Canon EOS R3 Announced

With the mirrorless arms race heating up Canon has introduced a new competitor by announcing the EOS R3.

Canon looks to be introducing a juggernaut into its EOS R line of of mirrorless cameras. Canon literature is positioning the new EOS R3 squarely between its EOS R5 and flagship 1DX Mark III models. Specifically, they allude to “great emphasis on superb AF performance and speed, with fast-moving subjects” and “being designed to meet the reliability and durability demands of professionals.” It’s not hard to infer with this new model that they are trying to entice more professional sports and news photographers over to their mirrorless line. 

Let’s dive a bit deeper into the bevy of features that they’ve mentioned in their press release. 

Sensor Step Up

The center of the EOS R3’s is it’s new Canon-developed,  back-illuminated, full-frame,  stacked, CMOS sensor. This buzz-word jumble should provide the camera with faster readout speeds while taking stills. It should also produce less rolling shutter distortion when using the Electronic Shutter, and be able to operate with Electronic Shutter still image shooting at up to 30 fps (with Dual Pixel CMOS AF and auto exposure1 no less!) Not to mention 30 fps is a staggering 10 fps more than even Canon’s own 1DX Mark III. 

Echoes of AF Past

The EOS R3 will benefit from the advanced AF systems introduced in the R6 and R5 cameras as well as employing deep learning technology to enhance the eye and body detection. Currently the Canon AF system has options for Eye and Head detect, but will be introducing a new Torso Detect function as well. (Presumably useful for any sports photographers who’s subjects wear helmets or masks of any sort.)

The camera also introduces a new system of Eye Control AF through the electronic viewfinder. Eye control AF was introduced in Canon Cameras way back in the early 90’s, but with the technological advancements in the intervening 30 odd years the EOS R3’s new Eye Control system promises to be more reliable while also incorporating more features overall. (Coincidentally the last camera to carry this Eye Control AF was the EOS 3, which was also the last EOS camera to carry the ‘3’ moniker until the EOS R3 as well.)

According to Canon, the EOS R3’s EVF will offer the ability to set “the initial area for AF tracking by simply looking directly at the viewfinder location where they (the photographer) want to begin AF.” The camera will then focus on and track subjects in that location of the frame automatically, as long as Eye Control AF2 and Servo AF are active.  

It is unclear if the Eye Control AF will work continuously in video mode, but it will likely be useful to sports or wildlife photographers where milliseconds can be the difference between a great shot and missing the picture.  

Tough New Body

The EOS R3 will feature a new body with better weather and dust resistance. The new body is the first in the EOS R line to feature an integrated vertical grip section for easier shooting in portrait orientation. Canon refers to the body being a one-piece design similar to other professional cameras who’s chassis are machined from a solid block of material. The one-piece body will give the camera greater durability and weather sealing, equivalent to EOS 1D class cameras. 

Canon also makes mention of a Mobile File Transmitter application for iOS and Android as well. This sort of app is great for stream lining modern photographic workflows, whether its getting a shot to social media or sending proofs to a client. 

Final Thoughts

Canon’s press release heavily touts the camera’s utility to sports, wildlife and photojournalism photographers, but makes little mention of it’s video capabilities. As such its hard to say if this new camera will offer much for video shooters over the EOS R5 or Cinema EOS C70, but if nothing else the improved body and weather sealing over the rest of the EOS R line may make it a solid choice for any videographers in need of a truly bullet proof camera. 

New Delkin Type B CFexpress Cards

Delkin has released a new CFexpress card in their BLACK series. These new cards should be great for Canon R5, C300 MarkIII, C500 MarkII shooters. Press Release from Delkin Follows:

Delkin’s New BLACK CFexpressTM Type B Cards Deliver Up to 1700 MB/s Sustained Speeds

POWAY, CA, MARCH 30, 2021 – Delkin Devices, a manufacturer of flash storage solutions and camera accessories,
announced today the newest addition to their top-selling line of memory cards: BLACK CFexpressTM Type B memory cards. Specially designed to meet the ever-growing demands of today’s broadcast, cinema and photography industries, Delkin’s BLACK CFexpressTM cards leverage today’s latest technology in order to provide the fastest speeds on the market. 

