These 3 Filmmaking Tools Are the Perfect Stocking Stuffers

For our Deals of the Day, here are three of our favorite filmmaking tools. 

With the holidays just around the corner, we have one last weekly deal post for the year! Usually, we stick with a theme, but this time we decided to pick our favorite deals. Between the camera, the lights, and the lenses, these will make great gifts either for you or that filmmaker in your life. 

If you haven't checked out The No Film School Holiday Gift Guide, you might find other gift ideas there too!

Canon EOS R5 C

When set to photo mode, the Canon EOS R5 C is a full-featured stills camera with all the settings of the R5 EOS mirrorless camera. But when switched to video mode, it becomes a full-frame 8K60 Cinema EOS camera that can record internal 12-bit Cinema RAW Light footage. If you look up hybrid cinema camera in the dictionary, you'd find this piece of kit.

The R5 C enhances several features in comparison to its siblings, the R5 and C70. This includes 4K120 recording, HDMI RAW output, Canon Log 3 HLG/PQ support, unlimited recording time, a timecode port, Dual Pixel CMOS AF with eye detection, an active cooling system, a high-power LP-E6NH battery, 13 reassignable buttons, and a multi-function shoe for XLR adapters.

The camera also retains the reliable features of those cameras, such as Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, footage compatibility with DaVinci Resolve and Canon apps, an electronic RF mount, CFexpress/SD card slots, a similar button layout, and more. The EOS R5 C is also moisture and dustproof to the same level as its cinema cousin, the EOS C70. And all this is packed into a tiny 1.7 lb body that is just asking to become your go-to drone camera.

This camera is ready to work. 

Aputure MC Lighting Kits

The Aputure MC lights are part of the Aputure M-series and feature RGB LEDs, as well as both tungsten and daylight-balanced LEDs, creating a full hue-controllable LED light that emits up to 95% of the BT.2020 color gamut. This lightweight fixture easily fits in the palm of your hand and can be mounted using the built-in 1/4"-20 threaded mounting hole or attached to metal items via its built-in magnets. The light integrates an OLED display screen and a control wheel. Compatibility with the Aputure Sidus Link app enables you to remotely control your light from your mobile device. The light fixture supports the Sidus Mesh technology that enables you to control multiple fixtures. 

The fixture is dimmable from 100 to 0% brightness, has 360° of hue control, and has a hundred levels of color saturation adjustment. It features a CRI rating of 96 and a TLCI rating of 97, and the MC LED light has a color temperature range of 3200 to 6500K, adjustable in 100K increments. In addition to the HSI and CCT settings, the light has nine built-in FX settings and has an integrated battery that will run the fixture for two hours at maximum brightness. 

On its own, this light won't be able to do much, but when you have a set, then you can start making magic. That's why you have a choice between the 4-Light Travel Kit and the 12-Light Production Kit.

Viltrox Cine Lens

Viltrox cine glass has been around for almost two years now. While they're dirt cheap, these lenses are nothing to scoff at. Both the 33mm and 56mm are interesting focal lengths and come equipped with a super nice T1.5 aperture that covers S35/APS-C-sized sensor cameras. It also includes a multilayer coating, 0.8-MOD cine-style gearing, a 14-blade aperture for smooth bokeh round, imperial and metric markings, and a robust built quality to hold it all together. If you're a budget filmmaker shooting on the Sony E-mount and are looking for your first lens kit, this pair should be worth considering. 

Angenieux EZ-1 & EZ-2 Lens Kit (Honorable Mention)

However, if you're looking for a lens kit that will be able to keep up with the demanding productions, we have this pair of Angenieux zooms that you won't want to miss. 

Both the 30 to 90mm EZ-1 and the wide 15 to 40mm Angenieux EZ-2 cinema zoom lenses are compatible with full-frame or Super 35, depending on your choice of interchangeable rear optical assemblies. This kit provides a wide range of coverage with only two lenses, and the rear assemblies can be swapped out to suit your shooting format. When used in full frame mode, the 30-90mm zoom becomes a 45-135mm lens, and the 15-40mm zoom becomes a 22 to 60mm lens. Each of these modular lenses is PL-mount, with optional Canon EF and Sony E-mounts available separately.

Both Angenieux EZ zoom lenses feature a fast T2.0 maximum aperture in Super 35, with a maximum T3.0 in Full Frame mode. Additional features include a 2' close-focus distance and a common 114mm lens front that is compatible with many cine-style matte boxes. Safely transport both zoom lenses in the included hard case with a folding top handle. The lenses ship with a PL mount but can be swapped to either Sony E or Canon EF mounts.

Whatever your audio needs are, these tools should get you started in one way or another! Let us know your fav in the comments.