It's no secret that the original Blackmagic pocket cinema camera is a legend in the filmmaking world. But how does it hold up today? And will we see another version of this in the future?
▶︎ Become a channel member! www.youtube.com/@ZachMayfield...
Mentioned in this video
◆ SD cards: • BEST BUDGET SD CARDS F...
◆ Lukio's Insta! / lukiosaurus
Join the Mayfam
◆ Subscribe: geni.us/sub2me
◆ Discord: / discord
◆ Instagram: / zachariahmayfield
◆ Sub my 2nd channel: geni.us/sub2gamer
◆ Business email: zachmayfield3@gmail.com
My Gear
◆ Sony A7Siii: geni.us/SONY_A7SIII
◆ Camera Monitor: geni.us/NINJAV
◆ Zoom Lens: geni.us/SIGMA_24_70
◆ Vintage Lens: geni.us/HELIOS
◆ Portrait Lens: geni.us/bokehbeast
◆ Audio Recorder: geni.us/MIXPRE3
◆ Studio Mic: geni.us/Procaster
◆ On-Cam Mic: geni.us/RODE_NTG
◆ Lav Mics: geni.us/WIRELESS_GO2
◆ SD Cards: geni.us/SDCARD
◆ Main Light: geni.us/120Dii
◆ RGB Light: geni.us/rotoRGB
◆ Backpack: geni.us/PEAK_DESIGN
◆ Tripod: geni.us/CARBON_FIBER_TRIPOD
◆ Editing Computer: geni.us/TheMACHINE
If you use my affiliate links above, I'll make some fat stacks of cash without you paying any extra. I mean it's not really fat stacks but at least it's something. Gotta put food on the table ya know? Thanks for supporting my family.
#bmpcc #bmpccog #retroreview
What older tech should I take a peek at next?
MKH 416...
The Digital Bolex - another gem from the past.
The eos M
Canon C100 MkII (I have it and I love it)
Sony fs100
You can upscale bmpcc og footage to 4k and the quality it's amazing. Still holds up. Battery is not an issue. With a npf adapter and a npf 970 you are ok for a lot of time. New Kingston SD cards are full compatible and cheap. I still use it a lot. Have two of them.
Dude i have a question, why my bmpcc cant read af lens? Like olympus & lumix.. Focus and apperture cant change and
@@shadamgumay2142 Does it happens all the time? Maybe you need to clean contacts on the lens or on the front of the camera. Happened to me. Removing the lens and putting it again a few times and worked, because of contacts. A school rubber can be used to clean contacts.
How do you upscale bmpcc og to 4k in resolve? By setting the timeline setting?
@@talktalk4503 edit everything in 1080. When you need to render change timeline resolution to 3840x2160 UHD and export with that resolution.
@@EstudioAndante ahh ok. Thk u kind sir
The quirks aren’t too terrible to work with. If you rig it out a bit with a battery plate etc and discard the “pocket” part of it as it’s definitive feature, it produces a great image for a lot lower cost than the alternatives.
You kind of missed the point here. The BMPCC used a dual gain Fairchild sensor, similar to the one in the ARRI Alexa. That is why the BMPCC footage looks so much closer to more expensive cameras like Arri’s. We want Blackmagic to introduce a camera with a Fairchild dual gain sensor no matter the form factor. They won’t do it because their margins probably wouldn’t be there.
I owned the OG URSA Mini 4.6k. The image that came out of that after grading was incredible. My guess is Black Magic used Fairchild sensors to get that film look and make a “splash on the scene”. Once they had market penetration they knew they couldn’t release sensors like that with more modern resolutions and frame rates otherwise people would never need to upgrade their gear or even bother buying other camera brands. They were giving people an insanely cinematic image for such a low price. So they started introducing Sony sensor cameras which look nowhere near as good as any Black Magic Fairchild sensor cameras. I highly doubt Black Magic ever releases cinematic Fairchild sensor cameras ever again at low price points because they’re running a business that sells mostly hardware.
@@TennisUnleashed This is 100% my theory as well.
As an active Davinci Resolve user, I LOVE what Blackmagic is doing to the film industry. They really seem to listen to their userbase, and never fail to release awesome products. Thanks for the deep dive on this super cool camera!
