Canon C80 - Thoughts from a Canon C500 II and Canon R5C Owner

[@josephberkeley]

Agree. The kit that is good that you know is better than the new thing that you don't know.

[@ValleyProductions_LLC]

Most reviews of the C80 focus on slow motion and CF Cards. Finally, here's some sound advice from a real DP. Great Video!

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, the slow motion and the CF cards is at the bottom of concerns for me with the C80. Personally slow motion is something I'm only rarely using and only offload cards maybe a couple times a day, max? So I'd rather focus on the things that I use every day, all day, and how good those features are on a camera like the C80. I think people need to focus their energies on the important stuff.

[@pchuck1439]

I commented on your post when you bought the C500 Mark 2. Even though the Corporate video market where I'm at is Sony fx9/6, It makes sense for me to get a used C500 Mark 2 off eBay or some other source. I need a camera that can work corporate video, TV docs as well as Independent films. I kinda need a versatile camera. Sony Burano would be the perfect camera but I don't wanna finance 25k for the camera and an extra 5k for accessories when I can get a used C500 with cards, extension unit for 7500. Great video!

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Thanks again for commenting. I do agree that it's important to consider the cost along with all of the other factors. 25k for a Burano is an extremely large purchase for most owner/operators. And I have to wonder...what exactly are you getting for the price that you can't accomplish with other cameras for less? Sony vs. Canon is always a discussion, but really does depend on the type of work you do and if you have clients requesting it. I have very few clients who request a specific camera, so I can use what I want as long as it gets the job done. If you can do the same...then the C500 II is still a beast. I think.

[@tblv9300]

most of what I do is on a gimbal (tradeshows, corporate b roll, events) I had my sights set on the c400 because of it’s smaller size but now the c80 is a better option and pays for itself in month 1

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

For sure, same(ish) image for the most part it sounds like and for cheaper? It's a no brainer.

[@georgedoyle8795]

Ability to use super 35mm is a real bonus here as you say, and one of the big flaws with its main completion: the Fx6. A lot of us have some really good super 35 glass that we want to use into the future and it's great that Canon are supporting that. Great video as always.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Thanks for the kind words and for adding this insight about the FX6. I know the ability to shoot both full frame and super 35 was a big reason a lot of people still went with their FX9's on the Sony side. The ability to do both super 35 and full frame is definitely a big bonus I don't see enough people talking about when it comes to camera systems. I use it all the time.

[@EmeraldAudiovisual]

You do forget the fact, that the R5 C never is a step down. It's currently the only 8K cinema camera in Canons lineup. It has it's place. But yes, it was high time to get the C400 and C80 in Canons lineup.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

You are correct, no other 8k options from Canon at the moment. I do think that's a miss for them right now. They could put an 8k sensor in a more "professional" body and it would probably be a hit. But the 8k raw out of the R5C is quite good, to your point.

[@EmeraldAudiovisual]

@@dustinschmidtphoto Lets hope we see that in the form of a C600 or the likes at some point.

[@demz3514]

Thanks for your thoughts Dustin. Always a weighed in answer and this is what sets apart a professional minded person with a business sense of actually using the cameras as opposed to the KZbin content creators who buy stuff to review non stop just to get views. Jumping onto the camera itself - if it had 6k 60p, then for me it would have been a road for an upgrade. Also if it had similar crop modes as my R5C would have been a plus. The R5C has really made a leap much like the Canon 5D mark II in creating a hybrid camera. There isn’t much to add to R5C unless it’s the simultaneous audio recording in S&F and CLog2 and the AF capabilities maybe(DJI lidar system though fills that void and more). Let’s wait and see if an R5C mark II will ever be made that will have those features as I mentioned above with a fan included as the current model.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Thanks for the kind words. It's much appreciated. Yep, just the things you've mentioned would probably be reason enough to upgrade, or add, a possible R5C mark II to my kit. I have to think Canon is going to eventually come out with one. If you're not a hybrid shooter then something like the C80 makes a lot of sense. If you do shoot stills then it's super beneficial of course to be able to use the same camera across video and photo jobs. My favorite thing about the R5C is that I didn't have to own both an R5 and a C70 (at the time when the R5C came out).

