almost twice as expensive as the C100. For the difference in price I could almost buy an Ursa (just for the sake of argument, for me it does´t even exist yet). For the 4K and slomo, I also could just get a GH4 or A7s (which I would never ever consider using as my go-to A-cam, even if they **** gold while shooting...).
I´m sure Canon will offer a new 4K iteration of the C100 in the realistic-production-cycle future, similarly crippled than the current one and similarly capable of producing great images;)
Until then, I just shoot with the C100, watch blockbusters in the cinema shot on the 2k Alexa and wonder about cats and flowers shot in 4K on Youtube;)
 
I won't argue that things will change quickly re: 4K.. In the last 6 years every camera I've bought has been deemed "obsolete" before I even get the batteries charged... I've given up worrying about it. I've never had a single negative comment about images I've shot with the C100 and I imagine that will be true for at least several more years, because it seems to overcome the disadvantages of codec and bit rate with exceptional results.

For me the question is usability.. It doesn't matter how good the picture quality is if you miss getting the picture. (I make documentaries, not set-up narrative, so my POV is biased toward working fast). I LOVE the fact that I can control every function of the camera with the grip. I work handheld, with an EVF and grip relocator, both from Zacuto, and it is the most ideal camera I've ever used (with the possible exception of my old super16 Aaton). I can set ASA, iris, WB during a shot if I need to - and have several times - that is extraordinary. And, for me, I really like the rear mounted LCD on the 100 because it is so convenient for checking shots when working fast. Every other camera I've worked with is clumsy by comparison.
 
I was not impressed with the F5 during my short time with it, and certainly wouldn't get an FS700, but if your clients are demanding slow motion and 4k the F5 is a very decent camera, albeit one less suited for a lone gun owner/op.

I'd get another C100 or wait. I do find the image on the C100/C300 much prettier than the F5/5, but that camera has a bit more dynamic range, 4k options, prores options, and slow motion. Clients generally won't care about slightly better skin tones and a sharper 1080p image, but for hobbyists like me it's easy to stick with Canon for the image and ergonomics.

The F5 viewfinder is nice and it has HDSDI/timecode sync, though. Feature-wise, it's a professional, not prosumer camera, and it could elevate your ability to rent. I don't love the image, though. :(
 
Hey thanks for all this! Like you guys said, I will probably buy a C100 again. I just needed a little help in my decision because I felt I was about to make a mistake or going backward... But it is the best camera I owned by far and I can see it working for another solid couple of years and more. And I can't afford to wait anyway.

F5 looks great, a friend of mine recommended to take a look at it. Unfortunately it is way off my budget for now.
 
If you like the Canon "look" get a C500 and Odyssey q7. It will do everything then above mentioned cameras will do. And, will give the Alexa a run for the money when shooting 2k 10p bit.
 
Get the C100 again....
The sensor is essentially 4K anyway (Canon will just release models later that are 4K enabled) plus the image is off the charts good and plenty sharp enough for any size screen.
 
1) So sorry to hear of your loss. We're all camera geeks here, and the theft of your camera is like the death of your dog. We feel for you.

2) When I bought my C100 (after much soul searching, I was up for an FS700 which I had on loan for a while), I knew it was right. But within 48 hours, I was working out what to sell so I could fund the purchase of a C300.

3) The C500 is now getting to the price of the C300 - this is interesting because the C500 offers 4K, it offers 2k and HD at 10 bit, its just a whole new beastie camera.

I'd buy a C100 with Ninja over a C300 as the C300 didn't quite tip the balance of features and cost, even after price drops. However, if the C500 was at the original C300 price, that's a different story. For me, there is a significant gap betwen the two.
 
Yup, in the UK - well, at my dealership anyways - the C500 is now about £12K, which is where the C300 was when I bought my C100.

C500 is something I'd invest in... but not quite yet. Close... Very close.... LOL
 
MattDavis said:
Yup, in the UK - well, at my dealership anyways - the C500 is now about £12K, which is where the C300 was when I bought my C100.

C500 is something I'd invest in... but not quite yet. Close... Very close.... LOL
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It's indeed extremely tempting. It seems to be an investment that one wouldn't need to rethink for upcoming years and years.

That little Canon body with say an Atomos Shogun 7 inch monitor on the hotshoe, give you 4K RAW, and 2K 12 bit 4:4:4 at up to 120 fps. basically does everything one would need in the next few years, including 4K and super slowmotion. I can't imagine how the C300 2K image look at 12 bit color, I can only guess it's glorious!
 
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