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Ebrahim, Remember, AR owns a Canon 1D C and a 50mm f/1.2 Got to have your priorities.

Self-Distribution will obviously take you only so far.

​Wow..Kristoferman. "The 4K bug is definitely hitting the otherwise unwashed masses". What a frightening (and true) statement for a lot of filmmakers. I know FOUR off the top of my head that are shooting as we speak on HD (narrative film). They've got their entire fortunes/bank accounts into their art. And some other people's money!!! Christ almighty it could get ugly. This conversation would scare the hell out of them. And what director Eli Roth said about 4K distribution. See post/link above. The landscape is changing. Fast.

​Oh man that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Would they take something relatively cheap like the GH4? Or were they looking for something more like the RED/Canon C500/1D C

Interesting. It seems there is a huge portion of people that feel if you don't shoot 4K now in 2015 (on a narrative feature), you're in trouble. Including HOSTEL horror director Eli Roth: Watch below https://vimeo.com/118293793

​Thanks Franz, Alphatron looks very nice but seems a bit pricy. Going to go with the SmallHD 502. If you have any new footage on the 1D C, please share if you can. Such little footage out there from fellow users.

​​Ebrahim, thank you so much for all this information, sir! You've been a a great help! After looking at these options I completely agree with your last set up for the 1D C. The 502 looks fabulous! Especially since you cannot record 4K off the HDMI, but at least you can see the image on the small hd for exposure. Such a shame about Canon's lack of help and firmware for the 1D C. Just plain weird! No Love!!!

​ Zak, I will look for Down and Dangerous. Shot on C300? Since you own a distribution company, what do you think about this. With 4K, if you were to start production on a feature film right now, which basically means 9 months or so from now you would be finished (ready for distribution). So now were getting close to 2016. Would you say 4K with this scenario?

What do you guys think? I've read major differences of opinion as of late on-line. Do you really need to shoot 4K if you're making a narrative feature? (to have a realistic shot at distribution?) I'm not talking about "self-distribution" here. A film distribution company purchasing your film for either Theatrical or VOD/Cable. Are we at the point now of 4K or bust? Thanks for any advice.

​ ​Sam and Franz; Thank you guys for all the helpful info. I purchased the 1D C. Got a great deal and some SanDisk CF cards and additional battery charger. 3 Canon EF lenses and ND filters. Bag and new tripod. Picked up an I Mac. Transcode here we come. Camera is heavier than I remember but feels solid. The 4K footage looks much better than my old GH4, and even surprised by the HD after sharpening. Still don't have EVF or monitor. A little confused about the EVF situation have seen different people use these two: Zacuto - Z-Finder EVF for $764 Zacuto - Z-Finder EVF Pro (3.2") for $950 ​Whats the difference between these two as per the 1D C? The regular EVF hooks straight where LCD monitor like 5D3, but can't see how EVF Pro does that? Looks like you have to mount that somewhere else (a rig, on top of hotshot) Which sucks, because the Pro version has the exposure help, and the regular EVF just blows the picture up (x 2.5) to help focus. Of course I amy be wrong about that, please let me know? Maybe one of you guys have the EVF and/or the Pro EVF (or used both) and can suggest either/or? If neither are good maybe just small (smallhd?) 5 inch monitor on top of camera itself?, but lose stealth. I do like the fact that Zacuto EVF (regular version) helps with holding camera steady. If we only had an EVF that you can hook up to the back of the LCD that has ALL the exposure features, we'd be in business. Maybe another company makes one? I don't think the Gratical hooks up to the back of the LCD? Thanks

I would say no. 4K is the future, and the future is now.

The new A7 will be announced in May (next month), it is not the A7s however. Probably about 6 more months till we see A7s ll (NAB 2016, latest)

​Ebrahim, have you seen the brand new Sound Devices field monitors, the PIX-E Series? The 5" looks like it could be perfect for the Canon 1D C (unless I'm missing something).

​Man transcoding is such a pain..ahhh. Thanks guys for all your input. Shame Apple cannot get more power on a laptop in 2015.

