Blackmagic Cinema Camera

Blackmagic Cinema Camera
Maker Blackmagic Design
Type Digital movie camera
Lens mount
Lens Interchangeable
Image sensor size
  • 16.64 mm × 14.04 mm (0.655 in × 0.553 in) (Actual)
  • 15.6 mm × 8.8 mm (1.56 cm × 0.88 cm) (Active)
Maximum resolution 2432 x 1366
Recording medium RAW, CinemaDNG, Apple ProRes and/or Avid DNxHD onto SSD
Frame rate
  • 23.98 fps
  • 24 fps
  • 25 fps
  • 29.97 fps
  • 30 fps
Battery Integrated rechargeable LiPo
AV Port(s) SDI
Data Port(s)
Dimensions 4.9 in × 6.5 in × 4.46 in (12.4 cm × 16.5 cm × 11.3 cm)
Weight 3.3 lb (1.5 kg)
Released September 4, 2012 (2012-09-04)
Made in Australia
References
[1][2]

The Blackmagic Cinema Camera (often simply the Cinema Camera or BMDCC) is a digital movie camera developed and manufactured by Blackmagic Design and released on September 4, 2012. It is part of the Cinema Camera family of digital movie cameras and shoots 2.5K video in RAW, Apple ProRes, CinemaDNG and Avid DNxHD formats.

History

At the NAB Show in April 2012, Blackmagic Design announced and demonstrated the Cinema Camera and slated for its release on July with an initial price of US$2,995.[3] However, in August, the release date was delayed for "final stages of Thunderbolt certification and internal testing".[4] A passive Micro Four Thirds model was then announced at IBC in September for release in December,[5] along with a collaboration with Arri for a set of kits exclusively for the camera.[6]

Alongside the announcement of the Pocket Cinema Camera and Production Camera 4K at NAB in April 2013, the price was dropped from it's initial to US$1,995 on August.[7] It was then given an Arri PL model, as well as the Production Camera 4K, on September 2014.[8] On October, a firmware update allowed the cameras to format solid-state drives within the camera.[9] In March 2015, another update added lossless RAW capability.[10]

Design

Specifications and hardware

The Cinema Camera can be bought in Canon EF, MFT and Arri PL models, although the EF is the only model native to the Carl Zeiss ZE mount. All models include DaVinci Resolve with purchase. The camera is 4.9 in × 6.5 in × 4.46 in (12.4 cm × 16.5 cm × 11.3 cm) and weighs 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) and the TRS, phone connector, LANC, Thunderbolt and SDI ports are on the right side, while the slot for solid-state drives are on the right.[11] The device also offers 13 stops of dynamic range through every shot.

The Camera has a 5" 800x480 LCD touchscreen display and dedicated buttons that can play and pause, stop, skip, focus and record media, access the menu and to power on the device. It can record RAW, CinemaDNG, Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD onto 2.5K and 1080p resolutions, as well as lossless 2.5K RAW, in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps.

Software

The device runs on a proprietary software called Camera Utility,[12] which mainly powers the interface and system. However, unlike most systems which update through firmware over the air, updates to the software must be done on a computer through USB and are obtained through Blackmagic's Support Center.[13] Files shot through the camera can be viewed individually and metadata, such as shot, scene and take numbers, can be assigned to each one.[14] The SSD can also be internally formatted, instead of manually removing it and formatting on another platform, into exFAT and HFS+.[15]

Reception

The Blackmagic Cinema Camera has been positively received by critics, being praised for its high image quality, price point and versatility but was criticized for it's technical problems, sensor and recommendation with accessories. Review Jamie Stuart from Filmmaker said, "I really enjoyed working with the Cinema Camera... It is not a competitor to ALEXA or RED. There’s a reason those cameras cost more," but also stated that "most of the issues are well-known, and at one point or another, I had to negotiate them."[16] Alan from Storey Motion said, "As simplified as it may appear, this isn’t necessarily an easy camera to use. It isn’t a DSLR replacement or killer, nor a solid primary camera. It has great dynamic range and holds highlights brilliantly but the image falls apart miserably in low light." but praised the camera's filming abilities while criticizing it's technical problems.[17] Michael Hession from Gizmodo criticized the battery and camera specs while stating that "attachable accessories are a virtual necessity," but positively concluded that "if you worship beautiful, detailed imagery, and don’t have extremely deep pockets, the Cinema Camera is worth a shot. It has its flaws, but most of them can be worked around."[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera (EF Mount)". B&H Photo Video. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Dent, Steve (4 September 2012). "Blackmagic Design starts shipping Cinema Cameras in limited quantity". Engadget. Retrieved 30 November 2016 – via AOL.
  3. ↑ ncement of the Pocket Cinema CameraLawler, Richard (16 April 2012). "Blackmagic Cinema Camera packs 'feature film' 2.5K quality, touchscreen for $2,995". Engadget. Retrieved 30 November 2016 – via AOL.
  4. ↑ Dent, Steve (1 August 2012). "Blackmagic Cinema Camera pushed back a few weeks, new footage shown". Engadget. Retrieved 30 November 2016 – via AOL.
  5. ↑ Dent, Steve (2 September 2012). "Blackmagic launches Cinema Camera MFT with Micro Four Thirds mount, sans autofocus, for $3K". Engadget. Retrieved 30 November 2016 – via AOL.
  6. ↑ Marchant, Beth (5 September 2012). "ARRI Unveils Kits for Blackmagic's Cinema Camera, Now Shipping (Sort of)". StudioDaily. Retrieved 30 November 2016 – via Access Intelligence.
  7. ↑ Fingas, Jon (4 August 2013). "Blackmagic drops Cinema Camera price to $1,995". Engadget. Retrieved 30 November 2016 – via AOL.
  8. ↑ Sutton, Zach (12 September 2014). "Blackmagic Adds PL Mount to the Beloved Cinema Camera and a Plethora of Hardware". Fstoppers. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  9. ↑ Schneider, Jaron (9 October 2014). "Blackmagic Cinema Cameras Can Finally Format Cards in Camera". Fstoppers. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  10. ↑ Stoilov, Ogy (20 March 2015). "Blackmagic Cinema Camera Gets 2.5K Lossless Compressed Raw With Firmware Update 2.1". 4KShooters. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Blackmagic Design: Cinema Cameras Tech Specs". Blackmagic Design. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Fairley, Russ (23 January 2015). "Blackmagic Deisgn Rolls Out Blackmagic Camera Utility 2.0". Videomaker. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  13. ↑ "Blackmagic Design: Support". Blackmagic Design. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "Blackmagic Design: Cinema Cameras Production Flow". Blackmagic Design. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  15. ↑ Hardy, Robert (8 October 2014). "You Can Now Internally Format SSDs & SD Cards in All of the Blackmagic Cameras". No Film School. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  16. ↑ Stuart, Jamie (23 October 2013). "The Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera: A Review". Filmmaker. Retrieved 1 December 2016 – via Independent Filmmaker Project.
  17. ↑ "The Blackmagic Cinema Camera - Love It Or Loathe It; A Sobering Review". Storey Motion. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  18. ↑ Hession, Michael (9 July 2013). "Blackmagic Cinema Camera Review: Sacrifices for Superior Shots". Gizmodo. Retrieved 1 December 2016 – via Gawker Media.
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