Great video man! Love the OG talk and the humor! Keep it up!
Let's not forget the BM Micro Cinema Camera. Truly a gem. I own 2 and both are set up and treated as A-cams.
mee too. and it's a bit sad that BM is not planning to release another cube cameras, so I hope my BMMCCs will last long
I totally agree ! I own one and the image is still amazing. The Fairchild sensors were giving a real organic feeling I can't find anywhere else on modern cameras. I can't explain from where this feeling come ; but I'd really like blackmagic to go back to this image, this "black magic"
@@broaf BM is releasing a G2 version of the Micro Studio 4K. Same sensors as the BMPCC 4K. Complete specs are forthcoming, waiting to see if it has the gyro data.
@@mannyb4265yeah finally. The only problem is that they dropped the expansion port and accoding to the recent information the sdi can only used with their atem controllers. So even if somebody could build a controller with sdi camera control it wont work with g2 micro
The G2 drops SD card slot. So no internal recording. Big difference from original micro.
A friend of mine just gave one of these to me years ago, after he bought a red camera - I think he just didn't see the value in it. Every time I took it out to play with I've made my most liked and well received footage. Love this coverage, its probably the best deep dive on this camera on the internet right now
I think if they could do a 1080p 240fps version in the same form factor with an improved capacity battery for its size it would be a winner.
I agree I own this and the bmpcc4k and still prefer the ease of use and look I can achieve out of the og, even if the 4K technically creates a better image. I’m thinking with ai, as far as using an upscale or ai slow motion tool u can finesse those areas where it is weak. The main issue is lowlight. I really prefer the look I can get at 400 iso, 800 is decent, 1600 is almost unusable.
With the exact same 16mm sensor yes
with still capacity
240? Why would u want 240? 60fps is already like more than enough. a 4k or 2.7k sensor would be appreciated, since than for doc. style work you could actually crop the image still in post, for stabilization or reframing, wich is almost always necessary for documentary style work, or filmmaking in general for fckssake. that's the only thing that bugs me about the pocket. I love my camera but that's a bummer ngl.
@@jp-is1is sir, 800 is the native iso of the camera, wich grabs the most dynamic range. sorry I sound like a 🤓. :)
Have been using the OG since it came out; honestly, an update with a larger battery, same sensor, brighter screen…I’d go for it again. It’s a brilliant little camera that holds a unique place in the industry.
The Sigma fp is very much in the same spirit as the original BMPCC. I would love to see an updated sigma fp with super fast stacked sensor (fp lacks a shutter for photos), CFExpress cards for 10-bit internal RAW, and better AF.
Well, from Sigma I'm expecting a full frame Foveon sensor in 2023… I hope they give us this gift this year..
Came looking for someone who gets it. Fp doesn't have a lot of the 'quirks' of the pocket, like battery life that is actually usable etc and a mount that matches the sensor format.
I own two and I love them. I love than the menu is dedicated to film and there are no frippery distractions. The one change I’d make is that of the battery. External batteries risk the power port, so a cage is essential. Otherwise, it’s a beauty.
big yes on an anniversary addition. my OG one crapped out and i love that camera.
Thanks for the plug! Love this little camera, glad I held on to it.
I owned two of these and LOVED it. Only real issue for me was the lack of an IR cut on the sensor. It had terrible IR problems. But once you put a IR cut filter on your lens it worked perfect.
There's very little documentation on this. The newer ND's kinda solve the problem, but I found it looks best when you use an IR cut all the times, even when not using NDs.
excuse me , may I ask what ir cut filter you were using with it?
Black Magic Designer says you couldn't change much... I mean there's a ton of stuff you could improve. 1. Fix the IR Pollution 2. Fix the Moire 3. Lower Base or Dual Base ISO. Something like ISO 25 or 50 would be valuable for shooting in full sunlight. 4. Update the LCD. Doesn't need to be touch. Or maybe remove the LCD all together and replace with a low power EVF. 5. Strengthen the ports / improve the power connection that often fails. Use mini or even full sized HDMI or SDI if it could fit... 6. Bundle with a handle and a loupe. Really, the only way this camera is usable handheld is with a handle and a viewfinder. 7. Improve rolling shutter. 8. Internal NDs. I mean any solution, even one that took a few minutes to install would be super valuable. Third party ones were made but you can't find them. 9. Improve internal microphone. 10. False Color / Wave Form.
