Canon cinema EOS C500 PL User Manual

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51
Recording
Recording Video
This section explains the recording basics. Before you use an external recorder, make sure it is operating 
correctly. Before you begin recording on a CF card, make a test recording first to check  if the camera is operating 
correctly. Record for approximately 6 minutes at 50 Mbps ( A60). Should the camera fail to operate correctly, 
refer to 
Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g ( A 185).
For details on recording audio, refer to 
Recording Audio ( A 92).
Preparing to Record
1 Attach the monitor unit, handle unit, etc. as necessary to build the 
desired configuration (
A32).
2 Attach a charged battery pack to the camera (
A24).
3 For MXF recordings, insert a CF card into a CF card slot (
A43).
• Insert another CF card into the other  CF card slot to use relay recording 
( A 46) or double slot recording ( A47).
4 Attach a lens (A33, 35).
5 To make 4K and 2K recordings, connect the camera to an external  recorder (
A 41).
6 Adjust the viewfinder.
NOTES
• The camera can add a user memo ( A97) to an MXF clip as you record. It can be used to store information 
such as the clip name, camera operat or and filming location. However, you must set the user memo before 
recording.
Recording
1 Set the Q  switch to CAMERA (A26).
• The camera turns on in   mode and enters 
record pause mode.
• When a CF card is in the camera, the access  indicator for the CF card slot selected for recording 
illuminates in red and  then changes to green.
2 Open the [System Priority] submenu. 
[ 4K/2K/MXF Setup] >  [System Priority]
Operating modes:
Tally lamp
Access indicators 
						

							Recording Video
52
3 Select [4K], [2K] or [MXF] and then press SET.
• The system priority changes to the selected menu item. Hereafter, each mode will be referred to in this manual as “4K mode”, “2K 
mode” and “MXF mode”, respectively.
• Select [4K] or [2K] to record a 4K or 2K clip* on an external recorder.  Select [MXF] to record only an MXF clip (HD video) on a CF card.
• During 4K mode, [RAW] appears on the upper right of the screen and  the   icon appears on the rear panel.
* “Clip” refers to one movie unit from the point you press the START/STOP button to start recording until you press again to pause the recording. You can also include custom picture settings ( A114) and metadata 
( A 97) with MXF clips.
4 Press the START/STOP button to begin recording.
• During 4K and 2K modes:
- Recording starts and a signal is  sent to an external recorder 
connected to the HD/SD SDI or 3G -SDI terminals instructing it 
to start recording. [ ÜREC  `] appears at the upper center of 
the screen and the tally lamp illuminates.
- If there is a CF card in a CF card slot, the camera  simultaneously records an MXF clip on the card. In such case, 
[Ü REC] appears on the upper left of the screen.
- Depending on the aspect ratio of  the 4K or 2K video, you can 
select the resizing method when  recordings on the CF card are 
output ( A63).
• During MXF mode: - Recording starts. The tally lamp illuminates and [ ÜREC] 
appears on the upper  center of the screen.
- If an external recorder is connected to the HD/SD SD I terminal, a signal is sent instructing it to start 
recording. [ ÜREC `] appears on the center right of the screen.
• You can use the START/STOP button on  the back of the camera, the front of the camera (next to the lens 
mount), or the monitor unit.
5 Press the START/STOP button to pause the recording.
• Recording stops and a signal is sent to the external  recorder to pause the recording. When recording on a 
CF card, a clip is recorded and the  camera enters record pause mode. [STBY `] or [STBY] appears at the 
top of the screen. The tally lamp will also go out. [
 4K/2K/MXF Setup]
[System Priority] [4K] 
						

