Videographers happy with 5D Mark III?

[Chad]

Hey everyone, i'm interested in a DSLR for shooting video. I've been waiting for the 5D announcement to decide which camera to get. I have no experience with these, and i'm just wondering if it looks like it will have all the improvements that videographers were hoping for in the Mark III.

Do you think it's the best camera to get in that price range to shoot video?

I've thought about the Canon XF300 with 50mbps bit rate, and 4:2:2 color. Three 1/3" images sensors (small!)

I wonder if it'd be better off making a 5D Mark III rig?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[BRNexus6]

Need to see actual footage before I make any personal opinions about it being the ultimate HDSLR for video, but the specs look great.

Headphone jack is a huge plus.

If the moire and aliasing are reduced to the point of not ruining a shot, then I can see a lot of 5D Mark ll owners jumping ship.

I'm personally more interested in what improvements Canon will be making with the next generation of crop sensor HDSLR's in regards to video.

 

[Drama79]

It's tricky. My honest feel on it is this:

For those who only use it for video, there are probably similar specs or better at similar prices, maybe a little cheaper. It's not that competitive.

For those that just shoot photo, similar issue.

For those that do BOTH however, it's a big step forward, and worth the upgrade. I do both, so have gone for it.

 

[BRNexus6]

My only gripe is that the 5D Mark lll doesn't have a swivel LCD. I guess Canon figures people using it for video will be using external monitors with this camera.

 

[Grum]

No uncompressed HDMI output an issue?

 

[Chad]

Is it true that Canon is working on a Cinema DSLR that shoots 4k video? If so, i may hold out for that, assuming it's less expensive than the C300 that came out recently.

 

[expatinasia]

I am very much looking forward to seeing some head to head video reviews between the 5D3 and D800. The less stuff I have to carry when I travel the better, and this will be a determining factor for me.

I do like the 5D3 and think some of its specs are great, but the video capabilities are crucial.

At least they finally added a headphone jack and visual audio monitoring.

 

[cinema-dslr]

Is it true that Canon is working on a Cinema DSLR that shoots 4k video? If so, i may hold out for that, assuming it's less expensive than the C300 that came out recently.

Yes it's true I'm kinda holding out for that one also.

 

[Kristo]

I have to wait and see real tests and then say opinion. But I wanted clean HDMI. The problem with more aliasing was serious and it is good they fixed it but we have to test for how is the sharpness because of this.

 

[tjc320]

Is it true that Canon is working on a Cinema DSLR that shoots 4k video? If so, i may hold out for that, assuming it's less expensive than the C300 that came out recently.

Yea, they claimed to have been working on one.

The 5D Mark III looks like an impressive photography camera. It looks like the video will be greatly improved. Obviously we'll have to wait a bit to see what the image will look like but I'm sure it's good. That being said, I doubt I'll upgrade. If I'm honest with myself my Mark II is just fine for now. It may have been worth trading it in if the 5D was cheaper but it's not.

If their next Cinema DSLR is anything like what I hope it will be it will be pretty sweet. 4K, SDI out, mounting points, maybe even XLR inputs? I'm hoping for a mini C300 really. It will likely be missing some big features of the C300 in order to keep it worth its price. Again, that's just what I'm hoping for. A man can dream can't he? I don't think I'm too crazy though, if it's a DSLR made for cinema they will eliminate most photography features and replace them with cinema features.

Either way, I'll be holding out to see what Canon has up their sleeve videowise. If my clients are still gushing about how great the 5D Mark II looks then I suppose I should be happy with it.

Honestly, with no clean HDMI the D800 looks almost like a better option. If I remember correctly I think it had clean HDMI out. I would never switch, though.

 

[thewallbanger]

The big upgrade in this 5D iteration is the new auto-focus abilities. But with video, you take that out of the equation. If I was satisfied with my current lens and audio set up, I might spring for the mkIII. But for now, as a current 7D shooter, a 5DmkII plus a 70-200 2.8 IS are sounding pretty attractive right now.

 

[sloeb]

No uncompressed HDMI output an issue?

only if you demand the best quality possible. the option should have been there regadless even if you don't use it for a 3500 dollar camera. the lack of 1080p60 is also a big issue. likely the cpu is too slow to keep up.

 

[Drama79]

No uncompressed HDMI output an issue?

only if you demand the best quality possible. the option should have been there regadless even if you don't use it for a 3500 dollar camera. the lack of 1080p60 is also a big issue. likely the cpu is too slow to keep up.

This. If you really need 1080p HDMI out, rather than "just" 720, you clearly have eyes like the terminator, and a helluva output monitor.

The lack of 60p 1080 is a bit depressing, but justifiable in the Canon scheme - you want more video options, for now, go the C range. The C300, or the lower spec (C100?) due later this year.

