Today, Blackmagic announced cuts for both the HD Studio Camera and the Studio Camera 4K models. The HD version has dropped $300 to $1,700, and the 4K version has dropped $500 to $2,500. The reason for this drop is that based on user feedback, the company is making the optical fiber connection a user installed option.
Here's more from Blackmagic on this:
Based on user feedback, many customers are not using the optical fiber connection and had asked if a model without this premium and costly option could be released. With the optical fiber now excluded from the camera, the camera can be sold for a lower price. This suits the many customers who simply want to use the camera via its regular BNC SDI connections. The SDI connections on the Blackmagic Studio Cameras feature cutting edge technology and are 12G-SDI for up to 2160p60 on the Ultra HD model.
When a customer decides they want to add optical fiber, they simply purchase any SMPTE standard optical fiber SFP module and plug it into the camera. This then allows extremely long cable lengths which means that cameras can get close to the action and be located as far away from the switcher as required.
Though we have seen price cuts during the warmer months for the 2.5K camera, 4K camera, and the Pocket, in Blackmagic's home country of Australia, these are actually the winter months. This one though is looking to be a more permanent cut than some of the others, however, since they are physically removing a feature to lower the cost to make it.
If you're unfamiliar with these models, they are designed to be used in the studio:
- High resolution 1920x1080 sensor in HD model and Ultra HD sized sensor in 4K model.
- Built in large 10 inch super bright wide viewing angle LCD viewfinder with sun shade.
- Optical SMPTE compatible SFP optical fiber socket allowing user installed optical fiber.
- 3G-SDI on HD model for up to 1080p60 and 12G-SDI on 4K model for up to 2160p60.
- Compatible with high quality Micro Four Thirds lenses. Compatible with other mounts via common third party adapters such as B4 broadcast lens mount.
- Built in, two way digital quality talkback using high quality affordable general aviation headsets.
- Includes front and rear tally indicators using tally over SDI protocol.
- Features all standard connections, including dual XLR balanced mic/line audio in with switchable phantom power, headphone and microphone jack for talkback, LANC remote control and standard 4 pin XLR broadcast standard DC 12V power connection.
- On screen menus for all camera settings.
- Supports 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 and up to 60 fps in HD model, up to 60 fps in 4K model.
- Compatible with ATEM range of live production switchers.
Rounding out the bottom of the studio cameras, the new Micro Studio Camera 4K without external monitor is going to run $1,300, and is available for pre-order right now. We should see it very soon. You can find all of these cameras at places like B&H.
Blackmagic HD Studio Camera, Studio Camera 4K — B&H
Source: Blackmagic
