At NAB earlier this year, Blackmagic Design announced two new cinema cameras, the Pocket Cinema Camera, which has already made its way to market, and the Production Camera 4K, which features an s35 global shutter sensor and is not yet shipping. Like the original BMCC, the Production Camera has been temporarily delayed due to sensor calibration issues. With that said, the prospects for seeing the BMPC very soon are bright as it is now nearing its final testing stage, and at long last, we finally have our very first test footage.
First things first here's Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design, with an update on the camera and a few notes about the footage that you're about to see.
As I have mentioned previously we have been working hard on redesigning part of the camera due to differences in the production sensors to what we experienced in the early camera builds, however that work is completed now and we are in final testing.
I wanted to post some clips that I personally have shot from the camera as I know people are interested in them. We have other more experienced camera operators out shooting with beta cameras now and they can post more realistic clips with lens details and other shooting information soon, however I wanted to post something now so I thought I would upload some of the clips I have shot personally.
In Grant's update on the Blackmagic Forum, he included the link to download all of the footage he shot. As always, keep in mind that this is 1080p h.264 footage. If you'd like to see higher quality, download the ProRes files. Here's the footage.
Video is no longer available: vimeo.com/82237115
Here's what Grant had to say about his methodology for capturing these shots:
This camera is not a low light camera, however I have included some clips at night so you can see that. I spent a few weeks wandering around with the camera taking some different types of shots. One shot of the jetty has some clipping in the sky to see the affect of clipping. All the shots are ProRes as I did not shoot RAW. I did notice that later when the guys did some more tests on the camera and lens that it was not shimmed correctly so I think the results could be better than this. Some of the shots have different shutter angles and I used standard still camera lenses.
To my eye, this footage looks absolutely fantastic. It certainly has a little bit less dynamic range than its little brothers (only a stop at most) but the image doesn't seem as critically sharp, which is one of the valid criticisms of the first two cameras. It should also be noted that none of this footage was captured in RAW, so it's technically not the highest quality that the camera can produce.
In his post, Petty also mentions that the BMPC is also in the hands of some experienced cinematographers as we speak, so within the next few weeks we should begin to see some legitimate camera tests as well some professionally crafted images. So it's only a matter of time before we know the extent of what this amazingly affordable camera can do.
If you'd like to read more about the footage that Grant shot (and download the footage and play around with), head on over to this post on the Blackmagic forum and click on the download link.
What do you guys think of the footage? Are you excited for the BMPC to hit the market in the coming months? Let us know in the comments!
Link: Blackmagic Production Camera 4K Update - Blackmagic Forum
Your Comment
160 Comments
Exciting. So I'll ask what everyone is thinking.... Is there a shipping date?
December 18, 2013 at 2:38PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I'd say another 10-12 months.
December 18, 2013 at 2:50PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
10-12 months?!? Did Digital Bolex take over the production? (just kidding around, don't get all flamey)
December 18, 2013 at 4:34PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Haha, seriously though- I know we've been seeing a lot of positive articles about the D16 now but I'd really hate to be one of those backers. I've been following that camera for awhile now and they really got screwed over with so many broken promises.
December 18, 2013 at 5:25PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
You really should not spread unfounded rumors.
Even if Bolex only shipped 10 cameras this week, that would still be 10 more than BMD has managed to ship of this camera, which was announched about a year ago, with great fanfare that it would ship within 4 weeks of the press release.
December 18, 2013 at 6:27PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
@Martin: What on earth are you talking about? This camera was only even announced 6 months ago at NAB. The D16 is way, way beyond that. It wasn't even supposed to be 2013 when the cameras were supposed to be in their users' hands. And that's not a rumor, it's exactly what they've said. That they can only ship out about 10 cameras a week and only have parts to build 50 to 60 right now
December 18, 2013 at 6:44PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
@Martin: failed in math, my bad. But this camera was announced April this year at NAB. The D16 is still so far behind that on delivering. It wasn't even supposed to be close to 2013 that the 90-some backers had cameras in their hands.
December 18, 2013 at 7:12PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Troll alert.
December 18, 2013 at 9:40PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
@Martin
You know you are the troll in this case right, lol
December 19, 2013 at 3:32AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Digital bolex shipped last week. Whens this coming out?
December 18, 2013 at 5:28PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
No, supposedly about 10 cameras were shipped out at the end of last week and so far no one's received one. You know, after the camera was supposed to be shipped well over a year ago...
