EOS: Canon r5c in 2025?

[rob norton]

All of my larger cameras (fs7 C200) I have an arca plate on top. I then have a handle built to an arca 'receiver'

This enables me to build a 'top bit' .. being handle and maybe a shotgun.

If I am moving to gimbal it is a single screw to remove this 'top bit'

Im on the fense acout the 5c/c80/c400 game. for my future as Im often struggling to choose r6 or C200 today

That's a great set up and rock solid removable handle!

For my second c200 I also bought the bright tangerine top plate (at a huge discount being ancient tech) and already had their dovetail plate.

You've probably already seen it but YT links with timestamps just in case:

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In theory you could have a number of plate set ups that could be instantly swapped out. I'm like you though, it's mostly just top handle I actually mount the shotgun to a hot shoe on the top plate, not the dovetail, so currently don't have it as a quick release but it's fine since it's just a shoe mount with no real footprint/weight penalty. I love "D" handles, or all enclosed ones vs. an L shape. So I ended up using Canon's stock handle with the dovetail plate. I never thought I'd see a no tools quick release with the stock handle but was happy to find out the holes lined up.

It's not a huge deal leaving the top plate on for a gimbal but I'm still trying to pull off a no ready/easy rig set up so every gram counts.

With the C70/80 I tend to use a BP-A60 sized battery only when on sticks. If off sticks it's lighter & more compact to go with the A30 size and it's plenty of power. ~180 minutes.

That's great runtime for the A30s, even the c200 only gets a couple of hours.

My experience so far is that the C80's AF is better than the C70 but it's incremental. It's not mind-blowingly better. I think the C80 and C400 have the same AF.

That's good to know. Having tested essentially all three (5d2 and c400 which can count for c80), I'd be happy with any of the three! Also slight tangent, but I set up the c400/24-105 2.8 alongside a friend's BM ursa cine 12k LF with 28-75 zoom (can't remember brand). It was with DJI focus pro's lidar system. For the made up tests we could think of in a park, I'd say they were neck and neck. Of course there are MANY different scenarios where each system might be preferred, but you could pretty much "get there" with either, but in different ways. For example, with subject walking behind a tree, on the DJI you physically pump the brakes by stopping the focus change happening with your finger, then once subject has passed the tree you can let it go and it will proceed like normal (still sharp on them). The C series version of the same shot might mean using tracking as well as tweaking the response time.

But more importantly the exercise told me it's not really a Canon AF vs. lidar thing - either are worth investing in asap if possible if you shoot by yourself. The choice is more like are you happy with Canon lenses vs. wanting access to cinema lenses, at the cost of more hardware (cables, components) and possibly annoying calibrating while on the job. I would definitely prefer fewer bits and pieces hanging from a lighter camera and the latest canon lenses are pretty impressive.

I took to mini-XLR and actually quite prefer it on a smaller camera. It has not be an issue at all and to me it does not feel any cheaper than a regular XLR. I use and really like Cable Techniques mini-XLR adapters. I've got pigtails to convert to my stash of XLR cables and I also got some of the leads to run from wireless receivers. They're very well made and I've never had an issue. They're also less bulky than most other mini-XLR connectors.

Thanks for the links. Do you do any strain relief for mini XLR, or just let the pigtails hang and connect like normal? Cable Techniques are a great brand, I've got their discreen XLR cables for a shotgun and wireless rx and will definitely buy from them with a change of system.

Thanks for the ongoing comments, I'll be able to share the c200/r52 project in the coming weeks.

 

[Jon Roemer]

That's good to know. Having tested essentially all three (5d2 and c400 which can count for c80), I'd be happy with any of the three! Also slight tangent, but I set up the c400/24-105 2.8 alongside a friend's BM ursa cine 12k LF with 28-75 zoom (can't remember brand). It was with DJI focus pro's lidar system. For the made up tests we could think of in a park, I'd say they were neck and neck. Of course there are MANY different scenarios where each system might be preferred, but you could pretty much "get there" with either, but in different ways. For example, with subject walking behind a tree, on the DJI you physically pump the brakes by stopping the focus change happening with your finger, then once subject has passed the tree you can let it go and it will proceed like normal (still sharp on them). The C series version of the same shot might mean using tracking as well as tweaking the response time.

But more importantly the exercise told me it's not really a Canon AF vs. lidar thing - either are worth investing in asap if possible if you shoot by yourself. The choice is more like are you happy with Canon lenses vs. wanting access to cinema lenses, at the cost of more hardware (cables, components) and possibly annoying calibrating while on the job. I would definitely prefer fewer bits and pieces hanging from a lighter camera and the latest canon lenses are pretty impressive.

Very interesting comparison with the BM w/DJI Focus Pro.

Thanks for the links. Do you do any strain relief for mini XLR, or just let the pigtails hang and connect like normal? Cable Techniques are a great brand, I've got their discreen XLR cables for a shotgun and wireless rx and will definitely buy from them with a change of system.

Thanks for the ongoing comments, I'll be able to share the c200/r52 project in the coming weeks.

Yes, on the strain relief just to play it safe and to neaten up the camera cables on set. I have Wooden Camera base and top plates plus the side rails on each camera and I use Sprig cable clips to manage the pigtails. Link is to a pic on my IG showing the setup. I've since changed things a bit, going with NATO rail based handles as I have done in the past for easy on/easy off and a more compact setup. Plus I found a solution for more flexibility in mounting a mic. The setup is not unlike the Bright Tangerine one you showed.

 

[morgan_moore]

a crappy pic. here one may see the top pf my C200 with arca plate and the arca receiver which goes to my handle or whatever I want up top.

When the camer is stripped for gimbal the plate left on the camera is only a few grams.

Im a big arca fan and have things like an L bracket should I need to mount the camera 'upright' and other options.

I came to arca some years ago as my 'standard' - I dont deal in big cameras. I do keep a traditional Arri plate for certain grip jobs with crew cameras.

My personal top handle while homebrew is made of thin wall aluminium keeping it light with a small carved wood element to come into contact with the operator. Id not swap it for any off the shelf version!