topic Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity in Professional Video

EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

AtticusLake — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 12:58:55 GMT

I have my R5C (arrived in 6 days??) and it seems fantastic. The dual operating system feature is great -- put it into video mode, and it's a C70 plus. But there's one thing Canon seem to have screwed up hugely -- remote control for video.

To recap: the C70 has one very stupid design flaw, no built-in WiFi. To get remote control using Browser Remote, you have to get an external WiFi dongle, and you need to get one which is EXACTLY compatible with the drivers in the firmware. Which is a pain, and cost me £44.

The R5 has built-in WiFi, and you can remote control it using the Camera Connect app, both in photo and video modes. Great.

The R5C has built-in WiFi, and you might suppose that it would also be great -- but no, sadly Canon have really crippled it for video. In photo mode, remote control works with the Camera Connect app as you might expect, no problem. In video mode, remote control uses Browser Remote, as per the C70 -- but Browser Remote will not work with the built-in WiFi chip. Instead, you have to buy the external WFT-R10 WiFi GRIP -- yes, you have to buy a whole CAMERA GRIP to get an extra WiFi chip, even though the camera already has one built-in. And this grip costs £1,389.00 in the UK -- B&H have it for $999.00.

This is crazy. My camera already has a WiFi chip built in, which probably cost one, maybe two pounds. So why am i expected to pay ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS for an external WiFI chip?

Yes, I get that the WFT-R10 has extra features, like wired gigabit Ethernet, loads of WiFi bands, MIMO, an extra battery slot, and of course it's a vertical-shooting grip. I'm not saying it shouldn't exist, and though the price is a bit eye-watering, that's what you expect for this kind of gear. But I shouldn't be forced to buy this thing just to get browser remote working. The camera already has a WiFi chip, and it already supports remote control, including live view, for photo mode. The R5 shows that it could also work for video mode, and the C70 shows that Browser Remote could use it.

I'm hoping that Canon can fix this with a firmware update. It really should be pretty simple -- after all, they already have a driver for this chip. So please, Canon, fix it. There's no way I'm buying the WFT-R10, it has nothing I need. All I want is basic WiFi, and the R5C aleady has that.

I would love to hear that Canon has plans to address this. Because right now, the R5C isn't practical for single-person piece-to-camera shooting -- which, of course, just happens to be my use case.

Re: R5C Video Remote Control

shadowsports — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 15:21:04 GMT

Well said kind sir.

Canon, please give us wi-fi connectivity in cine mode on the R5C using the existing onboard chipset.

**Edit - To be clear, I do not expect file transfer capability, just the ability to control basic functions start / stop recording, etc)

Re: R5C Video Remote Control

SometimesSepia — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 19:07:17 GMT

Thank you for highlighting this issue! I don't want to purchase a WFT-R10 to get my R5C to do something that a regular R5 already does. This is a useful feature for solo film making.

Re: R5C Video Remote Control

shadowsports — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 02:03:57 GMT

Agreed. I'm not asking for import capability, but it would be valuable (and nice) to be able to control recording, etc.

Re: R5C Video Remote Control

jabykoay — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 08:20:42 GMT

According to this video, there’s a simple workaround you can purchase. Starts at 8:03

https://youtu.be/nsRZO0tIQnI?si=UwVGmSW3xsfR3FmY

I just ordered it but didn’t want to forget to share my findings. Hope this helps.

Re: R5C Video Remote Control

AtticusLake — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 08:30:33 GMT

Thanks for posting that. Yes, pushbutton/wired/wireless shutter-button remotes are certainly available. But what I need is a remote that shows me a live view of what I look like -- where I am in frame, where the focus point is, etc. I can do this on the R5, and on the C70, but not the R5C (without the £1400 add-on), and that's what I find frustrating.

My review of the R5C illustrates this: https://moonblink.info/MudLake/gear#R5C @08:24

Re: R5C Video Remote Control

HarborPictures — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 17:14:18 GMT

The newly announced Canon Multi-camera Control app announced compatibility with all the cinema line except the R5 C. What gives - any other R5 C owners a little disappointed?

