C500 Mark II gets new RAW compression ratios

DustinSchmidt

DustinSchmidt

Well-known member
The C500 mark II is finally getting three different compression ratio options for its RAW recording through an upcoming firmware update. Does anyone care? I actually do. I'm honestly still waiting to pick up a used C500 II when people start selling them off when the hottest new thing comes out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSkTJmkT2f8
 
NorBro said:
12-bit at all framerates is very nice.

And so it begins. :love4:
Click to expand...

It does make me wonder what's up Canon's sleeve in the coming months. They're still providing valuable updates to their flagship cinema camera.

That update only makes me really wonder if we're going to see new RF options this year? Or do they continue to push things off?
 
I think it's a good sign that we'll see something announced in August/September (probably would have heard about an April release already).

A lot of times these kind of feature updates come for older models after a new camera is announced (which will have those features), but who knows.

RF cinema lenses were announced in September 2023...maybe a good time for a RF cinema camera in September 2024.
 
NorBro said:
RF cinema lenses were announced in September 2023...maybe a good time for a RF cinema camera in September 2024.
Click to expand...

To be fair, those “RF” cinema lenses that canon released were simply their older ef versions with a new rf mount. I am certainly optimistic that a new rf cinema camera would have more improvements than just a new mount.
 
I'm not sure what you mean with that second sentence - but, yeah, they would definitely have improvements. Stuff that the C70 and R5 C have plus a bit more.

12-bit across the board with various ratios would be a nice start. Maybe a bump in DR, hopefully much better AF (it's lacking a little), better software IS if no IBIS, etc.

Of course 8K would expected by some.

Get rid of the yesteryear crops and lower compressions for higher framerates. Start working on 240fps cameras.

All next generation stuff now that bits and color seem to be in a good place (but of course continue to tweak color science so it looks its best under different lighting and WBs).
 
The c500ii is my next camera unless the c70ii makes it irrelevant like the fx6 rather killed the f55

it did occur to me recently that rf, full frame and nd might be proving hard (and nd zmount)
 
Maybe, but they haven't released any true full-frame RF cinema cameras yet.

The R5 C was one but just based on the R5.

Need a shiny new C400 or C600...C900.
 
I actually have this theory - based on really nothing - that they were ready to release more RF cinema cameras earlier but the R5's success surprised them so badly (Canon was indeed taken aback) that they paused and tried to double-down with the R5 C. I definitely would have tried as well.
 
NorBro said:
I'm not sure what you mean with that second sentence - but, yeah, they would definitely have improvements.
Click to expand...

I only meant that Canon’s ability to make underwhelming improvements shouldn’t be taken for granted. (Case in point, their “new rf cinema lenses”.)

But I agree they would hopefully have more improvements than simply an updated rf mount on whatever new cinema camera they release.
 
DustinSchmidt said:
.

That update only makes me really wonder if we're going to see new RF options this year? Or do they continue to push things off?
Click to expand...

I have no idea. And while Canon differs in important ways from Sony, I read a "wild" rumor on Sony rumors lately that was reported from an unknown source of no proven credibility. What interested me was that it was so disappointing and boring and plausible that I can't imagine why someone would bother to make it up:

Had a private conversation Sony’s Cinema Line product manager. No FX6II or FX3II for a couple of years. They are still selling well and there’s still lots of potential in firmware updates. No plans at all for FX9II at the moment. I asked if the next FX cam would be S35, like FX60 or something and got “no comment” with a smile.
Click to expand...


This got me thinking about sales strategies and how these companies have little need to release new models if their old models are selling well and there's no new industry spec or different niche/purpose to satisfy.

What that means for Canon I'm not sure. But if they're still selling well and they're releasing cool firmware updates, it seems like a negative indicator of an imminent hot camera release.
 
DustinSchmidt said:
I only meant that Canon’s ability to make underwhelming improvements shouldn’t be taken for granted. (Case in point, their “new rf cinema lenses”.)

But I agree they would hopefully have more improvements than simply an updated rf mount on whatever new cinema camera they release.
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah, I didn't look too much into them. I briefly saw last year Canon saying they were suitable for 8K productions so I thought they maybe tweaked something, the coatings, etc. how they did with the EF cine primes when they designed them based on the stills lenses blueprint (and I don't think they were saying 8K for the EF primes 10 years ago).

Regardless, more like literally new because they just started finally shipping last month (not sure all of them are shipping yet).

