These Zcam guys are killing it!!

I'm sure under most circumstances it makes a nice image, and I'm sure if some wants to hate them, you can find some kind of big problem too. Same is said for Black Magic cameras where some people love what they get, and some can't hate them enough.
 
One thing to be aware of regarding the HDMI output of the Z Cam E2 is that the camera does not currently output true NTSC fractional frame rates like 29.97, 59.94, or 23.98 over HDMI.

So even though the camera may be set to record internally at say 2160p @ 59.94 fps, the HDMI output will be a whole integer frame rate like 60 fps or 30 fps. This may not be a huge issue if you are just using the HDMI output for monitoring purposes, but it could be a problem if you are using the HDMI output from the camera into an external recorder (the external recorder would be recording 2160p60 or 2160p30, and would not match the frame rate like 59.94 or 29.97 that the camera is actually capturing at). This could also be an issue for any kind of live broadcast applications.

This problem doesn't affect the PAL frame rates (25 fps or 50 fps) or the true 24 fps mode, in those recording frame rates the HDMI output will match what the camera is set to record internally (2160p25, 2160p50, etc.).

I have contacted the Z Cam guys and they say they are working on a fix for this for the next firmware update, but something to be aware of in the meantime.
 
Z Cam has just released firmware version 0.88 for the Z Cam E2 which adds support for RAW recording in their own ZRAW format. Recording in ZRAW is limited to a maximum of 4K @ 30fps at the moment, although the release notes suggest that they are working on adding 4K 60fps RAW recording in a later firmware update:
http://www.z-cam.com/e2/updates

It seems like ZRAW is using some kind of partial debayering approach before recording, perhaps similar to Blackmagic's RAW format. Since it doesn't record in a standard RAW format like CinemaDNG, you will need to use their ZRAW Video Suite software to convert it to DNxHR, H.265, or uncompressed YUV files before further editing in an NLE:
http://www.z-cam.com/software-update

This firmware update also seems to fix the issue with the HDMI output of NTSC frame rates like 29.97, 59.94, and 23.98 that I mentioned earlier.
 
Too bad they didn't just use Braw, but it probably would have cost them a bunch to license it inside a camera.

Would be nice if they can make an AMA plugin for Media Composer, also be nice if they can get Resolve to support it.
 
I'll ask the more practical question nobody else is. I'm in the U.S. I buy and take delivery of a Z Cam. Two months later, my camera breaks, stops working. What happens?
Do I have to mail it back to Shenzen, China to be repaired? In the meantime, do I have to rent other cameras and eat that money while I wait for my camera
to be repaired and shipped back from China? I've already dealt with this with Aputure and it usually takes 6 weeks to send something and get it back from them.
When and where will Z Cam open a repair and parts facility in the United States? Will they send you a loaner if the repair for your Z Cam takes more than a week or two?

Based upon my direct experience with DJI, Zhiyun and Aperture, the Z Cam, just like the Kinefinity, will not be a viable product for working pros here in the U.S. unless Z Cam
spends the money and opens a support and repair facility here. Trying to deal with the time change difference, shipping times, customs, language barriers, and paperwork to deal with getting
your camera repaired would be a nightmare. Until then, these are cameras for hobbyists, not working pros.
 
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Greg_E said:
And full frame too!
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The off-the-shelf components have gotten so good and so inexpensive, the only real difference between the "off brands" and the Japanese Big Four is the optional lens mounting and the auto focus. ZCam is even releasing its own Raw codec.

As a few of us have been predicting for a while now, the industry is becoming commoditized. One company is pricing its 8K piece at $60,000; the other at $6,000. And the recording media on the $6,000 camera ain't proprietary either.
 
puredrifting said:
I'll ask the more practical question nobody else is. I'm in the U.S. I buy and take delivery of a Z Cam. Two months later, my camera breaks, stops working. What happens?
Do I have to mail it back to Shenzen, China to be repaired?
Click to expand...

+1

Returned my faulty Ifootage monopod to China in early June. Nary a tracking update on the Australia Post website...all I could tell was that it had arrived in China. A couple of days ago I got a "missed delivery" card in my mail box, which always gets me a little a excited. Imagine my joy when I went to the PO and was handed that same box i had sent almost 2 1/2 months earlier. Now I'm in the same position as before, but down $60, and scratching my head, wondering if our deteriorating relationship China means I get to keep this dodgy monopod. Zcam, that's a hard pass for me.
 
