Black Magic Design Cinema Camera - update

[egon touste]

Except for the internal battery.

you mean the UPS system ? .. that doesn't bother me, i have professional power systems to such a camera.. and it accepts a wide range of voltages

[Bob Gundu]

I wish it had a Nikon mount :(

EF mount only...for now.

You can actually get for not a lot of cash, an EF lens mount for a lot of the popular optimo zooms and for the two arri LW zooms as well. Plus of course the CP's.

jb

[John Brawley]

Hey John, honestly, how does this handle compared to R1mx/Scarlet (I'm assuming you've used one or both)? I'm guessing that it's cleaner/sharper than mysterium-x at 2k and maybe even 3k, but 4k would have an obvious edge. What are your thoughts?

p.s. Try not to be biased ;)

Mike I'm not sure what you mean by handle ? You talking in the hand or image wise ?

I'm guessing you mean image...

I haven't shot anything side by side. I've used R1MX and EPIC in the past. A lot.

My views are guestimations at best, based on my prior experience. I'd say it's the near equal for DR without HDRX of course. The resolution isn't the same for sure, but the image does have a lovely softness to it in 1920. I don't mean softness from a resolution perspective, just that it's a gental image. It's not as *processed* as a lot of other cameras.

Certainly if you're comparing EPIC / Scarlet and wanting to deliver ar 1920 there wouldn't be much to it res wise to pick, unless you're looking to crop shots etc. And I think for TV and WEB delivery it's going to be a very capable camera within a certain set of parameters. If rolling shutter that you see on a 5D bothers you and the smaller sensor size bothers you, and the lack of higher frame rates bothers you or if you want to see in the dark, then this aint your camera.

But for sync speeds it puts out a mighty nice "alexa-like" image that works great @1920. It's missing a lot of features you would expect to get on more expensive cameras, but, well...they're more expensive cameras. Hopefully most of those kinds of things will be added into the camera through software over time. At the moment you could call it very paired back and simple in what you can do in the menus....things like histograms are only available through the thunderbolt port with a laptop...

It's been described as a "plastic toy" cam but I think most people are genuinely surprised when they get one in the hand.

Bias ? Well, sure I was lucky enough to be invited to help build a camera. I guess it makes me biased because some of my feedback is in there. They had already locked in the form factor by the time I got to see it, but I've really enjoyed getting to know the engineers and seeing the huge hurdles they have to overcome. Now I really understand why they shake their heads when people say interchangeable battery, 60 FPS, 4K or S35 sensor....

It's so easy to demand those features when you don't know what it takes to make it. And that's been cool as I say, and has broadened my own understanding of the digital imaging pipeline at a very fundamental level.

Like anything...it's all possible...but they were targeting a very certain price.

Their aim in making this camera was to give people a genuine alternative to 5Dmk2 and I think they've more than made a compelling case for replacing DSLR's. And they've done it in a very short amount of time, with no prior form for making cameras....

jb

[Mike P.]

That's exactly what I was looking for John, thanks. Just wanted to know how the image "handles" itself compared to RED. Pretty radical for $3k...

...and I was only kidding about any bias.

[Timur Civan]

Yes - I think the BMC will end up being a crash cam or B cam (when there's not another RED camera on set).

At the price, it's a no-brainer (less than my Bomb EVF) - LOL.

But, it's being hailed as the next big thing (RAW for the no-budget crowd)... so it'll be interesting to see what caveats the system comes with (from the already noted ergonomics and build quality) - through to rigging/camera support right through to lens choice (watch the lens/FOV sensor crop 'debate' rage on - LOL) plus a more complex post for users to wrap their heads around
When they're out in the wild - and teh dust has settled... it'll be interesting to see what the BMC can really do (and deliver on).

I feel the no budget crowd will get tired of having to grade every freaking shot. The beauty of the gh2 7d is that they make"good" really easy.

[Mike Lary]

I feel the no budget crowd will get tired of having to grade every freaking shot. The beauty of the gh2 7d is that they make"good" really easy.

We have yet to see what the camera produces in 'Video Dynamic Range' mode. That might suit the needs of users looking for a low maintenance approach to grading.

[John Brawley]

We have yet to see what the camera produces in 'Video Dynamic Range' mode. That might suit the needs of users looking for a low maintenance approach to grading.

I have to say the "video" curve is pretty damn nice. It still needs a teak occasionally usually just opening up the bottom end, but you could get away with it most of the time.

jb

[Mike Lary]

I have to say the "video" curve is pretty damn nice. It still needs a teak occasionally usually just opening up the bottom end, but you could get away with it most of the time.

jb

It sounds like this camera could have a crossover market between the DSLR crowd (at least those who are willing to move to a smaller sensor) and RAW shooters who are on a tight budget. I'm looking forward to seeing some A/B Film Curve/ Video Curve comparisons and of course getting my hands on some RAW footage. Your samples and reviews have definitely been eye-openers.

[Hrvoje Simic]

Hopefully the trend of motion imaging cams product design following principles of stills cams design...ends soon.
This way we have small motion cameras piling up on the market with inadequate ergonomics for shooting motion, requiring rigs for everything.


Small motion imaging camera dependence on rigs - their assembly, setup time, size and parts pampering is:

- partially defeating the purpose of a small camera (example: the need of external handle when size-wise you should be able to grab the camera by its body);

- catering DSLR crowd, their "habits" and DSLR ergonomics with a different tool, with different principles and requirements;

- a paradox


In case of BMDCC, one might make an exception keeping in mind targeted price point. 12 bit raw & RT Prores scaled & compressed on-board in a fully functional camera...I'd say even basic settings, a recording button and nothing else would be pretty reasonable.

[Joseph Podlesnik]

Here's another update on the Black Magic Cinema cam, for any folks who might be curious - http://vimeo.com/47013561 There's some decent dynamic range in the shot at 3:40.