Canon Canada Inc. officially launched its C300 Cinema Camera during a showcase and screening event at the Bell Lightbox in Toronto last Thursday. The C300 features a newly developed Super 35mm-equivalent 8.29-megapixel CMOS sensor and aims to establish Cinema EOS as a HD motion picture system.

"Cinema EOS will be a new family of cameras," said Neil Stephenson, technical marketing manager for the Canon Canada's Consumer Imaging Group. "This is a bit of a departure for Canon. We are developing an entirely new product category aimed at the motion picture business."

One version of the C300 has an EF mount compatible with Canon's full-frame DSLR lenses. Another version will use the PL mount, a standard for cine cameras and lenses.

"This really reflects Canon's adoption of video camera technology into our DSLRs," Stephenson points out. He also explained what types of users Canon had in mind when they developed the camera. "A big target is Hollywood and also documentary filmmakers, cinematographers and directors of photography, who have been have been very interested in this product. Even wedding videographers who are raising their game can take advantage of this camera's features."

Tool of Cinematic Expression

To demonstrate the C300 and the Cinema EOS range of features, Canon invited filmmakers Vincent Laforet and Alex Buono to discuss their experiences with the new camera.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, Laforet is a considered a pioneer for his work in tilt-shift and aerial photography, and for his use of HD-capable DSLR cameras as cinematic tools.

Laforet screened his short film Mobius during the event. Mobius, a supernatural thriller set in the Mexican desert, was shot with a pre-production C300s and a variety of Cinema EOS lenses. The short film was completed in a hectic three-day shoot, which is documented in an informative behind-the-scenes video.

Laforet spoke about the surprisingly filmic and organic quality of the C300's video. He was also impressed by the camera's low-light performance. "The C300's combination of sensor and Digic DV III image processor render an extraordinary signal-to-noise ratio, and make it possible to capture video at up to ISO 16000," he said.

The C300's light weight of 3.2 lbs. and small size made it possible for Laforet to place the camera on the ground, and have SUVs drive above it. The C300 was also mounted on various mechanical tripods as well as two remote-controlled helicopters to shoot aerial footage.

"The size and weight of this camera is incredible," Laforet says. "This is a significant advantage that Canon has in my opinion. You can literally pick this camera up with just your index finger."

Laforet was also impressed by the camera's durability in the field. "We shot with the C300 camera for 3 days in 95ºF + temperatures in the desert and we never had a single issue with the camera that I can recall. Impressive given that these were prototype cameras."

Live from New York...

Cinematographer Alex Buono was the other guest speaker at the Canon launch event. Buono is a 10-year veteran of the Saturday Night Live Film Unit, and received an Oscar Nomination for the short film Johnny Flynton.

He has experimented with various digital video cameras and has also pioneered the use of DSLR cameras for broadcasting.

Buono explained how he used the Canon EOS 5D MK II and 7D to shoot Saturday Night Live's popular opening title sequence. The 5D's low-light capabilities enabled to shoot the sequence without external lighting.

Buono also discussed how he has incorporated DSLRs into the SNL shooting workflow and explained how the C300 was used to shoot a number of commercial spoofs including the recent skit British Trailer.

DSLRs require add-ons like cages and monitors just so they can be useful for commercial video, he observed. "The C300 does come with all of that stuff, I compare it more to a CineStyle camera. It is more expensive but you are getting a production ready camera, this is a big step up from DSLR cinematography and I am very excited. The C300 is a veritable gumbo of camera innovation. It has the monitor, it has the playback deck, it's got the HDMI outputs, dual CF Card Slots."

Canon's Stephenson says that the C300 body will retail for $16,699, lower than the $20,000 price announced during the camera's announcement late last year. The Canon C300 will be available in mid-January.

Article Tags:  Canon, C300, Canada, Laforet, Stephenson, SNL, Mobius, Buono, Saturday Night Live, Lightbox, TIFF