Can anyone (Andrew) who has the knowledge answer this question: (Sony A7s w/Shogun users/ Canon 1D C users) Is this set up below good (enough) for 4K editing? Say off the Shogun or straight from CF? Basically if you're going straight from 1D C MJPEG 4K - or off A7S Shogun whether transcoding to ProRes or not. 2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 - Turbo Boost up to 4.0GHz 16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM 1TB PCIe-based Flash Storage Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory Thank you.

​Thank you Ebrahim for this information.Very helpful! That is certainly a little known fact. I don't remember Canon promoting this. ​Franz you must have one heck of an eye sir! Thank you for the tips.

Thanks Franz. Are you saying that at the minimum you must have a Macbook Pro Retina to be able to edit the 1D C footage without issues? By internal exposure, I mean has it been difficult to shoot with the 1D C because it does not have preaching, zebras, etc..? If so, what are you using for exposure? Thanks for the info on Komputerbay, I figured there had to be something for what they are charging.

Nice set up Franz! Thanks for sending the pic.. How do you like the cam over the last 2 years? Are you still happy with it? Would the lack of internal exposure put you off if you were purchasing new in 2015? Any advice for someone about to jump in the shark filled waters?

​I cannot agree with this statement. Clean ISO for indie filmmakers is HUGE. Why do you think the Sony A7s became much more popular than the GH4 for serious filmmakers? (along with the much superior DR) The new technology saves you countless thousands of dollars on lights, gear, crew, food for crew, parking for crew, liability insurance..the list goes on and on..and the money adds up quick. Yes, we all know lighting is what makes cinematography..but to go from 5 lights to one...to shoot in the woods/or city at night with no generator/operator...the noise to attract people..to steal shots with this cam you can take anywhere (day or night) and capture a beautiful image with a tiny crew (sometimes 2 people). It's freedom, man. Money $ and time are a huge savings because of modern tech. And yes, I'll say it. The DR of the Sony A7s makes any image more "filmic" than whatever you shoot with the GH4. It's plain physics. The lowlight and DR will continue to get better. If the Sony A7s ll takes it to the next level, and the GH5 doesn't offer significant/superior changes, I believe the filmmakers will be giving Sony, not Panasonic their money. Remember the GH4 was released before the A7s. If this had happened in reverse Panasonic would not have sold as many units as they did. Let's not even get into Full Frame vs M43. No contest. Again, for filmmakers.

Thanks again, Andrew.. An opportunity came up..a friend has an acquaintance wedding videographer he knows pretty well..has vouched for the guy.. He's selling his 1D C - mostly used for photos he says..75%..and it's in excellent shape...for $7,000 (US)..includes 2 extra batts and original box and access.. He has not listed it yet on eBay or Craigslist..just put the word out with his sphere of influence...Now that NAB is over I'm ready to purchase.. I'm either going with a 1D C or A7s with Shogun...my budget is around 13K (including lenses) overall (been saving for 2 years) but for what I need must have a small footprint, Any advice is appreciated!

Well that answers that. Wow...Thank you.. So I have to ask, if you're gonna use monitor just for exposure on 1D C - while shooting 4K (4K seems more difficult to expose properly...and now Shogun is out)... What monitor would you recommend while shooting 4K?...Is there one you find superior? Would be nice to attach to top of cam...but also rig if you feel it's a must.. Thanks Andrew!

Not sure what the pocket can offer over A7s right now?? Seems A7s offers a lot more at not too much of a price hike. Maybe someone can chime in who has used both and can talk about user experience.

Does anyone (AR, ES) know a quality external monitor that works well specifically with Canon 1D C? If it records DCI 4K (4096 X 2160) thats great... However, what about just as external monitor (no recording) with peaking, zebras, guides, etc..to help with exposure....seems the HDMI out only records 1080p (maybe thats changed?) What if you want to record 4K and just view footage to external? At this point are you viewing 1080p even though internally you're recording 4K? Appreciate if anyone knows and can recommend, Thanks

Try not to judge Canon too hard on their new C300 Mark ll promo/short film. But I will. Horrible story, horrible actors, horrible composition, horrible lighting, horrible directing..making the cam look bad. and Horrible 720p upload. Canon makes great cams, but they haven't a clue to what a good filmmaker is. Not a damn clue. Embarrassing on so many levels.

Ebrahim, Whats the difference with this and Small HD 502? (besides the EVF)