Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? at DVinfo.net

Josh Morgan · June 20th, 2013, 06:14 AM

Hi guys, I am having a really difficult time deciding if I should sell my XF305 for a 5D mark III. I already have the Mark II and I rarely use my XF305. My XF has recently had a lot of problems with dust and vignetting and long story short I got my lens replaced on it twice, then Canon sent me a new replacement XF305, that one also had problems with vignetting and dust, and just recently I sent that replacement XF305 for a lens replacement. I would say that Canon has spent a good fortune on me because the camera is still under warranty. But when the camera behaves, I love it! The problem is, is that I don't use it as much as my 5D and I don't know if I should sell it or not. Do you guys have any advice for me...Should I wait for another camera to come out? Should I sell it for the Mark III? Please share your ideas.
Thanks a lot!
-Josh

Tim Polster · June 20th, 2013, 06:56 AM

Josh, there is no way to tell you what to do. These are different types of cameras so they are not an apples to apples comparison. If your needs are going towards cine-style production then maybe sell it. Only you know if you don't need a "video" camera in your bag.

Mark Koha · June 20th, 2013, 07:17 AM

I say keep it just to keep your tools as versatile as possible. If you already have a Mark II, what do you need a Mark III for? These are two different cameras that seem to be really good at two different shooting types.

Noa Put · June 20th, 2013, 07:28 AM

The 5dIII has much less moire issues and can shoot at much higher iso's, that's 2 reasons I"d consider getting a 5dIII for.

Quote:

The problem is, is that I don't use it as much as my 5D and I don't know if I should sell it or not.

I"d say sell it and get the 5dIII, you have experience using a 5d so you know what you will be getting into and since you hardly use your xf300 there is no reason hanging onto it.

Robert Turchick · June 20th, 2013, 08:13 AM

Totally depends on what you shoot. I will always have a true camcorder as I do corporate and longer pieces. I use the 5D mk3 (and 1Dx) for b-roll. I have a friend who does mostly cinema style shooting and he only owns 5Dmk3's. He has to pass certain jobs to me cause his gear won't do the job. But he makes a very good living and very nice looking videos.
If your shooting style gives you the time to run a separate audio system and limit the shooting times go for the 5D mk3.
I don't have the time to mess with all the stuff that goes into making the 5Dmk3 the main camera. The XF is pretty much turn it on and start shooting. It also works better on my glidecam and crane as the AF face detect takes focusing off my plate leaving more brain power for the intricacies of running those rigs.
Just my 2cents! If you can have both...that's ideal!

Josh Morgan · June 20th, 2013, 02:12 PM

I do have the tendency to use my green screen for some work...Can the Mark III shoot chroma key well? And I thought that the XF surpasses the 5D with moire issues?!?

Noa Put · June 20th, 2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Can the Mark III shoot chroma key well?

The xf305 should be better at that, it is sharper and shoots 4:2:2 but now the 5dIII has raw capabilities I"m not sure what that would mean for green screen work?

Robert Turchick · June 20th, 2013, 03:22 PM

The XF is way nicer on chroma. That's about 80% of my biz and the reason I bought it. The 5D mk3 does ok for smaller web videos but you will see aliasing in full hd. The 5D mk3 is miles ahead of the previous Canon DSLRs which I tested on green screen and they failed horribly.
Moire doesn't happen on the XF. The mk3 once again is way ahead of the game compared to other DSLRs. I only have had one real issue which was in still mode shooting business head shots. The men's suits were killing me! Video I haven't seen it yet.

Josh Morgan · June 20th, 2013, 05:45 PM

Ok, Thank you guys for your responses....I am leaning towards keeping the XF. So maybe you guys have anymore closing statements to back up my decision better? lol Thank you so much!
-Josh

Al Bergstein · June 20th, 2013, 07:15 PM

I don't use my xf305 much, but for example, for stage shows that run for an hour or two I'd never consider using a 5D (I have the mkiii). But you have had more than your share of problems (I've never had any). Why not consider selling it and leasing a C100? Since I got my C100 I use my mkiii less and less. And it will use your existing lenses.

