Talk me out of buying the C300
- Thread starter mraaron895
- Start date
Kegan
Spam Assassin Mod
I dunno if I'd use a Scarlet for weddings, but that's just me. I know guys who do it with great success. It's hard to purchase a camera that does both event work AND commercial/set work equally well.
You'll have to choose - future proof + getting more into the commercial/set world or staying with a camera that can do what you need now, but likely won't last you as long...tough predicament.
You'll have to choose - future proof + getting more into the commercial/set world or staying with a camera that can do what you need now, but likely won't last you as long...tough predicament.
macgregor
Veteran
I mean... having a C100 out there for half the price of the C300... I´d either go that route or step up to a Scarlet. Either save the money and accept a slightly worse codec (420) or as I said, get more future proof with the scarlet plus a cheap recorder (red will also provide better images if properly exposed).
cowpunk52
Veteran
This thread is a terrible idea, and I certainly hope that you're taking every reply from all sides with a grain of salt. If you feel like it's time to upgrade, make a short of list. Make a couple of them. What does your client demand? How much can you realistically afford? What is the majority of the type of shooting you do?
From that, make a list of cameras with necessary accessories that you are considering. Figure out exactly what it will cost to shoot what you shoot. Then rent, and test. Does it fit your workflow? Are the ergonomics in line with your style of shooting? Do you have the support structure (on set and in post) to make it work for you? Will it help you deliver the product your client demands on schedule and on budget?
Answer all those questions, and you'll likely know exactly what you need.
From that, make a list of cameras with necessary accessories that you are considering. Figure out exactly what it will cost to shoot what you shoot. Then rent, and test. Does it fit your workflow? Are the ergonomics in line with your style of shooting? Do you have the support structure (on set and in post) to make it work for you? Will it help you deliver the product your client demands on schedule and on budget?
Answer all those questions, and you'll likely know exactly what you need.
mraaron895
Well-known member
@cowpunk52
Yeah I'm having a hard time dissagreeing with you on that. My main desire is to own a professional camera and gear that sets me apart from DSLR & Prosumer shooters.
Yeah I'm having a hard time dissagreeing with you on that. My main desire is to own a professional camera and gear that sets me apart from DSLR & Prosumer shooters.
FrameFarmMedia
Veteran
If that is the case it seems a C100 or FS100 or even af100 would be a better fit to your needs cost/performance.
David W. Jones
Veteran
+100
mraaron895
Well-known member
I personally think the C300 will be around for much longer as a top performer.
For an example: I've yet to see a digital camera trump the Alexa. It's been out since 2010, and no one complains that it does not shoot 4K because no one can see 4K.
Now the C300 doesn't have the dynamic range or quite the same resolution as the Alexa, but it has the capability to shoot in any lighting situation. To me resolution is the current fad.
For an example: I've yet to see a digital camera trump the Alexa. It's been out since 2010, and no one complains that it does not shoot 4K because no one can see 4K.
Now the C300 doesn't have the dynamic range or quite the same resolution as the Alexa, but it has the capability to shoot in any lighting situation. To me resolution is the current fad.
Nicholas Natteau
Veteran
Hi mraaron895.
For months, I wrestled with the exact same questions you have. After careful research and a lot of soul searching, weighing the pros and cons of which large-chip camcorder to go with, I finally took the plunge and ordered a C300 with Canon's 24-month 0% interest offer.
Like everyone else, I find this camera to be absolutely phenomenal in low light. Though I'm not experienced with high end professional cameras, I found the C300 to be quite easy to operate and a joy to hold. All the buttons are where you'd want them to be. And the function buttons are positioned in the most logical and ideal places. Now I see why camera crews love it. Believe what they say about it! It's a fantastic camera.
If you're planning on doing any run and gun work and need a camera with fast auto focus and a broadcast quality bit rate, you might want to look at the soon to be released Panasonic GH3 (shooting 1080p24 and 1080p60 at 50-70 Mbps for only $1,300!).
Though cameras now become obsolete much faster because of how rapidly technology is evolving, I still believe the C300 will remain highly in demand for quite a while. I see the C300 becoming the workhorse of small budget indie films and documentaries, as were once the DVX100 and HVX200.
For months, I wrestled with the exact same questions you have. After careful research and a lot of soul searching, weighing the pros and cons of which large-chip camcorder to go with, I finally took the plunge and ordered a C300 with Canon's 24-month 0% interest offer.
Like everyone else, I find this camera to be absolutely phenomenal in low light. Though I'm not experienced with high end professional cameras, I found the C300 to be quite easy to operate and a joy to hold. All the buttons are where you'd want them to be. And the function buttons are positioned in the most logical and ideal places. Now I see why camera crews love it. Believe what they say about it! It's a fantastic camera.
If you're planning on doing any run and gun work and need a camera with fast auto focus and a broadcast quality bit rate, you might want to look at the soon to be released Panasonic GH3 (shooting 1080p24 and 1080p60 at 50-70 Mbps for only $1,300!).
