5-Perf 65mm · Showscan
WilcamCP-65
A modern 65mm camera born from Douglas Trumbull’s groundbreaking Showscan® process. Self-blimped for sync sound at 24 fps, rebuilt with digital electronics, and ready to shoot up to 22 minutes continuously.
KEY features
- Film format
- 5-Perf 65mm
- FPS range
- 1-72 fwd/rev
- Magazine capacity
- 1000 ft / 2500 ft
- Electronics
- Digital, 2026
- sync sound
- quiet at 24 fps
- Video assist
- 2K digital
- Showscan mags
- 22 min at 24 fps
- Weight
- 69 lbs
The story
An Academy Award winning lineage.
The Wilcam CP 65 was a collaboration between Douglas Trumbull, Geoff Williamson and Ed DeGulio. Together they created a modern camera for Trumbull’s groundbreaking 70mm Showscan® process. In 1992, the system received a Scientific and Technical Academy Award, alongside the ARRI 765 and Panavision System 65.
Legendary cinematographer Jack Cardiff, BSC, described it as “an extraordinary camera”. These cameras are self-blimped for 24 fps, making them suitable for shooting dialogue without a blimp. Magazines can be mounted on the top or rear, similar to an Arricam and Millennium XL2.
Equipped with either 1000′ or 2500′ mags. The 2,500′ magazines allow for 22 minutes of continuous shooting, longer than any other 65mm camera in the world.
Three cameras, 17 × 1000′ magazines and 8 × 2500′ mags are available, in addition to lenses and water housings built by the legendary Pete Romano of Hydroflex.
modern featureS
- Digital MCU Electronics from 2026
- Preston FI+Z System Integration
- Panavision Remote Control Integration
- 2K Video Assist w/2 HD-SDI out
- 2-pin and 3-pin RS AKS power
- AKS mounting plates
Inside the CP-65
welcome to showscan.
See the dual magazine configurations, the movement's film path, and the modern digital controls behind the Wilcam CP-65.
MagazinES
DUAL-LOAD magazine
A Showscan 1000' magazine top mounted on the CP-65 camera body.
MagazinES
DUAL-LOAD magazine
A Showscan 1000' magazine rear mounted on the CP-65 camera body.
LONG TAKES
2500 FT MAGAZINES
Dual-chamber magazines for 2500' loads
Operator side
Digital control panel
Footage, take, and frame-rate controls on the camera.
I have been using the camera for months. And you would think that with film moving through it at 60 frames per second there would occasionally be some scratches, but I can’t remember having a single problem.
Jack Cardiff, BSC · Legendary cinematographer
The glass
Showscan® lenses.
The Showscan® lenses use legendary Mamiya medium-format glass, renowned for their depth, warmth, and organic rendering. They deliver a rich, cinematic image with smooth tonal transitions, natural low contrast, and a distinctive medium format character.
Ten fully rehoused focal lengths are available, ranging from a 24mm to a 600mm, including a fast 80mm Mamiya T2.
