The new BlackMagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera was announced here at NAB2013. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
sports a Super 16 size 1080HD sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range. They are saying that the images look virtually identical to the current BMCC EF mount cinema camera. Featuring a Micro Four Thirds™ lens active mount so you can use low cost lenses, but also Super 16 cine lenses via an adapter.
A small and attractive design with built in stereo mic's, LANC, micro HDMI with overlays for monitoring, solid grip handle that holds a removable battery and built in recorder to SD cards. It records lossless CinemaDNG RAW and ProRes 422 (HQ). The BlackMagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera is available for pre-order and should ship in July 2013 (pre-order now here)
I often get questions about whether the Kamerar Tank Cage will work on the new BlackMagic Design Cinema camera. It was originally designed to fit Canon DSLR cameras, but by accident, it can also fit the BMCC. By changing the stock rods on the Kamerar Tank Cage with standard 15mm rails, i'm able to fit the BlackMagic Design Cinema camera in pretty well. The top plate lines up to allow a 1/4-20 bolt to attach to the BMCC trapping the camera between the plates. It's a very solid mount. Just another affordable option for those looking to mount accessories and or a 15mm rail system with the BMCC. More information about the Kamerar Tank Cage can be found at the product website (click here).
Here's a look at how the new Cineroid Retina Display EVF4RVW looks mounted up to a BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera. It's expensive no doubt, but I decided to pick up this EVF and replace the SmallHD DP4 EVF and Zacuto EVF. The Cineroid has a better display using the same Retina tech as the iPhone, Waveform and Vectorscope Displays, and most important a direct 3G/HD/SD-SDI (BNC) + HDMI input (and pass through) to support the BMCC. On this particular EVF i'm also using the Red Fleece Oval Large Eye Cushion.
Blue Star Eye Cushion for LCD View Finders
I didn't want to dive into the features on my own video, since there was one already available that shows off some of what this EVF is capable of and how it can help you when shooting video on just about any camera from the BMCC to smaller GH3 or Canon DSLRs. Even if you are not interested in EVFs, the video below is a good explanation of monitor features in general to help you understand what Zebra, False Color, Peaking, Waveform and Vectorscope displays are used for and why some monitors will cost more than others.
This will not replace my larger monitors in every situation, but it will replace other small EVFs i'm currently using. It is very helpful to use an EVF with the BMCC, but even more useful when shooting with DSLRs because you have to try to nail your color and exposure as best as possible. Compressed footage will not have the same latitude to adjust later in post processing.
Cineroid Retina Display EVF with HDMI HD-SDI Loop Through
For reference i've mounted the BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera into a O-Ring Rig Kit. It's originally designed for DSLR cameras, but it works well to add a top handle,, 15mm rails, and several new mounting points for accessories. You can find that rig via eBay (Click Here).
The BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera was announced in April 2012 (last year) and is still on backorder with every retail store. There are quite a few consistently listed to auction via eBay, but just be prepared to pay a bit more than the $2995 suggested retail price. Check out the listings via eBay (click here).
I've received a few questions about the RAW format of the BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera, so I thought i'd do a short video. The RAW setting of the BlackMagic Design Cinema Camera does not shoot video - it shoots RAW pictures. Each picture equals a single frame, so if you're shooting 24p then it will capture 24 individual RAW photos per second. If you're shooting at 30fps, it will capture 30 individual RAW photo per second.
Even though the DNG format is open source, not all DNG files are created equal. This is the reason why you can't import the BMCC DNG directly into Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro X (until they've found a way to support the BMCC DNG version). So if you're not ready for Davinci Resolve, or maybe your computer just can't handle Davinci, one solution for basic color grading / correcting the BMCC RAW files is by using Adobe Lightroom.
Adobe Lightroom can import all of the BMCC DNG files and take advantage of the full dynamic range. Once you've performed your basic color grades or color corrections, you can export the images to JPEG (or tiff). One thing I may not have mentioned in the video is that you would change the export settings to 1920 pixels for the long edge if you want to fit a 1080p HD video project.
Out of the box the BlackMagic Cinema Camera was not designed to be used handheld. There is also the issue of additional accessories that need mounting to this camera, so it will require some type of Rig as you begin building on the BMCC.
Shape BlackMagic Cinema Camera Chest and Shoulder Rigs
Tilta has stepped up with a few BlackMagic Cinema Camera Rig Bundles (found here). This is the rig I currently have my eye on. If you're not familiar, Tilta is an overseas brand but receives very high remarks from even top video professionals about their build and quality. Just because the equipment comes from overseas, don't expect this to be 'cheap', but it is 'cheaper' than what other top Rig brands are currently offering.
Tilta offers bundles from small Hand Held kits to larger Professional Cinema bundles that include their dual Cinema Follow Focus, Carbon Matte Box, and more. Still out of my price range, but one of the best looking customized rigs i've seen for the BlackMagic so far. Check out more photos and details about the new Tilta BMCC Rigs via eBay (Click Here)
Above is one of the most popular BlackMagic Cinema Camera examples from OneRiver Media comparing the BMCC to the popular 5D Mark III. In the last few weeks it appears BlackMagic has ironed out production issues on it's long overdue Cinema Camera and has been shipping out the BMCC. The first Cinema Camera shipping has the Canon EF mount followed up by a Micro Four Thirds mount Cinema Camera to be released a few months after. I'm just curious as to how many people have ordered this camera?
So while everyone is checking their mailboxes hoping their new Blackmagic Cinema Camera has shipped, at the end of the year the BMCC will release a new native MFT (micro four thirds) mount. There's so many options to mount various lenses to MFT cameras, this might end up being more popular than the first EF mount BMCC. So how many of you have already pre-ordered a BMCC?
Pricing will remain the same at $2995 and expected to ship end of December. Preorders already available over at B&H (Click Here).
From our survey of the people this week in Vegas, the new BlackMagic Cinema Camera was the biggest thing at NAB2012 this year. The first commercially available video camera to shoot RAW for under $3K. It will be interesting to see what people think about the camera once it starts shipping. If you plan on getting one leave a commment, i'm taking a poll on what the interest is out there. Today it's available for Pre-Order via B&H (click here).
BlackMagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera
