A Crash-Course on the Canon R5C
The Canon R5C is a powerhouse piece of kit for videographers and VR creators. Its modularity and recording quality make it an intriguing investment for aspiring producers and established professionals alike.
We’ve gotten some questions recently about how to get set up and get rolling with this very capable VR cam, so we thought we might share some simple first-time tips to help you get started. If you’re in the market for an R5C or you just picked one up, this is the blog for you.
What you'll need
First, here is a list of the equipment we recommend using in concert with the R5C:
- Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR Lens
- Atomos Shinobi 7" 4K HDMI/SDI Monitor
- SmallRig "Black Mamba" Camera Cage for Canon EOS R5 C, R5 & R6
- SmallRig HDMI and USB Type-C Cable Clamp for Canon EOS R5 C/R5/R6 Cage
- Angelbird 1TB AV Pro CFexpress 2.0 Type B Memory Card
- Tether Tools TetherPro Micro-HDMI to HDMI Cable (15')
- Angelbird CFexpress Type B MK2 Memory Card Reader
- Canon DR-E6C DC Coupler for EOS R5 C Canon CA-946
- Godox 270CS C-Stand 270cm
- Sirui ball head B-00K (5kg)
Once you’ve got your VR rig, you’ll need to get it configured. Here are our general guidelines on how to set it up. Your results will depend on your recording environment and other factors, like your own personally desired visual style, so treat these as a starting point from which to work. If you’re going in totally blind, these steps will put you on the right path.
Configuration
We've created this tutorial to walk you through the steps.
Install the memory card
- Find “Initialize Media”
- Select “CFexpress”
- Select “OK”
You will see a prompt that says “Process completed successfully.”
Note: This deletes all data on the card and initializes it for use, so make sure to back up anything from the card you’d like to save on a separate drive first if needed.
Select the recording format
- Return to the Recording/Media menu
- Select “Main Rec Format”
- Ensure that the option selected is “RAW LT”
- Select Frame Rate
- Ensure that the option selected is “59.94P”
Select the picture mode
- Return to the Custom Picture menu
- Select “Select CP File”
- Ensure the option selected is “C2:Canon Log 3”
Select the camera mode
- Return to the Camera Setup menu
- Select “Iris Mode”
- Ensure the option selected is “Manual”
- Select “ISO/Gain Mode
- Ensure the option selected is “Manual”
Recording
To change the ISO, aperture or white balance, use the touch screen controls while framing and shooting. Here are some basic settings to start with:
Aperture
Adjust to taste, but consider F5.6 the minimum value.
ISO
Use native values: either 3200 or 800.
Shutter Speed
Use 1/100 or 1/120. If you are shooting in a darker environment or simply need more light, try using 1/60.
Focus
- Select “PEAK2.”
- Leave WFM set to “OFF.”
- Use the manual focus ring to adjust focus by hand.
Done!
At this point, you should be ready to roll! Hopefully these tips will help you get set up for filming VR video in short order. As with any skill, your videos will get better and better through trial and iteration. There’s no substitute for experience. We hope that this short guide helps make your path to experience easier.
If you still have questions about VR recording with the R5C or have some pointers you’d like to share, please feel free to comment below– or better yet– share your thoughts in our forum.
