Press Release: Canon's New XF305 and XF300 Professional HD Camcorder

Allan Black · April 9th, 2010, 07:11 PM

Chris .. try using your own cards and slip one in in the hiatus don't forget to format it. To remove it shout LOOK! and point up at the ceiling. Have a great trip.

Cheers.

Kevin Martorana · April 9th, 2010, 08:48 PM

haahaha....this sounds like the same conversation I had with my biz partner over 14 years ago. We purchased an Ikegami HL-V55 in 1996. At the time...was one of the best betacam sp camcorders around IMHO.

At NAB...all the nice lighting is fine. I took the camera...spun it on the tripod...and shot up in the rafters of the LVCC and found the darkest area I could find. Then...pushed the gain.

Plus...also shot down an aisle in the mixed lighting at NAB...and could look at how the camera handled the mixed lighting.

That was then....this is now...

BTW...to get back on topic.

HDV will be around for awhile. It's a fine format for many things...

I've learned over the years not to be "snobby" about quality anymore. Use the tools and what they are intended for. HDV is super for many types of projects. When it's not...you go to something else. Nanoflash recording, HDCam, XDCam HD...etc. Use the tool for the job.

it's hard to think about that today...with multiple formats, codecs...etc. In the "old days"...you picked a format and stuck with it. Today...the playing field is VAST...and that's sooo cool...it's taken me a bit of time not to 'fight' it...but embrace it. So many options...that you can own for specific jobs. I still love my H1 and will use it for MANY jobs...but probably my next cam will be the Sony PDW-700 XDCam HD for other type of work we do.

Will I look at the new XF305 ? YOU BET...and buy one...yeah......if I can find some jobs that are perfect for it's design !

ENJOY NAB everyone ! Leaving on Sunday !

PS:...Chris...you do a great job with this site...and it's great to see all the people on the site in wonderful discussions like this.

Dom Stevenson · April 10th, 2010, 02:26 AM

Thanks for the pics Chris. That looks just like the set up in London. Perhaps it IS the set up in London?
The travelling Canon roadshow!
Enjoy the trip.

David Heath · April 10th, 2010, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

It's a great idea, but I don't have any 82mm filters and I'm heading to the airport in 36 hours.

I was really thinking along the lines of a selection of 4x4s, as used in a matte box, and just holding them in front for the purpose of this. Then the same filters could be applied to different cameras regardless of filter diameter. I don't suppose anybody going to NAB could take something along for Chris to try?

Failing that, then yes, at least putting all the camera ND the camera possesses in and gaining up may give some idea - it just won't give a comparitive result between the Canon and other cameras.

Alister Chapman · April 10th, 2010, 05:26 AM

If I get the time I'm going to take my ex1 over to the canon booth and put it side by side with a 300, that should be quite telling.

Randy Panado · April 10th, 2010, 06:43 AM

That would be awesome Alister. A personal opinion on comparable gain settings between the two to your naked eye would be appreciated :).

Chris Hurd · April 10th, 2010, 06:58 AM

Alister's opinion would be worth a lot more than mine!

Arnie Schlissel · April 10th, 2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Smet

Again with HDMI is HD-SDI output really that important to most of us? I totally agree that it is silly to charge that much just for HD-SDI but with HDMI output I just don't really need it.

It's not just SDI output, it's also genlock and timecode in and out.

SDI can be used for very long cable runs, well over 100m.

TC in and out means that all cameras on multi camera shoots can have matching TC, greatly speeding up sync in post.

And genlock is a must for shooting stereo 3D, it's the best way to insure that the cameras are truly in sync.

Jim Martin · April 10th, 2010, 11:49 AM

You gotta love it...11 pages in 3 days and I think it was 6 pages the 1st day. The cameras looks great and addressed A LOT of things people have been asking for....stops on the lens, bigger LCD, and a surprise to me, HDMI on the lower priced camera, not to mention the impressive new codec. I look forward to seeing them on Monday morning. I think for the under 10k crowd, these cameras are going to do very well.

Jim Martin
Filmtools.com

Buba Kastorski · April 10th, 2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman

If I get the time I'm going to take my ex1 over to the canon booth and put it side by side with a 300, that should be quite telling.

PLease please please do!

Bill Zens · April 11th, 2010, 09:48 AM

I bet the Sony folks breathed a sigh of relief when seeing the price points in the press release.

