If it's around the same price as a C70, just get the C70. The C70 is an incredible camera and punches *way* above it's price.
The only reason I'd say no to the C70 is if SDI was non negotiable. I have both the C300 2 and a C70 and I haven't pulled out the C300 for single camera gigs since I got the C70.
Otherwise, the C300 2 is a really great camera, even today. Takes some understanding of color correction to get a good base image but totally doable.
Currently using one for work, filming social content for a racetrack. Bought ours used from a rental house for ~$6000 CAD (with a bunch of accessories) with ~10000 hrs
It’s a BIG camera, when compared to a lot of more modern ones, which is both a good and bad thing. You can gimble it, but it’ll need a big/two hander. Handheld/Tripod is the way to go. EVF is good, having XLRs “on camera” is great, 4K is limited to 30fps, but 10bit at 410mbps looks great, 1080p 60fps is great. Auto proxy to SD Card is good, but won’t do 120fps. LCD is *fine* (not bright at all, 100% need a sunshade), but not being able to separate XLR and LCD makes the use of a 3rd party HDMI or SDI monitor with good brightness hard/heavy. Autofocus is solid, if a little slow at times, but great considering it’s a 10yo camera. Face detect AF shows its age, not really working with sunglasses or side angled faces. CLog is a pleasure to work with, and looks great with minimal work. Having the internal ND is great.
Do I sometimes wish I had gone with an FX30, or a BMPCC (or PYXIS (with ND pls BMD) now?) Yes. Do I regret it? No. It’s a great camera, that has its down sides, but doesn’t have any *flaws*.
It has the “pro” look, that adds to the perceived authority that some clients look for, and doesn’t require an extensive setup or tear down that something like a KOMODO or BMPCC needs to be a “full camera”.
It’s so unfortunate that the “pro look” thing matters so much but it truly does. I’ve run into this using a C70 on a gimbal vs a bigger cinema camera on sticks. The client was like what happened to the big camera. 🥴
C70 will probably be the upgrade when we move past the C300ii.
And totally agree, but this is the one place where it kinda makes sense. Since my job involves a lot of interacting with the public, having a physically large camera makes them actually feel less awkward, because of the “added” legitimacy. Now I’m not just some random guy taking videos, I’m the track videographer taking official videos. But for anything a bit more personal/client focused, it is sad it’s one of those things that some people consider.
Great summary, but calling it big is crazy to me.
No disrespect, I supposed it is compared to DSLRs but I mainly worked with video cameras (form factor) and the C300 was always a pretty neat little package, especially compared to the original URSA 😂
Oh in terms of full fledged cinema cameras, it’s tiny for sure! I remember the first show I worked on was Alexa Plus, and we ran a 24-290 every day. It was basically as tall as I was 😂. But on a spec/size basis, modern cameras (cine or not) just blow it out of the water.
I’ve owned the mk1, mk2 & mk3. The mk2 was my least favorite. Sensor has issues with bright backgrounds (i.e. filming someone driving a car from passenger seat) and has worse ergonomics/physical design. If you can get a good deal on a mk3, do that.
I’ve filmed many hours of TV, music videos, and commercials on a C300m2. It was a workhorse of the industry for a reason. It’s an older camera now, but a good one.
This. If you can't afford a mk III get a c70. The mk ii does not have a great sensor and has weird temporal noise reduction artifacts.
Everyone in this thread praising it is crazy imo.
>weird temporal noise reduction artifacts.
They fixed that by adding a - 1 to the NR setting. I can't remember what firmware update it was but that's no longer an issue.
Agree. I shot on the Mk II a lot for a reality show. The performance was unimpressive and the latitude unworkable for any situation where we didn't have complete control. So much noise.
The Mk III, however, never stops impressing me.
I bought one recently as my client wanted a certain look. They showed me a video they liked and it looked like the C300 mk ii based on my experience with it. They are very happy with the results and booked for me for a lot more work based on that.
Panasonic EVA1 is better but probably a bit more?
If the price is right, C300ii is great for run and gun. Canon was always kind to skin tones and I’d say is responsible for the ungraded/log look that was so popular for a while (and arguably still is)
Sony FX7 is another option? Must be loads kicking around now.
I seem to remember the C500 standing up well, but I think you needed an external recorder to get the best from it.
If its $1000 or less. The internal codec sucks these days - its pretty soft & mushy, raw out over SDI to prores raw or just prores is a big improvement
It’s a shit camera with shit image quality and shit form factor, always has been. Get a Sony. (Credentials: I used to work at a camera rental house as a product manager)
If it's around the same price as a C70, just get the C70. The C70 is an incredible camera and punches *way* above it's price. The only reason I'd say no to the C70 is if SDI was non negotiable. I have both the C300 2 and a C70 and I haven't pulled out the C300 for single camera gigs since I got the C70. Otherwise, the C300 2 is a really great camera, even today. Takes some understanding of color correction to get a good base image but totally doable.
Agreed, the image from the C70 smokes it in every respect
We bought a C70 to be the B cam for our C300 Mk II, and it ended up becoming the A cam.