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Recording Video
IMPORTANT
• Observe the following precautions while the CF 2 or CF 3 access indicator is illuminated in red. Failure to do 
so may result in permanent data loss.
- Do not open the CF card slot  cover of the CF card slot being accessed and remove the CF card.
- Do not disconnect the power source or turn off the camera.
• Be sure to save your recordings regularly ( A154), especially after making im portant recordings. Canon shall 
not be liable for any loss or corruption of data.
NOTES
• By default, [  4K/2K/MXF Setup] >  [Rec Command] is set to [On]. With this function, when you connect the 
camera to another device using the  3G-SDI terminals (in 4K and 2K modes) or HD/SD SDI terminal (in MXF 
mode), if you start or stop recording with the camer a, the other device will also start or stop recording.
Locking the Controls in Recording Mode
Once in   mode, you can set the Q switch to  C (key lock) 
to lock all the physical controls (b uttons and switches) on the camera*, 
save for the START/STOP button. With the [ w Other Functions]  > 
[Custom Function]  > [C  START/STOP] setting, you can even choose 
to lock all buttons, including the START/STOP button. In such case, you 
can use Wi-Fi Remote to operate the camera. This is useful in 
preventing settings from being chan ged due to inadvertently pressing 
one of the buttons. Return the  Q switch to the CAMERA position 
to reactivate the controls. 
* The Wi-Fi Remote application also has a key lock function that is limited only to the  controls on the application’s screens (you will still be able to use the controls on the 
camera). Press [ D] to lock the application’s controls; press [ C] to reactivate them.
About Clips
When the camera records an MXF clip, it also assigns  a 6-character clip name consisting of a 2-character 
prefix (letters or numerals) and 4 numerals (for example, “AA0001”). The last 4 numbers serve as a running 
counter that increases every time a c lip is recorded. You can set the initial clip name in advance using the [  
4K/2K/MXF Setup]  > [Clip Name]  > [Title Prefix] and [Number Setting] settings. You cannot change the clip 
name after the clip is recorded.
In 4K and 2K modes, the clip name is included with the  video signal that is output from the 3G-SDI terminals. 
If you use the software  Cinema RAW Development  to develop RAW clips recorded with an external recorder 
and export them, MXF clips recorded on a CF card and the exported files can be given similar names to make 
post-production more efficient. In th e following cases, the clip name is not sent to the external recorder.
• During MXF mode.
• When the CF card in the camera cannot be recorded on, does not have enough available space or has an access error.
• During 4K and 2K modes, when using the interval recording, frame recording or slow & fast motion  recording modes.
NOTES
• When recording MXF clips, the following apply. - If you are recording with two CF cards and the CF card you are using becomes full while recording, the clip will continue uninterrupted on the  other CF card when relay recording (A46) is activat ed. In such 
case, the recording will be recorded as separate clips.
- If you record using the custom picture and metadata settings, those settings will be recorded with the  clip. For more details, refer to 
Custom Picture Settings (A 114) and Using Metadata (A 97).
- The video (stream) file in a clip will be split approximately every 2 GB for clips with a long recording time  (approximately every 1 GB during slow motion recording) . Even in such case, playback will be continuous. 
						

							Recording Video
54
•By default, [wOther Functions]  > [Fan] is set to [Automatic] and the internal cooling fan will be activated 
during record pause mode. While recording, when  the camera's internal temperature goes below a 
predetermined level, the cooling fan will deactivate. You can also set the cooling fan to be activated at all 
times.
• When recording MXF clips, the following apply. - You can use [ wOther Functions]  > [Rec Review] ( A104) to review part or all of the last clip recorded.
- If you set an assignable button to [Add $ Mark] or [Add % Mark] ( A111), you can press the button to 
add an $  mark or %  mark to the last clip recorded.
- You can use [ wOther Functions]  > [Delete Last Clip] ( A175) to delete the last clip recorded. However, 
you cannot delete the last clip if double slot recording is on.
Remote Operation Using Wi-Fi Remote 
After completing the necessary preparations ( A50) you can start and stop recording from a Wi-Fi-enabled 
device using the Wi-Fi Remote application.
1 Press [LIVE VIEW ON/OFF] to show the camera’s live view image on the Wi-Fi Remote screen.
2 Press [START/STOP] to begin recording.
• The recording operation indicat or changes from [STBY] to [ÜREC], the center of the START/STOP button 
lights up in red and the time code display  starts running on the Wi-Fi Remote screen. 
• Press [START/STOP] again to pause the recording. 
Recording operation
Time code 
						

