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Header image for article Canon C500 Mark II Accessory Guide

Canon C500 Mark II Accessory Guide

The Canon EOS C500 Mark II digital cinema camera features a 5.9K full-frame CMOS sensor, 15+ stops of dynamic range, Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, with support for Touch AF and Face Detection AF, a user-changeable lens mount (EF included), and more. Here are a few accessories that complement the camera and expand its functionality for virtually any production application.

 

USER-CHANGEABLE LENS MOUNTS

The Canon CM-V1 EF Cinema Lock Mount Kit for C500 Mk II is a user-changeable EF Cinema Lock Mount, with included shims. Designed specifically for use with the Canon EOS C500 Mark II digital cinema camera, this mount type is far more rigid than the traditional EF Mount and is better suited for use of follow focus devices, thanks to its robust locking mechanism. The Canon PM-V1 PL Mount Kit for C500 Mk II is a user-changeable PL Mount, with included shims. Designed specifically for use with the Canon EOS C500 Mark II digital cinema camera, it enables use of traditional PL Mount cinema primes and zoom lenses, expanding your choice of optics.

 

FULL FORMAT OPTICS

Canon's own lines of full format, aka full frame, optics are a natural choice for the new camera. The now-classic CN-E primes come in EF mount and are available in focal lengths ranging from 14mm to 135mm, with all but the widest and longest providing wide maximum apertures of T1.3 or T1.5.

In PL-mount, Canon's new line of Sumire Primes offer a unique rendering as they near wide open, showing a natural and organic softness, while retaining high resolution, that is especially forgiving on faces and other skin tones.

Canon’s 16-35mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm EF Mount zooms are excellent “budget” lens choices, especially for projects requiring nimble, run-and-gun operation combined with full format coverage.

 

CAGES, BASEPLATES & TOP PLATES

Excellent cages, partial cages/side plates, top plates, and baseplate options are available for the Canon C500 Mark II.

The ARRI Pro Set for Canon C500 Mk II includes a 15mm LWS baseplate, top plate, center camera handle with sliding adapter, bridge plate adapter, rod mounting bracket, EVF mounting bracket, Canon monitor bracket, and two 13.4" 15mm rods. This is a comprehensive, cine-style support solution for your C500 Mk II.

If the Pro Set is overkill for your needs, ARRI also offers the Basic Set for Canon C500 Mk II, which includes an ARRI Plate for Canon C500 Mk II, BPA-5 Bridge Plate Adapter, and two 13.4" 15mm Stainless Steel Rods. Both sets enable shoulder mounted operation and 15mm LWS rod support for your accessories.

If you’re looking for individual components, the ARRI Plate for Canon C500 Mk II is a 15mm LWS baseplate that provides a VCT-14 compatible baseplate solution for your Canon C500 Mark II, and the ARRI Top Plate for Canon C500 Mk II features a variety of 1/4"-20, 3/8"-16, and M4 threads for additional accessory support.

Bright Tangerine offers a complete Canon EOS C500 Mark II Left Field Cage, a 15mm LWS camera cage that forms a load-bearing chassis for the Canon EOS C500 Mark II, removing any physical stress from the camera, and providing an easy to use platform for accessory attachment. Effortlessly move from tripod to handheld shooting with the baseplate's new Open UP quick release system, which lets you slide, lock and vertically release in seconds without the risk of accidentally detaching the camera. The quick release system is compatible with any ARRI-type dovetail (including those that are out of spec).

 

EXPANDED CONNECTIVITY

The C500 Mark II can be upgraded with one of two Expansion Modules to enhance the functionality of the camera.

