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

efeinblatt

SLR Magic 12mm T1.6 vs Olympus 12mm F2.0
Take a look at this review/test, which really probes the characteristics of each lens:
http://kanauru.net/main/?p=126

peaceonearth

@vicharris

hmm.. are you satisfied with sharpness? it looks quite soft in general

nomad

@vicharris

I see quite some distortion when the horizon is high or low. How bad is it with architecture or interiors?

_gl

@ahbleza, they may be doing it to avoid fragmentation and so keep the write speeds consistent (or maybe just keep the writing code simpler).

As a drive runs out of space, all the little fragments that are scattered around become the only place left to write data, so new stuff has to use them & gets really badly fragmented. Same thing happens on hard drives.

vicharris

Here's my latest and greatest. Think this might be the first footage from the new SLR Magic 12mm MKII and of course our pocket in RAW. Little long but hope you enjoy :)

vicharris

@ahbleza Yep, it's normal and you should never fill the card anyways. That goes for any format like this.

ahbleza

Doing some testing today, shooting in raw with a 64 GB card. It will stop recording at 20 minutes and 46 seconds, with a "Card Full" warning at around 16 minutes (which I guess kicks in at 80%). Has anyone else seen this? It seems that the entire card is not used, with around 6 GB free (another couple of minutes.)

Cid

@vicharris Good to know. My Pocket Camera is finally on it´s way to delivery. As soon as I get it I´ll shoot some tests. Thanks.

vicharris

@Cid There's a new, better built SLR 12mm coming out. I'll post footage with it in the next day or two from the pocket and 2.5k cams.

Cid

@vicharris That´s the case, most of my shots will be during the day. The SLR 12mm seems to be a rare find, but I´ll look for it since I´ll have the time. Thanks again!

vicharris

@Cid If a lot of your footage is during the day, the 14-140 is fine. Most of the last part of my video was filmed with it because I couldn't waste time changing lenses. You'll need ND even with it, of course. Maybe look at SLRs 12mm for a fast, wide option. It looks pretty good on this camera.

Cid

@vicharris Thanks for the info, man. For now I just have the lumix 14-140 and a Schneider 16mm. But since I´m still in the early development stage I´ll take your advices and prepare it properly. Thanks a lot.

vicharris

@Cid The Epic was used but just for heavy VFX stuff.

As for the pocket in the desert, mine wasn't used that much but the A cam held up the entire time and it was put through just about any major test besides snow out there. It never failed. The only thing I would do is put some sort of rubber stoppers in the input holes that you aren't using to avoid debris getting in there. If your Doc is mostly controlled I see no problems with using the pocket. Pair it with the Sigma 18-35, a good 50mm and 85mm and you're going to be set. Maybe a speedbooster if you have the money. Also an EVF is needed no matter what. This is something you can not do without. Rear screen is literally worthless in the desert. Oh, and a shoulder rig of course. No handheld with this little guy :)

Cid

@vicharris Great shots of the desert! I´m developing a documentary that partly takes place in a desertic region. I´m towards shooting with the Pocket, mostly after seeing your first video. Any thoughts about working with the Pocket in such environment? Thanks.

Cid

@vicharris I´m curious about the work that you mentioned with the Pocket in pair with RED. Wich RED was used? Thanks.

Cid

@_gl I´m used to follow his blog, but it´s becoming less and less interesting. He used to be funny, but since he became some kind of tech celebrity the more biased his "thoughts" are. But more points of view on any subject are always welcome.

_gl

@flablo, completely agree. What bothers me is that some people need to call him a paid Canon shill just because they don't agree with his priorities - that's clearly not true. He was always pretty enthusiastic about the GH cams and even shot a GH3 promo video for Panny: http://philipbloom.net/2012/09/15/genesis/

flablo

As for me, I didn't question his findings, and the points he touched are true and useful to know. I always follow his reviews with great interest. That is why I was baffled by his awkward attitude towards everything-not-Canon. So now I know I should take his opinions with a grain of salt. I'm more than happy with my Pocket and couldn't care less about "defending" it. The fact he states 'I'm often wrong so make up your own mind' can't prevent me from expressing my opinion. Since he chooses to publicly share his thoughts, the public is entitled to express opinions on them. But again, who cares :)

_gl

I take your point. I think for Bloom, not having audio or file management is a big deal, and it turned him off more than those who only care about the (very good) image. But at the end when he updates with RAW and SpeedBooster, he came around imo.

My point is, people need to stop being so insecure in their own choices that they can't tolerate someone else having different priorities. Bloom is just a (useful) datapoint. Nobody has exactly the same needs as anyone else, so people will always disagree on what's best.

nomad

I don't mind if its not an A cam for him, but C ? C'mon, I have access to Reds most of the time and I've used Alexa and F55. It would be a viable B cam next to these any time.

If they'd make a Pocket with 2.5 K and a proper OLPF, I'd leave the Scarlet in the bag on many occasions…

_gl

I find the Bloom bashing warped. I watched Part 3 and it seems a very balanced review. The guy has access to tons of high-end cameras and shoots with budgets, so to him it's not an A cam. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be for anyone else. He even says at the top 'I'm often wrong so make up your own mind'. What more do you want?

All the flaws he points out are real. How much they matter depends on individual priorities, so you don't have to agree with his. They're all still worth pointing out so people can make informed decisions.

I also don't agree with him on RAW vs ProRes, from the comparisons I've seen RAW does add a bit more detail. But for the results he needs, it may not be worth the extra hassle for him. Again you don't have to agree.

cykla

@Cid @JuMo Thanks guys, this camera with a Nokton (25 or 17.5) is a perfect combo for low light shots. It s not perfectly sharp but the light scenes are giving this kind of magic in the air. I ve added a chinese copy of the Edelkrone pocket rig and now I am good to go even without OIS stab. I will do more shots asap so you can see the lake too :)