 

[Brian Daniel Hansen]

As a videographer - who also dabbles in photography - I am greatly impressed with the new specs of the 5Diii. Definitely Canon's attempt to hold the exact market that I work in. Not the BEST video or photo specs - but damn good ones at that. The price point is slightly higher now than I anticipate it will settle at. Canon's boosting the initial price to get all us camera nerds who satisfy our dopamine addictions through the purchase of new camera gadgets.

Though there are a few minor video complaints such as: no clean hdmi out, no 1080@60fps, and no RAW video, overall this is still a major step forward for Canon. Clean hdmi out (though awesome) I really don't think is necessary in a hybrid camera at this point (but a tip of the hat to the Nikon D800 for achieving this). In a camera at a little less than 1/4 of the price of the C300 I also understand why they won't - even if they could- put in 1080@60fps (something the C300 can't do). Would make the C300 look bad Though I wish it if this camera did RAW video it would render the C300 moot to many videographers.

Improvements in moire and aliasing will be a major plus. For most people shooting video on their own 5Dii, I think they might as well stick to that camera - remember there is a potential 4K DSLR around the corner - unless 720@60fps is a necessity to you. The other video improvements - though pretty great - wouldn't be enough for me justifying a jump to the 5Diii (at least at its initial price point).

However those in the same group as me (either having been renting the 5Dii or owning/shooting on Canon's APS-Camera's like the 7D, T2i, etc.) this camera is probably right up your alley. Usually I rent full frames for particular paid gigs but in this case I will be purchasing and holding onto the body for a long time.

There will always be something we WISH a camera had but if we're WISHING it... It doesn't. Get out and shoot with what we have and we'll all become better videographer/photographers.

 

[tasteofjace]

Full Frame Body shooting 60FPS @ 720? Yes please

 

[epiem]

-720 is worthless.

No 1080 @ 60 is the dealbreaker at the $3500 pricetag.

If it was $3000 at current specs, I would order 2 right now.

But I just don't see the justification of upgrading from several mII's (which do the job just fine) to this, for the current price.

Not a big enough jump in video technology. Not when we have Magic Lantern anyway...

 

[Leadfingers]

What's "clean HDMI"? And what's the issue with uncompressed HDMI out?

I mean.. if your video is compressed, then what difference does it make how it exis the camera?

/boggle

 

[AnthonyWithNoH]

No 1080p at 60fps? That's expected. What's also expected is that Magic Lantern will make it possible! Audio levels and headphone jack is a great addition. I wanted video autofocus, but considering the 1DX doesn't have it either... it's not expected. This camera is everything it should be. I personally would buy 3 T4i's instead though. For the same price, what is sure to be fantastic quality, and have great features you'll be able to do great cinematic scenes and interviews.

 

[Drama79]

-720 is worthless.

No 1080 @ 60 is the dealbreaker at the $3500 pricetag.

If it was $3000 at current specs, I would order 2 right now.

But then you'd have two cameras with "worthless" compressed HDMI out (from a format that's compressed anyway, but hey! who'se counting, right?) and no 60fps 1080. And have spent $2500 extra.

Your logic confuses me, human.

 

[peederj]

The reason we want uncompressed HDMI output is because the compression is what hurts video quality the most. With a clean HDMI output...not only uncompressed, but free of any camera overlays like the blinking recording indicator...we can attach external recording devices to the camera that allow superior compression or even no compression at all. That is still not as good as RAW format straight from the sensor, but devices are available that will probably do a little better than Canon's ALL-I mode and more will be developed in the future.

So it's a way of future-proofing the camera to a degree. The Nikon D800 offers it and that's a plus.

The other issue with the HDMI output is what resolution is available for an external monitor. Shooting video you will immediately discover that the core problem is pulling focus while you're shooting. Viewfinder attachments onto the back of the camera are one approach, another is using an external monitor. There are focus assist features on some external monitors such as "Peaking" (which outlines in-focus areas as a confirmation) or "pixel-for-pixel" which zooms to a 1:1 display ratio.

The 5DMkII didn't support those modes well at all--the resolution and proportions shrunk miserably. The 7D was a big improvement, streaming 720p, and it appears the 5DMkIII maintains full 1080p while shooting. That is a huge advance for focus pullers if true. Sadly, the 5x/10x digital zoom you use in LiveView before shooting still cannot be activated while recording to assist with focus then...so external monitoring with peaking/pixel-for-pixel is the best available approach right now.

While clean HDMI out is a nice Nikon D800 feature, I'm going to guess that the ALL-I mode's bitrate is quite adequate, and the 5d3's superior low-light performance and other improved functionality makes it retain the crown of best DSLR video system. Sure, Canon may be trying to protect it's "C" Cinema cameras a bit, but a lot of this may simply have to do with the fact it only has one Dig!c5+ to pipeline the data through and that keeps cost, weight, and heat down.

Most likely the 5D3 isn't going to be what kills your film regardless. The script...