Canon Patent Application: Active Cooling Grip Revisited

[John Wilde]

The Canon R5 C has a built in fan, so it's not like this is a new technology for them. The issue with that is that the fan design makes the body "extra thick". With an optional bottom fan, that won't be an issue.

 

[mariosk1gr]

I will be heard the bad guy now but what is the point to make a cooling grip when the competition doesn't need one and the recording times are huge without overheating... is it so hard for Canon to do something similiar? One week ago my R6 (C cam) stopped recording due to overheating at 1080p 50p while I was shooting an event at 37C under the sun. My old C100 Mark II never overheated, my C70 never does and also my bm 6k pro the same. Even the Canon EOS R didn't overheat or my old 5D4. I understand that some have internal fans and some were recording at 8-bit 420 (except my beloved c70 and also BM) but if competition can make it work with their MILC bodies then Canon should be able to follow! We use mics, cages, on camera LED lights and so much more and now we neew to add a heavy grip also, to be able to cool the camera! This is unacceptable IMO.

 

[JonasGillmann]

I will be heard the bad guy now but what is the point to make a cooling grip when the competition doesn't need one and the recording times are huge without overheating... […] ! This is unacceptable IMO.

You’re not the bad guy you’re pointing out very valid concerns.
It'll be interesting to see how much this active cooling grip costs and weighs compared to other grips.

If the grip prolongs recording times even further that’s ok. But if recording in 4K120p or 8K60p is ONLY POSSIBLE WITH THE GRIP attached that’d be very disappointing.
HOPEFULLY "with caveats" means that the recording time is limited and not that it's entirely impossible to use certain features without a grip!

Because this rig would surely be too heavy for my RS3 Mini gimbal with the grip attached!

 

[[email protected]]

Well, there will be screening on the vents, and wash your hands after eating some Doritos before you shoot.

What's wrong with fungus and dirt? I have a 6D on my bathroom counter right now because it turned out to develop an ants' nest inside. I'm consistently amazed at how you can abuse Canon cameras. This one was out in the woods for a few weeks and tipped over by a bear and left upside down in the rain for a couple weeks. I have some ant baits sitting next to it to take care of the nest. Been 2 days, and more still coming out. For all my complaints about Canon not giving me exactly what I want with new bodies, no one touches them for toughness.

 

[definedphotography]

I will be heard the bad guy now but what is the point to make a cooling grip when the competition doesn't need one

Like the new GH7 for example? oh wait, that has a fan And there was a Fuji (?) that had a fan attachment. A lot of the competitors cameras do overheat. They do take longer to do it though.

Facts are with super fast storage and high bitrate video, you're going to generate heat when recording. It has to go somewhere. Obviously the R6 & R5 weren't quite built to get rid of the heat well. The other Canon DSLR cameras you mentioned don't do video nearly as good as the newer R-series bodies - lower bitrate, line skipping, soft looking output etc.

 

[TwoWheeler]

Any word on availability of an aftermarket hood scoop?

 

[scyrene]

while I was shooting an event at 37C under the sun.

Is that a reasonable expectation? I'm not sure how many devices function well at that temperature, genuinely. My phone screen darkens to unusable in even moderate heat.

 

[josephandrews222]

...over the years, there's been lots of chatter about compromises/changes that Canon makes to its bodies... all in the service of video.

Is it safe to postulate that the properties/capabilities of this new grip fit here? In other words, a new grip was needed because those who shoot video stress their R5s thermally. A simpler (and cheaper) grip would suffice for those who shoot stills.

In other words, 'standard' shooters will not benefit all that much from the enhanced thermal stability that the new grip offers. But if an extra on-board battery is desired, apparently Canon will not offer a choice: one grip fits all!?

 

[Richard-CN]

I will be heard the bad guy now but what is the point to make a cooling grip when the competition doesn't need one and the recording times are huge without overheating... is it so hard for Canon to do something similiar? One week ago my R6 (C cam) stopped recording due to overheating at 1080p 50p while I was shooting an event at 37C under the sun. My old C100 Mark II never overheated, my C70 never does and also my bm 6k pro the same.

You are comparing an R6 against a C100 (internal fan), C70 (internal fan), and a BM 6K Pro (internal fan). The R6 does not have an internal fan and surprisingly overheats. the bitrate really doesn't influence the sensor heat - what does is the size of the sensor, oversampling and framerate. C100 (not full frame), C70 (not full frame) and BM 6k (not full frame) against - an oversampled full frame sensor, clocking at well over 100 frames per second (because I'm pretty sure it had to AF too).

and here you are complaining that the R5 Mark II may get an optional add on internal fan for the very problem you are experiencing and that Canon is looking to resolve in one of the best compromises between using the R5 Mark II as a video camera versus a stills camera. STill allow for the smaller form factor for photographers, and if videographers want to use it 37C in the sun and expect miracles - then there's a addon cooling grip for you.

 

[Richard-CN]

...over the years, there's been lots of chatter about compromises/changes that Canon makes to its bodies... all in the service of video.

Is it safe to postulate that the properties/capabilities of this new grip fit here? In other words, a new grip was needed because those who shoot video stress their R5s thermally. A simpler (and cheaper) grip would suffice for those who shoot stills.