December 18, 2013 at 5:33PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
so whens the bmpc coming out ? haha never
December 18, 2013 at 9:17PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
The first 100 cameras are set to arrive by or shortly after christmas. They shipped 10 cameras
on friday if thats what you are talking about. Whats your point?
December 18, 2013 at 9:28PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
not another camera
December 18, 2013 at 2:41PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
You don't have to buy them all, you know.
We live in an incredible time, with lots of options. Don't let it get you down.
December 18, 2013 at 4:38PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
He doesn't care. He'll only talk to you about FILM and going to Film School in LA.
December 18, 2013 at 7:41PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Were you expecting them to post about the new Viking oven?
December 18, 2013 at 6:36PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
There's a new Viking oven? Tell me more...
December 19, 2013 at 3:59AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Obscene storage requirements, but going to be valuable for feature films as the camera records true DNG RAW frames. That said, I hope there be 2k and 3k options in the menu. That would be awesome.
December 18, 2013 at 2:44PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
didnt you hear? 4k is the future and the future now! go to any bestbuy store and the salesman will confirm!
December 18, 2013 at 2:48PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
lol..
Hush.. Don't wake up Gene/DLD..
December 18, 2013 at 4:13PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Some day I'm going to murder the bugler. Some day they're going to find him dead; And then I'm gonna kill the pup, the guy who wakes the bugler up, I got to get up, I got to get up, I got to get up each morning .... anyway, the graded footage looks awesome. 4K Pro Res is fine. That's what most TV productions use anyway. Raw is more of a feature film category. And, if they can deliver these babies for the stipulated $4K price ... now, that's a game changer.
December 18, 2013 at 8:30PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Come on, DLD, you can do better than that at converting us mortals to the 4k gospel ;-)
December 19, 2013 at 3:20AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
ProRes can be used more easily.
December 19, 2013 at 6:53AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
By the way, the newly announced 105" curved UHD TV from LG has about 11 million pixels, with their new chip proving the upsampling. And this goes along the lines I predicted here - a 4K signal upscaled to whatever pixel density the manufacturer wants. Pretty soon, you should have the 16 MP big screens. The pixel race in TV sets is on.
December 19, 2013 at 1:48PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Asking at best buy about a professional film camera? ;) Really should try that for fun. Seriously at my uni we just bought a BMPCC and even that is a giant step up from DSLRs, so personally, I'm gonna work on my lighting and camerawork skills before upping to a standard that hardly anyone can SEE either which way.
December 19, 2013 at 3:58AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
*THOOP!* I think the Samsung SSD team just popped some champagne.
December 18, 2013 at 2:55PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I think the camera looks absolutely fantastic. I preordered on day one. In the meantime, I bought a BMCC, and now that I've been shooting with it...I might pass on the 4k. The resolution, global shutter, color, and tight noise pattern are amazing. Even the dynamic range is good. My problem is with the low light sensitivity. Going from a BMCC + Speedbooster to a BMPC4k would be a 2+ stop light loss. My setups tend to be quick, using small lighting kits. My upcoming projects really can't support the bigger lighting setups and the time commitment to them in order to get the ambient light levels up to get clean exposure.
I love it, but I might sit this one out.
December 18, 2013 at 2:51PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
just a heads up the bmcc is not global shutter.
December 18, 2013 at 2:58PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I know this. I own the camera. Did you not read what I wrote?
December 18, 2013 at 3:21PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
You might want to work on your sentence construction.
December 18, 2013 at 4:15PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I initially made the same comprehension error as the previous commentator.
So its not blindingly obvious what you meant - but we got there!
And you raise good points.
December 18, 2013 at 4:16PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
the problem is that we read what you attempted to write
December 18, 2013 at 4:53PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Jared, you don't gain any stops at the sensor level with your speed booster, you only gain one at the lens level. Your BMCC still captures a maximum of 13 stops DR and the BM4K captures 12.
I think both cameras have the same native sensitivity (ISO 800). In saying that, the BMCC isn't a low light camera either.
I love my BMCC, but I want the BM4K for the global shutter and S35 sensor. Don't really care about 4K. Is it worth a stop of DR...well, I'll know once we start seeing more footage.
December 18, 2013 at 5:55PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
He's talking about stops of exposure not DR, the BMC4K is somewhere around ISO 400 native...definitely lower than the BMCC.
