Canon C500 Mark II Firmware Update: Now The Top Value Cinema Camera

[@MarcusRFilms]

Keep it up fam! I love seeing the C500 stuff. Just shows you that Canon made a timeless piece of kit when they made this camera.

[@KamalJones]

Thanks fam and loving the content you dropping!!!

[@beeceesp1386]

So happy to find this channel. Kamal you have such a flair for technical explanation - presenting information in an easy to understand way! Canon should be grateful to have you as an unofficial ambassador - presenting and endorsing their cameras with knowledge and enthusiasm!

[@KamalJones]

I sincerely appreciate the kind words and thankful for the support. 🙏🏽

[@tfuture032]

Well done! The C500 mkii is a “one stop shop” for filmmakers. 👌🏾

[@KamalJones]

Thanks bro and 100%

[@MattNormanFilms]

Agreed. It does now have everything except 120 4k. Apart from that it's stunning.

[@JohnnieButtersonline]

Keep making c500 videos, it's such an underrated camera. even the c300 iii now too with the new pricing and used market. just saw a c500ii for $7k. c300iii for $4.9k. I think canon priced it too high originally. it was a hard pill to swallow with the C200 being a beast still.

[@KamalJones]

Thanks for watching! Yeah the used prices on these cameras are Insane low for the value. It's was a difficult camera to price as it has the same sensor as the $35K C700 FF at $16K and a camera at release rivaled the $50K RED Monstro in image quality but added Built in ND, AF and built in XLR audio. The FX9 coming in at $11K cut into it's popularity but did not offer Internal Raw so I think with SONY marketing to the content creator demo they diminished the attention C500MKII & C300MKIII should of received. C200 is a beast but No 8bit results in shooting 12bit Raw with a need for CFast cards that are extinct and that camera was originally $7,400 so I'm not made at the release prices of Canon Cinema cameras but based on competition I think reduction could have happened sooner.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

I just picked up a C500 II for a lot of the reasons you mentioned Kamal. The new RAW options are a big deal.

[@KamalJones]

Congratulations as it’s a camera that will age very well!!! The c500 mkii 6k upscale to 8k is sharper than Blackmagic 12k downscaled to 8k. The Raw is the icing on the cake

[@KGFIQ]

@@KamalJones wait how it that possible that the 6K upscaled to 8K is shaper on the canon vs a 12K sensor? Honest question because I tried to look this up and can't find any info on how that works and I'd love to know cause I've been debating on a C300 mark 3 vs C500 mark 2 and sharpness def is a big deal for me

[@KamalJones]

There's a lot more factors than Resolution that determines the quality of sensor as for years the Arri Alexa @3.2K was preferred over Native 4K cameras and above by most DP's because of the Dynamic range. Reports has the Blackmagic at 13 stop of DR while the C500 MKII exceeds 15 stops while the data rates are more robust. The video I referenced is link below kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXuqp5mYf72Noc0si=cFjRsf9x5hCXA_Za

[@KGFIQ]

@@KamalJones wowzers thanks man! that comparison video was epic love Armando

[@pchuck1439]

I'm sold. Gonna get a used one. Everything you said is why I'm going with it. As much as I wanted the Sony Burano, I can't justify the 25K price point when the C500 does the same thing at a fraction of the cost. Now just need some work!

[@KamalJones]

It's a decision you're going to appreciate as the C500 MKII is going hold it's own for years to come and the Specs of Burano had me intrigued but after real world use IMO opinion I'll receive better upgrade with higher end lenses such as Sumire Primes or spending more time perfecting my Color grading skills in Resolve over dropping $25K. Also keep in mind the C500 MKII is 4 Year old sensor holding it's own so whatever Canon has coming around the corner in a flagship camera should blow the Burano out of the water for less than $16K or even an updated C70 Mark II with a Full Frame sensor and 6K for less than $8K will shake up industry which is very likely as they can put the R5C 8K full frame sensor in C70 housing now and that camera would be viable option equipped with the DGO Sensor, Full Frame, Dual Native IS0, 8K Shooting, CLog 2 for 16 stop DR and all the other bells and whistles. In short I highly recommend C500 MKII but if you can wait I think something big is around the corner from Canon

[@MattNormanFilms]

This new firmware upgrade just gave this camera a further 5 year shelf life. It's awesome!! There is only ONE thing i would love now and that is 4k 120fps. That's it. I love my c500.

[@KamalJones]

We on same page as 4k 120 fps would be nice gift but hopefully Ai tech can turn 60fps to 120fps smoothly

[@JosephRossPhotography]

Great video. Great content. I’m looking forward to Canon getting rid of the that cripple hammer!!