True, Very True!! Great List 🏆
I would definitely be interested in an updated - slightly larger - version of the BMPCC. If for nothing else as a travel or vlogging camera.
I started going back to projects I put on the backburner that I shot with my Micro Cinema, the OG's cubed brother. The image quality of the BMMCC and OG BMPCC are making me re-evaluate whether my newest camera, a Z CAM E2-M4, is the best decision when I'm on set as a cinematographer. Yes the Z CAM has all the newest fancy bells and whistles and it is "bigger", but that doesn't mean it's better. Those Fairchild sensors are so unique and so crisp that even upscaling to UHD anyone's eye won't be able to tell the difference and I have a sneaking suspicion that keen viewers would gravitate to the OG and BMMCC footage.
Yeah... I mean I have a Komodo and a C70. I really think the OG pocket is better in a lot of ways. It's honestly annoying. Obviously not practical but the color and texture is so good.
Unfortunately they have never really been able to make the same "color science" again. An anniversary edition could be a bummer if it wouldn't look the same.
Excellent Video, Zach, and many thanks!! Just subscribed!!
@6:00 What lenses are used to shoot this footage?
I love hearing about this camera and adding you talking about it equals awesome sauce.
I wish it came in 2.5k. I had the bmcc and that resolution seemed to be the sweet spot for me. A little better low light performance would be nice as well.
I still use my BMPCC OG for my work, just love the footage from this baby. Thanks for the video.
Iv been praying for an update to the og with some lil upgrades, doesn't even have to be too crazy
Loved this! Keep them coming
You can try the Sigma FP it has similar quirks but in full frame 😀
THERE IS SO MUCH DESIRE FOR ANOTHER CAMERA LIKE THIS BLACKMAGIC PLEASSSSEEE!
I bough mine this last November, is very fantastic cause is an unique small tank. Is a masterpiece that needs mastering to use. I think engineers don't have to listen to us, but we need something like BMPCC OG II. I do fashion film and campaigns parallel to still photo, they use 5Dm3 or D850 and always, this last 6 times I land our work to even best finishes. I use to use bmpcc 4k, a7sii or d7000 (sounds weird but I hacked to can work with). This week probably a 30 sec ad is done, jewerly, girl and boy and pink rose background... I'll keep you posted if I upload any details here. Cheers there, from Mexico, Syd VL.
BMPCC color looks surprisingly vibrant. Was there any grading/LUTs used for BMPCC? Or is it just an in-camera video rec709 mode? I can't get normal 709 like colors with my BMPCC regardless whether I use LUTs + log, or native in camera 709 grading. All of the results always look too bleak. Maybe my LUTs aren't good enough.
the insane specs that were crammed in those jeans !! ha, that was a proper one, the phrasing made it so that you didn't see the joke coming.
I have two. I also I have 6k. I’m revisiting the originals. So inspired.
Still my main camera after 5 years, two films and many other projects later. Love this little beast.
I mean, Sigma fp is here. People are loving it even with its quirks. It’s small, full frame, 4k, uncompressed CDNG directly to USB-C SSD. Maybe Blackmagic could do something similar, but with an integrated NVME SSD bay, and BRAW. A flip screen would come in hand as well, just saying 😊
The thing is the price difference. Just checked, where I live, a used fp is around 1500 bucks just the body. If you can find a bare bones bmpcc without an entire rig, it's around 300-400.
@@uhuhno6441 Where you finding the BMPCC for 300-400? I can't find one
@@Miguel.Garcia eBay and eBay Kleinanzeigen (basically the german craigslist) but right now I only see bundle/rig offers and over priced bare bodies for 600. The bundles/rigs can be quite the steal though. Some come with a, albeit cheap, speedbooster. Enabled me to use a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC (150€ used) that turns into, well, basically it almost kinda keeps its focal length sorta (or rather field of view) and turns it into a f2.0 So that's neat. PS: Found one for 380€ but with a broken hdmi port ☹️ a neat one with nothing wrong at 550€ and a bundle with a bmpcc, batteries, charger and a Carl Zeiss Tevidon 10mm f2.0 for 679€.
