1DC: what are Canon's 4K plans for 2015:??? 1DC and C300 successors???

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Nicholas Natteau

Veteran
Having worked with the both the 1DC and C300, I have to say that I've never achieved more beautiful skin tones than with these two cameras.

Just wondering what any of you might have heard regarding Canon's plans for 4K in 2015. If Canon is working on a C300 successor, I do hope it will be able to record 4K and ideally allow for 4K output to an external recorder like the Atomos Shogun that allows for 4K Apple Pro Res HQ, regular 4K Pro Res and 4K Pro Res LT.

If not, is there no possible way the C300's firmware could be updated in the future (like Sony with the F55) to allow for Apple Pro Res 4K output via SDI? Even it required a paid upgrade, I would sooner pay and keep my C300 than sell it and buy a new one.

I wish the 1DC could also output 4K through HDMI. I just wonder whether Canon will offer a firmware update this year that allows this on the 1DC or will they simply market a new C300 and new 1DC with those options???
 
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For the heck of it, I decided to look for recently shot 1D C footage on You Tube a few days ago and thought that it was the best looking (tied with F-65) image out there.

As to Canon's plans, some clues may be coming out on Monday with a lot of manufacturers releasing info on their new camcorder lines for the CES. By looking at the sensor sizes, media, recording bit rates, the lens quality, etc., the 2015 consumer/prosumer/enthusiast product road map will be made more clear. From there, you can sort of stagger up and estimate the rest of the lineups.

Otherwise, wait for a few more weeks when the CP+ starts in Japan. FWIW, Canon generally avoids making the biggest splash at these trade shows. They drop hints but only release products when they are ready. They have obviously been working on new models for a while. Japan, as was mentioned on the CES'15 thread, is striving for 8K by 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with the 6K deemed an acceptable intermediate resolution for the intervening five years. In other words, I would not be surprised if a 1D C replacement was a 6K camera. This will also allow Canon to keep the C-300 replacement as a 4K run-n-gun model and thus sell both (to different folks facing different environments).

On the photo side, they're expected to release a high MPX (mid-high 40's) full frame camera sometime in 2015. What video functions it might have is currently unknown. If it's in a $3,500 range as a 5D MK III replacement, it may have either 1080p only or a low bit rate 4K, so not to compete with the higher end Canon offerings. It ought to be noted, however, that competing manufacturers won't cripple their own products to the extent Canon does.

PS. There should be several 8K TV prototypes shown at the CES. Now, can a pro camera not have at least 6K going into 2016? (yes, I meant, 2016 because it will take these cameras a while to reach the store shelves)
 
I've read Canon statements that were positive towards CFast cards. Hopefully this is true and we see them integrated sooner rather than later. They are an important piece of the puzzle towards better internal footage.
 
I inagine we will lose the APSH crop. Which is sad, i loce what that foc does to standard focal lengths.
 
I have to admit that I feel like I made the biggest mistake of my life when I sold my 1DC last year. I've been regretting it ever since. I may actually end up buying it again if Canon doesn't come out with a 1DC successor this year. The only concern I had at the time were the huge file sizes I was getting when shooting in 4K at 500 Mbps. But I sorely miss the stunningly good skin tones I was able to get with the 1DC and the minimal grading I had to do with Canon C-Log. I've never been able to get skin tones anywhere near that natural looking with the GH4 or A7s which is why I plan to use those cameras more for landscape and low light shooting. But the C300 or 1DC would always be my favorites for shooting talking head style interviews.
 
Nicholas Natteau said:
I sorely miss the stunningly good skin tones I was able to get with the 1DC and the minimal grading I had to do with Canon C-Log. I've never been able to get skin tones anywhere near that natural looking with the GH4 or A7s w...
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Not to make you feel any worse but this does look like "film".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lA7HjnEB-g

As to codec, I recall Canon signing onto some sort of a pro video codec group some time in the spring of 2014 but I can't remember if it was HEVC or JPEG200 related ... and searching for it online doesn't provide quick returns.

Edit : EOS C300 was announced in November, 2011. You'd think that the replacement is on the way.
 
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I have to say that youtube clip above doesn't do the 1DC justice at all. It looks like the colors must have been pushed to the limit in post towards orange.

This 1DC film of beautiful surfer Mariah Jakosky either at sunrise or sunset shows how the 1DC captures skin tones against a fading sun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNUvc4kuSK4
 
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Nicholas Natteau said:
I have to say that youtube clip above doesn't do the 1DC justice at all. It looks like the colors must have been pushed to the limit in post towards orange.

This 1DC film of beautiful surfer Mariah Jakosky either at sunrise or sunset shows how the 1DC captures skin tones against a fading sun:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=canon+1dc+
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Please correct this link. It doesn't actually take you to the video you reference. I also agree about the previous footage. I bet it was not shot with c-log. Looks too DSLR like.
 
Nicholas Natteau said:
I have to say that youtube clip above doesn't do the 1DC justice at all. It looks like the colors must have been pushed to the limit in post towards orange...
Click to expand...
Well, it was a bodybuilding video.

As to saturated colors, this is why ARRI products are deemed the closest to film. I happen to like that. YMMV.

Anyway, Canon cameras red channel is always warmer than of their competitors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcFNhlkKQ0o

This clip/short has both "orange" and "earth colors" in parts.
 
Having watched the Dallas-Detroit NFL playoff game, I noticed several commercials with that "over-saturated" look that was in the bodybuilding video. These included trailers for "Taken 3" and "Jupiter Ascending", as well as the Nissan Murano ad.
 
That was one lovely bottom to watch! The 720p cap, did not do justice to the bottom or the 1DC.


Broatch Berry
 
Wow! That was beautiful. I just love the sunset at 00:07 in Miller's piece. That makes me feel even worse for having sold my 1DC, :(
I often look at my 1DC footage with regret.

I'll admit I'm no expert when it comes to color correcting or grading. But as I struggle painfully with skintones from A7s S-Log2 footage, it amazes me in hindsight how easy it was to get beautiful skin tones out of the 1DC's Canon C-Log footage. It was simple to grade and pure joy to work with. I can't wait to see what Canon has up its sleeve this year.
 
The magic comes from so many areas, the content, the cinematographer, the editor/colorist, then the tools for the job, there is no doubt the Canon 1DC has a unique mojo. It blows my mind the amount of talented camera operators that put out and share their knowledge in this digital age. Still whats more amazing is how film captures so much more than any digital camera made today! In an organic photo chemical system, that is then stretched to it's limits with digital alchemy. I'm so glad we have a place to come and discover the new cameras, and trends. Thank you DVXUSER!


Broatch Berry
 
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