[@demz3514]

@@dustinschmidtphoto Agree on the hybrid shooter part. I do some photography work and it’s a great add on of this particular camera, R5C, and I thoroughly enjoy this aspect. Also it’s a great way to get old family diapositives and my 35mm negatives digitized without the need to go to a studio to do so(got all the chemicals and etc). 60p is one crucial aspect that is the most needed for my purposes in quite a few cases and to have it at the highest resolution is a plus for reframing to 4K if need be. This could be a big story telling element in a documentary for example.

[@drose84]

Love my R5C but wondering if it had Clog 2 it would have produced a better image Wouldnt you want a C70/80 for the Clog 2?

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

I'd love a C80, but I haven't had trouble thus far getting my R5C and C500 II to cut together for 2 camera interviews. I try to avoid buying any new equipment just because it's new. Mostly I try to use what I have until there's a specific client need, or it speeds up my workflow and allows me to make more money by saving time in production or post-production. At the moment the R5c is still ticking all of the boxes for me.

[@diminishedreturn]

You realize you HAVE access to Canon Log 2 right? I understand that shooting raw isn't convenient if all you do is shooting interviews that go on for a long time, but if you're curious about the "look" or quality-then just shoot raw and 'develop' it as Canon Log 2. If you don't want to store the larger files, just export your 8K (perhaps oversampled 6K from 8K, slightly denoised) to h.265 Masters in Canon Log 2. Unless you really need specific IN/OUT ports, you already have a Canon camera that does it all-including great looking, oversampled slow motion.

[@StarLightDotPhotos]

Mr. Schmidt, once these start shipping in November what do you think the best price point for the C70 will be? They are already down to 3399 USD in some places!

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Great question. I would imagine there will be some really great deals once the C80 is officially released. If you're in the market for a C70 and you can wait then I'd definitely hold off until they start going for cheap. I wouldn't be surprised to see $3000 or slightly less for used bodies.

[@joshblck1]

One thing that’s striking me about the Komodo angle is the glow coming off your shirt.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Yep, too much black pro mist during testing!

[@DavidEllsDP]

You said the 120 is cropped. Not true. Only frame rate difference from c400 is 6k60 vs 6k30 in raw.

[@DavidEllsDP]

Ok there’s also no 4k120 raw in the super 35 mode. Just SD card limitations.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Thanks! Looks like I misread some specs.

[@scottievee330]

I sold my R5c. BUT the compares here... R5c looks good. I didn't give it enough of a chance. It didn't cut with C70 Clog2 enough. It did great if you used it 100% on a job. Start to finish.

[@StarLightDotPhotos]

So you are using the C70? Will you upgrade to a C80?

[@scottievee330]

@@StarLightDotPhotos I have a C400 coming. I'll wait to see if I need to get a C80 and get rid of the C70's.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

I've found that I like the R5C image better in RAW. In the case of this video I was shooting the 5.9K super35 RAW and it tends to match better with my C500 II that way. But I've also cut it in as XF-AVC and been happy with the results.

[@cwdirected]

Debating on getting an r5c to replace my b cam (c200) are the r5c s35 5.9k raw files smaller then the c200 raw files? Anytime i want to shoot both cams in clog2 it takes so much storage on the c200 so wondering if youve noticed a difference. Also would u recommend the r5c as a bcam to the c70 or save up for the r5II?

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

@@cwdirected I don't have my C200 anymore for a direct comparison, so apologies. I do remember the C200 files being absolutely huge though. I would normally get right around 1 hour with a 512 GB card on the C200 and with the R5C I can get 122 min in RAW LT in Super35 on a 512 GB card. So almost double the time. Personally I prefer the R5C over the R5II (although I haven't shot with the R5 II) due to its cinema OS, built in fan and timecode. Those features are something I use every day for video.