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Recording Video
Onscreen Displays
Refer to this section for an explanation of the various screen displays that appear in   mode. You can use 
the custom display function (
A124) to turn off individual onscreen  displays if they are not required. 
When displaying the date and time (A28): 
1The displayed value is an estimate.2Only when an optional WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter is connected to the camera.3During 4K and 2K modes, when the shooting frame rate is enclosed by brackets, this indicates that both 3G-SDI terminals are 
necessary to record the 3G-SDI output signal on an external recorder. 
101112 1413
15
18 16
17
19
20
21
1
2
3
65
7
4
8
9
25262827 293330 3132
22
23
24
34
1 CF card status/available recording time ( A56)
2 During 4K and 2K modes: CF card recording  operation ( A63)
During MXF mode: Remaining recording time for 
double slot recording ( A47)
3 2  Current focal length of an attached EF lens
1
4Temperature warning / Fan
5ND filter ( A73)
6 View assistance ( A58)
7 Custom picture ( A114)
8 Key lock ( A53)
9 White balance ( A76)
10 Remaining battery time ( A56)
11 Wi-Fi
2 ( A 50) white - connected to a Wi-Fi 
network; yellow - connecting to or disconnecting 
from a Wi-Fi network.
12 During 4K and 2K modes: Recording command  status
During MXF mode: Recording operation ( A56)
13 Character recording ( A123)
14 Genlock ( A88)
15 Time code ( A84) 16 Interval counter (
A105)
17 Available number of photos
18 Recording mode ( A60)/Bit rate ( A64)
19 Resolution ( A62, 64)
20 Frame rate (shooting frame rate
3 during slow & 
fast motion mode) ( A60, 108)
21 During MXF mode: Recording command status  (A 170)
22 User memo ( A97)
23 User bit ( A87)
24 Audio output channel ( A96)
25 2  Aperture value ( A74)
26 ISO speed/Gain ( A70)
27 Magnification ( A80)
28 Shutter angle (A 67)
29 Peaking ( A80)
30 Lens warning ( A173)
31 Output displays ( A151)
32 Audio peak limiter ( A94)
33 Audio level meter ( A94, 95)
34 Date/time ( A28) 
						

							Recording Video
56
NOTES
• You can press the DISP. button to switch th e onscreen displays in the following sequence.
Show all onscreen displays   show only onscreen markers*   hide all onscreen displays.
*Only when the [ £ LCD/VF Setup] > [Markers] setting is enabled. 
1 CF card status/available recording time
• The following indicates the CF card status.
2 /3  Can record on CF card
4 /5  No CF card or cannot record on CF card
The CF card selected for reco rding is indicated with a Ð mark.
2 CF card recording operation (4K and 2K modes)
• When double slot recording (A  46) is activated, the 4 icon will appear to the left of the operation 
indicator.
10 Remaining battery time
• The icon shows a rough estimate of the remaining  charge as a percentage of the full charge of the 
battery pack. The remaining recording/playback time of  the battery pack is displayed, in minutes, next to 
the icon.
• è    é    ê    ë    ì  (in red). 
When  ì is displayed, replace the battery pack with a fully charged one.
• Depending on the conditions unde r which the camera and the battery pack are used, the actual battery 
charge may not be indicated accurately.
12 Recording command status (4K and 2K modes) / Recording operation (MXF mode)
• In MXF mode, when double slot recording ( A 47) is activated, the  4 icon will appear to the left of the 
operation indicator. Also, ` does not appear in the indicator.
• Pre-recording is available only during MXF mode. Ü
REC ` Recording
STBY ` Record pause
ÜINT REC` Interval recording
INT STBY (INT flashes) `Interval record pause
ÜFRM REC` Frame recording
ÜFRM STBY` Frame record pause (after starting recording)
FRM STBY (FRM flashes) `Frame record pause (before starting recording)
ÜS&F REC ` Slow & fast motion recording
S&F STBY ` Slow & fast motion record pause
ÜPRE REC Pre-recording (after pressing the START/STOP button)
PRE REC STBY Pre-recording (before pressing the START/STOP button) 
						