Other competing CFexpressTM Type B cards may state a maximum write speed, but BLACK takes things further with sustained sequential write speeds of at least 1400 MB/s (higher depending on capacity). This sustained speed versus potential write speeds is what guarantees flawless cinema-quality video capture, including DCI 8K RAW 12-Bit @30fps (2600 Mbps) in the Canon R5. This is especially valuable during events like weddings, sport meets, concerts and other situations you cannot redo. The cards are also capable of offloading data at speeds reaching up to 1730 MB/s, ensuring the quickest, most efficient data transfer from card to computer for immediate file access and sooner post-production. 

“With more camera manufacturers deciding to integrate support for CFexpressTM Type B memory cards into their new camera models, we felt the need to provide camera owners with a card that they could trust to protect and preserve their precious memories” says Jenn Sherry, Delkin’s Retail Sales & Marketing Manager, “As cameras continue to advance and new data-heavy modes are introduced, it has become even more important for storage mediums to be able to keep up. We believe that BLACK CFexpressTM is the solution for complete video capture, just as the creator envisioned.” 

Each BLACK CFexpressTM Type B memory card has undergone extensive testing to ensure full functionality and performance in today’s high-end cinematic hosts, including ones from Canon® (C300 Mark III, C500 Mark II, 1D X Mark III & R5) and Nikon® (D6, Z6 II & Z7 II). Select hosts originally designed with native support for XQD cards can also accept CFexpressTM Type B cards via firmware upgrade. In addition to their “Lifetime Warranty” policy, Delkin continues to offer a unique built-in insurance policy for their BLACK memory cards, known as the “48 Hour Replacement Guarantee”. Delkin will replace any non-working BLACK card within 48 hours or less (not including weekends – in the US and UK), prior to receiving the non-working card. Cards can also be replaced over-the-counter at any authorized Delkin BLACK reseller. Additional information on Delkin BLACK can be found here:
www.delkindevices.com/delkin-black/.

Canon R5 Firmware Update

Canon recently released a batch of firmware updates for a few different cameras. 

The main one us in the video world are concerned with though are the new features this will add to the R5. 

Here’s a list of the highlights of the new firmware as compiled by Canon Rumors. 

  1. Added Canon Log 3 to Canon Log settings, a log gamma curve that possesses largely the same characteristics with Canon Log 1 but with a wider dynamic range. It is also found in our professional line of cameras, the Cinema EOS Series, allowing easier post-production camera matching work between the EOS R5 with Cinema EOS cameras.
  2. Added Low Bitrate recording option, allowing users to shoot smaller file size footage with lower image details. This is very useful for longer recordings that do not require the best possible image quality or when storage space is a concern.
  3. Added 120p Full HD video recording, allowing users to have the flexibility to select the desired resolution for slow-motion content thus allowing more convenience during post-processing.
  4. Electronic Full-time Manual Focus
  5. LCD Backlight OFF option
  6. FTP Transfer Status Display
  7. Protect Image Transfer
  8. Save/Load Settings on Card
  9. Fixes a phenomenon, in rare cases where the camera does not function normally when using certain CFexpress cards.
  10. Fixes a phenomenon, in rare cases where the camera does not function normally when the drive mode is set to “High-speed continuous shooting” to shoot still images continuously.

You can download the update and view all the technical details here

You can see a summary of other recently released Canon firmware here

Canon C70 Approved for NETFLIX

The Streaming giant has added another budget friendly camera to its approved camera list. 

 While using a Netflix approved camera on your next project won’t guarantee that it will be picked up for distribution on the site, it is still a large boon when shopping your project around for distribution. 

The C70 is Canon’s newest cinema EOS offering and manages to pack a bevy of fantastic features into a small and relatively affordable package.

The camera uses a super 35 Dual Gain output sensor to capture 4K 120p/ 2k 180p HDR footage in a variety of formats including Canon Log 2, 3, PQ & HLG Recording.