[@heinricheugenvonhelmbrecht6905]

I barely use 60 fps when I work on documentary production. Owner of few older (and heavier) 4 K Sony cameras and Canon R5 c I try to figure out if I should buy C80 for better dynamic range.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

The dynamic range is really nice on the C80 based on the specs and the footage that is out there. But is a lack of dynamic range holding you back right now?

[@YOUAREMYKIN]

Good to hear your clear business-minded POV! As a fellow R5C owner (doing brand promo work), I wasn’t as impressed w the C80. Especially since the R5C already gives me 8K60 in LT & ST RAW. Frankly if Canon had put 6K60 in RAW on the C80, it’d been way more compelling.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Yeah, I’m just not sure the c80 is needed for how I’m personally working at the moment. Nice to hear from someone else who is in the same boat!

[@M2008tw]

I'm a bit in the same boat, own an R5C, and do mostly motion graphics, but also film - if it's a bigger setup I rent or give myself the role with B cam and direction and then hire a cinematographer on the set - someone I work with has Canon C500. I live in Denmark, and we typically take many roles on set here. We see a more traditional film crew on the larger productions. I'm wondering if I should add a c80 to my setup. But it could also be a Blackmagic PYXIS 6K with an open gate with PL mount. I already own both screen and EVF.

[@Theaaronchris]

Great points Dustin. But social media videographers shoot everything in 120p

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

😂

[@baekmedier]

Getting the C80 + R1 with RF 24-105 f 2.8 + 15-35 f 2.8 and you kind of have all you need. R1 is 24 MP with C-log 2 and a BSI sensor, is full frame. C80 is 26 MP with C-log 2 and a BSI sensor, is full frame.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

100%, If I had to start over from scratch this would definitely be a way to go. I've got too much legacy equipment to think about selling it all and consolidating, but I've had that fantasy a few times when I'm packing it all and lugging it around for gigs. haha.

[@baekmedier]

@@dustinschmidtphoto I own two C70s, the R5C and the R3 and crazy amount of EF L lenses :P I am so tired of logging around all the gear.. and for now the dream setup for photo jobs (Sport, portrait and events) and my corporate interview setups with A can and B cam (some time c-cam) would be so much easier.. I have rolling bags for my lights and c- stands.. so the cameras and lenses goes on my back right now in a backpack from peakdesign with packing cubes :P Im so tired efter each long shoot.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

@@baekmedier Haha, I definitely feel you! It sounds like with all of your gear you could totally sell stuff off and make that switch as well! But yeah, it's tough to let go of some stuff and simplify at times. And would your clients notice if you slimmed things down? Who knows...

[@baekmedier]

@@dustinschmidtphoto My big problem is that prices on gear always drops :P and the same with the cameras I own.. the R5C because of the new R5 mark 2, the R3 because of the R1 and the C80 makes the C70 drop by half the price from 4 years ago when i got it... Not happy about it. And its good cameras. And most important (as you also talked about) its important to also remember to look at the business as a business. New cameras does not make things look better. More money for the renting different lenses, the scene build, professional actors, lights and so on and so on does.. the money is often better spend there. But yeah it could maybe be traded in for a smaller package like the R1 + C80 but I cant really go a lot of days without any gear 😅 so I kind of have to get the new stuff first, then sell of the other gear. That overlap is to expensive.

[@ChroniclesofGhoul]

On all the canon groups everyone is complaining about no DGO. What are your thoughts on that?

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

I don’t think it’s that big of a deal personally. I shot for a long time on a C300 III and while I certainly thought the image looked nice, so does the image from all of my current, non-DGO sensors.

[@ChroniclesofGhoul]

@@dustinschmidtphoto thanks. I’ve never used a DGO sensor so can’t compare, but the C80 looks good to me. I’ll also wait to see what Lumix and Sony bring out.