December 18, 2013 at 8:07PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
that still doesn't change the number of stops of exposure.
btw, where does it state it's ISO 400?
December 18, 2013 at 8:44PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
The speedbooster literally directs more light onto the sensor, so yeah it literally gives you more stops of exposure, because more light. Not sure if they've specifically said 400 ISO, looking around it might be more like 640 ISO. It has definitely been stated that it will be lower because of the global shutter (it requires more stuff in the sensor which blocks light).
December 19, 2013 at 12:29PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I own a BMCC and even though it's quirky I absolutely love the image. I'd like to upgrade to the 4k version when it comes out but I'm not sure that I want to lose that stop of dynamic range. The good thing is that the price tag on these cameras allow me to have both. I'd be nice to have the compressed RAW as well...
December 18, 2013 at 3:07PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Didn't look very sharp or special to me.
December 18, 2013 at 3:19PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Did you actually look at the footage from the 8.5GB download? It was incredibly detailed.
December 18, 2013 at 3:22PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Yeah, the ProRes files are incredibly detailed, but not as overly-sharp as the original BMCC (just my opinion). It also looks like the colorimetry on the Production Camera is a bit nicer, even in this early version. I'm thrilled with what I see here.
December 18, 2013 at 3:26PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Nothing Special, very disappointed dynamic range is awful, needs lots of color correction, space and battery.
December 18, 2013 at 3:20PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Since when is 12 stops awful?
December 18, 2013 at 3:22PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Saying it has 12 stops doesn't mean it will look nice, and this is the proof burned overexposed areas and completely black areas at night .
December 18, 2013 at 3:26PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Well, low light is going to be a bitch on this camera. No doubt about that. As far as the "burned overexposed areas" go, some of these shots were intentionally overexposed. There are cameras with higher dynamic range, but 12 stops is not "awful". Do you even make films?
December 18, 2013 at 3:31PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Do you? If you're looking at this camera is 'cause you don't have the budget to get a real one. Sorry bro.
December 18, 2013 at 3:46PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
In his post, Grant said that he purposely overexposed the footage just to see how the camera would handle it. Plus, he went and shot at night, despite the fact that everyone knows that this isn't a low-light camera. I'd say props to him for showing us both the strengths and weaknesses of the camera.
December 18, 2013 at 3:36PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Agreed. It's hard to argue with a camera that has a global shutter, shoots 4k, and has a dynamic range of 12 stops. Some people don't live in reality.
December 18, 2013 at 3:51PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It's not that hard to argue if the footage looks bad. great specs. Maybe some different lenses will help with the video look.
December 18, 2013 at 5:27PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I totally agree. Sadly, after downloading the Pro Res files and attempting to time them it was very disappointing - no way this has 12 stops - probably more like 9 or 10 and even that doesn't mean it's good.
While I was rooting for this cam, I'd have to say, based on these tests - it's an epic fail. Especially compared to the BMCC and BMPCC. I think it's back to the drawing board for Grant & Co.
December 18, 2013 at 9:39PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It's not more than other cameras these days, but at least it's definitely a step up on Scarlet, which is still great!
December 18, 2013 at 6:43PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
"Do you? If you’re looking at this camera is ’cause you don’t have the budget to get a real one. Sorry bro."
What an incredibly pompous and arrogant thing to say. You do realize that a whole new market of production is opening up that wasn't available for artists and filmmakers before right? You understand that without the unionized and over-inflated budgets of "real productions" creative people without a foot in the door already are able to do MUCH more, with much less? You realize a whole crop of tomorrow's DP's and Directors will probably be learning and producing their calling-card films on these (or similar) cameras, right?
Or maybe... that's actually the problem to you. You're probably not actually one of the creative ones at the end of the day and you have to rely on expensive gear separating you from the competition. Don't worry, you're not alone. I run into your type all day. Most only have their quasi-creative careers due to family/friend connections and couldn't actually produce a better product than a internet-taught film student with a T2i if they had to work alone. Enjoy these last few years of union-protectionism and nepotism... it's coming to an end very soon.
December 19, 2013 at 12:42PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Enjoy giving your work away for free all the time and scraping by. Hope you like Ramen!
December 20, 2013 at 8:01AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Messed around with grading the files. So flexible. Such an exciting camera!
December 18, 2013 at 3:26PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Perhaps most importantly I can't find any instance of aliasing or moire in any of the clips.
December 18, 2013 at 3:28PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Global shutters rock!
