Canon Announce New Remote and Firmware Updates for Cinema Cameras

Canon has today announced the Remote Controller RC-V100, which enables the remote operation of compatible camcorders and digital cinema cameras. Also announced were new firmware¹ updates for Canon professional cinema cameras and camcorders, which facilitate use of the RC-V100 and make possible enhanced functionality to support greater production efficiency. Included in the firware update is support for continual recording modes and (for an upgrade charge) the ability to have continual autofocus when combined with EF lenses.
Below is the Canon press release announcing the remote and upgrades.

Remote Controller RC-V100

The Canon RC-V100 was developed to respond to a diverse array of production needs. Enabling users to remotely control main camera functions while employing a button and dial layout optimised for shooting, the device contributes to greater freedom and efficiency in production environments.

The RC-V100 is compatible with the XF305/XF300 professional HD camcorders and five cameras in Canon’s Cinema EOS System digital cinematography lineup: the EOS C500/C500PL, EOS C300/C300PL and EOS C100. It allows users to remotely control a wide variety of functions built into the cameras, as well as adjust and set various controls, such as exposure and white balance.

Pricing and availability
The Remote Controller RC-V100 will go on sale June 2014 priced at dealers’ discretion.

Firmware updates for greater on-site shooting efficiency
The new firmware updates target the XF305/XF300 professional HD camcorders and six Cinema EOS System cameras: the EOS C500/C500PL, EOS C300/C300PL, EOS C100 and EOS-1DC. The upgrades respond to a range of advanced professional needs spanning a range of fields, from motion-picture production to video journalism. Facilitating enhanced production efficiency, the new firmware not only makes possible the use of the RC-V100 with almost all of the aforementioned camcorders and cameras² but, for the EOS C300, also supports innovative Dual Pixel CMOS AF autofocusing technology, enabling continuous autofocusing³ with almost the entire lineup⁴ of Canon EF lenses. Additionally, for the EOS C100, the firmware update lets users take advantage of a Continuous Recording mode.

Firmware release schedule
The new firmware updates for the XF305/XF300 professional HD camcorders and EOS C500/C500PL, EOS C300/C300PL and EOS C100 Cinema EOS System cameras will be made available in February, May and June 2014, depending on the model and function.

1  Firmware is a type of software used to control camera hardware functions.
2  See following page for information regarding compatible models.
3  Firmware upgrade enabling continuous AF functionality will be made available through a fee-based update.
4  Not including manual-focus lenses (EF Cinema Lenses).

Product Overview: Remote Controller RC-V100

Enhanced operability for greater user convenience

Compatible camcorders and cinema cameras:

XF305 / XF300 / EOS C500 / EOS C500PL / EOS C300 / EOS C300PL / EOS C100
Ÿ  Enables operation of main built-in camera functions
Ÿ  Delivers improved usability by letting users control the camera’s four assignable button functions
Ÿ  Illumination for select buttons facilitate use in low-light operating environments
Ÿ  Audible feedback for button-operated controls ensure reliable operation
Main Product Specifications

*Plugs of different sizes on each end (remote controller end: 3.5 mm / camera end: 2.5 mm)

Overview: Firmware Upgrades
1.   Enabling of continuous AF when using EF lenses (fee-based upgrade)
Applicable models: EOS C300
Ÿ  Providing support for Dual Pixel CMOS AF, this firmware upgrade enables continuous AF with almost all Canon EF lenses for subjects positioned in the center of the imaging area.
Ÿ  The complementary use of the contrast AF signal achieves advanced AF stability that reduces the occurrence of unnecessary image blur.
Ÿ  The inclusion of an AF Lock function contributes to expanded shooting flexibility through focus preset, which allows users to set a desired focus distance in advance, and the ability to alter the photographing range or composition after establishing focus.

2.   Enabling of Continuous Recording mode (free-of-charge upgrade)
Applicable models: EOS C100
Ÿ  Regardless of when the camera’s recording Start/Stop button is pressed, once the Continuous Recording mode has been initiated, the camera will continue recording all images, ensuring that no shooting opportunity is missed.
Ÿ  The times that start and stop recording operations were performed on the camera are recorded as data.
Ÿ  Using an application offered by another company,* users can create a video file list chronologically arranged according to the times that recording was started and stopped on the camera.

* Verified product: Edius Pro 7 from Grass Valley (As of February 25, 2014. Proper operation is not guaranteed.)

3.   Support for use of remote controller (free-of-charge upgrade)
Applicable models: XF305 / XF300 / EOS C500 / EOS C500 PL / EOS C300 / EOS C300 PL / EOS C100
Ÿ  Users can remotely control various camera functions and adjust and set such controls as exposure and white balance using the dedicated Remote Controller RC-V100.*

* Requires that “RC-V100” be selected in the camera’s REMOTE terminal setting menu.

4.   Enabling of peripheral illumination correction for additional lens models (free-of-charge upgrade)
Applicable models: EOS C500 / EOS C300 / EOS C100 / EOS-1DC
Ÿ  This firmware upgrade newly supports one EF Cinema Lens* model and one EF lens model* to correct for insufficient peripheral illumination, which can occur due to a lens’s optical characteristics.

* EF Cinema Lens: CN-E35mm T1.5 L F / EF lens: EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM (The EOS-1DC is only compatible with the CN-E35mm T1.5 L F)

Firmware Release Schedule

1  Firmware upgrade enabling continuous AF functionality will be made available through a fee-based upgrade service. Additional information regarding how this upgrade will be offered will made available on the Canon website after February 25.
2  The fee-based firmware upgrade service enabling continuous AF for the EOS C300 also includes installation of firmware supporting use of remote controller and peripheral illumination correction. This upgrade is not compatible with the EOS C300 PL.
3 Firmware upgrade not compatible with EOS C500PL or EOS C300PL.
4 Firmware upgrade already available (as announced by Canon Inc. on November 7, 2013).
5  If applied after February 25, 2014, the fee-based firmware upgrade service enabling continuous AF for the EOS C100 announced on November 7, 2013, will also include installation of firmware supporting Continuous Recording mode.
6  This upgrade is to be made available as the EOS Utility application, software that combines various camera-control functions, in March 2014 via the Canon website.

Feature Image: Canon EOS C100