C100: Preferred DSLR for B-cam?

R

Rain Man

Active member
I know this is asked every now and then (last I saw was about 4 months ago), but I'm about to purchase a C100 and I need a b cam that's a DSLR. Just stirring up this pot again to see if there's any new ideas.
 
Not a 5DIII!

Someone mentioned a Sony RX10 recently - I picked one up in the shop recently, very cute and beautifully made. 2.8 constant aperture 24-200 Zeiss fixed lens. Would be keen to hear if anyone is successfully using one of those alongside the C100.

Ben.
 
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You may have noticed my A7S thread. It's a few months away but if the S35 mode is good then it should match up nicely in resolution and DR (but not necessarily colours).
 
I asked the same question when I bought my C100 in 10/13. I wanted it to be a DSLR so I'd have the stills capability but most importantly I wanted the sensor size to be as close to the C100 as possible so I could use the DSLR almost like a director's viewfinder. I took the 70D on two long vacations and got to the point that I could look at a situation and guess which focal length would be best on the C100. I have not yet used it as a B-camera, I understand from previous posts it is important to upload the profile called Technicolor.

The way I settled on the 70D is I wrote customer service at Lensrental.com asking which DSLR would most closely match the C100 and the following is what they wrote back. Also very importantly, the new AF feature in the C100 is the exact same feature as the 70D, so with my DSLR I have been practicing changing the focus zone away from the center of the frame which will be crucial once I get my AF upgrade. Here's what they wrote:


The Canon 70D has an ASP-C sensor (x1.6 Crop) which is similar to the Super 35 sensor (1.5x crop) of the C100. The 70D's sensor will allow you to capture images with a similar field of view to that of the C100, while functioning first and foremost as a still picture camera. The dynamic range and low light functionality of the C100 is better than that of the 70D, but there currently aren't any DSLRs available that can match the C100 in dynamic range and low light, in video mode. I suggested the 70D because it's functionality and quality of image can't be beat at that price. Another good option is the Canon 5DmkIII. Although the 5DmkIII has a full frame sensor, it's footage will match well with the C100. The 5DmkIII will give you slightly more dynamic range and low light performance, but still won't match the video specs of the C100. It also prices more expensive than the 70D.

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/cameras/canon-eos-70d

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/cameras/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii

But you should do a Google search of the subject starting with the term dvxuser.com because you will get more info than just reading short rehashes of what we talked about previously. Better yet, do what I did. Go to the first C100 post in this forum and read through, cutting and pasting from the experts such as Erik Naso, Ben Giles, Dustylense, Matt Turner, etc....If you post and ask for info you will miss so much. When the C100 was new there was a flurry of experimentatin and results were posted so go back to the original start. I am having trouble with mixed WB and the C100 and am about to post a question but first I will do an archival search. Many experts are tired of answering the same question so researching first is best.
 
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nedcam said:
I asked the same question when I bought my C100 in 10/13. I wanted it to be a DSLR so I'd have the stills capability but most importantly I wanted the sensor size to be as close to the C100 as possible so I could use the DSLR almost like a director's viewfinder. I took the 70D on two long vacations and got to the point that I could look at a situation and guess which focal length would be best on the C100. I have not yet used it as a B-camera, I understand from previous posts it is important to upload the profile called Technicolor.

The way I settled on the 70D is I wrote customer service at Lensrental.com asking which DSLR would most closely match the C100 and the following is what they wrote back. Also very importantly, the new AF feature in the C100 is the exact same feature as the 70D, so with my DSLR I have been practicing changing the focus zone away from the center of the frame which will be crucial once I get my AF upgrade. Here's what they wrote:


The Canon 70D has an ASP-C sensor (x1.6 Crop) which is similar to the Super 35 sensor (1.5x crop) of the C100. The 70D's sensor will allow you to capture images with a similar field of view to that of the C100, while functioning first and foremost as a still picture camera. The dynamic range and low light functionality of the C100 is better than that of the 70D, but there currently aren't any DSLRs available that can match the C100 in dynamic range and low light, in video mode. I suggested the 70D because it's functionality and quality of image can't be beat at that price. Another good option is the Canon 5DmkIII. Although the 5DmkIII has a full frame sensor, it's footage will match well with the C100. The 5DmkIII will give you slightly more dynamic range and low light performance, but still won't match the video specs of the C100. It also prices more expensive than the 70D.

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/cameras/canon-eos-70d

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/cameras/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii

But you should do a Google search of the subject starting with the term dvxuser.com because you will get more info than just reading short rehashes of what we talked about previously.
Click to expand...

the best reason for me to use a 5D3 as my B-Cam is the ability to use a clean out HDMI into a recorder, and with the Ninjastar coming out I can very easily equip it with that now and have 2 superior uncompressed sources.
 