December 18, 2013 at 6:39PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Finger crossed :)
December 18, 2013 at 3:33PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
it looks pretty good.....but this 4k files for my computer are too much...but the look and the motion of the image is pretty fantastic....very film like...
December 18, 2013 at 3:33PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I agree, it seems to have a real vibe to it. This is one of the first affordable cameras i have seen in a while and thought, this could be footage from a feature film.
December 18, 2013 at 4:47PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I agree, finally looks better than RED imo motion-wise. Right up there with Alexa... which is really surprising. I didn't think it would look that filmic. This is such good news.
December 18, 2013 at 6:55PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
John, did you have a chance to download the files directly? I am viewing them on my macbook retina display and i also feel they are very alexa'ish. The motion in some of the shots give that "ahhh" feeling. The only RED footage i ever saw that looked like film to me was of that original scarlet with fixed lens lion feeding shot. To bad they scrapped that camera.
December 19, 2013 at 3:26PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Dam almost a gig for 11 sec in prores? I bought 2tb of SSDs in preparation for the camera but DAM it's scary making that kinda of jump.
December 18, 2013 at 4:10PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
You don;t buy digital in preparation for digital with an unknown release date. You just don't.
December 18, 2013 at 9:29PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
good, some day I ll buy it one for going to my country and shoot folklore music.
December 18, 2013 at 4:16PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I think they will release it after NAB.....and this is just a strategy because of the Digital Bolex announcement...
December 18, 2013 at 4:18PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I was thinking the same thing ... that they're hoping this will prevent a few people from ordering the Bolex.
December 18, 2013 at 4:38PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
This footage is more appealing than what has been released from the DB so far. I have a hunch you're right.
December 18, 2013 at 7:08PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Much more appealing? are you watching it with eyeballs? this looks like brittle video news footage.
December 18, 2013 at 9:20PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
BM cameras produce an ungraded image. Not very exciting, certainly. I wish they would grade the footage and release it at the same time. Showing what a finished product can look like would help make their cameras impressive. I'm sure they have very capable colorists at their disposal. Hint, hint BM.........
December 18, 2013 at 9:24PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
@Gene, I'd rather play with real world sample (log)footage than drool over some fancy graded image, thinking that that is what you get out of the camera. You don't get a colorist with the camera :-)
December 18, 2013 at 11:41PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I understand. But I meant release both at the same time, the straight from the camera, and one professionally graded.
December 19, 2013 at 7:00AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I think a grading competition would be great! First prize... BMPC!
December 19, 2013 at 9:48AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
The footage looks fantastic on a 4K monitor, and its only the ProRes!
Will sell like cronuts in July, especially for commercial and drama work.
I'm planning on making the leap to all 4k around 3rd Q next year, and this is the current frontrunner camera-wise for me. With the explosion in fast lenses and decent LED HMI/Fresnel replacements the low-light thing isn't an issue for me - my only issue is lack of overcrank.
If another 4K camera launches that has that feature at around this price, that would sway me.
So far, I haven't heard of one.
/how awesome is Melbourne?
December 18, 2013 at 4:27PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I had been told by a very reliable source (albeit second hand information) that Panasonic was coming out with a 4K camera with 60fps in November using the GH3 sensor. And it was hoped it would be a low priced camera. As it turns out the Varicam announced by Panasonic is the camera. It didn't come out in November but was only announced in November. It will not be low priced. But, the one part that is right about what I was told is it will have the sensor from the GH3. Being that it will not be in the BM4K price range this will not be the low priced camera you're looking for. But still, Panasonic technology will likely make this one of the best 4K cameras on the market.
December 18, 2013 at 7:33PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Varicam, IIRC, is a different department (pro) than GH4 (amateur/prosumer) at Panasonic. GH4 is a DSLM style camera. Rumors are that it will be announced at either CES or NAB and delivered toward the end of 2014 for about $2,800. 4K in 200 Mbps All-I or 100 Mbps IPB.
December 18, 2013 at 8:36PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
The Varicam is using the GH3 sensor. I may have not stated that clearly enough.
December 18, 2013 at 8:49PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Are you saying the GH4 will have 4K? You have heard that?
December 18, 2013 at 8:50PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I'm sorry, does any of that shoot either RAW or ProRes?
If I want compressed 4K at $4k by 3rd Q 2014 I'll have a raft of options.
You GH guys never give up. Are you all on retainer?
If so, can you ask Panasonic to please get their ass into gear as they are the also-rans of the current market?
