Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera c-mount lens compatibility list

[Julian]

Eagerly awaiting your Pocket Cinema Camera? You already have a micro for thirds camera and some C-mount lenses? Want to know if they will cover the sensor of the Pocket? Lets find out! I hope you will add your results, so we can make this list growing.

 

I will only add lenses to the lists when you have proof, in other words: images.

 

How?

Because we know the active sensor area of the BMPCC measures 12,48 x 7,02 mm, it is fairly easy to check if our C-mount lenses will cover the full sensor. Calculate this by taking a picture with a lens on your micro four thirds camera, and crop out the image area of theBMPCC.

 

In Photoshop:

1. Open the image.
2. Go to Edit > Image Size, uncheck resample image.
3. Change Image width to 19 centimeters, press ok
4. Go to Image > Canvas Size, change dimensions to 12,48 x 7,02cm, press OK to crop the image to BMPCC size.
5. Resize to 1920x1080 pixels
6. Post your results!

Note: If you shoot on the GH3 or other MFT camera's, the sensor size is 17 x 13mm, so change the width in step 3 to 17 cm!

To lazy to do it yourself or you can't work it out? Upload the full resolution files and I'll do it.

List terms explained:

Yes = covers the full sensor of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
No = doesn't cover the sensor
Needs modification = Doesn't fit on C-mount to M43-adapter without modifications
Equivalent = The focal length and depth equivalent on a fullframe camera (5D Mark III for example)

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Compatibility list

Primes

 

Apollo 25mm f/0.85 - Yes = 72mm f/2.4 equivalent [link to proof]

 

Angenieux 10mm f/1.8 Retrofocus (Fixed Focus) - Yes (dark corners) = 28,8mm f/5.2 equivalent [link to proof] [more info]

 

Carl Zeiss Jena Tevidon 10mm f/2 - Yes - Needs modification = 28,8mm f/5.8 equivalent [link to proof] [more info]

Carl Zeiss Jena Tevidon 35mm f/1.9 - Yes - Needs modification = 101mm f/5.6 equivalent [link to proof]

 

Century 9mm f/1.8 - YES (poor quality) [link to proof]

 

Computar 8mm f/1.3 - NO [link to proof]
Computar 16mm f/1.4 - NO [link to proof]
Computar TV Lens 25mm f/1.8 - YES = 72mm f/5,2 equivalent [link to proof]
 

Cosmicar 8,5mm f/1.5 - NO [link to proof]

Cosmicar 12.5mm f/1.8 - YES - Needs modification = 36mm f/5.2 equivalent [link to proof]

Cosmicar 25mm f/1.8 - YES - 72mm f/5.2 equivalent [link to proof]

Ernitec 6.5mm f/1.8 - YES (heavy distortion) [link to proof]

Ernitec/Navitar 17mm f/0.95 - YES (v. blurry corners & distortion) [link to proof]

 

Fujinon TV 12.5mm f/1.4 - Yes (blurry corners) - Mod.? (unknown) = 36mm f/4 equivalent [link to proof]

Fujinon TV 16mm f/1.4 - NO [link to proof]

Fujinon TV 35mm f/1.7 - YES - Needs modification = 101mm f/4.9 equivalent [link to proof]

 

Leitz Macro Cinegon 10mm f/1.8 - Yes (dark corners) = 28,8mm f/5.2 equivalent [link to proof]

 

Kern Switar 10mm f/1.6 - Yes (slight vignette & blurry corners) [link to proof]

 

Nikon Cine Nikkor 13mm f/1.8 - Yes =  37,5mm f/5.2 [link to proof]

Nikon Cine Nikkor 25mm f/1.8 - Yes = 72mm f/5.2 equivalent [link to proof]
 

Pentax 25mm f/1.4 - YES - 72mm f/4 equivalent [link to proof]

 

Schneider 10mm f/1.8 (silver version) - No (almost) [link to proof]

Schneider-Kreuznach Cinegon 11.5mm f/1.9 - No (almost) = 33mm f/5.6 equivalent [link to proof]

Schneider-Kreuznach Cine-Xenon 16mm f/2 - Yes = 46mm f/5.8 equivalent [link to proof] [link to proof (2)]

Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 25mm f/0.95 - Yes = 72mm f/2.7 equivalent [link to proof]

Schneider Xenoplan 17mm f/1.7 - Yes (blurry corners) - [link to proof]

 

SLR Magic 11mm F1.4 - Yes - [link to proof] (added by EOSHD)

