Essential camera and lens features for cinematic lighting
EOS R System and Canon Cinema EOS cameras and RF lenses offer a wealth of practical functions that enable you to make the most of your lighting scheme in the studio or on location.
A camera with a wide dynamic range, such as the EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R8 or even the EOS C70, which also adds built-in ND filters, will provide more control of the exposure of your footage. A fast lens is ideal for working in low light, as is a camera which has low noise at high ISOs, such as the EOS R3, EOS R6 Mark II, EOS C300 Mark III or EOS C500 Mark II.
The Canon EOS R5 C combines the best of Cinema EOS with all the advantages of the EOS R System, including 8K cinematic full-frame video, while other EOS R System cameras such as the EOS R6 Mark II and EOS R7 are formidable hybrid cameras that offer access to Canon RF lenses as well as In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS).
Recent EOS R System cameras also feature a multi-function shoe which provides power to compatible accessories. The OC-E4A off camera shoe cord, which is compatible with the Canon EOS R5 C, EOS R3, EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R7, EOS R8, EOS R10 and EOS R50, can provide power from the shoe to off-camera accessories such as flashes, enabling more creative lighting design. The cable is also compatible with older flashes via the Multi-Function Shoe Adapter AD-E1, as well as with the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye lens.
Capturing footage in Canon Log, which is available on most EOS R System and cinema EOS cameras, captures a wide dynamic range and is easily matched with other Log footage during a colour grade. If you want to take it a step further, shooting in Cinema RAW Light provides maximum flexibility in post-production to refine exposure, contrast and colours.
Of course, just as motivated lighting and practical lighting go hand-in-hand, many of the other lighting techniques we've covered above can be combined. By blending natural light with artificial light, adding practicals and motivational lighting, and experimenting with lighting accessories, you can build layered lighting schemes that give your videos a truly cinematic feel.