Accessory Shoe

[petr55]

Does anyone know what kind of accessories are available for the intelligent accessory shoe? I am looking at lighting solutions...

Thanks
Petr

[Mal]

Yes, they have a mic, a light, and what else....can't find the link now....let me check....

EDIT: okay found it:
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=SNAModelSuppliesAct&fcategoryid=818&modelid=14869

Those are "official" Canon offerings.

[petr55]

THanks.

How is the built-in video light? Is it bright enough for a dark room?
Or do I need to buy the external light?

Petr

[Mal]

Well, it's a tiny LED...just one.
If you happen to film in a pitch-black closet, or if you need just a tiny bit of light to shine into a dark cupboard, it certainly is useful; but for pretty much anything else, yes, you'll need an external light.

Hey, but it's cool that they included it, might come in handy to find your car keys! :)

[Erik Bien]

<fume>
Sure wish Canon had spent the LED money on a LAN-C port instead!
</fume>

I have the little Canon camera-powered 3w light. YMMV, but it too becomes pretty much worthless much beyond six feet. Also, its output is pretty "square" as hinted by its shape; the falloff might be objectionable when shooting 16:9. On the other hand, its lens has enough diffusion it's not insanely harsh at short distances, it's cheap, it doesn't hog a lot of battery power and it's as small and light as a pair of dice. On Canon's "smart accessory shoe," it even has an "auto" setting which lets the camera turn it on or off as it thinks best ... though I'm not sure I always concur with my camera about that! ;)