[@VFXRefugee]

Wow, I'm still not done exploring my C70! But the C80 looks sweet.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Yeah unless you really need what a new camera body is offering, I say stick with your current setup as long as you can. Unless you just have a ton of expendable income, in which case do whatever you want.

[@ScandinavianCoward]

C80 has everything I want in a camera. But I am also hoping for a R5C Mark II with upgraded sensor, C-Log 2 and AF - mostly to have the flexibility to take stills.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

I'm curious about this as well. The R5 Mark II hits a lot of new highs in a lot of areas. Will we see that capability, and/or parts of the C80 and C400, come over to an R5C II? That would be a camera I'd look to add probably.

[@ScandinavianCoward]

@@dustinschmidtphoto And will there even be a R5C II now that they have the R5 Mark II grip with an inbuilt fan?

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

@@ScandinavianCoward That's the big question. I'm completely guessing but I have to think there's going to be an R5C II. It just does stuff the R5 Mark II still does not.

[@ScandinavianCoward]

@@dustinschmidtphoto Fingers crossed!

[@M2008tw]

Why doesn't C80 have a cfexpress b card?

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

That’s definitely been one of the major complaints. It would theoretically give you more frame rates and you’d also get faster offload speeds. I think they did it for product differentiation so that the C80 wouldn’t be quite all the way up to the level of the C400.

[@Gettinlostinthascript]

I don't care about slow motion, I'm an independent film maker thats shooting 2 outdoor feature films and a 3rd film where low light won't be an issue what do you suggest between the c80 c400? and c500 mark ii..My main issue is picture quality that's where I want to excel at..

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

If you're having a big crew on set and need to send out multiple video feeds and need the camera real estate for attaching a bunch of accessories, then the C400 or C500 II might be better. But functionally you're most likely going to get very comparable images from all three of those cameras I would imagine. In the absence of those needs, I'd probably go for whatever you can get for cheapest in that case. Making a movie is terribly expensive, so having any amount of cash to use in other areas is probably going to make for a better product, imho.

[@memostothefuture]

I was literally watching this putting some 120 pickup shots into my video of a guitarist performing. I get 120fps details on every other shoot to cover me in post. Don't always use it but have made getting it a habit.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

That's good context, thanks for your insight. I agree, I always like to get some measure of slo-mo. I just tend to not go quite as high as 120 in my personal use. But it can certainly be used very effectively!

[@memostothefuture]

@@dustinschmidtphoto I know what you mean and often speed 120 up a bit in post. But the cost is zero to get it once I go into S&F, so it just became habit. I find slowmo details such an easy hack.

[@grizzly4370]

R5C is visibly more pleasing than the red or c500 in angle comparison

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

I wonder if some of that is lens focal length or framing also? But I agree, there’s nothing wrong with any of those cameras. All have a great image.

[@Manny.dakidd]

I have a canon m6 mark ii I'm whiling I'm saving up for any good camera is this a good first buy?

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

I haven't used that camera myself, but from a quick online search it appears to have great specs for the price. I'd stick with it until you absolutely need to buy something else due to a client request or specific work restriction it's not allowing you to accomplish.

[@tblv9300]

The R6 mark II is a great camera for many use cases (events, gimbal, hybrid shooters) to name a few. That camera in lowlight is spectacular. only downside honestly is client perception ( but even the R5C gets unfairly grouped in here) If you’re doing alot of corporate having a body the size of a c70 or larger helps in that regard

[@fsb5370]

C70 and r5c user. Don'r care about 6k ... SDI? Maybe. Full frame no biggie. Overrated. Cine servo is nice. I need a servo to use with my 70-200 IS II LOL.

[@dustinschmidtphoto]

Yeah I agree with you. If I already owned a c70 I’m not sure I’d want to upgrade to the c80 unless I had a very specific need or reason.