Almost from the very moment it was discovered that certain high-end Canon HDSLRs could be used to capture cheap, high-quality HD, users have been trying to figure out ways
to modify the cameras to better suit their live-action video needs. One of the common modifications is the lens adapter, which a lot of folks use to swap the high-end automatic Canon EF lenses for older, more affordable glass. (Nikons seem to be a popular choice.) Most consumer-grade adapters will run you anywhere from $30 to $300, depending on the quality, style and vendor, but, in some cases, can fall victim to the third-party tendency towards awkward compatibility.
Going in the other direction – stepping up the lens quality – is another story. There are a couple PL-mount adapter kits on the market right now, and, unlike adapter rings, these mods actually transform the 7D to accept the added heft and unique physiology of cinema-style PL-mount lenses.
At the top of the heap sits FGV Schmidle, a Munich-based camera rental house currently offering a Canon 7D PL mod dubbed the FGV PL7D (as seen above).
Sold as a single package and distributed exclusively in the U.S. through Burbank, CA-based Band Pro Film & Digital, the PL7D is, as the brochure describes, is no “hot-rodded consumer product.” For $7,800, FGV Schmidle performs a complete, professional gut and rebuild of the camera's internal components: First, they remove the 7D's sensor, mirror, autofocus unit, ground glass and prism viewfinder. A solid-steel PL-mount and stainless steel tripod mounting block are joined and reattached to the camera. The sensor is remounted onto the sensor carrier inside the PL block. To prevent reflections, the interior of the camera is blacked out with a matte-finish. A 3-pin Fischer connector for remote operation is installed in place of the optical viewfinder, leaving live view via the LCD screen intact. The shutter is kept intact which means the 7DPL continues to also operate as a still camera.
“All PL-mount lenses that we've tested so far work with the camera, with the exception of the Angenieux Rouge zoom lens, which uses an extreme retrofocus design, meaning the rear of the lens pokes way out into the camera body,” says Band Pro technical consultant Randy Wedick.
FGV's reason for initially choosing the 7D over other, equally capable HDSLRs like the Canon 5D Mk II or 1D Mk IV is in the camera's active sensor size. According to FGV, the 7D's APS-C sensor is closer to the Super 35 3-perf 1.78:1 format than the other two cameras. This creates a depth of field that is much closer to that of 35mm film. Also, at the time, the 7D was the only HDSLR capable of typical film frame rates. As of the past NAB Show in April, the company was in the planning stages for a similar upgrade to the upcoming Canon EOS 1Ds4 and 5D3.
Since receiving their initial shipment of 20 FGV 7DPLs, Band Pro has been struggling to keep up with customer demand. “People tend to use them for your classic 'C' cam applications: Crash cams, car interiors, backround plates, inserts, and even as a high-end director's viewfinder,” Wedick adds.
A few possible configurations possible with the FGV 7DPL modification.
The upgrade is of such high quality that Canon will continue to honor its manufacturer's warranty, in addition to FGV's one-year warranty. In the way of accessories, FGV currently offers a Hybrid Lightweight Support package with a riser plate and two pairs of 15mm rods for mounting lens control motors, follow-focus knobs and matteboxes.Technical specs and ordering information can be found at the Band Pro site.
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