Canon has announced a suite of feature updates for its Cinema EOS cameras and also unveiled a new 35mm EF Cinema prime lens.
The firmware updates for the Cinema EOS cameras are expected to be available in Q4 2013. A major advance will be the increase in the maximum ISO setting on the EOS C500, EOS C300 and EOS C100 from the current maximum of ISO 20000 to ISO 80000. Users will be able to shoot in 1-stop or 1/3 stop increments from ISO 320 right through to ISO 80000, providing more flexibility for recording detailed, colourful images in extreme low light conditions. These three cameras will also gain improvements to the Magnify function and Wi-Fi remote control plus support for Peripheral Illumination Correction with a range of additional EF-mount lenses.
New firmware updates will enable the EOS C500 to encompass wider colour gamuts, with the addition of new DCI-P3+ and Cinema Gamut options to the existing BT.709 gamut. It will also be possible to apply a BT.709, Wide DR or DCI-P3+ LUT to the outputs from the MON.1/2 terminals, increasing monitoring options on-set.
High speed options in the EOS C500 will also be expanded and a new 4K1K RAW mode will be added, providing the option to shoot at up to 120fps. Capturing a more cinematic aspect ratio of 4096×1080 pixels, this new option will reduce the risk of aliasing, or ‘jaggies’, in the recorded image. 4K2K HRAW will remain as a shooting option. The firmware updates will also support use of the EOS C500 in productions that utilise an ACES workflow for improved on-set monitoring. In addition, the Automatic cooling mode has been updated so that the system will stop running during recording but automatically regulate the camera temperature to reduce the chance of fan activation during a take.
Updates to the EOS C300 will improve its functionality for solo shooters with the addition of Wide DR gamma, along with support for the EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, complete with continuous autofocus function, and enhanced AE options. The EOS-1D C will now be able to display the current aperture (f-number) when shooting with Canon EF Cinema lenses and to store lens metadata. EF Cinema lenses will also be supported by the Peripheral Illumination and Chromatic Aberration Correction functions. In addition, improvements to audio will permit selection of Line or Mic, allowing use of an external audio source if required.
The launch of the new EF CN-E35mm T1.5 L F lens enhances Canon’s existing range of EF Cinema primes to a total of six lenses. The new lens is expected to be available from December 2013. An update to the XF300-series will also see the availability of a new lens hood with built-in lens barrier and the addition of a digital tele-converter function. It is scheduled to arrive in Q1 2014. For more information, visit www.canon.com.au.