[@KamalJones]

Thanks bro and we on the same page. Take that cripple hammer off and we on to something

[@BlackMediaWorks]

Thanks for your post Kamal. I love my C500 MKII, it's the perfect camera for me! After the latest firmware update (11.1.1) I did a comparison of 5 formats. 1) Raw, 2)Raw HQ, 3)Raw ST, 4)Raw LT and 5)XF-AVC and in my testing I found that the HQ. ST, and LT settings of Raw were really inferior to the original Raw format. In fact, I found that XF-AVC performed much better that Raw ST and Raw LT. I'm confused and somewhat disappointed that Canon announces a major firmware upgrade to give the C500 MKII 3 inferior quality formats. I will only ever use two settings RAW or XF-AVC depending on the delivery of the production. I feel Canon engineers should have concentrated on 120 FPS in full frame and an intervalometer function plus DGO. These new Raw formats added nothing to enhance the C500 MKII.

[@KamalJones]

You're welcome and thanks for the support. We're on the same page when it comes to the C500 MKII a 4K 120 Fps and a RF Mount DGO sensor would be perfection but you know Canon always have to save a little bit for new model. In terms of the Raw I have to say even though the Raw is inferior codec they are extremely big additions as 12bit is Huge Jump in grading Capabilities over the 10bit XFAVC and Image difference between original Raw versus my preferred format now Raw ST is minimal while almost tripling my recording time limits on a 512GB card "32min to now 80min." That's a significant Value addition and from Test I've seen the 12bit LT at 123min on 512GB card is definitely sharper than XFAVC but if you need digital IS and want to avoid noise I understand the decision to shoot in that format but with the bump in computers like M2 Max or higher chips I rather let Neat Video handle my NR in post.

[@lensflare336]

Great review. I battle with if i want to stay with Canon & get a cinema camera I know they will be moving to RF mount for their newer 📸 's & I have EF lens. Or do i go the sony route because of their upgrade path.

[@KamalJones]

Appreciate support bro ... I'm not going to front Sony has been Active and along with them allowing for 3rd party manufacturers like Sigma to design New Art series lenses makes it an intriguing switch. IMO opinion if you have multiple L series lenses I think C70 would be a great pickup or other "Clog2" equipped C series cameras. Now if you just have 1 L series lens and was in market for R5C I totally understand if you made jump to Fx3 as it's lowlight capabilities is something that makes it valuable for years to come. I'm just confident got heat coming soon!!! so be patient if you can as even the anticipation got C500 MKii selling for $6K used and you already know that will be my recommendation all day and L series lenses like EF 35 f/1.4ii optics are amazing and can converted to 50mm by witching to super 35mm mode.

[@lensflare336]

@@KamalJones I have a 24mm 1.4 sigma art that's my favorite lens I have. An a 85 mm 1.4. I was thinking for my next prime get a L lens a 50mm or 35mm. I really don't care about low light because 90% of the time I'm recording I will be in areas where I can control my lighting. I started looking at the Panasonic Eva 1 that's in my budget. Or I can wait a longer an this camera will be in my budget. I also hear many in the video field get a different respect from clients when they pull up with their Cinema 🎥 an not a little mirror less 📸. Decisions decisions 🤔.

[@KamalJones]

you got nice lens line up, I would definitely get the Sigma 50 1.4 over the Canon L series version as outside of the 1.2 aperture there's no other advantages as Canon never updated the lens such as the did with 35mm and 85mm. If you have massive portfolio or client list of proven work you get the trust for whatever you show up with but if not I'll agree clients do like see a cinema camera body and external monitor as it makes them feel better about spending money and they want to take BTS photos to show what they are doing, i.e I Canon C100 MKII which you can get for used under $1K would be better than Canon R5C which is $2.5k plus move and does 8K vs 1080p as the body appearance give a more high end look.

[@lensflare336]

Options, I know I want something that can do at least 4k when I get my cinema 🎥.I just seen the c300 mark III for a great price keep dropping 😂😂😂.

[@KamalJones]

C300 MK3 is a great Cam but I might lead you in direction of C70 as it's basically same camera and the extra savings could go towards native RF lens

[@chronoscopefilm5984]

what mounting solution are you using? great content. fellow c500 ii owner here, located in VA near DC.

[@KamalJones]

Appreciate the support, I have a lot of accessories linked in description but what are you referencing more specifically?

[@KamalJones]

I’d go c70 over c300 as media better value and because of firmware adding RAW there’s no quality drop off

[@legacymediatv526]

Great Review Bro

[@KamalJones]

I appreciate it

[@scottievee7467]

Ollie is the sh*t. Great colorist. There's a channel Northwest Film or something similar. They compare cameras. They just did a vid on the Sony Burano vs Red Raptor compare but shot the talking head part with the C500. The C500 looked the best and it wasn't even in the mix. Funny. Canon kills it. Aaaand will be dropping bombs soon with new offerings.

[@KamalJones]

100% and I actually linked that same test in the description. I've said since the C500MKii dropped that you're not going to see many camera comparisons with High End Cinema Cameras as it would make people rethink what they spent for a camera to have minimal better image quality.

[@scottievee7467]

​@@KamalJones Hold onto your 500. It will get you some mileage in the future. At the end of the day we sell images. This is the test I saw. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoPFgoakot-Ke7s