Canon C300 (and now C500)

Started by wilder, December 26, 2011, 06:23:52 PM

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wilder



I've been watching some of the videos rolling out from Canon's new C300 camera, which is set to ship in January 2012 with a choice of Canon EF mount or PL mount at a still TBD retail price of around $14,000. This camera doesn't shoot 4K or even 2K like the Red Scarlet/Epic or Arri's Alexa, and instead shoots a mere 1080p...but the results I've seen from the camera so far are more pleasing to my eye than stuff I've seen from the Red, partially due to the C300's film-like grain. Here's a brief write-up about the camera. Below is a lengthy video review of the C300 by Philip Bloom, as well as some test footage he shot with it, along with some other video examples.

Philip Bloom Canon C300 Video Review

Philip Bloom Canon C300 Test Short "Le Mont, La Pluie et La Nuit" (Full quality download link on right side)

Trailer for Bryce Dallas Howard directed short film "When You Find Me" < The full 30 minute short was on YouTube about a week ago, but has since been taken down.

Vincent LaForet C300 short "Mobius"




wilder

4K successor to the C300, the Canon C500, announced.



CANON ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF 4K DIGITAL CINEMA CAMERAS

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 12, 2012 – Canon Inc. is developing two digital cinematography cameras as part of its acclaimed new Cinema EOS System of professional cinematography products. Designated as the Cinema EOS C500* for use with EF-mount lenses, and the Cinema EOS C500 PL* for use with PL-mount lenses, the cameras will be capable of originating 4K (4096 x 2160-pixel) resolution digital motion imagery with uncompressed RAW output for external recording, in response to growing expectations for higher levels of imaging performance in premium Hollywood films and other production markets requiring the utmost in picture quality.

"With the unveiling of our Cinema EOS System last November to great acclaim, Canon marked our full-fledged entry into the motion-picture production market," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "To further serve the needs of Hollywood's premier filmmakers, Canon is developing the Cinema EOS C500 and Cinema EOS C500 PL digital cinematography cameras, which deliver the added benefit of full 4K motion-image capture to the Cinema EOS System."

The 4K imaging format is emerging as the new standard for advanced effects and post-production in Hollywood, and it is particularly important for big-budget motion pictures that include scenes compositing live-action cinematography with high-resolution computer-generated imagery. The Cinema EOS C500/C500 PL digital cinematography cameras will not only support 4K-resolution video but also outputs this as a 10-bit uncompressed RAW data stream with no de-Bayering. The cameras offer the additional versatility of being able to output quad full-HD (3840 x 2160), 2K (2048 x 1080), full HD (1920 x 1080), and other imaging options. All of these digital image source formats fully conform to established SMPTE production standards. All 4K formats can be selected to operate from one to 60 frames per second. The cameras employ a 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal format during 2K output, which can be selected to operate from one to 60 frames-per-second (fps) as well. If switched to a 10-bit YCrCb 4:2:2 mode, the camera can operate up to 120 fps.

The Cinema EOS C500 simultaneously records in-camera a 50 Mbps HD proxy video to a CF card that is immediately available to support offline editing. Equipped with a newly developed Super 35mm-equivalent approximately 8.85-megapixel CMOS sensor, the cameras will be compatible with Canon's wide range of interchangeable EF Cinema and PL-mount lenses and EF lenses for Canon SLR cameras. Highly mobile and compact for filmmaking versatility, the Cinema EOS C500/C500 PL digital cinematography cameras – like Canon's Cinema EOS C300/C300 PL cinematography cameras – provide all of the same ergonomic features, except for the rotating hand grip.

Further details regarding the Cinema EOS C500/C500 PL digital cinematography cameras – including specifications and pricing – have yet to be decided. Plans call for these new products to be launched later this year. In addition to targeting a swift launch of these cameras, Canon will continue to enhance other components of its Cinema EOS System product lineup, which is designed to contribute to the continued advancement of tools for visual expression and the development of cinematic culture.

Canon will display a prototype of the Cinema EOS C500/C500 PL digital cinematography camera at the 2012 NAB Show in booth C4325 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 16 to 19.

wilder

This short Bryce Dallas Howard shot with the C300, "When You Find Me", is back online (maybe temporarily). Lots of lighting scenarios are covered here. 720p fullscreen this thing, it's the best example I've seen of what this camera is capable of. Short starts at 8:40 into this clip:



wilder

Canon C500 short 'Man and Beast' shot by Jeff Cronenweth now available to view online - click middle thumbnail below

Note: The majority of this short was shot at 30p, not 24p.

md

"look hard at what pleases you and even harder at what doesn't" ~ carolyn forche

matt35mm

Goddamn it, dude. That footage was really good. God damn it.

Jeremy Blackman

That's pretty amazing, actually. Wow.

pete

"Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot."
- Buster Keaton

md

Unfortunately its limited to 720p.  But the C500 does!
"look hard at what pleases you and even harder at what doesn't" ~ carolyn forche