In other words, 'standard' shooters will not benefit all that much from the enhanced thermal stability that the new grip offers. But if an extra on-board battery is desired, apparently Canon will not offer a choice: one grip fits all!?

you are being overly dramatic. you get 2 batteries with this grip (the one in the camera, and another in the grip). There will probably also be a normal battery grip as well for those straight stills shooters. Nothing we stated suggests anywhere that they wouldn't be a normal grip for those that don't need the additional cooling. and if canon doesn't make one, some third party vendor will.

Also, better thermals means less noise if you are shooting longer exposures in warm weather.

This is the best compromise and absolutely the right solution for an R5 camera. Leave off the heavier cooling for those that need it. If you don't need it, then you still have a small mirrorless full frame camera.

I have long long LONG wanted canon to start doing more good things with grips, and they slowly are.

 

[Richard-CN]

Is that a reasonable expectation? I'm not sure how many devices function well at that temperature, genuinely. My phone screen darkens to unusable in even moderate heat.

black camera in 37C direct sun? what could go wrong?

 

[Richard-CN]

It is all sort of coming together now, isn't it?

Canon has discontinued the battery grip BG-R10 for the EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS R6 Mark II - Canon Rumors

Canon has reportedly discontinued the BG-R10 battery grip that is compatible with the EOS R5, EOS R6 and EOS R6 Mark II. This is one of those little signs that new cameras on the horizon. We expect that the EOS R5 Mark II will be equipped with the same smart controller that we have seen […]

www.canonrumors.com

no, canon still doesn't cancel grips before the runs end on the current cameras. usually the grips are still available well after the camera is replaced - because it's easy money, and people buy used cameras and then decide they want a grip for it.

 

[Deleted member 387121]

Thank you for this informative write-up.

I think this also means that there's a good chance that the normal battery grip will have a slightly different design to not block the airflow.

Unless you have info to the contrary, I would expect Canon to only produce one grip, with the active cooling, and let everybody pay the premium for it. If you don't need it, don't turn on the fan (assuming that's an option).

 

[Richard-CN]

Thank you for this informative write-up.



Unless you have info to the contrary, I would expect Canon to only produce one grip, with the active cooling, and let everybody pay the premium for it. If you don't need it, don't turn on the fan (assuming that's an option).

i'm optimistic we'll see a normal grip and if canon doesn't make one - someone else will.

 

[shadowsports]

I don't have any issues with venting or a little thickness. The venting on my R5 C demonstrates Canon can do fan vents with weather sealing without an issue. There is only 32gm weight difference between the R5/R5 C. I've had my camera in the elements the last 2 yrs and haven't had any issues. Weather sealing doesn't mean waterproof. I use common sense. CarePak my gear. Use it and enjoy it. The R52 should be great. It will likely rival the performance of my R5 C and do it for $3999. Thats a step in the right direction. I'm betting its going to be a good body.

The article and diagrams are helpful Richard. Thank you.

 

[josephandrews222]

you are being overly dramatic. you get 2 batteries with this grip (the one in the camera, and another in the grip). There will probably also be a normal battery grip as well for those straight stills shooters. Nothing we stated suggests anywhere that they wouldn't be a normal grip for those that don't need the additional cooling. and if canon doesn't make one, some third party vendor will.

Also, better thermals means less noise if you are shooting longer exposures in warm weather.

This is the best compromise and absolutely the right solution for an R5 camera. Leave off the heavier cooling for those that need it. If you don't need it, then you still have a small mirrorless full frame camera.

I have long long LONG wanted canon to start doing more good things with grips, and they slowly are.

...seems like I (unintentionally) struck a nerve here.

(1) So why did Canon stop manufacturing battery grips for the R5?

I own third party grips for two different Canon bodies, and Canon-branded grips for two other Canon bodies. I will be ordering an R5MkII as soon as I can do so...and had sort of assumed that Canon would chip batteries and grips etc in such a way to make life difficult for those trying to build a battery grip in 2024 and beyond. So I was prepared to purchase a Canon-branded grip for the R5MkII.

And it still seems logical (to me) that Canon would design, build and sell only one grip for the R5MkII.

Logical to me may be wrong! I look forward to finding out...

Good post, Richard.

EDITS: typos and content

 

[Canon Rumors]

Thank you for this informative write-up.



Unless you have info to the contrary, I would expect Canon to only produce one grip, with the active cooling, and let everybody pay the premium for it. If you don't need it, don't turn on the fan (assuming that's an option).

Canon will produce 2 grips at launch for the EOS R5 Mark II. Active Cooling and a Battery Grip.

 

[Walrus]

And if the new grip can be 'stalkless', would that mean we can use 1 battery in the body and 2 in the grip? I think Fuji does something like that.

I think that not having a battery in the body helps with overheating, because under heavy use the battery gets warm, while the plastic "dummy battery" of the grip I don't think it gets hot with use, as it's just plastic tube with a couple of wires bringing current and commands.

 

[tonblom]

I don't have any problems with my R5 and an integral 1TB with 1600MB/s write speeds. I tried an "old" card a friend had and it gave up after 24 minutes. Maybe de 30 min limitation will be removed on the mark II, because nobody I know has problems with the R5 and the current generation of memory cards

 

[mariosk1gr]

Is that a reasonable expectation? I'm not sure how many devices function well at that temperature, genuinely. My phone screen darkens to unusable in even moderate heat.

I'm from Greece and do also weddings mostly at summer. So the temperatures in my country are between 32-39sometimes 40C. For R6 to overheat at 1080p is unacceptable! I understnd it overheats at 4k but not at 1080p! I don't think there is any overheat from competition when recording 1080p!