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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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?!?

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?

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.

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

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.

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?

Servo Zoom, that's my closing argument.

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

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 (http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com)

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.

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!

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

I wish! Lol

G

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

I wish! Lol

G

What do you mean???

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

Lol . ..

G

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?

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.

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

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!

Excellent advice! Thank you!