Cheers.
December 18, 2013 at 8:52PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I'm not sure what your point is.
December 18, 2013 at 8:54PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I'm not a "GH guy". Have you been having a bad day?
December 18, 2013 at 8:54PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
"Gene" I believe I was replying to the initial reply above.
As to my comment, I stated above the only thing missing for me from the BMPC 4K is overcrank.
A commenter suggested the imaginary 'GH4' asa potential solution: while that may have overcrank, and may be 4K, it (probably) shoots neither RAW or ProRes, or has any of the other benefits of the BMPC.
That was my point. :-)
December 18, 2013 at 9:02PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Ah, I see, a confluence of unfortunate miscommunication. ;^)
December 18, 2013 at 9:13PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
And Gene, unfortunately I have to inform u that u r a GH guy.. :)
December 19, 2013 at 3:35AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Whatever.
Merry Christmas!
December 19, 2013 at 6:58AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I would get better sources, although I suspect they were hoodwinked by Panasonic. As a person who has owned a Varicam/AF100/GH2 at various times, I have been steadily let down by that company since 2004.
They could have OWNED the DSLR/digital filmmaking revolution. Instead they keep putting out products that seem promising but are juuuust not quite right. I don't see that changing anytime soon.
December 18, 2013 at 8:56PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Hoodwinked? There's a problem in communication here. I hope you have a nice night.
Merry Christmas. :-)
December 18, 2013 at 8:59PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
"Gene on 12.18.13 @ 10:33PM
I had been told by a very reliable source (albeit second hand information) that Panasonic was coming out with a 4K camera with 60fps in November using the GH3 sensor."
That's you right?
And yes, camera companies leak incorrect information all the time. So either you or the VRB were hoodwinked.
Re the Xmas wish - I'll take that in the slightly sarcastic way it was offered. Cheers!
December 18, 2013 at 10:16PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It wasn't sarcastic.
Merry Christmas! :-)
December 19, 2013 at 7:02AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I wouldn't get sarcastic with you marklondon. You're name is one of the few I look for when scrolling through comments. I think your input is valuable. So I wasn't being sarcastic. Really, Merry Christmas!
December 19, 2013 at 7:50PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I didn't say GH4 will be an end-all-be-all in the 4K realm. All I mentioned were the rumored specs, which seem to go along with the Sony's AX1 and Z 100 units (@ 100-200 Mbps) rather than a more advanced - and correspondingly priced - FS-700 that can shoot 4K Raw off a $20K kit. Allegedly, Convergent Design will have a compressed 4K codec introduced right around the CES time, which will make 4K video an approximately $12K package. Returning back to GH4, some variations of outboard recording remain unanswered. Conceivably, one might be able to turn it into a 4K Pro Res camera with an Odyssey or AJA piece as well.
December 18, 2013 at 11:44PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I know the RED and ARRI shooters love to drop in and nay say but this is truly gorgeous footage. With the exception of the Digital Bolex, there is currently nothing out there in this price range that has this kind of quality and functionality so you really can't bag on it. It doesn't outdo the RED, but it's damn close in many regards and the fact that you can pick this up for 1/4th of the price of a RED is a spectacular deal. I would even go so far to say that BMC and Digital Bolex are going to force RED to make more affordable versions of their cameras if they want to compete in 2014. Sure, hollywood and larger production houses will continue using RED and ARRI but this is a game changer and BMC will enter the realm of Hollywood films very soon just like the 7D did with Black Swan, Red State, Saturday Night Live, The Avengers etc.
December 18, 2013 at 4:27PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Red will feel no competition from the Digital Bolex. 4K resolution makes all lower resolutions, including 2.5K, look outdated. As I look around at what is happening in Hollywood and on the internet I see that higher resolution is king. I don't see that global shutter is king. Those who were planning on using Red because of 4K likely won't raise an eye of consideration at a 2.5K camera---even though it has a global shutter. BM4K for $4K however may get their attention.
December 18, 2013 at 7:45PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Which camera are you talking about? Standard BMCC doesn't have a global shutter, and the Digital Bolex doesn't shoot 2.5k...
December 18, 2013 at 8:10PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It is 2.0?
December 18, 2013 at 8:11PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
You're right, 2048. I had thought from reading comments it did do 2.5k.
December 18, 2013 at 8:17PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
The DB.
