Modular DSLR Coming from Canon? [CR2]

[Marsu42]

We’re told that Canon will introduce a brand new DSLR model some time in 2015 that will be somewhat modular. All we were told is that the viewfinder will be interchangeable, as well as “other parts of the camera”. We’re trying to find out what else would be removable on a DSLR.

As this would be the choice between old-school optical vf and evf, I guess the other interchangeable parts simply depend on your main choice - like maybe no phase af/metering for a pure evf camera for live view / video. I don't see Canon modularizing anything else, their careful crafted lineup depends on too much giving this and that model this and that feature (or not).

 

[fish_shooter]

Modular to me would be a camera like the old F-1. I still miss the Speed Finder which was much more interesting than the Nikon Action Finder - I had both. As well, focusing screens could be swapped out with less than a surgical procedure as now. Removing the finder made this possible.
Tom

 

[Tugela]

A sign of desperation perhaps? Do random things in the hope that something sticks as "innovative" because they do not have enough imagination to lead the market by intent rather than accident.

 

[Ebrahim Saadawi]

Can't really speak too much about modular components, but I'd love to see a video-focused cinema DSLR camera with something in the ballpark of:

• $3k - $4k price range
• Full frame sensor ~12mp
• DPAF
• Tilt touch screen
• EVF
• 1080p 60fps (4K would be nice, but probably not going to happen)
• MPEG2/AVCHD codec options
• Clean 4:2:2 out (again, 10 bit would be nice but probably not happening at sub $4k)
• No time recording limit
• Focus peaking/zebras
• 19 point all cross type auto focus
• ISO range 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
• Smooth ISO ramping auto-exposure like the Nikon D810
• Mic input with dedicated gain knob
• Headphone output
• Built-in WiFi


In my dreams... I know

What would you guys like to see in a DSLR cinema camera that would win you over more than the 1Dc?

Well cheer up it's not in your dreams, you are describing the C100 mk II. Apart from the full frame 12 megapixel sensor, it's an 8 megapixel s35, so about the same lowlight performance and pixel density, or even better as the 8 megapixel number is suitable for perfect 4k to 1080p downsampling, which a 12mp would not be as well suitable. Full frame is not the video standard anyway, alexas/reds/f65 are all s35 (I do see the appeal of full frame though so if that is a deal breaker the c100 mk ii is not for you)

The mk II is the camera in your list apart from:
-s35 vs. full frame
-5K vs 4K $.

What I would like to see in a Canon DSLR for video,
-The 1DC image quality and features, all of them, it produces the best images I've ever seen out of any camera, including c300s and Reds. It's that good.
-Please include focus peaking and zebras and a waveform monitor, and an EVF,

Basically it's the 1Dc but with added small usability features, and a lower price. Please don't attach a 7K$ sports stills camera to my cinema camera, I don't want it or want to pay for it!

 

[transpo1]

Well, this would be interesting. I'd like to see a modular cinema and stills camera with the reliability and build quality of a Canon. Of course, it needs

4K (4096 not UHD)
14 stops of dynamic range (greater than 1DC)
Preferably a built-in raw 1080p cinema DNG if not raw 4K option
And yes- focus peaking and zebras.
Low-light / high ISO capability at least in the range of 5DIII and hopefully on par with A7S.

I'd pay $10k for that. Yes, I know. It will be much more than that from Canon with those specs

 

[tolusina]

Modular, like Pentax color combinations and matching handbag.........

 

[SPG]

Modular for cinema? My guess would be the recorder unit to accommodate 4k or uncompressed formats. Kinda like how the A7s and even FS700 needs a recorder for the higher data rate stuff.

 

[widezu69]

For me I have always pined for something that can combine my video and photography workflows. Plus I really want to move to 4k as it allows cropping and reframing without any resolution hit for a 1080p output. I have always wanted the 1D-C but the pricing and codec has always been a barrier to me pulling the trigger. Plus I'm not quite ready for mirrorless at the moment so the GH4 is out.

What I want to see is a video optimised sensor with a small bump in resolution to 25 megapixels @ 6144 x 4096. At 1.5x crop this means a 4096 horizontal resolution, equivalent to 4k Super35 for use with all Canon Cine zoom lenses and APS-C lenses like the Sigma 18-35.

In terms of 1080p I'd like all the usuals 50/60fps maybe even 120fps. Perhaps FF 1080p mode with a 1.06x crop down to 5760px horizontal, which means perfect readout and 3:1 pixel binning for 1080p. Super sharp 1080p on virtually FF and 4k super35 mode with no pixel binning or line skipping would make the perfect sensor for me. None of that APS-H nonsense.