 

Tokina TV Lens  8mm f/1.3 - NO [link to proof]
Tokina TV Lens 16mm f/1.6 - NO [link to proof]

 

Taylor-Hobson Cooke Kinic 25mm f/1.3 - Yes = 72mm f/3.7 equivalent [link to proof]

Taylor-Hobson 25mm f/1.9 - Yes - 72mm f/5.6 equivalent [link to proof]

 

Wesley 25mm f/1.4 - YES = 72mm f/4 equivalent [link to proof]

 

Wollensak Cine Raptar 12.5mm f/1.5 - Yes = 36mm f/4.3 equivalent [link to proof]

Wollensak Cine Raptar 25mm f/1.9 - Yes = 72mm f/5.6 equivalent [link to proof]

$ 25 noname 25mm f/1.2 CCTV - YES = 72mm f/3.5 equivalent [link to proof]

Zooms

 

Ernitec 6-12mm f/1.4 - NO [link to proof]

 

Kowa TV Zoom 12.5-75mm f/1.8 - NO [link to proof]

[Julian]

My results for the mentioned lenses:

 

Computar 8mm f/1.3

 

Computar 25mm f/1.8

Picture @ F/5.6

 

 

Cosmicar 8.5mm f/1.5

 

Cosmicar 12.5mm f/1.8

 

Fujinon TV Lens 16mm f/1.4

 

Fujinon TV Lens 35mm f/1.7

[Julian]

Tokina TV Lens  8mm f/1.3

Tokina TV Lens  16mm f/1.6

Vignetting is worse stopped down and focused at infinity.

 

Kowa TV Zoom 12.5-75mm f/1.8

Can't get it to focus properly. This is shot at the widest setting, if you zoom to 75mm it just about covers it, but quality is poor, lots of distortion.

 

$25 eBay 25mm f/1.2

Works, but the lens is difficult to use. No focus or iris marks.

Shot wide open:

 

$5 eBay 8mm f/1.2 fixed iris lens for 1/3" sensor

Probably CS mount, only works as super macro and obviously it is made for very small sensors.

[andy lee]

Wesley 24mm f/1.4 - YES  - pics to follow

Cosmicar 25mm f/1.8 - YES - pics to follow

Pentax 25mm f/1.4 - YES - pics to follow

[Ernesto Mantaras]

Very illustrative, Julian! And I'm waiting for those pics, Andy, I wanna see how the bokeh looks on the Pentax.

Here here's another lens that isn't on the list but could perhaps be a good addition to the list?

Pentax 12.5mm f1.4

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553973-REG/Pentax_C21211KP_C21211KP_1_C_Mount.html

 

If it performs as well as the Cosmicar then I'm getting one!

 

[Ernesto Mantaras]

One other thing, would an 8.5mm lens designed for 2/3" (while still vignetting) be useable (versus that $5 eBay 8mm f/1.2 fixed iris lens for 1/3" sensor)?
 

[P337]

Nice! Thanks for this Julian. 

 

Also to anyone with access to questionable lenses and a Canon Rebel T3i(600D) you can check them in that camera's 3x digital movie crop mode which supposedly crops the actual sensor down to about a Super 16 size,  might not be exactly the same as the PocketCC though.

[iconflyer]

I guess this particular lens would cover the S16 frame because it's designed to project over a 1" sensor which is a little larger. I was looking at the exact same lens as well...

Very illustrative, Julian! And I'm waiting for those pics, Andy, I wanna see how the bokeh looks on the Pentax.

Here here's another lens that isn't on the list but could perhaps be a good addition to the list?

Pentax 12.5mm f1.4

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/553973-REG/Pentax_C21211KP_C21211KP_1_C_Mount.html

 

If it performs as well as the Cosmicar then I'm getting one!

 

[MattThomasFilm]

What does the footage look like on these C-mount lenses though? As some of the examples I've seen online the picture does seem a little soft and hazy or even have soft edges around the image. I know, they are quite cheap in most cases though.

[andy lee]

sharp if you get the right ones

 

I use the Wesley 24mm f1.4 and Pentax 25mm f1.4 on my GH2 and both are razor sharp

almost Canon L Series sharp!!

superb lenses !

[MattThomasFilm]

sharp if you get the right ones

 

I use the Wesley 24mm f1.4 and Pentax 25mm f1.4 on my GH2 and both are razor sharp

almost Canon L Series sharp!!

superb lenses !