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Recording Video
Rear Panel Displays
You can check the following information on the rear panel. This allows you to easily adjust main camera functions 
like the shutter speed, white balance  and ISO speed/gain even when the monitor unit is not attached to the 
camera without having to use the viewfinder.
1Displayed also in   mode.2In these shutter speed modes, only the denominator is displayed -   indicates a shutter speed of 1/100, etc.3Only displayed while adjusting the setting.4Only when an optional WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter is connected to the camera.
1
2
3
4 5
6789
10
11
12
13
1 White balance ( A76) 
2 Time code settings: NDF Non-drop frame ( A85) /
EXT-LOCK External time code signal locked 
( A 89) / HOLD Time code display on hold ( A85)
3 Time code ( A84)
4 Audio level meter
1 ( A 94, 95)
5 White balance fine-tuning ( A77)
6  ISO speed/   Gain ( A70)
7 Shutter speed ( A67)/White balance
 Shutter speed
2 (mode set to [Speed], [Slow] 
or [Off])
 Shutter speed (mode set to [Angle]) Shutter speed (mode set to [Clear Scan])
 White balance fine-tuning
3 ( A 77)
 White balance, color temperature3 ( A 77) 8
2  Aperture value ( A74)
9ND filter ( A73)
10 RAW output ( A60)
11 Approximate remaining battery time
1
12 Wi-Fi4 ( A 50)
13 CF card status and available recording time1
Adjusting the Brightness of the Rear Panel
Repeatedly pressing the   (backlight) button will change the brightness of 
the rear panel in the following  order: Backlight on (bright)  Backlight on 
(dim)   Backlight off. 
						

							Recording Video
58
Canon Log Gamma and CINEMA Preset
The Canon Log gamma setting makes full use of the newly developed image sensor to offer spectacular 
dynamic range. 
You can easily set the camera to use a number of preset picture-related 
settings especially designed with professional cinematography and 
motion picture production in mind. With the CINEMA preset settings, the 
gamma and color matrix ( A117) will be set to the advanced Canon Log 
setting, which makes full use of the newly developed image sensor to 
offer spectacular dynamic range. On th e other hand, other custom picture 
settings will not be available.
Clips recorded using Canon Log gamma need to be processed in post-production. During post-production, you 
can apply a LUT (lookup table) to clips recorded using  Canon Log gamma to view the clips with more natural 
colors. For details about available LU Ts, visit your local Canon Web site.
* You can also apply a LUT to the MON. terminal or HD/SD SDI terminal output. 
Setting CINEMA Preset
1Open the [/ CINEMA Locked] submenu.
[ ~  Camera Setup]  > [/  CINEMA Locked]
2 Select [On] and then press SET. • All picture-related settings will be set according to th e CINEMA preset values. As such, you will not be able 
to adjust custom picture settings.
•[ /  LOCKED] appears on the left of the screen.
Checking Clips Recorded with Canon Log Gamma (View Assistance)
When Canon Log gamma is used, the image displayed on the screen will appear darker than usual. When you are 
shooting with Canon Log gamma and are checking the picture on an external monitor connected to a MON. terminal 
or the HD/SD SDI you can apply a LUT to the output ( A148). In addition, you can use the view assistance function 
to display an image that approximates the one that would be obtained using normal gamma settings. View assistance 
is only applied on the camera screen; it will not affect your recordings or the video signal output from the various 
terminals.
1 Open the [View Assist.] submenu.
[£  LCD/VF Setup]  > [View Assist.]
2 Select [On] and then press SET. • O  will appear on the lower left of the screen. 
NOTES
• If you set an assignable button to [View Assist.] ( A111), you can press 
the button to enable the view assistance function.
System
priorityOutput terminal/
Recording destination[ /  CINEMA Locked] 
settingPicture setting
4K
2K
3G-SDI terminals–Canon Log gamma
MON. terminals–Canon Log gamma with or without a LUT applied
CF card[On]CINEMA preset settings with Canon Log gamma
[Off]Based on custom picture settings
MXFCF card[On]CINEMA preset settings with Canon Log gamma
[Off]Based on custom picture settings
[~  Camera Setup]
[ /  CINEMA Locked]
[On]
[£ LCD/VF Setup] 
[
View Assist.]
[Off] 
						