December 18, 2013 at 8:11PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Oh god the 4k evangelical is here. What are you watching all this 4k on mate? the 2k projecter at the cinema? or 90 inch TV from your couch 60ft away.
People choose red when they can't afford alexa (2.5k). But have your friend at best buy tell us all again how many 4k tv's hes selling for all the 4k that doesn't exist.
Seriously, wait for a 4k topic, we are all very tired of your 4k mental illness.
December 18, 2013 at 9:26PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Merry Christmas, jerber..... or did you go by other names in the past?
Albeit, Merry Christmas. :-)
December 18, 2013 at 9:29PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
psst, jerber, this is a 4K thread. I won't tell anyone you didn't see that. ;-)
Merry Christmas!
December 18, 2013 at 9:30PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I was just on a feature that shot RED (4K+) because they couldn't afford the Alexa (2.8K). I was also on a film this year where the director OWNED an epic but still chose to rent an Alexa to shoot the whole thing on. People, especially Hollywood people, choose color over resolution ALL THE TIME--Arri over Red.
Do you work in the business?
December 18, 2013 at 10:05PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
@Kenneth. Re Gene: What do you think :-)
We have the same experience all the time. There are an amazing number of EPICS sitting at home while their owners are out shooting with something else. The EPIC rental price here in LA has collapsed in the last 6 months. You can get them for >$600 a weekend now, with lenses!
I'm really hoping DRAGON solves those color issues. Still waiting to get on set with one.
December 18, 2013 at 10:23PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Kenneth, I can't imagine Gene does. He seems like a fanboy. Am I wrong, Gene?
December 18, 2013 at 10:49PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Am I a Red fanboy? A GH fanboy? A GoPro fanboy? A Nikon 1 V1 fanboy? A Fuji X100 fanboy? All of them are great cameras. I've been told I'm paid by Red and Panasonic to comment on the internet. Sounds silly, but I've actually been told that. How much do they pay anyway? Could have got bigger Christmas presents!
I don't know if some comments reflect more on the person commented about or the commenter........
December 19, 2013 at 7:07AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
A 4K fanboy. You slobber over that as if 4K is the most important thing ever, and it's coming TOMORROW!
December 20, 2013 at 8:33AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Global shutter is important if you want to make movies that aren't just tripod shots. It's a LOT.
And 4K is great, just like 35mm is great...but you know, filmmakers still use Super-16 film too. Outdated is a stupid term, there's a ton of choice...and a lot of people probably wouldn't notice the difference anyway. No one can tell the difference bwteeen Super-16 and 35.
December 18, 2013 at 10:46PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Btw, I'd be interested to compare some Digital Bolex 2k footage upscaled to 4k vs BMPC 4k footage.
December 19, 2013 at 3:31AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I still don't see it, why the DB folks are so optimistic? Everything I've seen from the camera just looks inadequate, or just bad. Show me one video with acceptable quality, seriously though.
December 19, 2013 at 3:39AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Michael, I agree that so far the DB footage hasn't been that great...but at the same time all the footage available was made by hipsters who don't seem to have production experience. Now that the camera's getting out into the wild, I want to see some footage that people have made and that's a better way to judge. There's been what, 6-7 clips total from the camera released, all from the same source?
December 19, 2013 at 6:29AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I see the same thing Michael. I haven't been impressed enough yet with the DB to consider it as an option. The audio specs are great though.
Muh,
The same people you are talking about are the same ones that came up with the idea, designed it, and are expecting it to sell well. I hope they do well. I don't want anyone to fail in any business. But I agree with you the business isn't being handled right up to now. There are some people who are seeing immediate value in the DB. But I wonder what the impression left from the video footage released so far is having on everyone else. I wonder if some people were actually turned off by the silly hipster stuff in most of the videos.
December 19, 2013 at 7:31AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
What's the sensitivity? 400ASA? That's not all that bad considering film is only 500ASA. Rent some lights.
December 18, 2013 at 4:51PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Or even buy some!
But yeah.
December 18, 2013 at 5:43PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Yeah. if you come from a film background, you learn to light, not compensate everything with the camera.
December 19, 2013 at 3:18AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I thought they shot Hollywood movies with a few 100 watt bulbs hanging from the ceiling though!
December 19, 2013 at 6:36AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I don't understand. Why didn't he shake the camera violently from side to side (to show the lack or the presence of rolling shutter)? That seems to be an obsession with so many commentaries on this blog.