I've had a chance to play with the RX-10. Very interesting camera with a very interesting lens. Not sure if it would keep up in the pro world, or if it would earn its keep as a B-Roll camera. For me, it's the absolute 'King of Reconnaisance' camera. It does enough photography and enough video to suit all sorts of Recce shoots whilst being easy to live with.

But the zoom is ponderous, the look is a little zizzy, it tries very hard to do everything 'in camera'.

I tried an A7R - again, a bit zizzy, that CineTone crushed look, hot highlights.

I will be trying the A7S - if only to see what it can do as an S-Log camera. I'm somewhat sold by this:

https://vimeo.com/90739453 (can't embed, sorry).
 
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In a perfect world, Canon would have a DSLR that shot 1080 & 60fps internally. The GH4 or A7s seem like interesting options (if the footage looks good), but I just hate getting a camera with a different lens mount. All of my current equipment is Canon, so there's a lot EF mount gear around.
 
Well, hoping (HOPING) that the Metabones EF mount Mk3 will step in here. So long as you've got FF lenses (e.g. 24-105, 70-200) they too would work on the A7S. Even Tokina 11-16 should work on A7S at 16mm only.
 
nedcam said:
But you should do a Google search of the subject starting with the term dvxuser.com because you will get more info than just reading short rehashes of what we talked about previously. Better yet, do what I did. Go to the first C100 post in this forum and read through, cutting and pasting from the experts such as Erik Naso, Ben Giles, Dustylense, Matt Turner, etc....If you post and ask for info you will miss so much. When the C100 was new there was a flurry of experimentatin and results were posted so go back to the original start. I am having trouble with mixed WB and the C100 and am about to post a question but first I will do an archival search. Many experts are tired of answering the same question so researching first is best.
Click to expand...

Totally understand that, and I did do that. Just wanting some updated opinion. Things change a lot in the camera world in a few months.
 
Not exactly sure at this point which Metabones adaptor is going to be the best with the A7S. I'm sure there is one, their website shouts this fact. Right now, too busy earning money with a C100 (and right now, editing its rushes from the Ninja Blade). I'm giving the A7S the Matt Davis 'nod of respect' because I will be able to use 'most' of my lenses with it.

However, it's still (IIRC) an 8 bit device, and that weighs heavy upon my soul. I think this is Sony protecting its F5 & F55, the FS700 in raw mode, and its BSD 2/3" cameras. Such a shame. GH4 still gets a place at the table for its relatively simple 10 bit.
 
Another Canon DSLR gives you a couple advantages…EF lenses and a similar color science. The picture won't match exactly (if it did, why would we spend more on a C100?) but it will be a closer starting point than something from Panny or Sony who, IMO tend to look a little too video-ish in their colors/sharpness out of camera.
I guess you should ask yourself what your priorities are for a B camera? Color match? Convenience? Compatibility of lenses? Features your C100 doesn't have?
 
Oh crumbs, there goes the inner Vicky Pollard - yeah, but no, but yeah, but no, but...

Are we matching apples with pears or apples with oranges? Sure a Canon DSLR will take the same kind of lenses (assuming that we take into consideration the EF-S and EF separation), but their colorimetry and general look is so different to video gamma and Rec709 you will have a hard job matching. Canon 5D, 550D/Rebel T2i, 7D, 60D et al - all have non-video looks that the C100 has. I really do think we have to look beyond the Canon DSLR range for a B-cam, and the Metabones adaptor will take your Canon lenses if you go down the Sony route. Sorry, Panasonic doesn't quite make it, and JVC can't come to the party.

IMHO of course. LOL
 
I regularly shoot with Canon DSLR's as b-cams or multicamera shoots. It is quite easy to get the C100 to match a Canon DSLR. It's nearly impossible to get a DSLR to match the C100. I am not sure why you would want to go to the trouble of trying to match different brands if you didn't have to.
 
I've had reasonable success using my GH2 w/ Canon L Glass & dumb adapter. Not ideal, but this combo resolves better detail than any Canon DSLR and skin tones aren't that far off. GH3 is far worse for skin tone matching with C100.
 
MattDavis said:
it's still (IIRC) an 8 bit device, and that weighs heavy upon my soul.
Click to expand...

You can't buy one, Matt. We'll never let you forget...

Now write 100 lines...

I will never buy another 8 bit camera again

I will never buy another 8 bit camera again

I will never buy another 8 bit camera again

I will never buy another 8 bit camera again

I will never buy another 8 bit camera again

:cheesy:
 
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