In terms of codec, I would love 4k ProRes in camera but I would settle for ALL-I HEVC/H.265 or something similar but more robust than AVCHD or H.264. Uncompressed HDMI 2.0 output with support for 4k for RAW external recording.

I'm hoping something like this from Canon comes out next year as it is really time for me to upgrade and my finger is sitting on that 1D-C buy button.

 

[rrcphoto]

A sign of desperation perhaps? Do random things in the hope that something sticks as "innovative" because they do not have enough imagination to lead the market by intent rather than accident.

you mean like sony?

a well done modular DLSR would be far more innovative than most of the other cameras being rolled out these days.

 

[andrewflo]

Can't really speak too much about modular components, but I'd love to see a video-focused cinema DSLR camera with something in the ballpark of:

• $3k - $4k price range
• Full frame sensor ~12mp
• DPAF
• Tilt touch screen
• EVF
• 1080p 60fps (4K would be nice, but probably not going to happen)
• MPEG2/AVCHD codec options
• Clean 4:2:2 out (again, 10 bit would be nice but probably not happening at sub $4k)
• No time recording limit
• Focus peaking/zebras
• 19 point all cross type auto focus
• ISO range 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
• Smooth ISO ramping auto-exposure like the Nikon D810
• Mic input with dedicated gain knob
• Headphone output
• Built-in WiFi


In my dreams... I know

What would you guys like to see in a DSLR cinema camera that would win you over more than the 1Dc?

Well cheer up it's not in your dreams, you are describing the C100 mk II. Apart from the full frame 12 megapixel sensor, it's an 8 megapixel s35, so about the same lowlight performance and pixel density, or even better as the 8 megapixel number is suitable for perfect 4k to 1080p downsampling, which a 12mp would not be as well suitable. Full frame is not the video standard anyway, alexas/reds/f65 are all s35 (I do see the appeal of full frame though so if that is a deal breaker the c100 mk ii is not for you)

The mk II is the camera in your list apart from:
-s35 vs. full frame
-5K vs 4K $.

What I would like to see in a Canon DSLR for video,
-The 1DC image quality and features, all of them, it produces the best images I've ever seen out of any camera, including c300s and Reds. It's that good.
-Please include focus peaking and zebras and a waveform monitor, and an EVF,

Basically it's the 1Dc but with added small usability features, and a lower price. Please don't attach a 7K$ sports stills camera to my cinema camera, I don't want it or want to pay for it!

Agreed the C100MKII looks like a lovely cinema camera, but not that great of a stills camera.

I suppose the real (rhetorical) question is, why would Canon want to put a full frame 70D synthesized with a C100MKII crammed into a DSLR sized body... and then sell it for less than the C100MKII as per my wish list?

But yea, in my dreams!

 

[rrcphoto]

Will it be a new DSLR or new cinema camera?

Additionally, where it says "viewfinder" that could also be EVF.

How else would they do a modular OPF? Can't see that happening.

EOS Cinema is already EVF so having a modular/replaceable EVF on a Cxxx makes sense.

What else would be modular?

The section of the camera that houses the cards - different modules to house SD, CF, XQD cards could be attached to a central section that houses the sensor which again is separate to the back LCD. However that would potentially mean a smaller back LCD. And also the battery back/grip could be modular.

wouldn't be much sense for the EVF to be modular on a Cxxx series body though.. what would it be swapped out for? at least on a DLSR - you could swap between an OVF and a EVF depending on wanting stills or video.

rest I agree with. Internal SSD could be an option.

 

[plam_1980]

Jeez, is THIS really what we Canon customers have been requesting from Canon? :'(

Becase Canon's the hero the world deserves, but not the one it needs right now... Oops, that was Batman ;D

 

[paulrossjones]

Modular to me would be a camera like the old F-1. I still miss the Speed Finder which was much more interesting than the Nikon Action Finder - I had both. As well, focusing screens could be swapped out with less than a surgical procedure as now. Removing the finder made this possible.
Tom

a speed finder, or an option for some kind of moveable evf (as long as its better than the crappy sony a7r evf!) would be great. after 23 years of shooting, i really miss a waist finder. i have many back problems as the camera has only got a eye level finder, and the best shots are always somewhere awkward. i envy the cine dp's that have various eye finders at different heights, and comfy seats and even eyecup warmers! they get special treatment. but us stills guys that do this for a living get stuck with semi aperture equipment all the time.

paul

 

[AndreeOnline]

Like the original post mentions, this feels like a likely Cinema EOS camera. Don't get carried away thinking that Canon is about to change its normal photo lineup.

We've just seen the C100 mkII and there's been talk of 4k C300. This would be the first indication that Canon plans to maintain the 1Dc form factor with a few alterations.

I am a 1Dc owner myself and this could potentially be very exciting news. The 1Dc is close to the perfect camera to me (within reason). The rumored modularity will limit itself to basic, external stuff. Internal modules are fantasies-let's not go there.