@@Miguel.Garcia yes, is imposible! I checked this whole year at the face book group and eBay... I found one today with Kingston 256 GB memory card (special standard suitable for BMPCC) -3 batteries (of which 2 Nikon batteries with extra long battery life) and the charger of course, all for 487 dollars on a different local site for second hand stuff... I got three 4/3 micro lenses from my GH3 camera... So, am considering this camera now.. but am not sure as the Black Magic 4k is just a couple of more hundred dollars and the same with the Gh5S that handles low light situations and got automatic focus for me to act in front of the camera. How to act in from of the Black Magic original camera when you are on your own, no auto focus?! anyone got some good advices? shall I skip the OG and go for another GH camera in 2023 to get auto focus as I am in front of my own camera in what I do now as an actor/director?... though the image the OG produce is really cool and a big 70s-80s trend now! hmm, what people advise ? is it just a nightmare to get started with the OG if you want to film yourself acting or can one set the focus in a good enough way and act out monologues, reporting from places when out n' about and get the 70s look a the same time or is it better to get a GH5s or gh6 and let the auto focus work for you and try to struggle in the edit to get a more cinematic look with those cameras? please advice! thanks
I checked this whole year at the face book group and eBay... I found one today with Kingston 256 GB memory card (special standard suitable for BMPCC) -3 batteries (of which 2 Nikon batteries with extra long battery life) and the charger of course, all for 487 dollars on a different local site for second hand stuff... I got three 4/3 micro lenses from my GH3 camera... So, am considering this camera now.. but am not sure as the Black Magic 4k is just a couple of more hundred dollars more as a second hand camera and the same with the Gh5S that handles low light situations and got automatic focus for me to act in front of the camera. How to act in from of the Black Magic original camera when you are on your own, no auto focus?! anyone got some good advices? shall I skip the OG and go for another GH camera in 2023 to get auto focus as I am in front of my own camera in what I do now as an actor/director?... though the image the OG produce is really cool and a big 70s-80s trend now! hmm, what people advise ? is it just a nightmare to get started with the OG if you want to film yourself acting or can one set the focus in a good enough way and act out monologues, reporting from places when out n' about and get the 70s look a the same time or is it better to get a GH5s or gh6 and let the auto focus work for you and try to struggle in the edit to get a more cinematic look with those cameras? please advice! thanks
BMD just needs to scale down the BMPCC4k to the OG's dimensions and they have a product that will cannibalize their 6ks' share of the market. Oh, wait that will be a bad idea for them.
Dude had to look twice 😂 thanks for referencing my Video on 6:13
Any one can suggest a budget-friendly Parfocal Zoom lens? I have the Metabones speed booster adapter
Do you automatically get the retro look when filming with the black magic camera ? Or is it edited ?
A stacked sensor and high frames like 240 fps 1080p or more and the maximum resolution like 2.5k open gate
the moire the aliasing the lack of options whats-o-ever , that being said it is very nostalgic, produces unique image ( given the perfect lighting conditions - rewuires alot of light since its super 16 sensor size ) and I dont know if I should sell it or not...gonna watch the video now
I’ve been using a BMPCC since 2015. I’ve never had as much fun with a camera and I love the images it produces. I did upgrade to a 4K in 2019 but I sometimes wonder why I bothered. I keep going back to the OG.
I got mine in 2014 and still have it to this day. I’ll never let it go.
🎉great video as usual. It would be a great comparison this pocket camera vs the EOS M with ML. Both create good quality video after a lot of work.
TOTALLY AGREE, a BM Pocket Cam (more like the OG) it Times of biggest demanding Cameras like the X100V, a new Pocket with maybe slite better spec & a PANCAKE Lens would be a filmmakers collectors dream.
BMPCC v2: 1. Make the HDMI port better/bigger/repairable 2. make the microphone as good as my old iphone 4s 3. Give it a flip screen 4. Make it so you can replace the internal battery. Currently, if(when) it dies, your can clips no longer store the date. [EDIT: ps would it *really* be a big deal if it didn't have 4K?]
Just make a new 6k WITH the fairchild sensor!!
Just a New one, Maybe a dual native ISO 400/3200 with 2.7k video Prores and Braw to an SD and SSD? With a Sony battery and a flip screen? Just that!!!😏
With Topaz Video Ai you can upscale 1080 with Ai and it’s amazing. This camera is a keeper for me!
