Other: BlackMagic Cinema camera!!!! 2.5k for 3k...
- Thread starter Mickey G
- Start date
Nope. BMD website says you will have to find your own way to read the HFS drives on PC. MacDrive is excellent and inexpensive.
And Ultrascope is mac and PC.
Jade Lane
Active member
Again, as a Bolex D16 backers and a positive supporter in their project can you STOP rubbishing a camera you know absolutely nothing about, I hope your actually buying a BMD instead of just spreading negativity on here ???
John Brawley
Well-known member
Looks really good John, pretty amazing on a 27" screen
Can I ask which lens you used for that?
Compact prime. I think maybe the 50mm....
jb
Simon Shasha
Well-known member
I still wonder if there is enough time for them to manufacture a version with a M4/3 mount, or perhaps it's too late? Also, a cheaper version without Resolve might be interesting too...regardless, still a steal for under $3K!
From his blog
"You can clearly see out the window and the levels inside were a fair bit down on that."
Placed my order.
Sage
Well-known member
jabloomf1230
Member
I am more of a reader than a writer, so bear with me. Also, it took me a while to read this whole thread and I'm at least going to try, to not duplicate (or steal) anyone's previous thoughts, except to agree with someone. This thread is getting so long, though, that it is very difficult to avoid saying the same thing that someone else has already said. This device really needs it's own sub-forum.
I admit it. I am a BMD fanbois. When I first saw the specs on the Intensity Pro, I said to myself, "I have to have that!". When I was looking for a digital video recorder and saw the Hyperdeck Shuttle, I was a little less enthused, because it only did uncompressed, so I waited, until the Shuttle 2 came out. When I saw the first announcement of the BlackCam, I had the same attitude that Barry Green espoused well up in this thread: that the camera won't be as impeccable as the plaudits contained in the amazing reception that it has received nor will it be as bad as any of the negative comments. And much of the thread recently, has gravitated towards people asking for sensible testing of various issues.
My first impression was that BMD took a Hyperdeck Shuttle, slapped on a touch screen and poked a hole where a lens could go. In hindsight, it was a logical progression. This camera looks to me like what they call in retail, "a loss leader". It will sell well at a low margin per unit and that's great for BMD, because they will sell other BMD hardware as a result of this camera. In that sense, it is like the Hyperdeck Shuttle. Second, if it is built like the Shuttle, which the people at NAB have confirmed, it is a no-nonsense durable device. Third, BMD has made major improvements to the Hyperdeck Studio and Shuttle 2, in response to users suggestions. There motto seems to be, "If it is technically feasible, we will add that option". But my guess is that certain things just aren't going to happen. 50/60p is one of them. At that price point, the sensor is probably too slow to do that. But I wouldn't be shocked to see them add it as an option with ProRes or DNxHD, if it is feasible, without breaking something else (like creating an overheating problem, etc.). And if, not the BlackCam 2 will have this capability. Not so much for slo-mo, but just to keep pace with the competition.
Now for some specifics:
I'm still on the fence as to jumping in and buying the Cinema Camera, but it won't take very many positive hands-on tests to push me off the fence.
I admit it. I am a BMD fanbois. When I first saw the specs on the Intensity Pro, I said to myself, "I have to have that!". When I was looking for a digital video recorder and saw the Hyperdeck Shuttle, I was a little less enthused, because it only did uncompressed, so I waited, until the Shuttle 2 came out. When I saw the first announcement of the BlackCam, I had the same attitude that Barry Green espoused well up in this thread: that the camera won't be as impeccable as the plaudits contained in the amazing reception that it has received nor will it be as bad as any of the negative comments. And much of the thread recently, has gravitated towards people asking for sensible testing of various issues.
My first impression was that BMD took a Hyperdeck Shuttle, slapped on a touch screen and poked a hole where a lens could go. In hindsight, it was a logical progression. This camera looks to me like what they call in retail, "a loss leader". It will sell well at a low margin per unit and that's great for BMD, because they will sell other BMD hardware as a result of this camera. In that sense, it is like the Hyperdeck Shuttle. Second, if it is built like the Shuttle, which the people at NAB have confirmed, it is a no-nonsense durable device. Third, BMD has made major improvements to the Hyperdeck Studio and Shuttle 2, in response to users suggestions. There motto seems to be, "If it is technically feasible, we will add that option". But my guess is that certain things just aren't going to happen. 50/60p is one of them. At that price point, the sensor is probably too slow to do that. But I wouldn't be shocked to see them add it as an option with ProRes or DNxHD, if it is feasible, without breaking something else (like creating an overheating problem, etc.). And if, not the BlackCam 2 will have this capability. Not so much for slo-mo, but just to keep pace with the competition.
