C200: The new Canon C200 with 4K

cpreston said:
I see the C200 being useful for corporate work. SD cards with backup for hours of interviews and basic broll, and high bitrate for product beauty shots and graphics work.
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That's probably how I would use it. Just wish it was internal 4:2:2 1080 10-bit instead of 4:2:0 8-bit. Guess I could still use my Ninja Blade for 1080 4:2:2 10-bit for green screen like I do now with the C100/300. But that seems like no forward movement. I shoot a lot of green screen but now way I could afford 5-7 hours worth of CFast for RAW. And my clients would not appreciate RAW, too much burden on their post workflow.
 
puredrifting said:
Unless the new Panasonic offering blows me away, I may get the C200. But honestly, RAW does nothing for me, it's a way to burn through a lot of expensive CFast cards and to generate obscene amounts of data that I don't need. I will definitely want to shoot XF-AVC. But will it be too difficult to have the handicap of only 4:2:0 8-bit while I wait for Canon to deliver the XF-AVC codec to my camera in 2018 sometime? That is the question. I know what you mean, NOT having DPAF scares me, I shoot a lot in bright sunlight and without a good EVF, it's really hard to pull focus accurately when you can barely see the screen. I have the Zacuto EVF Pro, it works pretty well on my C100/C300. But a 4K camera? I don't know. It might mean buying a Zacuto Gratical Eye, which adds $2k to the bottom line.
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I feel the exact same way about XF-AVC versus MP4. There is no way I can store the amount of footage I shoot with XF-AVC. If anybody can squeeze the maximum quality from 8-bit 4:2:0 4K into 150 mbps, it's Canon. I feel reasonably confident it's going to robust enough for me. But it would be nice to have the XF-AVC option, which will be there eventually. Though if it's your bread and butter it's hard to gamble on a yet to be released feature that no one has evaluated.

This camera ticks all my boxes. Definitely my next cam unless Panasonic's is out of this world. But Panasonic does not have a good track record with AF, so I have my doubts.

And for those of us that fly to most of our shoots, someone PLEASE make a compact charger for BP-A batteries? Those things are super beefy!
 
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Terry Nixon said:
Canon C200 2215C002 $7499
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From a C300 Mk2 owner...

For Terry and other dealers-
Any word if that touch screen will work with the C300 Mk2 after a firmware update?
Is the DC In port the same as C300 Mk2? I use an AB batt to power camera (onboard batt used as backup and hot swap power) and mostly accessories.
Will Canon enable 120 fps full sensor in C300 M2 after a firmware update?

Will the C300 Mk2 get internal RAW lite?

For those who haven't tried it- autofocus + face detection + tracking (when you have enough light and a clear view of a face) is a game changer with the 18-80 and 70-200/2.8. It works amazing well on many, but not all shots. The hardest part about it was learning to trust the camera.

Body mounted XLRs- about time Canon.

Ergo wise, to me, the C200 is a big jump ahead vs the C300 Mk2. C200 looks like a natural B cam to the C300 Mk2. If Canon enables external RAW output, then a B cam to the C700. Workflow will be an issue and an extra step to get the better codec- but not impossible. RAW output would be better- opens up the option for external recorders that can take Canon RAW and record to ProRes or DNxHR.

If I were in the market for a camera in the upcoming months I'd choose the C200 over the C300 Mk2 for several reasons:
-touch screen focus
-it's cheaper (every dollar counts)
-many clients are not specific about codec delivery. For quick turnaround I don't shoot log- I have my own custom profiles for WYSIWYG shooting.
-could use hdmi recorder for different codecs- though hdmi should be banned from pro oriented gear.
-can transcode RAW lite when needed.
-120 fps full sensor
-superior ergonomics.
-it's cheaper- I only want to own gear that makes money. The cheaper the better. Higher quality gear can, and will be rented.

For me, work destined for solely online distribution is becoming the norm. Some features I've shot have ended up on HBO and Netflix- and for the acquired shows I don't think they really care about the originating codec (as opposed to original programming.) Comes down to client requirements. If the client requires 10 or 12 bit 422 or 444 and fast turnaround, then the C200 is a non starter this year. If the client only requires nice images in HD or UHD, and after testing the C200 looks good, then it's a great choice.

Because no matter what else- if the footage is out of focus or too soft- you're doing another take. With producers very quick to eliminate qualified focus pullers these days- working autofocus is huge.
 
because its the only thing that protects the c300 market.
that buffer of time gives them smoother transition and less noise from fresh c300 buyers (like me)
 
A good combo would be the C200B with an external monitor/recorder daylight viewable. Of course, you wouldn't able to use the touch focus that works only with the Canon LCD.
 
NorBro said:
Anyone see this yet?

https://vimeo.com/219638089
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Not to dismiss the work and turnaround, but Canon's promo films lack WOW factor. They do however show the product how it will likely be used by the target market.

Not crazy about the color correct.

In contrast the DJI Inspire 2 promo had 'WOW, great idea" elements to it.

by contrast have you seen Colby Moore's 5K M2 ML RAW video https://vimeo.com/82522288
Satisfying color. And who cares about resolution online? Why is it so hard for current cameras to duplicate satisfying color and texture like the DSLR Video original- the 5D Mk2 with ML RAW???
 
If I might be so presumptuous, I think you all have missed to point. How many times have I read on this very forum people would trade resolution for more dynamic range? Canon is "hinting" the future is Raw video, not necessarily 4K. I would give my left testicale to be able to grade video in raw, like I can do in Lightroom with photos. C-fast cards will come down in price as well, some are already well priced.

FCPX and Resolve are working on a easier workflow for raw "light". It's just a matter of time before we all go raw.

I can believe the price too! What a deal!
 
puredrifting said:
That's probably how I would use it. Just wish it was internal 4:2:2 1080 10-bit instead of 4:2:0 8-bit. Guess I could still use my Ninja Blade for 1080 4:2:2 10-bit for green screen like I do now with the C100/300. But that seems like no forward movement. I shoot a lot of green screen but now way I could afford 5-7 hours worth of CFast for RAW. And my clients would not appreciate RAW, too much burden on their post workflow.
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Puredrifting, I've read a few of your comments over the last 6 or so months around the search for your next camera considering the work you do and I say this as a guy who shoots similar work to you (though for theatre/musicals)... If you come across a 2nd hand C300ii in the next few months, just do whatever you possibly can to buy it haha. I'm 6 months into using mine and the workflow is an absolute dream (used to shoot FS700/O7Q). Plus I've never been so happy with the look and quality of my footage straight out of camera also. Even the 10bit 50mbps longGOP is gorgeous and surprisingly robust.
 
ozmorphasis said:
Edit: There's a BTS as well - https://vimeo.com/219577958
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If I were working with Canon and knew a BTS was part of the package, I'd have used L primes instead of the CE primes to highlight the autofocus ability. Again, the hardest thing was to learn when to use autofocus and to trust it. And when to quickly switch to manual focus (with a click of a switch).

The fish story kinda looked like it was shot with an A7SII. It could have easily been shot with an A7Sii and CE primes. Jim and Terry, you dealers should push Canon to stop with the same old same old and focus (pun intended) on highlighting market differentiation.
 
can anyone explain to me why Canon announces a firmware upgrade for a camera that will come out in something under a year for a camera they are just going to announce/release? Do they have something like 2 interns writing firmware for their cameras? I own canon cameras and am always mystified but their announcing software updates with such long lead times. Its strikes me as rather silly. The C200 does look rather nice and if it had Xavc out of the box I'd consider a purchase.
 
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