Perfect time for a new camera... :engel017:
 
There is a clear problem for canon right now.

thier top lenses 24-105 2.8 28-70/2 dont fot thier best camera

one would assume this affects sales
 
morgan_moore said:
There is a clear problem for canon right now.

thier top lenses 24-105 2.8 28-70/2 dont fot thier best camera

one would assume this affects sales
Click to expand...

It would be amazing to have those two lenses on a C500 II style body. That might be a two lens, one body kit that I'd rock out for basically everything I'd need.
 
Canon is supposed to be announcing some more video/photo hybrid lenses. https://www.canonrumors.com/there-are-at-least-3-more-powerzoom-lenses-coming-cr3/

I loved the 24-105mm f/2.8 so much that it made me decide to sell my C500 MKII's and beef up my R5c's as my primary cameras rather than just my gimbal camera. I would be really surprised if Canon doesn't announce a full frame RF cinema camera at NAB, but I was surprised that they didn't announce one at last year's NAB. These new power zoom RF lenses make it clear that Canon isn't giving up on video, though.
 
cpreston said:
Canon is supposed to be announcing some more video/photo hybrid lenses. https://www.canonrumors.com/there-are-at-least-3-more-powerzoom-lenses-coming-cr3/

I loved the 24-105mm f/2.8 so much that it made me decide to sell my C500 MKII's and beef up my R5c's as my primary cameras rather than just my gimbal camera. I would be really surprised if Canon doesn't announce a full frame RF cinema camera at NAB, but I was surprised that they didn't announce one at last year's NAB. These new power zoom RF lenses make it clear that Canon isn't giving up on video, though.
Click to expand...

do you miss anything about the C500 II?
 
cpreston said:
Canon is supposed to be announcing some more video/photo hybrid lenses. https://www.canonrumors.com/there-are-at-least-3-more-powerzoom-lenses-coming-cr3/

I loved the 24-105mm f/2.8 so much that it made me decide to sell my C500 MKII's and beef up my R5c's as my primary cameras rather than just my gimbal camera. I would be really surprised if Canon doesn't announce a full frame RF cinema camera at NAB, but I was surprised that they didn't announce one at last year's NAB. These new power zoom RF lenses make it clear that Canon isn't giving up on video, though.
Click to expand...

That's very interesting. I have an R5c that is my primary stills camera and gimbal camera for video, as well as a second angle for interviews. I'd love to know what you did specifically to make it more of a "primary" camera.

I certainly kit mine out with additional power, audio adapter, monitor etc. when it's on a tripod, but the amount of cables and extra gack on it isn't really my favorite thing.
 
NorBro said:
do you miss anything about the C500 II?
Click to expand...

I miss the internal ND's, but the Kippertie Revolva solves that problem for my older ef and pl lenses. For the RF lenses, I am stuck using ND filters so I bought I set of superslim Formatt Firecrest filters and use them in clip on matteboxes. I also miss the XLR but Tascam has a moderately reliable solution for that. The biggest problem is that the headphone amp on the R5c is bad. One of the nicest things about the Canon Cinema line is that it has the best audio capabilities of any of the competing video cameras that I've used and it is hard to give that up. I also actually like the size of the C500 MKII and prefer the extra weight.
 
A weak headphone output, in general, is something I rarely hear anyone discussing but it's a problem for a handful of cameras.
 
DustinSchmidt said:
That's very interesting. I have an R5c that is my primary stills camera and gimbal camera for video, as well as a second angle for interviews. I'd love to know what you did specifically to make it more of a "primary" camera.

I certainly kit mine out with additional power, audio adapter, monitor etc. when it's on a tripod, but the amount of cables and extra gack on it isn't really my favorite thing.
Click to expand...

My primary change vs working with the C500 II was to add a SmallHD 702 touch monitor with a Teradek wireless transmitter attached. That way I have the extra SDI and HDMI outputs and I can actually see what I'm shooting. The wireless transmitter also helps to not feel like I'm dealing with extra cables for the director's monitor. I use a single v mount attached to the mini small rig v mount base plate to power both the monitor and the camera, and I generally keep all of the power, hdmi, and timecode cables short, protected, and attached while traveling so I can just putt it out and start shooting without building out the camera. In fact, I've actually found that my setups are noticeably quicker than with the C500 II. I would prefer to have a well laid out production camera to work with, but I don't feel like I'm being held back with the mirrorless camera body.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top