Definitely an updated body would be great :)
love this OG and 6kpro
*Anniversary BMPCC OG* : Something like an FX3 competitor except a few tweaks: Full frame, Sony FZ100 battery, touchscreen, DCI 120fps, mini-SDI, Waveforms. You'd lose IBIS but get EIS, no articulating screen but you would get a slightly bigger touchscreen, no external power plug-in but you could run an FZ100 battery adapter instead to wall power or to p-tap or whatever. You'd have a fan for cooling (like the FX30) so no overheating. BRAW (obviously). Hotshoe port on the top so we can add the BM EVF (sold seperate), they'd also sell a vertical battery grip to take more FZ100 batteries. Of Sony won't allow that, then look at old Panasonic GH5 or the GH6 battery since they are cheaper anyways. Build a rugged cage with 1/4 20's built into it (collaborate with SmallRig) and have built in wifi like RED / SONY for monitoring wirelessly on your phone. Then, bring that wireless to your other cameras since everyone wants that option. But - do it different. If you're relying on a slower connection (say bluetooth) do a slow (1fps) full 1080p image to the app. So it's like shooting tethered, but for video. And instead of 30fps crappy video feed, do 1fps but great 1080p that's clear AND AUDIO (with meters on screeN). You have to make compromises, but make them in the places that matter to make a different but better than FX3. And you have to figure out AF, sorry. Red even has AF that's workable for a gimbal. You gotta be able to make it happen.
I have to disagree. What you described is just another cinema camera... not a pocket cinema camera. A lot of those requests negate the value and uniqueness that make this camera so loved. A new version should stay small and playfull. Honestly, just better battery life and less moire is all I'd really ask for.
I would buy one instantly if they kept the sensor and that image, I have two of the old ones already 👌🤩
What you totally miss and Blackmagic doesn't point out is that it's the Fairchild sensor! It's no longer made. Hence you have the next versions (4K and 6K) utilizing Sony sensors (like everyone else) but missing that magic. There is no going back on that. And the people that care about that are the marginalia of the crowd, those handful of videos that shout out the name for clicks and likes. Most people have moved on to higher resolution and using Davinci color grades, luts and what have you to create magic in post. Also, I'm sick of the "quirks" discussion since every video camera that you see uses cages and V-mount batteries. Same as we all did with the BMPCC. The other quirks were getting softness as you stopped down, IR pollution etc. Which most of us solved through IR cut and ND filters. Like a lot of other video cameras. I'm still using my bmpcc ten years on and have no plans to upgrade. I only hope it lasts forever.
I don’t mind using HD but with 17stop higher dynamic range .. I am still using it
A 2.5k version would be enough resolution to most professionals/consumers.
This was awesome and now I want one…
Yes we need an anniversary addition please
the fairchild image sensor is out of space. still top edge image quality (upscaled)
I still use mine :)
zachy man, we need a r7 review stat!
I loved the look of the footage that I got out of mine, but it developed a ton of dead pixels.
Yes and videos like this have kept it at 700 bucks still when the bmpcc4k for 800 wtf dude...
Te aseguro que si actualizan esta cámara con alimentación via usb c... solo full hd... sería un éxito.
Can BM and Sony do a deal to put that OG Fairchild sensor in a ZV-1? Call it the FX Super 16. Combining that ProRes RAW image with the Sony’s better audio and battery plus phase AF and image stabilisation etc would get everybody turned on, even if it was “only 2K”…
The magic here is that Fairchild sensor.
Man, if my little Sony ZV-1 can shoot 4k, I'm sure Blackmagic could make 4k work in the BMPCC form factor. I'm a fan of the Super 16 size because it means you can adapt vintage 16mm lens easily. How cool would that be in 4k??