Though cameras now become obsolete much faster because of how rapidly technology is evolving, I still believe the C300 will remain highly in demand for quite a while. I see the C300 becoming the workhorse of small budget indie films and documentaries, as were once the DVX100 and HVX200.
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dustylense
Veteran
If your business plan is primarily weddings, then you have to think about the balance of what has a good image and what can be used in a documentary/photojournalistic fashion. To me the C300 or C100 is that camera. Sounds like you already have EOS glass. SO you make a purchase and all you need to be up and running (and by running I mean running around on the move) is a Canon C body and a couple batteries. The C300 would give you that wide DR shot to a lovely codec ready to drop an edit in every app you could imagine. It grades well. A C100 would give you hopefully the same image but in that more compressed image (but cheaper media) but has 422 Hdmi out. Ninja up the C100 and you have a C300 that shoots Prores ready to edit 422 at half the cost of the C300. Batteries go the distance with these cameras and both can stay light and tight. Plus I'm sure the C100/300 plays just nice with canon HDslrs for multicam angles.
Future proof? Tomorrow is the future. The day after that is the future.
Future proof? Tomorrow is the future. The day after that is the future.
simonpwood
Well-known member
The C300 is ready for prime-time straight out of the box (unlike the FS100, AF100 and others mentioned earlier). The fact that so many production companies have invested in them means that they will be around and in use for some time (think of how long many of those Sony XDCams and the Betacams before them were in use with stations). However, most of the ones I have seen with TV crews have expensive Canon L series zoom lenses mounted; so I don't think you can slap any old lens on it and expect it to be broadcast compliant. Some of the C300 crews I talked to mentioned that the BBC is strict about the type of CA caused by some lenses. Another thing they like about the camera is that they don't have to worry about external recorders (a lot of those crews also use the EX1 & nanoflash).
I talked to the crew who used the R1MX, and they mentioned that they also have Epics, but don't like to bring them out for documentary work, in part due to some potential unreliability issues when they are in foreign countries (and a replacement can't be found - they mentioned their Epic suffers from the 'smurf' effect intermittently). The loud fan on the Epic was also a cause of annoyance to them on documentary work; this is especially true in hot countries when they are rolling for long takes they said. They preferred the R1MX for documentary work as the fan is not an issue, and they had some soft Ice-Packs (like what you would put on a pulled muscle) which they stick on top of the Red if it starts to overheat! They mentioned the Epic was the best film camera they had used; just not great for documentary. Presumably the fan noise issue is also present with the Scarlet? Something to think about; though as mentioned above the Scarlet is probably the most reasonably priced 'future proof' camera at the moment.
I talked to the crew who used the R1MX, and they mentioned that they also have Epics, but don't like to bring them out for documentary work, in part due to some potential unreliability issues when they are in foreign countries (and a replacement can't be found - they mentioned their Epic suffers from the 'smurf' effect intermittently). The loud fan on the Epic was also a cause of annoyance to them on documentary work; this is especially true in hot countries when they are rolling for long takes they said. They preferred the R1MX for documentary work as the fan is not an issue, and they had some soft Ice-Packs (like what you would put on a pulled muscle) which they stick on top of the Red if it starts to overheat! They mentioned the Epic was the best film camera they had used; just not great for documentary. Presumably the fan noise issue is also present with the Scarlet? Something to think about; though as mentioned above the Scarlet is probably the most reasonably priced 'future proof' camera at the moment.
Liam Hall
Veteran
It's not that the C300 will fall short, so much as there will be other, better options than the C300.
I agree, the C300 is a great camera for today. Currently, I shoot more on the C300 than any other camera. And I'm sure that will be the case for the next few months too. But the C300 is Canon's first foray into the large sensor camera market. There are design flaws that need to be addressed, there functions that need to be added. How long before the C300 will be upgraded or superseded? One year? One month? A lot less than five years I'd imagine.
Paul Cronin
Well-known member
Buy the C300 and use it now while you make money. If something better comes along and you really need the upgrade then go for it and sell the C300. I don't think there will be a better Canon out for at least a year even if they release it at NAB in April. Make the move you won't regret it I don't.
if were talking about economy here, its not exactly the best time to spend so much on technology that will be phased out in a couple of years.
Now if your asking as a creative shooter, c300 is awesome. (ive used it, love the features though i damn hate the swiveling LCD!) c100 seems a better deal for your work (that is if it does what it supposed to do when its released)
Now if your asking as a creative shooter, c300 is awesome. (ive used it, love the features though i damn hate the swiveling LCD!) c100 seems a better deal for your work (that is if it does what it supposed to do when its released)
Jim Martin
DVXuser Sponsor
...and it likes to take a nap or two each day. Seriously, the poster is not looking to spend beyond what the C300 costs. Your package is well over 20K....
Jim Martin
Filmtools.com
Liam Hall
Veteran
C100 it is then...