The Canon EU-V1 Expansion Unit 1 attaches to the rear of your camera to expand its remote operation and live video production capabilities, adding the following ports:

  • Gen Lock/Sync Out:
    • Accepts a genlock signal that slaves your camera to the same timebase as the other systems receiving the signal
    • Allows your camera to feed other live production equipment, syncing it to your camera
  • Remote B: Enables control of your camera via the RS-422 protocol
  • Ethernet: Allows you to connect your camera via LAN for control and live streaming applications

IMPORTANT NOTE: The optional Canon EVF-V50 Electronic Viewfinder also utilizes the camera’s expansion terminal, precluding the use of any Expansion Unit.

The next step up is the Canon EU-V2 Expansion Unit 2, featuring the same Gen Lock/Sync Out, Remote B (RSS422), and Ethernet connectivity as Unit 1, but with an additional two analog XLR inputs, timecode port, a dedicated lens port, LEMO-style 24V DC output, D-Tap, and V-mount battery adapter. If you plan to use onboard batteries as your primary power source, or an XLR microphone for audio recording, this option is ideal. It also keeps your camera configuration compact and lightweight.

 

ONBOARD POWER

For quick-moving productions requiring a lightweight configuration, the Canon Battery Pack BP-A60 rechargeable Lithium-ion battery serves as the internal power solution for the C500 Mark II. This battery features a 90Wh cell and attaches directly to the camera, without the need for an external battery plate. This intelligent battery not only sends runtime and other information to the camera, it also features an onboard LED status indicator that displays battery life at the touch of a button.

The Core SWX NANO-C98 14.8V 98Wh Li-ion Battery with P-Tap addresses the need for a "professional-style" power option for Canon cameras that accept the Canon BP-A style battery packs (e.g., Canon C200, C300 Mark II, or the C500 Mark II). The Nano battery pack is equipped with a 4-stage LED gauge, 5V USB port, and a P-Tap port (a Smart Tap that serves as a standard P-Tap, but is also able to communicate the SMBUS/smart battery data of future integration). The NANO-C98 can be charged via OEM Canon chargers or via its P-Tap port.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Use of internal batteries is not possible when an Expansion Unit is attached.

For productions requiring an external (i.e., for powering other accessories) or larger capacity battery solution, the Anton/Bauer Dionic XT90 99Wh 14.4V Battery and high capacity Anton/Bauer Dionic XT150 156Wh 14.4V Battery are designed and engineered to be the longest lasting and most reliable Li-ion batteries in their class. With a 12A constant current capability (20A for 2 second inrush on challenging loads), the XT series will power even the most demanding 14.4V cameras and LED light fixtures. Each battery comes equipped with a multi-mode backlit display with touch switch for backlight activation and mode selection, as well as USB and P-Tap power output for accessories.

 

 

ONBOARD AUDIO RECORDING

Take full advantage of the C500 Mk II’s 24 bit, 48kHz, 4-channel audio recording with the addition of a high-quality onboard microphone.

Audio-Technica's AT875R Line + Gradient Condenser Microphone is designed for video production and broadcast (ENG/EFP) audio acquisition. This is Audio-Technica's shortest shotgun microphone at roughly 7” OAL. It mounts easily on a DSLR, mirrorless, or DV camcorder without adding noticeable heft and is ideal for use with compact digital cinema cameras. This high-performance microphone offers a narrow acceptance angle of line and gradient design. It also features smooth, natural-sounding on-axis audio quality, plus excellent off-axis rejection of sound arriving from the sides and rear of the mic.

The RODE NTG2 Dual Powered Directional Condenser Microphone is another excellent choice for an onboard shotgun mic. The NTG2 is a lightweight condenser shotgun microphone, designed for professional applications within the film, video, television and production industries. Its full frequency response, low noise and audio transparency make it an ideal film, video, and voice over microphone, while its low weight (161g/5.7oz, without battery) makes it an ideal boom microphone. In addition to the native 20Hz-20kHz frequency response, a selectable high-pass filter at 80Hz is available will prevent low end noise such as air conditioners and traffic from being recorded.

