Camera Foundry CineBack for Canon EOS R5 C, R5, and R6 Released

Accessory News

by Francesco AndreolaAugust 27^th, 2024

Camera Foundry has recently launched a new version of their CineBack module designed specifically for the Canon EOS R5 C, R5, and R6. Essentially, it allows you to turn your mirrorless hybrid camera into a box-style cinema camera while providing additional mounting points for accessories, a V-mount battery plate, 4x D-Tap outputs, and more.

While the image quality provided by modern hybrid mirrorless cameras is superb, sometimes even approaching that of high-end cinema cameras, more often than not their form factor is simply not suitable to support the workflow of a film set. For years, filmmakers have been using camera cages as a starting point to turn their mirrorless hybrids into cinema rigs. But now, the next trend seems to be using pre-assembled modules to literally “cine-mod” your camera.

Back at NAB 2024, we witnessed a nice experiment by Old Fast Glass to turn a FUJIFILM GFX100 II mirrorless camera into a “nearly 65mm” cinema camera. You can check it out here. And last year, Camera Foundry introduced the CineBack modification kit for Sony FX3 and FX30. Now, the Canon EOS R5 C, R5, and R6 are receiving the same treatment. Let’s take a look!

Camera Foundry CineBack for Canon EOS R5 C – overview

For starters, this CineBack kit for Canon EOS mirrorless cameras is compatible with the R5 C, R5, and R6. However, it does not fit the EOS R6 Mark II, and the company claims that they’re still investigating compatibility with the newly announced EOS R5 Mark II.

Moreover, please keep in mind that you will need either Tilta’s Full Cage for Canon EOS R5 C or SmallRig 2982B cage for Canon EOS R5 C/R5/R6 in order to screw the CineBack module onto your camera, as a cage is not included in the kit.

Fundamentally, CineBack literally squeezes your mirrorless camera body and the supplied power module between a top and bottom cheese plate. These plates provide additional mounting points for attaching a top handle and other accessories while still granting access to the camera’s controls, battery, and card slots.

The camera’s LCD needs to be flipped out, and there’s a screen holder with raised edges on the left side of the unit. You can either use the LCD as a side monitor or close it facing the CineBack to protect it.

On the back, a power module allows you to use V-mount batteries to extend the battery life of your rig. There’s currently no Gold mount version of CineBack for Canon EOS mirrorless cameras. The V-mount plate supplies power to a D-Tap splitter with 4 outputs (max 10A) that sits on the right side of the module.

This is rotatable and can power accessories or even the camera using either a D-Tap dummy battery or a D-Tap to USB-C PD cable (not included). Moreover, there’s a master power switch to cut power entirely and avoid battery drain.

Finally, a hinged door right behind the camera body allows you to route and hide cables for a clean cable management solution.

Price and availability

The new Camera Foundry CineBack for Canon EOS R5 C, R5, and R6 is now available to purchase from the company’s website. The official retail price is set at $340/€310 (plus taxes). At the moment of writing, there are less than 20 units available, but you can keep an eye on the product page for future restock.

For more information, please visit Camera Foundry’s website here.

Do you own a Canon EOS R5 C, R5, and R6? Do you think the CineBack can simplify the way you rig your camera for cinema use? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!