READ BEFORE POSTING: FAQ/GENERAL INFO on MAGIC CAM (EVOLVING)

[Kholi]

Continue the discussion at BMCuser.com. A new Landmine Community for Blackmagic Camera Users

I know everyone wants answers now, but frankly the camera is not in a state where definitive answers can be given. Example: there's no f-stop readout. At all. You have absolutely zero idea what f-stop you're shooting at. I asked the guy at the booth about it and he said "that's coming". So I wouldn't get hung up about audio meters, I'm sure they'll be there, but the only way we will know for sure is when the camera is actually shipping in its final state. It was in a premature state at the show, and not entirely representative of what the shipping product will do.

CROP FACTOR/LENS MATCHING DATABASE: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?280682-Crop-factor-pdfs-etc-(all-questions-go-here)
RELEASE NOTES THREAD BY PAPPASARTS: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?280216-BlackMagic-Cinema-Camera-Technology-Announcements-amp-Latest-Info
PRE-ORDERING INFO: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?280525-Pre-Ordering


Main web url: http://www.blackmagic-design.com/pro...ccinemacamera/

Specs:

[TABLE="class: cms_table_techSpec cms_table_singleTechSpec, width: 0"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #D8791F, colspan: 2, align: left"]Camera Features[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Sensor Resolution[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]2592 x 2192[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Raw Resolution[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]12-bit RAW files recorded at 2432 x 1366[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Shooting Resolutions[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]2.5K RAW at 2432 x 1366.
ProRes and DNxHD at 1920 x 1080[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Frame Rates[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Sensor Size[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]16.64 mm x 14.04 mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Sensor Size - Active[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]15.6 mm x 8.8 mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Dynamic Range[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]13 stops[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Focus[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Focus button turns on peaking[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Iris Control[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Iris button automatically adjusts the lens iris settings so no pixel is clipped[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Lens Mount[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]EF and ZE mount compatible with electronic iris control[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Screen Dimensions[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]5" and 800 x 480 resolution[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Screen Type[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Integrated LCD capacitive touchscreen[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Metadata Support[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Automatic camera data and user data such as shot number, filenames and keywords[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Controls[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Onscreen touch menus and physical buttons for recording and transport control[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Microphone[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Integrated mono microphone[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Speaker[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Integrated mono speaker[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Mounting Options[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]3 x 1/4" thread mounting points on top of camera.
1 x 1/4" thread tripod mount with locator pin.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Power[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Integrated Lithium-ion Polymer rechargeable battery.
12V-30V DC port for external battery power or use included 12V AC adapter.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Battery Life[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Approximately 90 minutes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Battery Charge Time[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Approximately 2 hours when not in use.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Camera Dimensions[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]166.2mm by 113.51mm x 126.49mm excluding detachable sunshade and turret dust cap[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Camera Weight[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]1.7 kg / 3.75 lb[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: cms_table_techSpec cms_table_singleTechSpec, width: 0"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #D8791F, colspan: 2, align: left"]Storage Features[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Storage Type[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Removable 2.5” SSD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Storage Format[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Mac OS Extended format. SSDs can be formatted on any Mac or use Mediafour MacDrive (not included) on a Windows PC.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Storage Rates[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]5 MB/frame in RAW 2.5K fits about 30 minutes of 24p video on a 256 GB solid state disk. Compressed HD formats fit more than 5 times the amount of RAW video.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Uncompressed Recording Formats[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]RAW 2.5K CinemaDNG[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Compressed Recording Formats[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD. All compressed recording in 1920x1080 10-bit YUV with choice of Film or Video Dynamic Range.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: cms_table_techSpec cms_table_singleTechSpec, width: 0"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #D8791F, colspan: 2, align: left"]Connections[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]SDI Video Output[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]1 x 10-bit HD-SDI 4:2:2 with choice of Film or Video Dynamic Range[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Analog Audio Input[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]2 x 1/4” jacks for professional balanced analog audio, switchable between mic and line levels.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Analog Audio Output[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]1 x 3.5mm stereo headphone output[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]SDI Audio Output[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]4 channels in HD-SDI[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Remote Control[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]1 x 2.5mm LANC for Rec Start/Stop, Iris Control and Focus Control[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Computer Interface[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Thunderbolt port for capture of RAW video and audio.
USB 2.0 mini B port for software updates and configuration.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]External Power[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]12V-30V DC port for external battery power or use included 12V AC adapter.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: cms_table_techSpec cms_table_singleTechSpec, width: 0"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #D8791F, colspan: 2, align: left"]Standards[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]SDI Compliance[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]SMPTE 292M.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]SDI Audio Sampling[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]48 kHz and 24 bit.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: cms_table_techSpec cms_table_singleTechSpec, width: 0"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #D8791F, colspan: 2, align: left"]Extras[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Software Included[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]DaVinci Resolve grading software including Resolve USB dongle for Mac OS X and Windows.
Media Express software for video capture from the camera’s Thunderbolt port.
Blackmagic UltraScope software for waveform monitoring from the camera’s Thunderbolt port.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Accessories[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9E5CC, align: left"]Detachable sun shield, camera strap, turret dust cap and 12V AC adapter.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Product Warranty[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]12 Month Limited Manufacturer's Warranty.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: cms_table_techSpec cms_table_singleTechSpec, width: 0"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #D8791F, colspan: 2, align: left"]Optional Accessories[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Camera Handles[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]Blackmagic Cinema Camera Handles[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Price: MSRP 2,999.99 (as of today--april 18, I paid pre-ordered for 2845.00) bundled with Resolve 9 (995.99 value) and Ultrascope (599.99) software.

