I am using Premiere Pro CS3, (The Production Premium suite) and I am looking to buy the Canon XF300 camera to replace my retired Canon XM2.

The question is if Premiere CS3 will be able to handle the native MXF files from the XF300, or if I maybe need to use Cineform NeoHD?
Or would I need to upgrade to the current CS5?
If CS3 can do this, which preset should I use?

Currently there is no presets for the MXF files in PP CS3.
Searching Adobe website hasn't given me any answers either, as I only see references to CS5.

As for hardware, my computer has a quad core 2,66GHz and only 4GB ram, so my system isn't top notch for the MXF files.

It seems many people are having probelms with importing MXF files into CS5. I use cineform neoHD to convert the files.

See: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xf-series-hd-camcorders/492422-xf300-premiere-cs5.html

Google "convert mxf file" and you will find a number of solutions ...convert to avi, convert to .mov, etc. Here's a typical link: MXF Video Converter - How to convert mxf file to avi/mpg/wmv (http://help.wugnet.com/windows/MXF-Video-Converter-convert-mxf-file-avi-mpg-wmv-ftopict636333.html)

Disclaimer: haven't used this, it's just one of many freeware leads....

Thank you both for your answers!
I have found numerous threads about CS5 already, but couldn't find anything specific for my older CS3.

Seems like Cineform NeoHD will be the best option for me if/when I buy the camera.

I recently got a nanoflash which saves as mxf files. In order to edit the footage in CS3 I have been using a Plug-In by Main Concept which allows the use of mxf files.

There is a trial version available for download, so you can see if it does what you need before you decide to purchase it:

XDCAM: MainConcept (http://www.mainconcept.com/products/apps-plug-ins/plug-ins-for-adobe/mpeg-pro-hd-cs-4/xdcam.html)

Simon, thank you!
I'll check out that plug-in.

The main reason you couldn't find anything about Canon MXF AND CS3 is that Canon MXF is from the 'CS5 (or maybe CS4) era'. The camera is newer than CS3...

CS5 is said to play a lot of codecs natively. Check the CS5 specs for supported codecs.

Thanks Walter.
I know the XF300 is newer than PPro CS3, so I was curious if/how any other CS3 users deal with the MXF files.
Now I have desided to buy Cineform NeoHD to avoid editing the native MXF files.