I loved shooting with it, despite its flaws. Still own one and haven’t found a V2 equivalent! The experience was quite unique, completely unlike these generic dslr cameras. Complete uninterested in their current lineup…
I love my BMPCC and I’ll never sell it. As a film shooter with a Bolex Rex-3, the 20 minute limit on its batteries don’t faze me. Easy enough to carry three or four of the tiny batteries in a Fanny pack or jacket pocket. And it sports a dual-gain Fairchild sensor which really does produce nice highlight rolloff. For those times I want to shoot longer, I have a cage that holds a Canon DSLR batter that will power it forever. I’d kill for a modernized version with a better screen and 60 or 120 fps…
If Sigma could make a small, full frame FP, Blackmagic can make another OG. It doesn't have to be this small, and it doesn't have to have a small battery. Most people are using a NPF battery with them any ways, so make it a little bigger with a bigger battery, a full size HDMI port, and a bigger screen, Basically a smaller version of the Pocket 4K.
bro i wanted this camera so bad!
Borrowing a friend’s BMPCC OG that she forgot she even had. It’s absolutely beat to shit (black front cover is completely missing with only glue residue remaining & the battery cover is gone), but I can’t wait to use it on my 2nd channel. Great vid, Zach!
If you like the first gen pocket you should give the Sigma Fp a try.
This deserves 3 billion views.
Please, Blackmagic!!!
I got home safe but the deer didn't make it😢. Good job man!
you would think "Bob" from blackmagic would have a better webcam, he looks like a compressed FMV segaCD game from the 90s!
A 2023 remake would be incredible
This camera is elite and how I shoot all my films - holds up today EASY!
Blackmagic! Listen up! Please release a version 2/MKII of the OG BMPCCC in 4k res! Please fix the moire and aliasing, increase dynamic range etc even if it’s a bit bigger. I have a collection of super 16 lenses that I’d love to shoot with in 4k and still have a camera that fits in my pocket. Please!
It shouldn't be that complicated to make a small camera very powerful nowdays, you can see how the EOS M stacks out, or the ZV-E10 from sony that is almost point and shoot size and it records perfect 6k downscaled to 4k... but obviously we would love some cinema dedicated options on the menu, and the blackmagic color science on it... but we all know is possible... again, look at the Eos M with the magic lantern.
Still kicking myself for not grabbing one when they were being given away for $500. Still got my BMCC 2.5k, and would never sell it.
How do you have so few views and how didn't I discover your channel earlier?
Anniversary edition. Please baby Jesus 😢🙏
It would be nice to compare with the iPhone 15 Pro and BM app.
I am still keep this BMPCC
sigma fp sure is kinda a successor to this camera imo
you did that guy dirty by including the voice crack 💀
I've seen this camera over the years and always thought is was a power house. I have the 4k but wish the form factor was different. Black magic has been my fav company for both cameras and editing software for years now. I think the cinema dng patched out of this camera to their own BRAW changed the game for them. Great video man!
Smashed like for Wind Waker!
BMPCC G with global shutter, you van keep everything else as it is.
I came here from a dreamy instagram reel ❤
I would buy a new model or Anniversary edition.
Please Blackmagic we need a slightly bigger BMPCC 2.0, 4k, Braw, HD 120fps, external SSD recording, much longer battery life (other brands make it possible, so it can be done, Sony batteries are really small). I don't care about sensor size, people complain about it, but at the end look at that beautiful footage! so if you want to make it s16 with MFT mount, is fine, better!.. so I can keep my Speedbooster. I don't care about micro HDMI either...
and maybe an anniversary edition COULD be a 2.5k. i know theres the original but a better form factor
I mean, it shouldn't be as "imposible" as he says to make a newer version. The Gopro 11shoots 5.2k 10bit and has a touchscreen.
But no matter what, I'm not giving up on my camera for a long time to come.😍
I dont need more resolution, just battery and sd compatibility.
Nunca pensé que sería una persona que conserva cámaras que no usa. Ahora me cuesta mucho venderlas o regalarlas, siempre pienso que la puedo usar... pero sé que no la usaré.
Hey now, don’t be harsh on the battery life! On a fresh Battery, mine almost lasts a whole five minutes!
BM need to get cinema DNG and Fairchild sensors back again. that was the magic to their cameras. now... they kinda Lack Magic and sony cameras are just as viable as an option.
I also liked the cNDG and Fairchild more than bRAW and the Sony sensors. It's so sad that there is no Fairchild sensor running around anymore. However I could still live with them IF the form factor would stay (I mean especially to the Micro) and the Super16 size sensor...
u see zac video, u click zac video