Here's a few more BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera related tidbits of information. If you're looking for another inexpensive option for SDHC media, the Transcend 16GB/32GB SDHC 600X UHS-I (found here) / or the the Transcend 64GB/128GB SDHC 600X UHS-I (found here) media seems to work.
Transcend 16GB/32GB SDHC 600X UHS-I
Transcend 64GB/128GB SDXC 600X UHS-I
If there is one single lens to choose for the BMPC, I would have to go with the Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 lens. This lens can maintain that constant F/1.8 aperture through it's focal range crowning it as the 'World's Fastest Zoom Lens'. It's obvious why this lens has been on constant backorder since it's release.
Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 - B&H
Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 Canon - Amazon (in stock)
The Sigma 18-35mm is available to fit a variety of cameras, but unfortunately it's not available in a direct MFT (micro-four thirds) mount. So to control the aperture you'll have to look into something like the Redrock Micro LiveLens MFT Active Lens Mount.
Without power, it's a high quality EF to MFT lens adapter to be used with manual lenses, but when powered up it can control the aperture settings in any electronic EF Lens. A must have for anyone who shoots with Canon EF lenses on MFT cameras like the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera, MFT Cinema Camera, or even the popular Panasonic #GH3 (currently on sale).
Mikkel Bovin
The ONLY sd-card that works 100% flawless in both PRORES and RAW , on the BMPocket, is the "SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB" (Above 90mb/sec.) and if you ONLY shoot in PRORES,youll get 100% flawless operation,also with the "SanDisk Exstreme 128GB" ,- but ANY other Cards ,Brands,and sizes,has been tested with "Dropped Frames" all over the board ! So stick to SanDisk-and SanDisk ONLY ! (in the right sizes as well, cause the "BlackMagicPocket" needs the headroom !
Cheers Mikkel
Simon
I purchased the 128gb version from the B&H link in the article. Camera accepts it but it drops frames like crazy. I've tried different ways to format it as well as exFAT and Mac OS Journaled. No difference. Camera is on latest firmware.
I tested with different lenses just for the hell of it and noticed it seemed to drop frames quicker when i use a lens with IS turned on. But it still dropped frames in every situation.
Testing the card via SDspeed it seems that the card takes around 10secs to get up to any kind of decent speed before then maintaining around 45-48MBps.
Gabriel
I used BMPCC with 12-35 f2.8 Panasonic handheld as you can tell. No post processing was involved
Emm
Post author@Gabriel - Just curious. I'll see if we can get Transcend themselves to comment about this. The card we've been using seems to be working fine and we also tested with fast moving subjects with lots of detail.
Gabriel
It was sold by Amazon.com LLC. I can't add a copy of my print screen to this forum. But if you are interested I can send you a picture of the back of the card and the receipt
Emm
Post author@Gabriel - Interesting how nothing shows up on the Transcend website. Was the seller Amazon, or was it through a third party seller on Amazon? Would be interesting to know.
Gabriel
Thank you for your fast replay. I have tried the link above and it does nothing when I fill in the blanks. My card has this S/N b00439 0562 .I bought the cards from Amazon. Four of them and I trashed one of the envelopes it came with. I thought I trashed all of them. I will returned them but 32Gb Transcend 600x DO NOT WORK PEOPLE!
Here is the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ywBo6Yops&feature=youtu.be
Emm
Post author@Gabriel - That's not enough information. As i've mentioned in the comments before, it is very easy to counterfeit SDHC and Compact Flash media. Where did you purchase this item from? Could it be possible your cards are counterfeit? I only link to cards on Amazon and B&H, and only trust buying from media from these retailers.
Here's a link to a page where I guess you can try to verify your card: https://www.transcend-info.com/Support/SerialCheck_tw.asp
Gabriel
I bought the 32GB Transcend 600x card fallowing your advice and I can say thaI just waisted my money.This cards drops frames on BMPCC. I'm uploading a video now, just look on you tube for: Transcend 600x 32gb Drops frames on Blackmagic Pocket
Emm
Post author@Nelson - Some scenes look like they have been run through warp stabilizer. Pretty nice adapter though seems like it works well.