• The viewfinder has already been mentioned. Today I use a LCDVF that works well, but a quality Canon solution is alway welcome.
  
• A modular mount is the most promising idea. Natrually, we're not talking about Sony or Nikon mounts here, but a dedicated video mount. Bulkier than normal EF, but it includes ND filters. This is the main thing the 1Dc lacks.
• I expect it would make sense to have some audio modularity similar to the C100's grip.

That's about it. No crazy stuff.

On the inside, hopefully processing power to allow for better high fps shooting. A really sharp 1080p60 is within grasp for sure (the 1Dc doesn't have cooling to allow for extremes).

A live view based timelapse mode with mirror lockup (no shutter actuations) would be great.

And.... please... 10 bit, 422 out. Also, in addition to the high bitrate MJPEG, maybe an efficiant internal 4k codec that produces smaller files.

Price would remain high, but I would be all over this one.

 

[JohanCruyff]

What else could be modular?...

• Lens mount
• Built in flash
• Sensor
• LCD
• Storage options (SSD?)
• Camera body mount
• Communication (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, 4G, SatCom?)
• Power options (Li Ion, AA Alkaline, AC, USB)
• Processor(s)
• Auto focus system

Any other ideas?

Good point.
If using (more or less) one peace of hardware and changing software and the other pieces of hadware is "modular", we can consider modular, for example:
- EOS M
- EOS SL1 / 100D
- EOS 60D
- EOS T5i/700D
- EOS 7D.



I confess that I don't know if the autofocus is "hardware", "software" or both. :-\

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Is it possible for a camera manufacturer to install an image buffer in an accessory grip? Either using the same internal card slots in the camera or perhaps even having dedicated card slots in the grip?

Right now, grips serve two purposes: Grips, and extra batteries. Could the purpose of a grip be expanded to other things like more card slots or an increased buffer for those photographers who want to burst huge raws?

Maybe some modularity could be incorporated with just different configurations of grips where the photographer could pick the grip for the specific task?

 

[ewg963]

I am guessing this will be priced to match the $70,000 cinema 50-1000 lens. Or in other words, not for us mere mortals.

+100000000000000000000000000000000000000000

 

[Local Hero]

Guys, don't get too carried away.
This is Canon we are talking about.

When they say modular they mean like the viewfinder on the C300.
You can take it off.
There are no alternative viewfinders or anything, you can just take it off the body.

They will mean maybe an external recorder for 4K video.
Maybe you will be able to change the EOS mount to PL, similar to the aftermarket mounts for the C300.

It is pure fantasy saying there will be modular sensors or modular anything inside the camera etc.

Sony is starting to cut canon's grass in low end cinema.
This is just about being competitive in the low end cinema / stills cross-over market.

 

[Berowne]

Modular to me would be a camera like the old F-1. I still miss the Speed Finder which was much more interesting than the Nikon Action Finder - I had both. As well, focusing screens could be swapped out with less than a surgical procedure as now. Removing the finder made this possible.
Tom

This is right. The Canon F-1, Nikon F und the Minolta X-1 were typically modular SLR-Cameras. Viewfinder, Back, Motordrive, Battery-Grip and focusing screens were interchangeabel. I do not expect that Canon will introduce a modular DSLR with for instance a interchangeable Viewfinder.

 

[rrcphoto]

Will it be a new DSLR or new cinema camera?

Additionally, where it says "viewfinder" that could also be EVF.

How else would they do a modular OPF? Can't see that happening.

EOS Cinema is already EVF so having a modular/replaceable EVF on a Cxxx makes sense.

What else would be modular?

The section of the camera that houses the cards - different modules to house SD, CF, XQD cards could be attached to a central section that houses the sensor which again is separate to the back LCD. However that would potentially mean a smaller back LCD. And also the battery back/grip could be modular.

wouldn't be much sense for the EVF to be modular on a Cxxx series body though.. what would it be swapped out for? at least on a DLSR - you could swap between an OVF and a EVF depending on wanting stills or video.

How do you disconnect an OVF? It is an integral part of the camera due to the requirements in lightbox design.

Go to google and look for images of cinema rigs. There are all sorts of panels used for viewing what is being shot. Furthermore, since the EVF is an electrical connection, it is easy to disconnect one and use the other. The current Cinema EOS cameras all have an EVF.

Both Nikon and Canon have done swappable OVF's in the past - Medium format has had swappable OVF's - nothing about that is difficult with the exception of the metering subsystem usually resides up there as well.

you could take out the OVF, replace with an EVF - the mirror flips up and stays up - and you simply have a EVF based "mirrorless" camera.

switch back the OVF, and the mirror assembly acts as normal.