C100: Suitable C100 B Cam

M

MacPhail

Member
Hey guys,

Wanted to canvas a few opinions on a suitable B Cam for the C100 (other than another C100 obviously!)

Looking at either the A7s or the GH4 at the moment, leaning more to the A7s. Interested in having a second camera that is DSLR size again (used to have a 7D, but fell into disuse so gifted it to my father).

Interested to hear what you guys think or are using yourself, budget is about £2000. I know I could get a used C100 or FS100 for that price, but if i was going to get another video camera body I would just pick up the FS7.

Cheers guys,

Calum
 
I use an a7s and love it. Colors match well, small form factor , great evf and video functionality. 4k if you want it, HFR, very detailed image.

You will need to tweak colors just a little in post depending on what profiles you use. I have a modified wide DR that works well with Cine4 and a few tweaks on the a7s. Brilliant camera!
 
The only thing that stops me from considering the A7s would be the blue LED issue. Thats a deal breaker for me. There is a work around....but not one I am willing to entertain. I guess it depends on if you are using it for event work.
 
I know you mentioned not a C100, but I would suggest a C100. I have a 5D3 and really have a hard time matching them up, it's kind of a big headache...... the images are very different to my eye. I've reached the decision to just get another used C100. It's actually cheaper than an A7s if you figure in new lens etc.

I was quite happy with my 5D3 until I got the C100 they each look good on their own, but put them together it's another story. With the price drop of a used or new C100 why would you want something else as a B-camera when another C100 would work flawlessly? Perhaps you have your reasons I don't know. Just my 2cents.
 
Yes, the blue highlighting is weird for sure. I don't shoot events much but it would annoy me.

Re:Skew it's more noticeable than C100 but in APSC mode quite reasonable and cited as a deal breaker too often. I shot exteriors from a car handheld in 60p (needed the smaller form factor because we were in a dangerous Chicago neighborhood):


Also the tighter shot on all interviews is a7s intercut with C100 as the wide shot. All interior B-Roll C100, exterior B-Roll a7s.

I shoot mostly doc/editorial style so I don't move the camera in intense ways. It may not be a good fit for that kind of shooter. For my work, it kills.

Yes these shots were touched up, but not much to match. I find in terms of both color and detail, the a7s is significantly closer than 5D or other canon DSLRs (which I've also used quite a bit as B-cams before a7s).
 
I recently had a good result with the 5D3 as a B cam.

I baked in a profile in the C100 to match the 5D and in the edit applied the most subtle gaussian blur to the C100 footage.
 
You intentionally made the C100 look worse? Why not shoot C-log on the C100...then with the 5D...nail your exposure and WB...then in post lift the blacks and adjust the curve to flat. Looks fine...and waaaaay better than the terrible 5D3 look.
 
My bad...i failed to mention the client wanted the 5D look and i wanted minimal grading as it was a quick turnaround. i used Prolost Flat for 5D and Wide DR for C100 with Master Black dialled down 3 notches and lifted the Color Matrix gain to +8.

It worked out well and the colourist was very happy :)
 
i used the RX10 alongside the C100 and it cut marvelously. i've switched to a gh4, and thus far cuts nice, but need to play with the profiles more to dial it in
 
remsyatassi said:
Yes, the blue highlighting is weird for sure. I don't shoot events much but it would annoy me.

Re:Skew it's more noticeable than C100 but in APSC mode quite reasonable and cited as a deal breaker too often. I shot exteriors from a car handheld in 60p (needed the smaller form factor because we were in a dangerous Chicago neighborhood):


Also the tighter shot on all interviews is a7s intercut with C100 as the wide shot. All interior B-Roll C100, exterior B-Roll a7s.

I shoot mostly doc/editorial style so I don't move the camera in intense ways. It may not be a good fit for that kind of shooter. For my work, it kills.

Yes these shots were touched up, but not much to match. I find in terms of both color and detail, the a7s is significantly closer than 5D or other canon DSLRs (which I've also used quite a bit as B-cams before a7s).
Click to expand...

It's one thing to shoot outside then a close up interview shot inside..... it's so easy a caveman could do it! I would be curious to see an interview shot of the same person in the same room from two different angles same lighting etc. using a C100 and some other B-roll camera preferably a 5D3 in my case.

Never mind, I went back and watched it again and understand now you used two different cameras for the interview as well. I could see a difference but had you not said anything then I don't know if I could have seen it.
 
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It's not a C100..... but I used my HV-40 as a B cam to my 5D3 with very good results if I do say so myself. Actually I love the HV-40..... I had an XH-A1 and I liked the image more of the HV-40...... even some sales reps at B&H told me the same thing. I keep the little guy around because I literally have 100's of tapes I may at one point need to transfer to FCPX someday. Here is a video I did with the 5D3 and the HV-40.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo7gTUdbYLs
 
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