 

Is there any wider and longer lenses that are worth looking at too?

 

I'm in two minds about what lenses to get for the pocket, not sure wherever it's worth getting lenses like the Samyang 8mm and 24mm to go along side my 14mm that I already have or go for something smaller and cheaper.

 

What I'm not liking with these is the soft edges, I know a lot of lenses have soft edges but it's really noticable on some of the these C-mount stills

 

[Bruno]

There's a great 5.9mm by Angenieux!

[thomse]

5.9mm sounds like a good wide-angle focal length. Is it sharp?

I've seen it work on a GH2 without vignetting, so it would easily work on the pocket kamera, right?

[Julian]

One other thing, would an 8.5mm lens designed for 2/3" (while still vignetting) be useable (versus that $5 eBay 8mm f/1.2 fixed iris lens for 1/3" sensor)?
 

The 8.5mm cosmicar and 8mm 1.3 Tokina I tested are for 2/3" I think. The cosmicar is for sure. I don't consider it useable. You might have luck with longer lenses, but even the Tokina 16mm vignettes as you can see.

[Julian]

Is there any wider and longer lenses that are worth looking at too?

 

I'm in two minds about what lenses to get for the pocket, not sure wherever it's worth getting lenses like the Samyang 8mm and 24mm to go along side my 14mm that I already have or go for something smaller and cheaper.

 

What I'm not liking with these is the soft edges, I know a lot of lenses have soft edges but it's really noticable on some of the these C-mount stills

 

This kinda results you get when you use them on image sensors bigger than what they are made for. With the BMPCC sensor it won't be so bad if you use 1" lenses. You probably will have to stop down to get sharp corners, but thats with about every lens.

 

For example, from my test:

Computar 25mm @ f/1.8: http://www.eoshd.com/comments/gallery/image/242-computar-25mm-18/

Computar 25mm @ f/5.6: http://www.eoshd.com/comments/gallery/image/244-computar-25mm-56/

 

This might be a nice wide angle: http://www.ebay.com/itm/330905355354?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Canon TV-16 6mm f/1.8 Apparently it is made for 1" sensors, so it should cover the Pocket nicely.

Looks lovely, there is a downside though, it's fixed focus (hyperfocal). I'm not bidding on it, wonder for what price it will go.

 

[thomse]

The Computar 12,5-75mm 1,2 seems like a good zoom option. 

Anyone knows if it will vignette or how sharp it is?

[MattThomasFilm]

The Computar 12,5-75mm 1,2 seems like a good zoom option. 

Anyone knows if it will vignette or how sharp it is?

 

Don't know if it'll vignetter, but here's a video from vimeo showing it on a GH2 in ETC mode

[thomse]

Thanks. That is probably shot at f1.2 and a bit due to the ETC mode, but it still shows way too much CA and softness for my liking..

[iconflyer]

Sorry everyone I know this is a bit off topic but did anyone see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gg0VZWRy1NI

 

apparently the S16 sensor on the BMPCC has a crop factor of 1.3-1.4 not 3 like I thought...I bring this up here because for me the only reason I would consider buying C-mount lenses(other than the price of course) is the fact that the widest native MFT lense that doesn't have severe barel distortion is what I thought would have the equivalent FOV of a 21mm lens on 35mm sensors(that's the Panasonic Lumix 7-14)...anyone has a clue what's going on?

[MattThomasFilm]

Sorry everyone I know this is a bit off topic but did anyone see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gg0VZWRy1NI

 

apparently the S16 sensor on the BMPCC has a crop factor of 1.3-1.4 not 3 like I thought...I bring this up here because for me the only reason I would consider buying C-mount lenses(other than the price of course) is the fact that the widest native MFT lense that doesn't have severe barel distortion is what I thought would have the equivalent FOV of a 21mm lens on 35mm sensors(that's the Panasonic Lumix 7-14)...anyone has a clue what's going on?

 

I belive that's a crop of 1.3 - 1.4 of the Micro4/3rds so it's roughly a crop factor of 3 of full frame. This is what I thought from what I've read and seen online.

 

Struggling to find any decent manual aperture ringed lenses between 8 and 24, (I have a Samyang 14mm), I would have liked a wide angle zoom like the Tokina 11 - 16 or the Sigma 8 - 16 but with them not having manual aperture rings you can't use them effectively with the BMPCC. Getting a good range of lenses for the BMPCC may be difficult, especially on a budget.