Again, as others have said, we don't know what you shoot. The camera is the tool. If you need a camera that can run for two hours and have a steady zoom, like for stage shows, then the xf is worth keeping.

I don't know why you are getting vignetting. I don't get it. Did you make sure you didn't have your WA setting on by accident?

Anyway, best of luck.

Josh Morgan · June 20th, 2013, 07:29 PM

I'm sure....The vignetting is seen when IS is on and when the camera is in movement....Have you experienced any dust in your lens at all?

Mark Koha · June 21st, 2013, 10:06 AM

Servo Zoom, that's my closing argument.

Trevor Dennis · June 21st, 2013, 04:58 PM

I'd hate to be without a DSLR for those times it works better, but my XF300 gets by far the most use. In fact I wish I had a 5D3 for its full frame size. I use a 1D4 because it has to do service as a stills camera

Bill Bruner · June 23rd, 2013, 09:30 AM

Hi Josh - another thought - if finances allow, you might want to keep the XF305 (as long as Canon can fix it) and trade your Mark II in for a Mark III instead.

If it turns out the Mark III can handle your keying needs and you pretty much never take the XF305] off the shelf, then sell your camcorder (and rent one when you absolutely must have a servo zoom).

The Mark III has become an even more attractive camera at this price point with the new Magic Lantern RAW hack.

Here is the quality of the images it can produce:

Good luck with your decision!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

Nigel Barker · June 25th, 2013, 01:54 AM

I owned an XF305 & it's a lovely camera. It's bulky by deceptively lightweight for the size. However I sold it as I mainly shoot with DSLRs & now have an XF105 that has all the proper camcorder stuff like the XF305 but is small & nimble. Apart from the lack of the 22x zoom lens it does everything the same as its big brother. I don't know what you shoot but my work is mainly weddings & the XF105 is perfect for locked off wide shots as it resolves much more detail than the 5D2/5D3.

If I were in your position I would trade in the XF305 & 5D2 for an XF105 & 5D3.

June 20th, 2013, 06:14 AM	#1
Josh Morgan New Boot Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Woodland Hills Posts: 19	Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? Hi guys, I am having a really difficult time deciding if I should sell my XF305 for a 5D mark III. I already have the Mark II and I rarely use my XF305. My XF has recently had a lot of problems with dust and vignetting and long story short I got my lens replaced on it twice, then Canon sent me a new replacement XF305, that one also had problems with vignetting and dust, and just recently I sent that replacement XF305 for a lens replacement. I would say that Canon has spent a good fortune on me because the camera is still under warranty. But when the camera behaves, I love it! The problem is, is that I don't use it as much as my 5D and I don't know if I should sell it or not. Do you guys have any advice for me...Should I wait for another camera to come out? Should I sell it for the Mark III? Please share your ideas. Thanks a lot! -Josh

June 20th, 2013, 06:56 AM	#2
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? Josh, there is no way to tell you what to do. These are different types of cameras so they are not an apples to apples comparison. If your needs are going towards cine-style production then maybe sell it. Only you know if you don't need a "video" camera in your bag. Last edited by Tim Polster; June 20th, 2013 at 08:51 AM. Reason: forgot a word

June 20th, 2013, 07:17 AM	#3
Mark Koha Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 243	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? I say keep it just to keep your tools as versatile as possible. If you already have a Mark II, what do you need a Mark III for? These are two different cameras that seem to be really good at two different shooting types.

June 20th, 2013, 08:13 AM	#5
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? Totally depends on what you shoot. I will always have a true camcorder as I do corporate and longer pieces. I use the 5D mk3 (and 1Dx) for b-roll. I have a friend who does mostly cinema style shooting and he only owns 5Dmk3's. He has to pass certain jobs to me cause his gear won't do the job. But he makes a very good living and very nice looking videos. If your shooting style gives you the time to run a separate audio system and limit the shooting times go for the 5D mk3. I don't have the time to mess with all the stuff that goes into making the 5Dmk3 the main camera. The XF is pretty much turn it on and start shooting. It also works better on my glidecam and crane as the AF face detect takes focusing off my plate leaving more brain power for the intricacies of running those rigs. Just my 2cents! If you can have both...that's ideal! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

June 20th, 2013, 02:12 PM	#6
Josh Morgan New Boot Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Woodland Hills Posts: 19	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? I do have the tendency to use my green screen for some work...Can the Mark III shoot chroma key well? And I thought that the XF surpasses the 5D with moire issues?!?