Release Date: Mid to Late July 2012

Early and ONLY footage (April 18):

http://johnbrawley.wordpress.com/201...-from-the-top/
http://johnbrawley.wordpress.com/201...ackmagic-clip/

PRODUCTION FAQ:

• Is the sensor size too small for my needs?

The sensor size of the Magic Cam (Black Magic Cinema Camera) is slightly smaller than the Af100/GH2's Oversized Micro Four-Thirds camera and slightly larger than traditional Super 16mm. For reference, major motion pictures such as THE WRESTLER and BLACK SWAN have been shot on Super 16mm Film, that's a smaller frame than the Magic Cam.

By using wider lenses (ex. Sigma 20/1.8) you can achieve a similar angle of view to larger sensor cameras such as the GH2, 7D, or 5D.

Example: A 45mm on the 5D would exhibit a similar angle of view to the Magic Cam with a 20mm attached. The DOF characteristics may or may not be different, depending on F-stop.

• What lenses should I look at?

If you're coming from a Canon production workflow, you may already have a set of Canon EF mounted lenses to utilize. If you're coming from a Nikon-centric production workflow, as of now, you'll need to purchase adapters that mount AI-S to EF.

On the wide end, you may want to take a look at offerings from several manufacturers. Focal lengths starting at 8mm or so. For more info, check out the lens sub forum.

• Any info on possibilities of other lens mounts?

As of today, BMD must be very aware that the potential user base is requesting more mounting options. While a lot of glass can be attached to the EF mount that will ship in July, major interests are PL and Micro Four Thirds (or Four Thirds). They've made no indication of when, but so far it sounds like it's being considered.

• Does the EF mount control image stabilization?

The EF mount currently controls Iris. Reports from NAB 2012 say that they are working on possibly adding Stabilization control and Auto-Focus.

• Why only up to 30P?

No factual answer to this yet.

• What's the native ISO?

No factual answer to this yet, although it has been mentioned several times that BMD is working at 800.

• How do I monitor beyond the built-in LCD?

The Magic Cam sports a 3G-SDI output currently. HD-SDI accessories will work with the port. Although there is a thunderbolt port, it is currently unknown as to whether the Thunderbolt port can output video.

