How would you rig out the Canon EOS R for filmmaking?

[Samuel Berger]

Last March I got a Canon EOS R and I have used it mostly for still photography. I was wondering what accessories one would buy for using it for making films, like, what external recorder, etc. 

I have a SmallRig Cage for it and that's about it. I'd like to do some handheld and I'm not terribly impressed by the stabilisation.  I own the kit zoom. I have yet to purchase a 70-200 2.8 because it's just really hard to decide which one to get now that the RF is out. My other cameras are all EF mount and I might actually add a BMPCC 6K to my collection for greenscreen work. So that's delaying my decision. The RF zoom seems to be superior. 

My B cam is the Canon M50. The only complaint I have with it is that there is no DPAF in 4K. 

I light with a couple of SL60W's since they were cheaper than the Aputure 120d and apparently just as good. Not sure what I would add to my light kit. Those lights are pretty strong!

Anyway, open to suggestions on building out my EOS R kit for narrative fiction.

[Jan Tore Soerensen]

You don't want stabilization for handheld work, you want to make the camera as heavy as possible to get the shot naturally stable. Digital stabilization looks artificial.

[David Peterson]

On 12/26/2019 at 2:44 PM, Jan Tore Soerensen said:

You don't want stabilization for handheld work, you want to make the camera as heavy as possible to get the shot naturally stable. Digital stabilization looks artificial.

You hang a V Mount battery off the back!

[Nicholas Mirro]

We used an R (no cage) with a Weebil S gimbal and a Canon EF 24-70 F4 (lighter than the 2.8).  It worked really well and produced gorgeous results.

On the same rig was a Ninja V connected to the Weebil by a short SmallRig articulating arm.  It was easy to carry, super stable and ProRes made editing a breeze.

[Jon O'Brien]

I agree, heavy camera with true hand held is better than light camera with image stabilisation. IS is not a good look. Or shoulder mounted is another way to go for mobility. Other than that, break out the gimbal or Steadicam. Or just put that camera on a tripod.

Hey Samuel, hope you're doing well. Come back to cinematography.com!

Edited April 22, 2024 by Jon O'Brien

[Samuel Berger]

On 4/21/2024 at 8:54 PM, Jon O'Brien said:

I agree, heavy camera with true hand held is better than light camera with image stabilisation. IS is not a good look. Or shoulder mounted is another way to go for mobility. Other than that, break out the gimbal or Steadicam. Or just put that camera on a tripod.

Hey Samuel, hope you're doing well. Come back to cinematography.com!

Hi Jon, I dropped by briefly and looks like this post is resurrected! Plans change a lot and now I'm looking forward to the C400 instead!

[Jon O'Brien]

Hi Samuel, good to see you back!

I've filmed with the C200 and C300 Mark III and love them. A joy to use, and great images.