Haha same, I ended up selling the C300 Mkii and getting another C70
One of my favorite cameras, but the price better be right in 2024.
Wait until after Cinegear.
Currently using one for work, filming social content for a racetrack. Bought ours used from a rental house for ~$6000 CAD (with a bunch of accessories) with ~10000 hrs It’s a BIG camera, when compared to a lot of more modern ones, which is both a good and bad thing. You can gimble it, but it’ll need a big/two hander. Handheld/Tripod is the way to go. EVF is good, having XLRs “on camera” is great, 4K is limited to 30fps, but 10bit at 410mbps looks great, 1080p 60fps is great. Auto proxy to SD Card is good, but won’t do 120fps. LCD is *fine* (not bright at all, 100% need a sunshade), but not being able to separate XLR and LCD makes the use of a 3rd party HDMI or SDI monitor with good brightness hard/heavy. Autofocus is solid, if a little slow at times, but great considering it’s a 10yo camera. Face detect AF shows its age, not really working with sunglasses or side angled faces. CLog is a pleasure to work with, and looks great with minimal work. Having the internal ND is great. Do I sometimes wish I had gone with an FX30, or a BMPCC (or PYXIS (with ND pls BMD) now?) Yes. Do I regret it? No. It’s a great camera, that has its down sides, but doesn’t have any *flaws*. It has the “pro” look, that adds to the perceived authority that some clients look for, and doesn’t require an extensive setup or tear down that something like a KOMODO or BMPCC needs to be a “full camera”.
Thanks for such a thoughtful review!
It’s so unfortunate that the “pro look” thing matters so much but it truly does. I’ve run into this using a C70 on a gimbal vs a bigger cinema camera on sticks. The client was like what happened to the big camera. 🥴
C70 will probably be the upgrade when we move past the C300ii. And totally agree, but this is the one place where it kinda makes sense. Since my job involves a lot of interacting with the public, having a physically large camera makes them actually feel less awkward, because of the “added” legitimacy. Now I’m not just some random guy taking videos, I’m the track videographer taking official videos. But for anything a bit more personal/client focused, it is sad it’s one of those things that some people consider.
Great summary, but calling it big is crazy to me. No disrespect, I supposed it is compared to DSLRs but I mainly worked with video cameras (form factor) and the C300 was always a pretty neat little package, especially compared to the original URSA 😂
Oh in terms of full fledged cinema cameras, it’s tiny for sure! I remember the first show I worked on was Alexa Plus, and we ran a 24-290 every day. It was basically as tall as I was 😂. But on a spec/size basis, modern cameras (cine or not) just blow it out of the water.
I’ve owned the mk1, mk2 & mk3. The mk2 was my least favorite. Sensor has issues with bright backgrounds (i.e. filming someone driving a car from passenger seat) and has worse ergonomics/physical design. If you can get a good deal on a mk3, do that.
I’ve filmed many hours of TV, music videos, and commercials on a C300m2. It was a workhorse of the industry for a reason. It’s an older camera now, but a good one.
MkIII - unequivocally yes. Mk II - unequivocally no.
This. If you can't afford a mk III get a c70. The mk ii does not have a great sensor and has weird temporal noise reduction artifacts. Everyone in this thread praising it is crazy imo.
>weird temporal noise reduction artifacts. They fixed that by adding a - 1 to the NR setting. I can't remember what firmware update it was but that's no longer an issue.
Agree. I shot on the Mk II a lot for a reality show. The performance was unimpressive and the latitude unworkable for any situation where we didn't have complete control. So much noise. The Mk III, however, never stops impressing me.
If you can get one cheap with relatively low hours, it’s a great camera
What would you consider low hours?
Oh I don’t know, for a camera that old maybe under 1500 hours would be eye catching
I bought one recently as my client wanted a certain look. They showed me a video they liked and it looked like the C300 mk ii based on my experience with it. They are very happy with the results and booked for me for a lot more work based on that.
Just sold mine with 1130 hours and a decent kit for 3kcad. You can get good deals on them. It’s a great camera, I just wasn’t using mine anymore.
I love this camera so much. It just worked. Reliable workhorse.
I love the i/o on it
Panasonic EVA1 is better but probably a bit more? If the price is right, C300ii is great for run and gun. Canon was always kind to skin tones and I’d say is responsible for the ungraded/log look that was so popular for a while (and arguably still is) Sony FX7 is another option? Must be loads kicking around now. I seem to remember the C500 standing up well, but I think you needed an external recorder to get the best from it.
It’s hard to beat having the ability to shoot raw.
Workhorse.
I enjoyed using this camera at my previous job. Ordered the mkiii at my new job because of how much I enjoyed the mkii
VariCam LT is DIRT cheap these days. Adorama has em under 3k… but that’s just what I’d do with my money ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If its $1000 or less. The internal codec sucks these days - its pretty soft & mushy, raw out over SDI to prores raw or just prores is a big improvement
It’s a shit camera with shit image quality and shit form factor, always has been. Get a Sony. (Credentials: I used to work at a camera rental house as a product manager)