Now for some specifics:
- The Shuttle 2 also has an internal battery. If you poke around with Google, you can find a video of a guy that took a Shuttle apart, if you want to see more. Since you can connect the Shuttle 2 and the BlackCam to an external power source, this issue is moot, except for portability constraints.
- As to Resolve, if anyone has any questions, download Resolve Lite 8.x for either OSX or Windows from the BMD website. It's free and you can get an idea if your present computer will handle the load. I have a one year old dual Xeon workstation with an nVidia GTX580 and Resolve runs fine. The biggest problem with Resolve 8.x is that the interface is not very intuitive (at least to me), but BMD apparently recognized that also and Resolve 9 (which comes out as a stand alone in July) also has a brand new user interface. This is just another example of how BMD is responsive to its user base.
- BlackCam has 3GHD-SDI for a reason. HDMI connectors are just not suitable for connecting and disconnecting all the time. The performance of the two video "wiring" systems is basically the same, but if any of you have a Shuttle, you know what I'm saying about the connector. The HDMI connectors are clunky and easily knocked loose. The only worse connector is the one that Apple uses on the iPhone and iPad. Besides, as someone pointed out, if you have a legacy HDMI field monitor, there are adapters to Thunderbolt that will work. Of course, then you will really have a lot of junk dangling. There are also HDMI connector locks, but the BlackCam is so small, you can see why BMD went with SDI.
- As to lens and their adapters, whatever BMD won't do, someone out there will do. If the BlackCam is popular, the market will be there for 3rd party adapters.
- Be wary about what SSDs will work. BMD has a very small list that they suggest. But that's because the limiting factor is uncompressed in the Hyperdeck Shuttle and the 12 bit RAW in the BlackCam. I've tried other SSDs in the Shuttle 2 with DNxHD and they work fine (no dropped frames). Even fast mechanical SATA drives theroretically will work, but the battery drain is far too high to be practical.
I'm still on the fence as to jumping in and buying the Cinema Camera, but it won't take very many positive hands-on tests to push me off the fence.
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PaulVortex
Member
That shot looks so good. Beautiful detail and range. This is definitely an excellent camera.
Adam J McKay
Veteran
I am just noticing now that is has a built in battery that lasts 90 minutes of shooting. What happens when that dies and you dont have a power source? Charge break? Also was the viewfinder situation discussed anywhere?
@Jade Lane
maybe if they were honest i would be more supportive ... but i really dont care for them ...all that dbolex talk is a waste of time
until they show something real (not promo shoot on other camera and box with cable)... that its ...we talk about DBM camera so dont change subject...
maybe if they were honest i would be more supportive ... but i really dont care for them ...all that dbolex talk is a waste of time
until they show something real (not promo shoot on other camera and box with cable)... that its ...we talk about DBM camera so dont change subject...
Simon Shasha
Well-known member
I'll probably use my EF-mount Sigma EX 10-20mm F3.5, and Sigma EX 20mm F1.8 - and even though I own these lenses, I'm willing to buy M4/3 lenses if a M4/3 mount version is released.
Simon Shasha
Well-known member
People really need to calm down with trashing the Bolex camera - there is room for both cameras! And before you trash the Bolex, remember that it is CCD and has 60P! The more the merrier!
Aaaaaaaand now I needs to go and change my shorts....again.
Been discussed. Thunderbolt may allow HDMI, may not. But agree with what this quote says: HDMI is too flimsy, too unstable. If it's a matter of viewfinders then companies will make them. or figure out a solution.
@John Brawley, thank you so much for posting this video. The clip is very filmic.
Jade Lane
Active member
I don't want to carry this on and have stated twice now that YOU stop trashing the D16 Bolex, and if I recall correctly YOU have changed the subject by trashing the D16 on these BMD pages, compare or leave...Simple ?