2K BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera, active m43, $995

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Specifications:

High resolution 1080HD Super 16mm sized sensor with superior handing of image detail.
Super wide 13 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.
Compatible with extremely high quality Micro Four Thirds lenses. Compatible with other mounts via common third party adapters such as PL mount and Super 16 cine lenses.
Built in SD card allows long duration recording with easy to use media.
Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software such as ProRes 422 (HQ) and lossless compressed CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW. No custom file formats.
Features all standard connections, including mini jack mic/line audio in, micro HDMI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay, headphone mini jack, LANC remote control and standard DC 12 power connection.
Built in LCD for camera settings via easy to use menus.
Supports 1080HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps.
Compatible with DaVinci Resolve Lite color grading software.

Availableat:

http://www.adorama.com/VDBMCCP.html

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera

IronFilm

Awesome contribution @cantsin to the body of knowledge for the BMPCC!

matthere

Thanks @cantsin, appreciate the work that went into this. Very useful :)

cantsin

For those who still use the old BMPCC, I wrote a Survival Guide (which condenses 5 years experience of shooting with it) focusing on practical tips & tricks and the things that one should know when working with the camera:

http://data.pleintekst.nl//Blackmagic_Pocket_Cinema_Camera_v1_Survival_Guide.html

IronFilm

Has any one measured how the dynamic range changes at the different ISOs for the BMPCC? (obviously I'm referring to in a flavour of ProRes, not raw)

As the highest dynamic range should be at base ISO, but I was wondering just how bad the hit is? (as sometimes you might want to make that trade off, rather than juggle other variables)

I'm also curious to hear other people's thoughts about video mode (Rec709) vs film mode (log)?

_gl

Ah yeah, 2:14, the dreaded BMD moire (spill from the light shapes).

(strangely on Firefox I only get a 360p option for the video, not seen that before).

Cid

The guy did this other test:

In 1080p the Pocket looks fine against the downscaled GH5. If watched on a 4K monitor and file things probably reverse ;o)

_gl

@Vitaliy_Kiselev ah I see what you mean, scientifically precise sharpness matching. Sure, good idea, although I think you can eyeball it and still get a valid result.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@_gl

Scientifically it is MTF measured on resulting image edges.

_gl

@Vitaliy_Kiselev, no I mean post sharpening. The GH5 footage is more software sharpened (maybe baked in?), so the BMPCC needs to be sharpened to compensate to make it a fair test. Otherwise newbies will assume that the BMPCC just can't do a sharp image, when it is actually designed to be sharpened in post.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@_gl

Ideally it must be both color matching (as far as possible), usage of same lens and matching MTF (that you mean under sharpness).

_gl

Yeah, plus a bit more sharpness. I don't know about the GH5, but the GH2 had all that stuff baked in which sucked.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@johnbrawley

Agree, it must have had color chart and match colors.

johnbrawley

It made no sense at all. You could easily mostl add a bit of saturation to the pocket and achieve the same look.

JB

_gl

If I understand the workflow for this test, he applied the exact same grade settings to each camera. That's not very useful though, as the BMPCC image is softer and less punchy (by design). A better test would be to try to grade each to look identical, including colouring, saturation and sharpness, and then see which one is more pleasing or had more DR etc.

I mean, that's what people would do in the real world right, try to grade to get the best possible look. Only when you've done that can you see the real limitations of the camera.

Still, it's interesting to see the difference in the ungraded output.

MikeLinn

Cid

According to imdb, the Pocket was used in the new "Bourne" film, along with an impressive mix of formats (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4196776/technical?ref_=tt_dt_spec) that makes me think: poor editors and colourists ;o)

IronFilm

Nope not going to happen. Buy the BMMCC instead :)

johnbrawley

I think there is a thread on official BM forum from a couple of guys that are trying to do this, but they also didn't seem to be making a lot of progress. I'm sure you can search for it, I'm not sure if cross posting is permitted. I think their last post was almost a "too hard" kind of posting.

JB

euggie2000

I'm wondering if there is any way to hack the bmpcc and activate global shutter, since its known that they used a sensor (either this: http://spie.org/x85325.xml or that one: http://www.fairchildimaging.com/files/data_sheet_cis_1910f_0.pdf ) with the gs ability? Or at least any other features that is hidden or factory-disabled... I guess there should be some king of physical modding, like extra cooling and stuff...

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.production1studio.com/2016/02/07/black-magic-pocket-camera-tests/

MikeLinn

crowbar

This was filmed on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. The Olympus 75mm f1.8 lens was used on over the shoulder and close up shots. The Veydra 16 mm Mini Prime was used on the wide shots. The Neo Rotolight was used to supplement the natural window light. Editing and grading were done in FCPX.