December 18, 2013 at 6:42PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It is for me, I'd love to see some. I make action films, and that wobbly Cmos stuff sucks.
December 18, 2013 at 10:50PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Threw together a quick regrade of some of the footage: https://vimeo.com/82249748
I'm impressed by how much of the highlights are recoverable without really introducing much noise. Haven't really had time to dig into it yet though.
Low light performance remains the biggest question right now for this camera I suspect, but even if it's below par, that wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me personally.
Bigger question is if they'll even have these shipped before NAB. If not, might be worth waiting as they could very well announce another price-drop, or a new camera entirely.
December 18, 2013 at 7:06PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Looks nice, but I'm a little confused - since when does recovering highlights introduce noise?
December 18, 2013 at 7:23PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It doesn't. It might reveal some bad overexposure, false color etc.
December 18, 2013 at 9:35PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Thanks Peter. It is nice.
December 18, 2013 at 7:54PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I was thinking the same thing, recovering highlights is the exact opposite of lifting shadows and only the later could introduce noise. Look up ETTR exposure method for BMCC Raw.
December 19, 2013 at 2:21AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
@Peter - Too much sharpening and your exposures are uneven from shot to shot.
December 19, 2013 at 7:24AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Loving the image I think this video was just showing off the wide end due to that being the main complaint of the bmcc. I can't wait to see the camera in the hands of professionals. I didn't realize how big the file size was going
to be even in pro res. Cant wait for mine to come in.
December 18, 2013 at 9:43PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I bet Gene can't even walk right now due to his giant boner.
December 18, 2013 at 10:18PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Hey Muh. simmer down. It's easy to make such asinine comments when you aren't in front of the person.
December 19, 2013 at 7:35AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It'd be easy for me either way, except I'd be afraid of having to look at the tent in your pants.
December 19, 2013 at 11:55AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Ya, i can see it is easy for you to be asinine.
December 19, 2013 at 7:54PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
4k for 4 grand here you go. Grab it. My question is not how far it can see in the dark, but how well? The BMCC is not a low light camera either but you can pull it off nicely, i think it looks good, at the very least more than acceptable. And not to mention it has 1 more stop of DR, it sounds like a toss up or at least hope so. The 4k should make VFX much easier, seems sharper, (minus external bat) small form factor, but am I missing something? Since when does resolution trump DR and low light. Sure the global shutter of course makes sense, I guess well have to see.
December 18, 2013 at 10:45PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
For me at least, resolustion is nice but I'd take DR ay day. I do feature stuff, and having great skin tones adds so much. I do love the shutter though, I'm looking at the Bolex too.
December 18, 2013 at 10:52PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
This is an actual 4K graded footage, not the 1080p off Vimeo.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnen2ETtIvQ#t=54
December 18, 2013 at 11:33PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
10 stops on a good day.
December 19, 2013 at 12:16AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
John Brawley is no doubt cooking up some sweet footage on one of these little babies as we speak.
December 19, 2013 at 12:27AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I'd love to see some close ups and portraits with this camera, you can't really tell the difference in sensor size with these wide shots.
December 19, 2013 at 2:47AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
BorrowedLenses says this will be available on March 18th for rental, so I think we have some time to wait.
December 19, 2013 at 4:03AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Does anybody know if for the original BMCC, were there issues with it and did the Company fix or honor warranties well. Given that the delays for this camera is due to issues, just wanted to get a sense of their history in dealing with problems. A tempting camera to buy when it comes out. But it is first generation 4K for them.
December 19, 2013 at 6:01AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
This is jus one more awesome tool in the stable of what's already available. If it doesn't fit your needs, there is bound to be something that does, unless you have unrealistic expectations of a Red Dragon for $1000?
Soon you'll be able to shoot RAW in 1080, 2K, 2.5K and 4K for $4000 and under. You can shoot 240fps for $8000. And then you can step up to the higher end bad boys from there where you can do all in camera.
Whether it's Black Magic, Digital Bolex, Red, Sony, Canon or Arri, you've got every tool you need. Seriously, it's a great time to be a filmmaker.
December 19, 2013 at 6:24AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Yep! It's CRAZY the number of excellent cameras. Which is why it;s always disappointing to come onto any camera forum and all you get is people sticking up for the RIGHT camera, that there's only one way to do things. Now the problem is choosing which to use?
December 19, 2013 at 6:37AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
It's all good - no, GREAT but puleeeeze, please, 60fps??? :-)
December 19, 2013 at 8:44AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Too much heat generated internally to go HFR in 4K.