• What are the recording format/compression options?

Adobe CinemaDNG @ 2.5K
Apple ProRes Log 4:2:2 HQ @ 1080
Avid DNxHD @ 1080

• How do I view RAW footage on the LCD properly?

When shooting raw, acquisition devices tend to employ a 3D LUT (Look Up Table -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_LUT) Depending on acquisition device, the LUT is not expected to be customizable out of camera. It is currently unknown if the Magic Cam's LUTs are customizable, but currently it sports a "FILM" LUT (BMD's version of LOG) and a "VIDEO" LUT (REC.709), both of which are being fine-tuned before release.

• When recording to ProRes or DNxHD, what will the end result be?
  

If set to BMD's FILM (LOG) profile, you will have a LOG (flat) 10-bit 4:2:2 HQ 1080 image with nearly the same usable DR (dynamic range) as RAW.

When set to VIDEO (Rec. 709), footage will be acquired under the broadcast standard gamma, seeing a reduction in usable DR, but a more broadcast ready image.

• Will the Magic Cam feed either LUT through the 3G-SDI port or THUNDERBOLT port?
  

Information currently unavailable at the moment.

• Does white balance matter with raw?

The nature of RAW is to have full control over an image's attributes after capturing. That means a botched white balance in camera can be easily adjusted in post production software. As of now, the report is that White Balance is locked, but the RAW allows white balance to be adjusted with very little penalty.

The jury's still out on how this works, because again, RAW is supposed to be RAW.

• What does a built-in battery mean for production?

The built-in battery lasts for ninety minutes (in the specs), it is charged when an external 12~30v source is connected to the power jack. This means that the camera can receive continuous, endless power without needing to be shut down.

The details of the batteries cycle/charge life are currently unknown.

• What kind of batteries should I look to purchase for production?

Battery solutions may range from batteries like TEKKEON PORTABLE POWER SOLUTIONS or adapting a V-mount, or Anton-Bauer mount system to the camera.

• What are the recommended SSD drives and capacities?

factual information currently unknown

• Is there a recording time limitation?

Due to the HFS+ format requirement, the Magic Cam does not have a recording time limit, aside from the space limitations of your SSD drive. The larger the drive, the longer the roll.

• How is Timecode handled?

Currently the camera does not feature Timecode, but it has been reported that BMD are working on a solution for jam sync.

• Is the sensor CMOS or CCD?

The Magic Cam features a CMOS sensor.

• How bad is the rolling shutter (jello)?

facutal information currently unknown

• The sensor is larger than the active area, can we enable the entire sensor for anamorphic shooting?

BMD are currently aware of the interest in anamorphic shooting. It is likely that this feature will not be available in the first version of the Magic Cam.

AUDIO :

• Does the camera offer phantom power for mics?

No official information on phantom power has been released yet

• Are there on screen level meters?

factual information not available yet

POST PRODUCTION FAQ

What is the difference between RAW and Compressed?

What is the RAW format from the Magic Cam?

How do I process DNG files?

Are there any current NLEs that allow you to edit DNG?

Will I need new hardware to take advantage of this camera's full potential?

Where can I find a workflow explanation for my current setup?
Are there tutorials for Resolve 9?

 

[Kholi]

Reserved

 

[Kholi]

Reserved 2

 

[Kholi]

Reserved 3

 

[djkarn105]

Two questions about the BM Cinema Camera that have not been asked

Two questions about the BM Cinema Camera that have not been asked

1) Does it support display luts?
2) Does the thunderbolt port also double as a display port? ie: can I use the thunderbolt to hdmi adapter from my laptop to get hdmi out of the camera?

 

[refocusedmedia]

2) If not, there are plenty of SDI-to-HDMI adapters out there...

 

[brunerww]

I certainly hope that Thunderbolt RAW can be turned into HDMI.

