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

    As we can see from footage filmed with non-stabilized lenses, it often is needed with proper support for the BMPCC when without sticks. For me the portability and small size is important, so I want to find sollutions that doesn't add unnecessary clunkiness.

    First, for outdoor use, I think a viewfinder would be needed in many cases. This would also add a point of contact, helping to stabilize. I'm thinking of the zacuto z-finder, but not sure if it fits, and it's a bit pricey. Do you have any recommandations?

    Maybe a viewfinder would be enough to start with, but I'm also tempted by something like the zacuto marauder, to add support without all the size problems with a real rig. But ofcourse the price is kind of hard to justify. http://store.zacuto.com/marauder/

    Any thoughts apreciated!

  • lmackreathlmackreath

    Some more real word postage I just found on Vimeo

    I really want to love this camera and have had it on pre order since day one..but again I look at the footage and just think "why does look so soft and out of focus!!!!"...

    I keep telling myself that in the right hands with the right lenses and so on the camera will shine...but right now I feel like I might be better off sticking with moon T7 on my GH2 and investiging in the Sigma 18-35 with MFT speedbooster instead of the BMPCC!!

  • nomadnomad

    I'll get a BMCC tomorrow to compare. I'd expect better grading potential and more resolution for sure.

    And regarding BMPCC "vs" GH2: We are in a forum with many users of GH2, it's in a similar price range, size and weight. So, why not? And for sure it's horses for courses.

  • GravitateMediaGroupGravitateMediaGroup

    @driftwood you know it isn't fair to compare 5d raw to the pocket cam ; )

    kind of an odd and off topic question, but if canon/bmd/panasonic offered you a position to help improve their "science/technology" would you accept? Or....can they enhance the cameras themself in the same ways you do but choose not to?

  • AzoAzo

    @Tron

    I appreciate the feedback from @vicharris and @driftwood and value their opinion about the camera's video quality. If anything, this will help anyone else that was thinking about purchasing a BMCC or BMPCC camera. This might sway somebody to purchase the BMCC instead of the BMPCC. Very helpful feedback as far as I am concerned.

  • Chaos123xChaos123x

    I think I'm going to cancel my order. The footage looks good, but I'm not blown away. The real reason is the battery life and card requirements. I think I will get a nice lens for my gh2 instead.

  • vicharrisvicharris

    Or we can start a Tron sucks thread, either one is fine.

  • WilboWilbo

    plus active mft mount and small form factor is also still awesome in my eyes

  • WilboWilbo

    @Tron Haha, I guess this is getting a little negative. If it's any consolation I think the BMPCC still has a whole lot of potential once the raw function is activated :)

  • TronTron

    Maybe you guys can go start a "BMPCC sucks" thread... or just switch to PM? Thanks!

  • vicharrisvicharris

    @driftwood Kholi and I just shot with three of them and Rokinon glass. Very impressed all around but he's a veteran with these by now.

  • driftwooddriftwood

    Yeah Im defo gonna pick up a 2.5k

  • vicharrisvicharris

    @driftwood I would concur sir. The ProRes stuff out of the 2.5k is far better than anything I've seen from the pocket cam. It's not like I'm a very experienced camera guy but I though they would be a little more on par.

  • vicharrisvicharris

    Just a heads up, I'm thinking about canceling my preorder. I ordered 3 days after it was announced so not sure when I will get it but if anyone is WAY down the line or hasn't even put in an order yet, instead of cancelling, I could keep the order in and just send it to you as soon as I get it. Brand new and unopened. All you'll have to do is cover the extra shipping from CA which shouldn't be too much at all. Just a thought.

  • driftwooddriftwood

    :-) Pro res from dng /ML looks poor too. Really soft.

  • WilboWilbo

    @driftwood Nah, no flak, makes total sense. You're grading raw from full frame sensor vs proress from a s16 sensor :)

  • kholikholi

    @driftwood

    I'd like to see some nice 5D3 RAW stuff, haven't seen any since Macgregor and Hunter's upload, that was at the start of it all. =T Everything else has been much less than encouraging.

    Also, is BPC shooting RAW at all? I thought it was ProRes only right now?

  • driftwooddriftwood

    Im up for some flak now. At the moment I'm grading my Canon 5DMKIII ML RAW better than what Ive seen so far from the BMPCC stuff. Come on guys show me some class grading. :-)

  • peternappeternap

    @GravitateMediaGroup Good point and one I've been wrestling with since this camera was announced. I don't do cinema. I make documentaries, mostly run and gun and mostly in 1080 60p.

    Most of what I use are an AC160 and a GH3 and two GH2's for B&C. I'd love to have one but I swear I'm afraid it's a fine carving knife when I need a chainsaw.

  • GravitateMediaGroupGravitateMediaGroup

    does it always have to be gh2 vs the world? both cameras have a nice image, but other than that, these cameras in all other category's are so far apart that it shouldn't be looked at as "this camera is better than that camera" but more importantly which tool is more important for the kind of job you are trying to do. And honestly, unless you need better slow mo or a stills cam, the pocket should be a no brain'er. I realize there isn't a "vs" conversation going on here, but in the back of our minds it's what we do when we see "compare test" videos. ; )

  • vicharrisvicharris

    @nomad Wasn't bashing your test, sorry if it came out that way brother :)

    Agreed that the rec 709 is not as good as the GH2 for sure. Not pretty by any standards. And yep, the Pro Res Log is niiiiiiiiccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :)

  • nomadnomad

    Yes. But this was a crappy first test. I'll have night shots to show tomorrow without glass in between and exposure series of color charts. I can already say that the BMPCC has lots of leeway for correction.

    BTW, if I switch it to "Video" (rec 709) instead of "Film" (log), I like the GH2 better. But any camera that shoots in log only makes sense if you have the time (and talent) for grading.

  • vicharrisvicharris

    @nomad

    I have a question about those two tests. Yes, there's that reflection there. Is that on the window you were shooting out of? If so am I the only one that thinks that reflection is causing the spike in the waveform monitor at that point? It looks like it's in the same spot as the reflection. Yes, no?

  • jrdjrd

    IMO....T7 blew it away in the shots above. I suspect after post they'll swap ends but out of camera,

    You're right on the second point: all the posted footage out of the BMPC has that washed-out "log" quality -- you can't judge what the camera's actually recording, without grading it. Comparing it to GH2 footage, which has already gone through camera processing, won't tell you much.

    Sit down to grade, and you'll see the difference.

  • jrdjrd

    IMO....T7 blew it away in the shots above. I suspect after post they'll swap ends but out of camera,

    You're right on the second point: all the posted footage out of the BMPC has that washed-out "log" quality -- you can't judge what the camera's actually recording, without grading it. Comparing it to GH2 footage, which has already gone through camera processing, won't tell you much.

    Sit down to grade, and you'll see the difference.

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