How to operate the Canon D5 and D7 as if it were a professional HD camcorder?

The Canon D5 and D7 are much more than a camera. Many video professionals are carrying out interesting shoots with the support of accessories capable of 'converting' this camera into a professional HD camcorder. ARRI and Chrosziel are two of the manufacturers that offer a complete range of accessories designed for the most indie camera.

No one can miss it since Canon has made a big splash with two cameras that are delighting professionals...of video! And first the 5D, with 720p recording, and later the 7D, at 1080p, the new Canons are being used in countless spots and video clips, mainly. Aside from a certain snobbery surrounding the use of these cameras, the truth is that the 18 million pixel APS-C CMOS sensor of the Canon 7D is dazzling many who see the possibility of working without major problems on very specific projects at sensitivities of even 12,800 ISO.

The camera, which has a 3" LCD with a resolution of 90,000 pixels, delivers 1080p signals at 24p, 25p, and 30p; 720p at 50p and 60p or in SD mode up to 50 and 60p choosing between 16:9 or 4:3.

But is it possible to comfortably operate this camera as if it were video equipment? To facilitate this task, in recent months several companies have launched different accessories that aim to give the Canon 5D or 7D a certain appearance of a professional HD camcorder.

ARRI

One of those brands is the German ARRI, which offers through its distributor in Spain, Video Cine Import, various materials such as the Mini Mattebox MMB-1 with a 138mm diameter anchoring mechanism, two frames for 4x4 filters and an adapter for 15mm bars. Its price is around 1,000 euros to which the reducing ring would have to be added depending on the lens and the visors.

Another curious 'gadget' from the brand is the MFF-1 mini focus control with adapter for 15 mm rods (both the pinions and the toothed rings are sold separately depending on the lens). This command would be around 1,450 euros. To these accessories we should add a mini motherboard with 15 mm bars (about 300 euros) and a Canon EOS adapter for MBP-1 (approximately 120 euros). So all things considered, converting a Canon 5D or 7D, with, for example, a 27-70 mm lens, into a comfortable-to-handle HD video camera for professional filming would cost about 3,300 euros.

Cross target

The German company Chrosziel is another of the manufacturers that want to facilitate the 'whim' of shooting with the new Canon. In this case, its MatteBox 450-R2 filter holder with two 4”x4” frames and another 4×4”/4×5.65” rear frame with a diameter of 110 mm, 16:9 mask, top visor and adapter for 15 mm bars is sold by Video Cine Import at a price of about 970 euros (the side visors are optional).

Chrosziel also has flexible rings for filter holders to use lenses with a diameter of 50mm to 98mm (about 67 euros per unit) as well as a Studio Rig focus control with fixed gear and flexible toothed belt, adjustable to 60-120 mm lenses (its price is about 1760 euros). 15 mm bars, zoom fluid (short long) and rings and toothed belts for zoom are other options from the brand.

Without forgetting a curious rear frame for use with 15 mm bars (approx. 144) and the DV Balancer shoulder support that can be used for the 5D and 7D, providing greater stability to the camera (about 430 euros).

And as an example of the possibilities of the Canon 7D, here is a spectacular underwater video.