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

ishanagarwal1 — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 10:19:30 GMT

recently purchased my R5C RF 15-35 L with a lot of hope that it will be helpful in production for a solo user I don't want to purchase a WFT-R10 Please Canon fix this ASAP

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

JFoss — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 18:31:58 GMT

With the 12/6/23 release that enables more remote control for EOS Cinema line (minus the R5C :(. ) is it time to bump this topic up to priority?

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

HarborPictures — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 19:33:26 GMT

My point earlier on the initial announcement a month or so back. I’d really like to know from the product manager for the R5 C why for all their love of calling it a hybrid camera that this feature is really lacking.

As a CPS member, I’ve requested more on this aspect of the camera for about a year now with no progress. More voices can’t hurt.

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

shadowsports — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:24:34 GMT

I submitted another feature request this week asking for native wi-fi support in Cinema OS. Anyone interested in this, please submit feedback for it on Canon USA.

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

xtrememarco — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:29:10 GMT

Coming from a regular R5 also would like to have the wifi on the RC5! ;(

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

shadowsports — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 13:09:37 GMT

Leaving feedback on Canon USA is the best way to make feature requests for future firmware releases. You need to use the [+]Feedback link on the home page.

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

thefunkmobile — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:54:19 GMT

Done! thank you @shadowsports

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

JFoss — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 18:11:44 GMT

Has anyone used to portkeys monitor with their C70 or R5. It's a shame Canon prevents the R5C from having this ability. https://www.portkeys.com/portkeys-monitor-camera-control-for-canon-c70-c700-r3-r5-r6/

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

HarborPictures — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 03:23:34 GMT

I have the Portkeys LH5P II. I use it with my R5C. No control though. It is a shame we don’t have either the standard control over USB like the other canon cameras - or over LANC like the Canon cinema cameras. As much as I love the image of the R5C in both stills and video, the lack of any sort of meaningful remote control that we can use though our DJI gimbals, or touchscreen monitors like Portkeys is very frustrating. After 14 months of ownership, and multiple inquires through the support site, and Canon CPS I’ve not heard a peep. Just have to keep hoping I guess.

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

TuckingFin — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 16:16:18 GMT

Can I get an update on if this feature (or lack thereof) is still unavailable?

I'm looking to purchase a camera mainly for video but with crossover capability; considering the R5C.

I'm coming from an Olympus OMD EM-1 in which their smartphone app allows me to connect to the camera's wifi. In the app, I see live camera view; and have remote control over some key features. ie. start/stop video, iso, etc. This is a critical feature to me as I'm shooting remote.

The R5C appears to be a strong contender for my needs; but I now see via this post that basic remote operation of video/recording capability is unsupported. What a shame as the camera has everything else I'd want!

I'm hoping this has been resolved by firmware update; kindly update this thread if it has as will significantly influence my buying decision.

Thanks!

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

shadowsports — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 18:14:03 GMT

Greetings,

As if this writing, the current FW v1.0.6.1 still does not support native Wi-Fi connectivity in Cinema mode. It is supported if you purchase the WFT-R10A, but this adds about $1000 in capital expense and doesn't seem to be a popular alternative.

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

HarborPictures — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 01:45:00 GMT

As much as I’ve lobbied to get some news from Canon on this, all I’ve gotten is crickets.

I still really enjoy using my R5C without the benefit of easy WiFi remote control. There have been some great deals lately that have tempted me to pick up a second one. But I’ve resisted. My hope is we may see a solid R5 MK II sooner than later that could roll in some R5C cinema features, but with improved battery life and no overheating. The current R5 checks all the WiFi remote boxes. So it might be a good addition to my kit. Maybe worth a little wait and see.

Re: EOS R5 C Thoughts on Remote Control, Wi-Fi Connectivity

designerfilmes — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 18:36:25 GMT

I found it regrettable that there was no function for video control over the Wi-Fi.
I go into the menu and see the option to enable or disable the network and I see all the settings there, but they are gone. It just seems like a software communication detail. It's regrettable, I'm really sad that this isn't there.
The worst part is seeing the team saying that Sony is this and that and still has this easily... and the lenses work well with the adapter... so I'm faced with the choice of keeping the camera without being able to use the remote control or selling it right away and going to Sony.
That's too bad. I've been using Canon for over 15 years and I don't want to change.
Can we make this thing work with a simple Canon software update?