Rig Your Canon C500 Mark II With Zacuto Recoil Accessories

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by Jeff LochJanuary 8^th, 2020

The Canon C500 Mark II is right around the corner, and Zacuto just released all their Zacuto Recoil accessories for this new Full-Frame beast in time. Let’s take a closer look at these!

Rigging the Canon C500 Mark II

It is now nearly a tradition, but when a new camera comes out, a bunch of third-party accessories are launched to make your life easier on set. The Canon C500 Mark II – Canon’s latest flagship Full Frame cinema camera – is no exception, and if you want to shoot with it on your shoulder, you’ll need a couple of extra pieces.

Image credit: Zacuto

But, don’t worry, American manufacturer Zacuto, which is known for making top-quality third-party camera accessories and viewfinders, got your back.

The Zacuto Top Plate for the Canon C500 Mark II. Image credit: Zacuto

Zacuto Top Plate for the Canon C500 Mark II

Let’s start by one of the core pieces of every modern camera rig: the Canon C500 Mark II Top Plate. Indeed, this plate goes on top of the camera and features multiple 1/4-20″ and 3/8-16″ (with ARRI locating pins) screw holes to mount all your accessories. Also, at the back of the plate, there is a 15mm rod port and a grooved mount for the Canon C500 LCD.

Image credit: Zacuto

The Top Plate features a built-in Z-Rail/Nato rail so that you can attach quickly attach the Zacuto Recoil Handle. If you prefer, you can mount the original Canon handle on top of the Top Plate.

The Zacuto Top Plate for the Canon C500 Mark II is firmly attached to the camera via four screws. There is no way this Top Plate is going to move anywhere once it is connected to the camera.

The Zacuto Z-Finder for the Canon C500 Mark II. Image credit: Zacuto

Zacuto Z-Finder for the Canon C500 Mark II

The Canon C500 Mark II comes with the Canon LM-V2 4.3″ LCD, which is slightly bigger than the LM-V1 that comes with the Canon C200. Indeed, the Z-Finder for the Canon C200 is not compatible with the Canon C500.

Also, if you ever worked with this tiny touchscreen display in the past, you probably know that it is a joy to use inside. Otherwise, on bright daylight, it is barely impossible to see anything. This is why the Zacuto Z-Finder is useful if you don’t want to use an external viewfinder when the camera is on your shoulder, and you can’t look at the small optional VF at the back of the camera.

Image credit: Zacuto

If it works, don’t fix it, and the same thing applies to this Z-Finder, which keeps the same design as its predecessor. The Zacuto Z-Finder magnifies the LCD screen by 1.8x. Also, there is a diopter wheel to adjust the focus to your eye. An aluminum sun mask is built into the Z-Finder to protect the display from direct sunlight. When you don’t use it, or you want to access the touchscreen display, the Z-Finder can flip up or down.

Image credit: Zacuto

To mount the Canon LM-V2 to the Z-Finder, there is a foam-padded sleeve mounting frame that slides over the LCD screen of the LCD monitor. Then, you can use the stock Canon LA-V2 LCD Attachment Unit, and the included Zacuto Mount to mount the Z-Finder to your camera. You can also attach the Z-Finder to Zacuto’s Axis Mini.

Image credit: Zacuto

Zacuto Recoil Bundles

If you need a one-stop get it all bundle, Zacuto launched two Zacuto Recoil bundles: the  Canon C500 Mark II Recoil Pro and the  Canon C500 Mark II Recoil with Dual Trigger Grips.

These bundles include everything you need to get started:

• The Canon C500 Mark II Top Plate.
• A VCT Pro Baseplate.
• A Zacuto Recoil Handle.
• Your choice between the Zacuto Trigger Grip or the Zacuto Rosette Dual Trigger Grips.

If the Zacuto Z-Finder looks too cumbersome for you, some bundles are also available with the Zacuto Gratical Eye EVF.

Image credit: Zacuto

Pricing and Availability

The Zacuto C500 Mark II Top Plate retails for $150.00/150.00€. The Zacuto Z-Finder for the C500 Mark II cost $550.00/550.00€. The bundles start at $1400.00/€1400.00. All products should be available in two to three weeks.

What do you think about the Zacuto Recoil accessories for the Canon C500 Mark II? Did you pre-order the C500 Mark II yet? Let us know in the comments!