December 19, 2013 at 1:53PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I am really impressed with this footage. Very seriously considering dropping some change for this bad boy now.
December 19, 2013 at 9:05AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
forget 4k…i want 8k…12k for 2014….wait a minute i have it….thank you Kodak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=GpTwgRk2aUU
December 19, 2013 at 9:48AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
You're a very annoying person.
December 19, 2013 at 9:50AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
you don't like Bowie? knowing how to work with high end film cameras…put me in the union in Los Angeles…(and pro show reel) if that's not what you want ..fine..but people who do want that..i'm giving a gentle hint..from the front line of film making…no matter what…believe in yourself..not in a camera..HAPPY NEW YEAR!
December 19, 2013 at 2:13PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Film rules
December 19, 2013 at 7:36PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Yeah, people do want that...maybe not a ton on a forum for video cameras and discussing video cameras. Sure, film is great...tell us something we don't know.
December 19, 2013 at 9:13PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
not this douche again
December 20, 2013 at 12:15AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Dio I love your comments. You sound like me. I have shot high end TV commercials, documentaries and 5 independent movies on film (16-35mm) for over 35 years and I miss doing so. I am now shooting digitally but I shoot it the way I used to shoot film. I have a crew (now small), HMIs, a gaffer, Cam assistant, Grip equipment and needless to say, knowledge of photography, composition, lighting, etc. Can I add great taste? I am so sick of so many people talking about how fantastic the new camera is, you know, the one before the one that comes out next week, The one you don't need lighting for, the one that you can use hand held, Raw, 100000K. I wish I could see some good work after the tests I guess I am getting old. The business used to have standards of quality. Maybe Crap is the new standard
December 22, 2013 at 5:12PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Dio would be fine if he didn't keep making the same tired point in every thread. We get it, film is nice, I agree, I like it better than digital but digital is here to stay and I use digital myself for a lot of reasons, get over it. Find a film forum to whine in.
December 23, 2013 at 7:34AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I like D.Bowie great color .... too bad to not get budget too using film.
December 19, 2013 at 3:18PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Seriously can we get rid of this joker?
December 20, 2013 at 8:42AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
I'm all for what Blackmagic is doing and absolutely adore my cinema camera. However, losing a stop of DR and still no slowmotion capabilities? I can pass on 4k and global shutter.
December 19, 2013 at 12:40PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Nice to see Flinders Street and St Kilda Rd in 4K RAW :)
December 19, 2013 at 2:00PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Here's my take on grading the footage and not going overboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWOwLxSp_0
December 19, 2013 at 2:49PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Image are nice but soft in the same time, i really like to know witch lens are used and what year.
Happy to see them not color graded, i wish to see clip with some angenieux or Lomo cinema lens.
It's will be fun if this camera was made a way we could hacked them like the GH 2 to be more creative
and made a group around this..
December 19, 2013 at 4:41PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
That's what I thought, but then I downloaded the originals and was impressed. The vimeo version above seems unusually soft for a downconversion. Not sure how it was scaled, but whatever software was used seems to have done a poor job of it.
December 20, 2013 at 12:11PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Good images can not wait to see some footage graded and maybe some different film stocks look added to it.
December 20, 2013 at 10:35AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Why does every digital camera have forums? I thought everyone wanted to be BETTER than RED.
December 20, 2013 at 5:55PM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Well... Blackmagic is O.K. for resolution, but 4K is new technology and it's still too early for making jump and "swimm in that waters".
However, "swimming there" will allow you to produce video material for only... maybe 1% of population that have 4K TV and monitors.
They have to improve camera for DR, fps, lower the price a bit more... maybe next year, but just maybe!
And, at the end, I'm unimpressed with very, very low, unnatural contrast, that made look sample video so pale that it hurts.
Please apply some contrast to see that Blackmagic DR. Thanks, but for now I'll pass!
Patience is a virtue, and I'm not in a hurry ;)
December 21, 2013 at 4:42AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Archangel72 u right, it will happen, it takes time to 'build Rome'
December 22, 2013 at 6:57AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
check out my grading test:)) https://vimeo.com/84450301
January 18, 2014 at 9:56AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM
Ma biggest disappointment in this camera is the non removable battery..pliz update another one wid a removal battery atleast.
February 23, 2014 at 11:35AM, Edited September 4, 8:45AM