Floris van Eck · April 11th, 2010, 10:31 AM

With all the respect for Sony, the EX-1 build quality is the worst I have seen the last years. Compare that to the XL-H1 or XH-A1... they are miles apart. I was going to trade in my XL-H1 for an EX-1 a year or so back... until I tried the EX-1 of a friend of mine. Handling and build quality were so disappointing that I decided to wait for a better camera (i do love the image quality of the EX-1)... still waiting but I have faith I will succeed this year. The XL-H1 still gets the job done, despite some major annoyances (low-light, focus control, viewfinder...). Judging from the press pictures, the XF series is going to have a very rigid build quality as well.

And you can't judge the image quality when you haven't seen it. It's always the combination that counts.... image sensor size, processing, lens and codec. This camera is using CMOS censors which Canon is very experienced with... so it could well be a low-light beast.

Wait and see, then judge.

Michael Galvan · April 11th, 2010, 10:52 AM

Yes, the XL-H1 definitely still gets the job done.

So much so that for me, I think I'll hold onto my XL H1S for the time being, although am interested in the performance of this new Canon.

Anyone think the next XL version will have different specs than the XF? With the XF305 priced at 8K, I can only wonder what the new XL will be priced around...

Floris van Eck · April 11th, 2010, 01:34 PM

At least you have the XL-H1S... some nice improvements like the lens rings, focus speeds, firewire 400 (6-pin)... my biggest gripe with the XL-H1 are the zoom/focus rings and the viewfinder (although I got used to it). Thought about getting the Ikagami but at this moment, I have decided only to invest in universal gear (wireless lavalier system, external monitor, anton bauer system, field audio recorder etc.). When the moment comes, I exchange the camera in my filmmaking system... but the system itself stays in place.

I hope to stay with Canon (I work for them now, since they took over Océ, dutch printing company, which I happen to work for). Maybe I can get them cheaper now from inside the company... I was also very fond of Panasonic in the SD days... so I think my new gear will come from either Canon or Panasonic... or maybe RED if they deliver someday.

Michael Galvan · April 11th, 2010, 01:40 PM

Yeah, I understand Floris ... I've become more meticulous with equipment upgrades these days. With these cameras being so good already, I feel like investments in accessories that make production and workflow work much smoother are much much better investments. My XL H1S has made its investment cost back several times over already and I still have many clients that love what comes out of it. In fact, I'm overbooked these days with production work, but I guess thats a good thing :)

I'e been thinking a lot about purchases I want to make in the next couple weeks. One of them is the Nanoflash for the XL ... can't stop debating whether I should buy that for my current camera or invest towards this new XF.

April 9th, 2010, 07:11 PM	#151
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,927	Chris .. try using your own cards and slip one in in the hiatus don't forget to format it. To remove it shout LOOK! and point up at the ceiling. Have a great trip. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

April 9th, 2010, 08:48 PM	#152
Kevin Martorana Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 250	haahaha....this sounds like the same conversation I had with my biz partner over 14 years ago. We purchased an Ikegami HL-V55 in 1996. At the time...was one of the best betacam sp camcorders around IMHO. At NAB...all the nice lighting is fine. I took the camera...spun it on the tripod...and shot up in the rafters of the LVCC and found the darkest area I could find. Then...pushed the gain. Plus...also shot down an aisle in the mixed lighting at NAB...and could look at how the camera handled the mixed lighting. That was then....this is now... BTW...to get back on topic. HDV will be around for awhile. It's a fine format for many things... I've learned over the years not to be "snobby" about quality anymore. Use the tools and what they are intended for. HDV is super for many types of projects. When it's not...you go to something else. Nanoflash recording, HDCam, XDCam HD...etc. Use the tool for the job. it's hard to think about that today...with multiple formats, codecs...etc. In the "old days"...you picked a format and stuck with it. Today...the playing field is VAST...and that's sooo cool...it's taken me a bit of time not to 'fight' it...but embrace it. So many options...that you can own for specific jobs. I still love my H1 and will use it for MANY jobs...but probably my next cam will be the Sony PDW-700 XDCam HD for other type of work we do. Will I look at the new XF305 ? YOU BET...and buy one...yeah......if I can find some jobs that are perfect for it's design ! ENJOY NAB everyone ! Leaving on Sunday ! PS:...Chris...you do a great job with this site...and it's great to see all the people on the site in wonderful discussions like this. __________________ Shooting Video since 1/2" EIAJ reel to reel and editing on 2" QUAD machines. http://www.takeoneprod.com Last edited by Kevin Martorana; April 9th, 2010 at 08:48 PM. Reason: correction

April 10th, 2010, 05:26 AM	#155
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	If I get the time I'm going to take my ex1 over to the canon booth and put it side by side with a 300, that should be quite telling. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

April 10th, 2010, 06:58 AM	#157
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Alister's opinion would be worth a lot more than mine! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 11th, 2010, 10:52 AM	#163
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	Yes, the XL-H1 definitely still gets the job done. So much so that for me, I think I'll hold onto my XL H1S for the time being, although am interested in the performance of this new Canon. Anyone think the next XL version will have different specs than the XF? With the XF305 priced at 8K, I can only wonder what the new XL will be priced around... __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

April 10th, 2010, 02:26 AM	#153
Dom Stevenson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London UK Posts: 430	Thanks for the pics Chris. That looks just like the set up in London. Perhaps it IS the set up in London? The travelling Canon roadshow! Enjoy the trip.

April 10th, 2010, 06:43 AM	#156
Randy Panado Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 643	That would be awesome Alister. A personal opinion on comparable gain settings between the two to your naked eye would be appreciated :).

April 10th, 2010, 11:49 AM	#159
Jim Martin Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Burbank, CA 91502 Posts: 949	You gotta love it...11 pages in 3 days and I think it was 6 pages the 1st day. The cameras looks great and addressed A LOT of things people have been asking for....stops on the lens, bigger LCD, and a surprise to me, HDMI on the lower priced camera, not to mention the impressive new codec. I look forward to seeing them on Monday morning. I think for the under 10k crowd, these cameras are going to do very well. Jim Martin Filmtools.com

April 11th, 2010, 09:48 AM	#161
Bill Zens Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 191	I bet the Sony folks breathed a sigh of relief when seeing the price points in the press release.

April 11th, 2010, 10:31 AM	#162
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	With all the respect for Sony, the EX-1 build quality is the worst I have seen the last years. Compare that to the XL-H1 or XH-A1... they are miles apart. I was going to trade in my XL-H1 for an EX-1 a year or so back... until I tried the EX-1 of a friend of mine. Handling and build quality were so disappointing that I decided to wait for a better camera (i do love the image quality of the EX-1)... still waiting but I have faith I will succeed this year. The XL-H1 still gets the job done, despite some major annoyances (low-light, focus control, viewfinder...). Judging from the press pictures, the XF series is going to have a very rigid build quality as well. And you can't judge the image quality when you haven't seen it. It's always the combination that counts.... image sensor size, processing, lens and codec. This camera is using CMOS censors which Canon is very experienced with... so it could well be a low-light beast. Wait and see, then judge.

April 11th, 2010, 01:34 PM	#164
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	At least you have the XL-H1S... some nice improvements like the lens rings, focus speeds, firewire 400 (6-pin)... my biggest gripe with the XL-H1 are the zoom/focus rings and the viewfinder (although I got used to it). Thought about getting the Ikagami but at this moment, I have decided only to invest in universal gear (wireless lavalier system, external monitor, anton bauer system, field audio recorder etc.). When the moment comes, I exchange the camera in my filmmaking system... but the system itself stays in place. I hope to stay with Canon (I work for them now, since they took over Océ, dutch printing company, which I happen to work for). Maybe I can get them cheaper now from inside the company... I was also very fond of Panasonic in the SD days... so I think my new gear will come from either Canon or Panasonic... or maybe RED if they deliver someday.

April 11th, 2010, 01:40 PM	#165
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	Yeah, I understand Floris ... I've become more meticulous with equipment upgrades these days. With these cameras being so good already, I feel like investments in accessories that make production and workflow work much smoother are much much better investments. My XL H1S has made its investment cost back several times over already and I still have many clients that love what comes out of it. In fact, I'm overbooked these days with production work, but I guess thats a good thing :) I'e been thinking a lot about purchases I want to make in the next couple weeks. One of them is the Nanoflash for the XL ... can't stop debating whether I should buy that for my current camera or invest towards this new XF. __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com