TheDingo said:
Z Cam launches budget E2-F6 and E2-F8 6K and 8K cinema cameras for pre-order

Z CAM E2-F6, S6 and F8 – Budget High Resolution Cameras Ready for Pre-Ordering

View attachment 136458
Click to expand...


I am excited. However, I won't buy till the camera is available in my country with official service centre. When I buy a Canon it simply works out of the box. Not sure about these new brands. After many years, I am slowly becoming comfortable with the thought of buying BMD 6K. Even then will wait for other guinea pigs to certify before I plonk my money. Z Cam doesn't have service centre outside China. So for me it is a No Go.
 
I doubt Z Cam will ever have a service center outside of China, if they do, it will be because they sold thousands of units in that country and it makes sense to do so. But the specifications and pricing makes it kind of tempting. Too bad that for any model, you really need to buy a Portfast monitor to control the thing, maybe Atomos will get the SDK and build a monitor/recorder that can control these cameras too.
 
My hang up on Z-Cam is the Mac compatibility right now. It sounds like a minor thing to some, but if I'm traveling without WIFI and need to update or do something to the camera, doing work arounds to boot the thing up or load a new firmware isn't really a viable option.
 
Greg_E said:
I doubt Z Cam will ever have a service center outside of China, if they do, it will be because they sold thousands of units in that country and it makes sense to do so...
Click to expand...
They're coming in with 4-5 models at, as you said, very tempting price points. How expensive would it be for them to rent a small office in, say, Monterey Park?

It's one thing to be Kinefinity with their technically excellent but not inexpensive models. It's another to angle against BMD's market share. For that, they'd need a US office for sure.
 
Unless they make a huge killing in the USA, I doubt they will bring a service center here. There needs to be a lot of profit before that could happen, and I just don't see it with cameras that sell for $800 to $6000. Maybe I'm wrong, they could certainly set up here in the middle of NY and get great tax incentives, the land is cheap and living expenses are decently average. If they really wanted to do so, they could lease (or own) "technology" space on several college campuses, we have a big chunk of land designated to technology company development right here where I work. And they could probably get students trained for repair right here, which is the partnership that allowed for these deals. Could certainly get warehouse staffing right here. There are even bigger incentives in this program and I'm surprised that places like Amazon haven't taken advantage of these programs.
 
They'd probably need to be within driving distance from NYC and LA/Hollywood.

(Whether Monterey Park is within driving distance from Hollywood is another matter).

Let's assume, with their product mix, an average camera will go for ~ $2,500. They'll need to sell a hundred cameras to pay for a small office with a receptionist and a technician. BMD probably sold a hundred Pocket6K units in the first hour.

Plus, they could partner up with Kinefinity too.
 
electricjib said:
My hang up on Z-Cam is the Mac compatibility right now. It sounds like a minor thing to some, but if I'm traveling without WIFI and need to update or do something to the camera, doing work arounds to boot the thing up or load a new firmware isn't really a viable option.
Click to expand...

I've updated the E2 with a Mac. It's simply a download and put the file on the card and run the firmware update.

One issue is with the Z Cam ZRAW VideoSuite being Windows only. They are going to release an OSX version but no set time table. I haven't played with ZRAW yet because I'm on a Mac with no PC available. My other issue is having to use software to do some parameter changes to the ZRAW clip then export and color grade in your NLE. It's a clumsy way of working and not really practical for my workflow. With Raw it seems like extra steps are required more often than not. BRAW seems to be the easiest but you need Resolve or the paid plugin for Premiere. In the end you have decide if all this is worth it just for Raw capture. The project usually dictates that.
 
Eric, your dilemma is exactly why I wouldn't purchase a Z Cam (upcoming ZRaw workflow or lack thereof). I'm not married to a particular brand (I've owned and used everything). I had a great experience with my test project using the Blackmagic Pocket 4K (which I just sold). Blackmagic Raw (BRAW) runs super smooth and works PERFECT on my 2017 5K iMac! Really love the BRAW workflow! I'm sure I'll use the Pocket 4K again soon........(or the Pocket 6K).......
 
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