The camera has an RF mount but through the use of Canon’s current line of photo EF-RF adaptors can be used with all the EF glass you already own. It uses the same BP series batteries common to Canon’s other cinema cameras, but unlike some of the higher end Cinema EOS options, the C70 records to high performance SD cards. 

Whether you’re a fresh filmmaker looking to embiggen your career by pitching projects to Netflix or you’re a seasoned producer who needs a solid B camera, The Canon C70 is an exceptionally cromulent option. 

Netflix released this graphic showing the best settings on the C70 to use for their production pipeline.  

Check here to see Netfix’s list of other approved cameras. 

The Canon C70 is Here!

It may have taken them a while to join the mirrorless party, but with the release of the Canon EOS C70 you’d be hard pressed to argue that it wasn’t worth the wait. 

The new camera is another strong addition to Canon’s already legendary Cinema EOS line, and represents an interesting synthesis of features from the Cinema EOS line and its newer EOS R mirrorless cameras. 

To call a spade a spade here, the EOS C70 looks a bit like an EOS R body with Cinema EOS parts Frankenstein-ed onto it. It’s not until you look at the features that you realize ‘Yeah that’s pretty much exactly what it is’; A small and compact body with a plethora of pro level video features packed into it.  

The camera features: 

  • Canon Super 35mm Dual Gain Output (DGO) Sensor, 16+ stops of TotalDynamic Range
  • DIG!C DV7 Image Processor
  • Canon Log 2, 3,PQ, HLGRecording
  • Built inND filtersystem(2/4/6/8/10 stops)
  • Time Code Terminal(BNC)
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF, EOS iTRAF X,Dual Pixel Focus Guide
  • Electronic Image Stabilization with Combination IS
  • Auto ISO/Gain Control
  • RC-V100 Remote Control Support
  • Dual SD Card Slotswith Various RecordingOptions
  • AND MORE, but we’ll get into those in more detail later. 

The Canon EOS C70 is an absolute monster of a camera that offers exceptional image quality and professional video features in a compact and mobile form factor, perfect for documentary, newsgathering, and corporate videos. It’s new RF gives you access to a slew of new glass while still maintaining backwards compatibility and extra features through the use of an adaptor.  The dual gain output sensor and the DIG!C image processor enable a variety of features to make pumping out amazing footage in a a bevy of different formats out as easy as possible. Overall it looks to be a heavy hitting video camera priced to compete with a crossover DSLM cameras. 

Canon C300 Mark III or C500 Mark II R5 Lease Rates!

We have a couple of C300 Mark III/R5 and C500 Mark II/R5 Camera Bundles Available down here in Austin!

Whether you need the perfect A and B cam for a doc, you’re a DP who dabbles in stills on the side, or you just plain like good deals a C300 Mark III/ C500 Mark II and R5 bundle may be right for you! 

ETA on Canon R5 camera Body only orders is 30+ days.

0% 24m and 1.99% 36m Lease Promos are available on most of the Canon Cinema EOS Main Model Items.

If you bundle Canon Photo products, like the R5 Camera Body, Canon will offer the Cinema EOS promo rate on the bundled Canon Photo item or accessories.

Apply Online: https://texasmediasystems.com/leasing/

C300 Mark III/ R5 bundle

Canon C300 Mark III Camera $10,999
+
Canon EOS R5 Body $2899


= $14,898

$621 @ 0% 24m
$427 @1.99% 36m
$379 48m
$310 60m

C500 Mark II/ R5 Bundle

Canon C500 Mark II Body + Sandisk 512 GB CFexpress Card $15,999
+
Canon EOS R5 Body $3899

= $19898

$830 @ 0% 24m
$570 @ 1.99% 36m
$508 48m
$414 60m

*Estimated Monthly Payments Do Not Include Taxes or Insurance

New Battery Plate Brings Added Functionality to C500 Mark II and C300 Mark III Cameras

As any videographer will tell you, with the rate of technological advancement a new camera can become outdated within a year or two of its initial release, but good glass is a lifetime investment. One other long-term investment that gets its due much less frequently are batteries. 