June 20th, 2013, 03:22 PM	#8
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? The XF is way nicer on chroma. That's about 80% of my biz and the reason I bought it. The 5D mk3 does ok for smaller web videos but you will see aliasing in full hd. The 5D mk3 is miles ahead of the previous Canon DSLRs which I tested on green screen and they failed horribly. Moire doesn't happen on the XF. The mk3 once again is way ahead of the game compared to other DSLRs. I only have had one real issue which was in still mode shooting business head shots. The men's suits were killing me! Video I haven't seen it yet. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

June 20th, 2013, 05:45 PM	#9
Josh Morgan New Boot Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Woodland Hills Posts: 19	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? Ok, Thank you guys for your responses....I am leaning towards keeping the XF. So maybe you guys have anymore closing statements to back up my decision better? lol Thank you so much! -Josh

June 20th, 2013, 07:15 PM	#10
Al Bergstein Major Player Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Port Townsend, WA Posts: 456	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? I don't use my xf305 much, but for example, for stage shows that run for an hour or two I'd never consider using a 5D (I have the mkiii). But you have had more than your share of problems (I've never had any). Why not consider selling it and leasing a C100? Since I got my C100 I use my mkiii less and less. And it will use your existing lenses. Again, as others have said, we don't know what you shoot. The camera is the tool. If you need a camera that can run for two hours and have a steady zoom, like for stage shows, then the xf is worth keeping. I don't know why you are getting vignetting. I don't get it. Did you make sure you didn't have your WA setting on by accident? Anyway, best of luck.

June 20th, 2013, 07:29 PM	#11
Josh Morgan New Boot Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Woodland Hills Posts: 19	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? I'm sure....The vignetting is seen when IS is on and when the camera is in movement....Have you experienced any dust in your lens at all? Last edited by Josh Morgan; June 21st, 2013 at 05:02 AM.

June 21st, 2013, 10:06 AM	#12
Mark Koha Major Player Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 243	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? Servo Zoom, that's my closing argument.

June 21st, 2013, 04:58 PM	#13
Trevor Dennis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Zealand, Rapaura (near Blenheim) Posts: 434	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? I'd hate to be without a DSLR for those times it works better, but my XF300 gets by far the most use. In fact I wish I had a 5D3 for its full frame size. I use a 1D4 because it has to do service as a stills camera __________________ Stills at: www.flickr.com/photos/trevor-dennis/

June 23rd, 2013, 09:30 AM	#14
Bill Bruner Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sunny California Posts: 513	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? Hi Josh - another thought - if finances allow, you might want to keep the XF305 (as long as Canon can fix it) and trade your Mark II in for a Mark III instead. If it turns out the Mark III can handle your keying needs and you pretty much never take the XF305] off the shelf, then sell your camcorder (and rent one when you absolutely must have a servo zoom). The Mark III has become an even more attractive camera at this price point with the new Magic Lantern RAW hack. Here is the quality of the images it can produce: Big Sur RAWesome - Magic Lantern RAW 5D Mark III testing on Vimeo Canon 5D Mark III RAW footage PART 1 on Vimeo Good luck with your decision! Bill Hybrid Camera Revolution

June 25th, 2013, 01:54 AM	#15
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: Should I sell my XF305 for a 5D Mark III? I owned an XF305 & it's a lovely camera. It's bulky by deceptively lightweight for the size. However I sold it as I mainly shoot with DSLRs & now have an XF105 that has all the proper camcorder stuff like the XF305 but is small & nimble. Apart from the lack of the 22x zoom lens it does everything the same as its big brother. I don't know what you shoot but my work is mainly weddings & the XF105 is perfect for locked off wide shots as it resolves much more detail than the 5D2/5D3. If I were in your position I would trade in the XF305 & 5D2 for an XF105 & 5D3.