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Recording Video
Using the Internal Cooling Fan
During   mode, the camera uses an internal cooling fan to reduce the camera’s internal heat. 
1 Open the [Fan] submenu.
[w  Other Functions]  > [Fan]
2 Select the desired option and then press SET.
Options
NOTES
• While the cooling fan is set to [Automatic], when you  start the camera in a cooled down state and shoot in 4K 
or 2K mode, the cooling fan will activate in approximately 10 minutes, based on a surrounding temperature of 
25 °C (77 °F). Also, depending on the surrounding temp erature, the cooling fan may stop after a short period 
of time or continue to operate.
Operating modes:
[On]: The cooling fan is active at all times regardless of the camera’s 
internal temperature.
[Automatic]: During record pause mode, the cooling fan is always activated. While  you are recording (while [ ÜREC] appears on the screen), if the 
camera’s internal temperature lowers to a predetermined level, the 
cooling fan will deactivate. If the camera’s internal temperature rises to a 
predetermined level, the cooling fan will activate automatically (  will 
appear on the screen), even while you are recording.
[ w Other Functions]
[
Fan]
[Automatic] 
						

							Video Configuration: Type of Recording, Resolution and Frame Rate
60
Video Configuration: Type of Recording, Resolution and Frame Rate
Before you shoot, select the type of recording, resolution  (frame size), frame rate and other settings that best 
match your creative needs. The options available will depend on whether the camera is in 4K mode, 2K mode or 
MXF mode, as well as the system frequency setting.
Selecting the Video Configur ation for 4K and 2K Modes
To set the video configuration, select the system freq uency, system priority, recording mode, resolution, and 
frame rate, as necessary. For a summary of the video configuration, refer to the table following the procedures 
below.
Selecting the System Priority
When you select the system priority, you can have the camera output 4K 
or 2K image data.
1 Open the [System Priority] submenu.
[ 4K/2K/MXF Setup] >  [System Priority]
2 Select [4K] or [2K] and then press SET. • The camera will switch to the selected mode. If the camera was in  MXF mode, it will restart in the selected mode.
Selecting the Sy stem Frequency
1 Open the [System Frequency] submenu. [ 4K/2K/MXF Setup] >  [System Frequency]
2 Select the desired option and then press SET. • The camera will restart in the selected mode.
• In this manual, recordings with a system frequency of 59.94 Hz,  50.00 Hz and 24.00 Hz are referred to as 59.94 Hz recordings, 
50.00 Hz recordings and 24.00 Hz recordings, respectively.
Selecting the Recording Mode
For 4K mode, the recording mode determines whether the vertical 
resolution is 2160 pixels (RAW) or 1080 pixels (HRAW or 4K1K RAW). For 
2K mode, it determines the color sampling and bit depth.
1 Open the [Mode] submenu. [ 4K/2K/MXF Setup] >  [4K (4096/3840)] or [2K (2048/1920)]  > 
[Mode]
Operating modes:
[
 4K/2K/MXF Setup]
[System Priority] [4K]
* Depending on the country/region of purchase.
[  4K/2K/MXF Setup]
[System Frequency]
[59.94 Hz] or [50.00 Hz]*
[  4K/2K/MXF Setup]
[4K (4096/3840)]
[Mode][RAW]