The NTG2 operates either from one AA (1.5V) battery or 48V phantom power, which can be supplied by professional cameras, audio recorders and power supplies. The battery power option makes the NTG2 ideal for scenarios where the camera does not supply phantom power (e.g. DSLR video). The RODE WSVM windshield is supplied to minimize light wind noise and plosives during recording, though an optional 'DeadCat' furry windshield is recommended for outdoor applications.

For a step up in sound quality, take a look at the Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone, widely considered the ideal camcorder microphone for demanding recording conditions in the film industry. Due to its high directivity, the MKE 600 picks up sounds coming from the direction in which the camera is pointing. It effectively attenuates noise from the sides and rear. A switchable Low Cut filter minimizes wind noise. As some video cameras and camcorders do not provide phantom power, the MKE 600 can also be battery powered. A battery on/off switch prevents the battery from discharging prematurely.

Using shotgun mics onboard the camera will require a shock mount to attach the microphone and minimize vibrations from camera operation. The Wooden Camera Microphone Shock Mount attaches via an ARRI-style accessory mount, 3/8"-16 with locating pins adjacent. It can also attach via an included 1/4"-20 screw. Rubber support bands isolate the microphone from vibration. This mount also works great with Wooden Camera’s Universal Offset Bracket (not included).

For a 15mm rod-mountable alternative, the SmallRig 1802 Universal Microphone Suspension Shock Mount features four-point suspension to accommodate shotgun and other cylindrical microphones measuring 0.59-1.57" (15-40mm) in diameter. The shock mount is easily angled via its adjustment knob and connects to a 15mm rod via a special rod clamp (which can be rotated horizontally and vertically). The mount is very flexible, maximizing its adjustable angle, and can be adapted to virtually any shooting scenario. The mount is constructed from lightweight, durable aluminum alloy.

 

COMPACT MICROPHONES

Thanks to its 3.5mm audio input jack, the C500 Mark II is also compatible with extremely compact, lightweight “DSLR” microphones (e.g., for scratch audio recording), should your camera configuration require an ultralight profile.

The RODE VideoMic Pro with Rycote Lyre Shockmount is a compact directional microphone with integrated shockmount, featuring an included foam windscreen, shoe mount, and 3/8" thread (for camera attachment or boom pole use), plus level settings.

Its slightly older sibling, the RODE VideoMic Pro+ On-Camera Shotgun Microphone, is a true shotgun microphone designed for use with camcorders, DSLR cameras, compact cinema cameras, and portable audio recorders as a source of primary and reference audio. It also features the integrated, best-in-class Rycote Lyre suspension system. The VideoMic Pro+ improves on the existing VideoMic Pro capsule/line tube and windshield, plus boasts a host of new or improved features.

These ultra-compact microphones feature hot/cold shoe attachment, making them fully compatible with the Wooden Camera 1/4”-20 Hot Shoe, which replicates the flash shoe found on most still cameras. It attaches to any 1/4”-20 threaded hole makeing it ideal for mounting microphone shock mounts, on-camera monitors, lights, flashes, and more. It includes a 1/4"-20 x 3/8" flat head screw and attaches to any 1/4"-20 threaded hole.

 

MEDIA

The SanDisk Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B - 512GB features read speeds up to 1700 MB/s and write speeds up to 1400 MB/s for low latency during high-speed recording, and an enhanced workflow efficiency far beyond that of existing SanDisk cards. This card enables smooth 4K RAW capture with sustainable performance. Backwards-compatible with select XQD cameras (with updated firmware enabling CFexpress), each card includes both RescuePRO Deluxe Recovery Software (download required) and a limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.

With USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds*, the SanDisk Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Reader optimizes the performance of CFexpress Card Type B media for smooth, efficient workflow from location to post production. It features a USB-C connection for use with the latest computers and includes a 1.6' (0.5m) USB-C cable for greater flexibility. This product is covered by SanDisk's 2-year limited warranty.

