Could everyone please read through the thread before they ask a question? It seems like every thread is bombarded by people asking the same questions over and over again recently.

You know what forget it...why bother if Im just going to have to flame with people when Im just trying to help.

@xenogears John Brawley says that 4/3 lenses now work

@johnbrawley I don't use AF and don't see it as a requirement. But now we'll have it. Some will like it.

A great application for continuous AF is when the BMPCC is mounted on 3-axis gimbals, either hand-held for stabilization, or on a micro copter for aerial shots. Because without expensive remote monitoring and remote focus pulling, it's very difficult for the focus puller to keep up with a flying camera.... :-)

Another application is under water inside a housing without a follow focus.

@johnbrawley

Hi John, first time you write about the Pocket you put some 4/3 lenses on it and they didn't work right, this has been addressed or improved? Thanks for all your info.

@johnbrawley

Thanks for the info. Will the pocket camera have some way to do a push to auto focus? Something similar to the way you can half press the shutter button on a DSLR to focus.

I don't know of anyone has any thoughts about filters for this camera. As far as I understand its the same family of sensors as the BMCC so I'm guessing IR leaking is going to be similarly an issue. With the likelihood of using far smaller lenses I'm pondering my options. I might have to just use step up rings or buy smaller filters, wondering about getting the heliopan variable ND and if I still need an IR filter or not. Or just go the IRND pathway though some seem expensive or even buying some much smaller to suit ND's like 46mm etc.

So I've been trying to track down a mounting solution for the BM Pocket to avoid twist, since it only has one mounting point on the bottom. I experienced twist on the GH2 when using a follow focus, so I know I needed to find a solution to avoid it on the Pocket. I emailed Black Magic about a week ago to ask what they recommended, as I didn't see anything out there that would work. They said that they weren't aware of any 3rd party solutions but that closer to the release date additional "details may emerge from either Blackmagic Design or another third party supplier." However, in the meantime I did run across a few solutions.

The first was the Berkey Microsystems Mikro Baseplate (http://www.berkeysystem.com/store/camera-base-assemblies/mikro-baseplate-assembly-with-quad/) which was designed for GH cameras. It looks like it would work, as it probably reaches the correct height and it has at least two mounting points for a plate which could push against the camera. I actually just emailed them today to see if they have anything in the works that would be a simple addition to this baseplate.

A few days ago, however, I happened to be browsing Vocas's site and saw that they announced a support system for the Pocket Camera which had anti twist built in to the design: http://www.vocas.com/accessories/rail-support-for-blackmagic-pocket-cinema-camera . Woot! I love Vocas's gear (I have their matte box, hand grips, and follow focus) as it is up there with Arri quality but usually has better features. Their stuff can be expensive, though. However, this baseplate is only €195, which works out to about $275 retail over here. It is also about $100 cheaper than their adjustable baseplate which fits the GH series. Not too bad for top quality. (Although, in order to use their stuff, you do need to invest in their rods, as their sizing is a bit small. Their aluminum rods aren't too expensive, though.)

Anyone come up with any other solutions?

Thanks John - I appreciate you providing this information!

Mark

Are we talking AF like the 20mm F1.7 Mark I has or AF like the 35-100mm F2.8 has? One is very good the other not so much.

Most probably slower than both. As even 20mm AF is based of 60fps AF modes. And in modern bodies it goes up to 240fps in good light. Sampling is important to contract based focus speed.

The pocket camera will have AF.

This should be rolled out to the other cameras as well.

JB.

there's a bit of snobbery about auto focus, I think it will be very useful for run and gun, like having a focus puller with you. It's the focus hunting that sometimes happens that needs to be managed.