Blackmagic Design firmware 1.8 has restored the normal audio input levels on their Cinema and 4K cameras. They have removed the digital attenuation which was causing very low audio recording levels. They have also restored the frequency response to what it was on version 1.2 which was not great, but better than all the releases that came after this. It is now down 3dB at 350Hz when in MIC level input mode and a very good 3 dB down at 35Hz when in LINE level mode.

Our DXA-BMD passive adapter can once again be used to record very clean audio into this camera. You can now achieve a 76dB of signal-to-noise ratio which is excellent for any DSLR camera. The camera gain should be set to 30% which is the “sweet spot”.

It looks like there was only a minor change to the audio performance on the Pocket camera. The “sweet spot” is now at 50% instead of 100%. The signal to noise ratio in not quite as good as its big brother but still a respectable 71dB at 50% gain. The frequency response is still the same relatively flat 45Hz to 18kHz with a weird bump around 70Hz.

Blackmagic has also seen fit to restore the same issue they had on version 1.2 of the Cinema and 4K cameras which switched the input to line level whenever the input signal became too hot. This will obviously cause you to lose your audio. The only way to reset this is to cycle the camera off and on. This will no doubt frustrate many users. It is advisable to carefully watch the levels on the VU meter of the DXA-BMD adapter to avoid this problem. The Pocket did not exhibit this problem.

http://beachtek.com/audio-changes-firmware-1-8-blackmagic-cameras/

Major BMPCC price drop to $495

US

• Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-Pocket-Cinema-Camera-Thirds/dp/B00CWLSHUK/
• Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackmagic-Design-CINECAMPOCHDMFT-Pocket-Cinema-Camera-Free-Ship-New-INTL-Ok-/151235212316
• Adorama - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackmagic-Pocket-Cinema-Camera-Body-Only-with-Micro-Four-Thirds-Lens-Mount-/331156567765
• $595 but with $150 card - http://www.adorama.com/BMCCPE.html
• http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/964117-REG/blackmagic_design_blackmagic_pocket_cinema_camera.html

UK

• http://www.proav.co.uk/blackmagic-design-pocket-cinema-camera

International

• Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackmagic-Design-CINECAMPOCHDMFT-Pocket-Cinema-Camera-Free-Ship-New-INTL-Ok-/151235212316
• Or use any US ones and Shipito

At ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackmagic-Design-CINECAMPOCHDMFT-Pocket-Cinema-Camera-Free-Ship-New-INTL-Ok-/151235212316?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item233652341c

UK drop (354 pounds now)

• http://www.proav.co.uk/blackmagic-design-pocket-cinema-camera

Soooo, what's the catch?

just tried making adorama purchase. The $300 off bundle with metabones is insane, but they just told me it's a mistake. It's $100 off.

Camera is still $495 though

But they have special Speedboosters :-) And Adorama still discount them.

Just bought one.

Had to do it. I've been floundering around since December after losing my GH2. Unfortunately with with Leica PL 25mm attached, and the 95/64 card.

Still have a couple other lenses from Panny that I can use.

Happy.

Which Speedbooster for Panny M43 lenses?

Such thing is impossible :-)

Ah, thanks @Vitaliy_Kiselev

I'm guessing it's the same for Oly M43 lenses too.

@tinyrobot Hobbyist who is looking for a good price, that's me. :)

Had a reply from Proactive in the UK, they don't know why the price was dropped, so not discontinued officially yet (well if they want to sell out before a new model, they wouldn't announce it).

Yeah, sucks if you recently bought one. But it's a limited offer (end of August) so they should recover a bit.