A career’s worth of batteries can represent thousands of dollars. Thousands of dollars that can become valueless if you decide to switch to a different camera system. Because of this, many shooters turn to V-mount or Gold Mount batteries for a truly brand agnostic power solution. However powering off these batteries can sometimes entail kludge-y rigs with wires hanging every which way and nothing but Velcro and hope holding 3lbs battery bricks in place. 

Enter the Full Frame Camera Co V-mount Plate for C500 Mark II and C300 Mark III. A high quality way to bring your old collection of batteries to your brand new Cinema EOS camera. 

Our story begins with the founder of UK based Full Frame Camera Corporation: Alex Stone. Upon receiving his Canon C500 Mark II and realizing that the OEM solution to power the camera from V-Mounts, the EU-V2 Expansion Unit, was on back order he simply decided to make his own instead of waiting around.  

The V-mount plate is manufactured in small batches and is compatible with Canon C500 Mark II and C300 Mark III cameras. A Gold-mount option has been introduced as well, if that’s more your flavor. 

The Compact V-Mount plate is machined from aluminium (Ah-loo-mini-um if wish to pronounce it in the manufacture’s native tongue), attaches to the camera via two captive M4 bolts and powers the camera via a low profile right angle xlr connector. 

The plate features one D-tap port for supplying 10A to any other accessories on your rig. The port is located on the side of the plate at an angle so that all the rear buttons and SDI outputs are still accessible. 

An additional feature of the plate is that in its default mounting position the Canon A60 battery slot is unobstructed, which allows you to hot swap batteries. 

The plate is compatible with any V-mount battery and can be mounted in a lower position for a more streamlined setup (if you are using taller V-mount batteries). One drawback of this though is that in this position, the plate blocks the A60 slot making the aforementioned hot swapping impossible. 

If you are looking for robust and relatively inexpensive way to take all your old V-Mount batteries to your brand new Cinema EOS camera the Full Frame Camera Co. Compact V-Mount plate is the solution for you!

The plate has dimensions of 60 x 95.3 x 29.3mm (2.36″ x 3.75″ x  1.15″) and weighs 256g

Related Items

Compact V-Mount Plate

Canon C500 Mark II Camera

Canon C300 Mark III Camera

Update! If C500 MarkII bundled CFexpress has issues

Some SanDisk CFexpress card readers bundled with C500 MarkII kits have been experiencing issues properly seating cards, making transferring data impossible. Canon and SanDisk are aware of this problem and are working towards a solution.

Read this notice for more information from Canon

Read this notice for more information from SanDisk

If you are experiencing issues with your own card reader contact SanDisk customer support

Wrapping rubber bands around the reader to hold the card in the reader has been found to work in a pinch.

Fujinon Zooms Instant Rebate Extended!

Instant rebates on select Fujinon Zoom lenses have been extended until March 31st!!!

Fujinon has new discounts available on the Cabrio XK6x20 20-120mm PL Lens and MK lenses below.

0% 24 Month Lease to Own Financing is also available on almost all Fujinon lenses and bundles.  

Estimated Lease Payments do not include insurance and local taxes.

Longer and Shorter Lease Terms are available from 12 to 60 Months.

IRS Section 179 Tax Deductions for 2019 can be taken on your Taxes if the lease is written before Dec 31 2019.

Fujinon MK 18-55mm zoom and MK 50-135 zoom instant rebate valid now through March 31st!

Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9 for Sony E mount

 $3,799.00
-$500 instant rebate

$3,299.00

Fujinon MK 50-135mm T2.9 for Sony E mount

 $3,999.00
-$500 instant rebate

$3,499.00

Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9 for Sony E mount
          +
Fujinon MK 50-135 T2.9 for Sony E mount

 $3,799.00
 $3,999.00
-$1,400 instant rebate

$6,398.00

Fujinon 20-120mm T3.5 Cabrio Cinema Zoom instant savings valid now through March 31st!

Fujinon XK6X20 20-120mm T3.5 Cabrio Cinema Zoom Lens PL mount

 $13,499.00
-$2,500 instant rebate

$10,999.00