Nelson
EOSHD have tested Sigma 18-35mm with Speedbooster on BMPCC..
https://www.eoshd.com/content/11294/ultimate-blackmagic-pocket-cinema-camera-lens-sigma-18-35mm-f1-8-speed-booster
Jesse Nash
Yeah, media speed shouldn't be the issue for ProRes. That math is approximately (220 Mbps = 27.5 MBps), there are plenty of Class 10 Cards with a write speed higher than 30MBps... there's clearly more to it. Hopefully media support will expand with future firmware updates, those 95/MBps sandisks are steep.
hansd
@Emm
no I wasn't reffering to you, just saying as I've seen people in forums claim their (by BMD recommended) SD card doesn't get recognized while they should have just formatted it (as in the manual).
Should have been more clear about that, sorry.
Emm
Post author@hansd - Hopefully you're not referring this comment to me. I'm pretty familiar with formatting cards for the BMPC, and as i've stated before Specs (speed ratings) don't tell the whole story. Remember that these cards have their own firmware and that may be a big reason why they aren't compatible with the BMPC.
hansd
You have to format any card as described in the manual or the camera won't recognize it regardless what brand/model.
For the cards, there are many reports of skipped frames with Transcend cards and BM cameras, I wouldn't take a chance on media and go with the recommendation list from Blackmagic, especially when you plan to shoot raw on the Pocket.
Emm
Post author@Peter Kent - The LiveLens does not enable auto focus or image stabilization.
Also, about cards. Good luck on the math. I tried a few name brand cards that even gave good readings during the disk test, but still failed to be recognized in the camera. Before you stand by your list of cards, I suggest ensuring you have actual tests to back up that information.
Peter Kent
Does that RedRock also enable Auto Focus and Image Stabilizing? Also technically that Sigma isn't the fastest zoom in the world LOL but it is the fastest APS-C lens I know of.
Why is everyone buying such expensive cards? Knowing a little math will go a long way in saving a lot of money (hint ProRes HQ caps at 220Mbps), I wrote a blog post way back about how I can get by with $30 64GB cards.
Hendrick Helmke
Transcend will not ship outside of the US for the 32gb version. NOT GOOD.
Hendrick Helmke
Nice to have a large disposable income Emm. Not everyone has.
Emm
Post author@Jesse Nash - I'm not a fan of the price, but I justify my purchase because I have several BMPC cameras + several GH3 cameras + several high quality Canon EF Lenses.
The Redrock + Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 is an amazing little combination that still comes out cheaper and probably outperforms the Canon's 24-70mm F/2.8. Instead of looking at it as one piece, I look at these two together and for the total price the quality and performance can't be matched with any other lens.
Jesse Nash
Either way, it's great to hear we have some more affordable alternatives to the Sandisk extremes
Jesse Nash
Sigma will no doubt release a m43 version of this lens soon enough. Either that or you could pick up the nikon mount and a 10 dollar Nikon to m43 adapter with an aperture ring on eBay to save a lot of scratch. Are Canon digital lenses more complex than the nikon variety, so much so to justify the redrock's hefty price tag?
Matt
Oh, and a wider field of view.
Matt
You could also go for the Nikon version (when available) and get the Metabones Speedbooster. Then you get aperture control, an extra stop of light, and no Redrock adapter needed.
Hendrick Helmke
$598.00 for the Redrock Micro Livelens is scandalous.
Ben Prater
Man, that Redrock adapter is all kinds of ugly.
Emm
Post author@Mitchell - It's possible to do this, but a pain to carry a second camera body and go through the hassle just to change it 1/3 stop each time.
Mitchell
Would I be able to preset my aperture of my Canon EF lenses on my Canon T2i and then transfer the lens over to my BMPCC?