Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III?

[Josh Morgan]

Thanks for your reply! I have compared the footage from the XF305 and XF105 and it looks like the 305 gets better low light performance. I shoot weddings and events as well, so performance in low light for me is a must. But is it really worth it to upgrade from a 5D2 to a 5D3? Thanks!

[Graham Bernard]

"Apart from the lack of the 22x zoom lens..."

I wish! Lol

G

[Josh Morgan]

Originally Posted by Graham Bernard

"Apart from the lack of the 22x zoom lens..."

I wish! Lol

G

What do you mean???

[Mark Watson]

The XF305 only has an 18X lens, would be nice to have 22X.

[Graham Bernard]

Lol . ..

G

[Robert Benda]

Originally Posted by Josh Morgan

Thanks for your reply! I have compared the footage from the XF305 and XF105 and it looks like the 305 gets better low light performance. I shoot weddings and events as well, so performance in low light for me is a must. But is it really worth it to upgrade from a 5D2 to a 5D3? Thanks!

Only you'd be able to answer if the upgrade is worth it. Do you have any issues with the mark ii as it is? Would the increased ISO performance, or the reduced moire be noticeably beneficial? For you rates and work level, is the $1500 difference between selling the 5d2 and buying the 5d3 be a hinderance?

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Mark Watson

The XF305 only has an 18X lens, would be nice to have 22X.

Whoops! Sorry to mislead. Anyway for my purposes the XF105 really is a super little camcorder & it is only the 18X zoom lens that I miss from the XF305. The XF305 is a bit better in low light but not _that_ much better despite having three 1/3" CMOS chips to the XF105's one.

[Craig Chartier]

I would agree with Nigel, and go with the 105 and 5dIII. cash out while you can and move to these two cameras.

[Al Bergstein]

I just sold my 105 and would not even consider comparing it to the 305 I own. The 305's longer lens is better, the low light performance is noticeabley better, and the 105 was used only as a b camera to the 305.A single chip does not match the 3 chips, in this case. The 105 was fine, not a "bad" camera, but low light like in churches where you shoot weddings is not a good scenario for it, unless you were going to shoot with IF (G).

I have owned a 7D, 105 (sold it), 305 and now added the C100 and the 5Dmkiii. For my money, if I had only one camera to shoot with out of these, it is the C100. It is what a video camera for most of us is supposed to be. But if I was shooting weddings, and the expectations are that I shoot some stills and some video, there is no question I would reach for the Mkiii. Not even a thought. The long running establishing shots might necessitate the xf305.

But again, I would keep the 305, if you have no good reason to sell it, and *lease* a C100 if you don't need the stills. It is 0 cost to you to lease it. I did. You pocket your money and pay Canon a couple of hundred of dollars a month, with $1 buy out. That is worth it! You can use that money you would have spent on a Mkiii or C100 and buy other gear you might need, or keep it in your pocket, for that matter.

But the xf105 will not be as good as either the C100 or the Mkiii. IF you are near a city and can rent these, you really should. You are spending some solid money. As tools, I have stopped looking for more cameras now that the C100 is in my hands, and I have the mkiii and 305 for backup scenarios. Have fun!

[Josh Morgan]

Excellent advice! Thank you!