Sadly, even BlackMagic's Director of Sales doesn't know whether it can or not - see 8:08-8:25 in the video from DSLR news shooter: http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2012...-featured-live-on-matt-and-dans-nab-geek-out/

If it turns out you can't get live video out of the Thunderbolt port, yes, there are plenty of SDI to HDMI converters out there, but the least expensive one (from BlackMagic(!)), is another $300 :-(

EDIT: found a couple of less expensive SDI to HDMI converters. One for $220 and one for $156

 

[Stephen Mick]

Herein lies the dilemma of NAB: you've got brand new products (in some cases bleeding-edge products), and much of the time, you're talking to marketing people who don't have answers, and if they did, they likely wouldn't understand the question you're asking.

 

[Fran Guidry]

+48v Phantom Power?

+48v Phantom Power?

I see no mention of phantom power (P48). If it is not available it will certainly limit the range of mics that can be plugged directly into the camera.

Fran

 

[bitcrusher]

I am wondering if it even has a pre-amp on it.

 

[Brian@202020]

There are preamps. The audio specs are pretty impressive. Haven't heard either way regarding phantom power tho.

 

[J Davis]

$130
battery powered
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/406897-REG/Denecke_PS_2_PS_2_Portable_Dual.html

 

[Ram S.O.S]

On Screen Audio Meters?

On Screen Audio Meters?

Can anyone tell me if they saw any audio meter display on screen? I've watched tons of videos of the camera and I've seen a way to adjust the levels in the menu but that's not enough for me. I'm hoping there will be meters and a way to adjust the levels independently while shooting. I've asked this a couple times on some different sites and no one has responded anywhere. I realize a lot of us are used to Dual audio systems and camera reference audio but this camera seems to me like that should not be needed.

 

[Kholi]

Please use this thread to stack general info type questions, that's the easiest way to sort this kind of info in one place.

 

[Ram S.O.S]

Good idea, great thread.

 

[Kholi]

Can anyone tell me if they saw any audio meter display on screen? I've watched tons of videos of the camera and I've seen a way to adjust the levels in the menu but that's not enough for me. I'm hoping there will be meters and a way to adjust the levels independently while shooting. I've asked this a couple times on some different sites and no one has responded anywhere. I realize a lot of us are used to Dual audio systems and camera reference audio but this camera seems to me like that should not be needed.

Added your question to the list. It's likely because no one knows, but given the camera has audio jacks, there will probably be audio meters and level adjustments. WHILE shooting is a different story. Unknown.

 

[djkarn105]

I certainly hope that Thunderbolt RAW can be turned into HDMI.

Sadly, even BlackMagic's Director of Sales doesn't know whether it can or not - see 8:08-8:25 in the video from DSLR news shooter: http://www.dslrnewsshooter.com/2012...-featured-live-on-matt-and-dans-nab-geek-out/

If it turns out you can't get live video out of the Thunderbolt port, yes, there are plenty of SDI to HDMI converters out there, but the least expensive one (from BlackMagic(!)), is another $300 :-(

EDIT: found a couple of less expensive SDI to HDMI converters. One for $220 and one for $156

Yeah but, power plus the whole point of this camera is not to have boxes and dongles hanging off it.

 

[hawaj]

http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/is-the-new-blackmagic-cinema-camera-the-hdslr-killer

Lots of question answered

 

[Kholi]

1) Does it support display luts?
2) Does the thunderbolt port also double as a display port? ie: can I use the thunderbolt to hdmi adapter from my laptop to get hdmi out of the camera?

How do I view RAW footage on the LCD properly?

When shooting raw, acquisition devices tend to employ a 3D LUT (Look Up Table -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_LUT) Depending on acquisition device, the LUT may be customizable. It is currently unknown if the Magic Cam's LUTs are customizable, but currently it sports a "FILM" LUT and a "VIDEO" LUT, both of which are being fine-tuned before release.

 

[plasmasmp]

Just came up with this as a visual reference.