*NOTE: USB 3.1 Gen 2 permits interface speeds of up to 1250 MB/s. Actual performance may vary based on memory card, host device, file attributes, usage conditions and other factors.

 

MONITORS & EVF

For a standard onboard monitoring solution, Canon offers the LM-V2 4.3" LCD Monitor, a fully adjustable, detachable, touchscreen monitor for the C500 Mk II. The 4.3" LCD panel features a 1.23 million dot resolution, and is equipped with Canon's one-finger "tap-focus" autofocus technology (active with compatible lenses).

The Canon EVF-V50 OLED Electronic Viewfinder is a tilting EVF for your C500 Mk II camera. Its OLED panel features approximately 1.77 million dots resolution, with impressive contrast and low power consumption. This EVF is a more basic, but also more compact option for your C500 Mark II. IMPORTANT NOTE: The optional Canon EVF-V50 Electronic Viewfinder utilizes the camera’s expansion terminal, precluding use of any Expansion Unit.

AbelCine recommends considering an upgrade to the Canon EVF-V70 OLED Viewfinder, originally designed for the EOS C700, for a more professional EVF solution (and because the EVF-V70 can also display a simulated HDR image with "stretched" dynamic range for increased shadow detail and highlight retention).

The EVF-V70 features a 0.7" OLED panel with 1920x1080 resolution, illuminated buttons, adjustable diopter, surround view, view assist, magnification, zebra patterns, and false color. It has four user assignable buttons, a control joystick, and menu dial with center button.

Another viewfinder option is the Zacuto Kameleon Micro-OLED SDI / HDMI EVF (powered by JTZ), featuring Full HD (1920x1080p) resolution, HDMI and SDI inputs, and accepting 4K input via HDMI (downscaled to 1080p). The Kameleon also features a USB-C connector for firmware updates, 1D and 3D LUT support, 4:1 Zoom, and 16x9 aspect ratio with video overlay. A joystick enables intuitive menu navigation. The EVF's LEMO 4-pin power input is compatible with various accessory power cables (sold separately).

A knurled, adjustable diopter ring and drop-in diopter design make eye-relief adjustments for operators quick and easy, and the Kameleon also benefits from Zacuto's proprietary anti-fog lens technology. ARRI rosettes and 1/4"-20 threads on the sides of the EVF make mounting fast and simple. An auto-closing rubber eyecup helps to prevent the 0.71" micro-OLED screen from being damaged by direct sunlight.

NOTE: Drop-in diopters are sold separately.

 

TRIPODS & SUPPORT

The Sachtler flowtech 75 System FSB 8 T FT MS – 75mm Ball is a 2-stage carbon fiber tripod system featuring a payload capacity of 2.2-22 lb (1-10 kg). It can reach up to 68.1" (5.67 ft or 173 cm) with its mid-level spreader deployed, and collapse to just 33.5” for transportation or storage.

This system includes the Sachtler FSB 8 T Fluid Head (0705), flowtech 75 MS with Mid-Level Spreader and Rubber Feet Tripod (4585), and flowtech 75 padded bag (9116).

The Sachtler flowtech 75 family is a revolutionary set of two-stage carbon fiber tripod legs with a removable mid-level spreader, rubber feet, including tripod head, camera, lens, and accessories. This versatile, lightweight tripod is easier to deploy than other tripods. Performance tested in extreme conditions, the flowtech 75 is a revolution in tripod technology. It delivers the camera operator versatility and improves your workflow.

Each flowtech tripod features a hinge lock mechanism that gives camera operators ultimate versatility, with the ability to be used with or without a spreader. The hinge lock allows the flowtech 75 to be deployed as low as 26cm (0.85') and as high as 153cm (5.02') when used without a spreader. This eliminates the need to bring a second set of baby legs to each shoot. The hinge lock has three positions: 20°, 46°, 72°.

The tripod bowl features (3) 3/8"-16 mount threads to accept accessories.

 

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