Oliver Daniel

I'm not overly impressed with James MIllers Blackmagic video. Thats not to say its a very capable camera, but minus the global shutter, I much prefer the more filmic image of the BMCC and BMPCC.

I agree, DSLR video is far from dead. I think the D5300 looks like a very capable camera for the price and its market, so the negative review is a bit strange. I don't own anything Nikon, and I hope they continue to improve their cameras. Sometimes some of us forget that typical term 'you get what you pay for.' Now, before anybody starts saying how cheap Blackmagic cameras are, they have nothing but the great image. And the C300 is expensive? For its target market, not really. Maybe we should stop complaining that cheap cameras aren't innovative enough, and instead, spend our time making money with our current cameras so we can save up and buy an innovative product that suits us. ;)

The D16 is awesome. It's like that little toy you want to get out and show off, only this toy is full of fantastic features and a gorgeous image. If I had the money spare, I would get a D16 just for the love of the image and use it for projects that need that little bit of extra love. As for the BM4k, it's a great price but the whole basic features/ergonomics still gets to me. I hope this will bring forth the THE Blackmagic camera, as these previous incarnations do feel like 'tests.'

Great questions Hannah and awesome responses so far. I'm in the exact same boat with the GH4. Don't really want the brick as it looks like a pain, but I definitely zest that 10 bit 4k. It definitely looks possible to output the 4k from the HDMI port, but that's only if Panasonic would allow it, as they have to sell the brick too. Which in business sense, looks like Panasonic will force you to buy the brick to get that 10 bit 4k. It's a serious amount of data! I find the 10bit 1080p to a recorder more interesting. Not too fussed it's not internal, even though it's more convenient. If the HDMI port down scales the 4k image to 1080p through the HDMI, would that effectively give you the downscaled 10bit 1080p anyway? (If that is your intention in post?) Regarding the rig for the brick, I find it hard to believe that after all this effort Panasonic have gone to with the GH4, to make the inclusion of the brick a pain in the ass. I would of thought they would be closely working with third parties to make a rig specifically for the camera. The brick does have those mysterious screws. I also have a feeling in my gut that the GH4 has been potentially designed to work with another Panasonic camera. It would be ace if they built a video camera body that included this entire package in one unit. There will be a lot more to find out when the first cinematic footage is released of all the modes, and at NAB. :)

As a GH3 owner, the rumoured specs of this camera seem pretty exciting. I just hope its all true. As for 'content is king', if we change the 'content' to 'ideas' then that would be right. You really do need a great idea, and use the gear to bring it to life. Ideas are more important than the gear itself... its just helps that understanding and using the best gear you can will enhance that idea massively. Not really rocket science. In that respect, I believe the GH4 will help me enhance my filmmaking skills. It won't give me better ideas, but it would make my ideas look better. 4k to 1080p, 10 bit, better DR and the option of HFR. (This is massive as I make loads of videos for rock bands.) Back onto topic, will the GH4 change the industry? I don't think it will. There's a surprise around every corner.

Set to be the most disappointing camera release ever! (likely) ;)

This lens is awesome, but not perfect for video.    You can still get a shallow DOF by zooming in on your subject at closer positions, but you are right about the clinical look. Its too sharp, makes moire pop out and has a video feel to what it captures. Its better for stills or run and gun.    I use loads of FDs and SLR Magic because I like my images to look organic.   Still, the Panasonic is awesome and can be graded to look more organic, certainly. 

  Well the rumour is that the GH4 (supposedly called the AG-GH4)... is an inch thicker than the GH3, hopefully for the inclusion of an ND filter system and some extra juice.    I like the ergonomics of DSLR for video, but its not perfect. The C100/C300 is a lovely camera to hold, so if they get somewhere in between (yet a bit more on the smaller side) the form factor of a DSLR and the C100/C300, then that would be awesome.    Like I've said before, Panasonic have a wide open field to innovate here with this next release and make a serious statement on the design of a hybrid camera. I just want them to release it now so everyone can stop crying and get on with making stuff. 

  You have ruined his life by making a joke. Just like Nikon ruined everyone else's by not including video in this camera! The horror!!  ;)

    Point taken.    I want more quality out the box just like you and everyone else - BUT (and this is a big but), these companies are designing stills cameras with a video mode, and the majority of those consumers are going to be pretty happy with the video quality out of the box.    Most of these consumers are not pros and don't require pro features. These companies have other more expensive models that they want the more serious customer to buy. In line with their business models, it makes no sense to beef up their DSLR cameras for video.    It will get better on DSLRs, just very slowly. The companies want to make a profit. We want all the features in the world. And they know that. So why bring out a DSLR that will be good for 5 years, when they can get you to buy 3 in that time instead?    Panasonic are probably the odd one out in this, almost. And thats because they can...but even if the GH4 is the all singing and all dancing camera we hope it is - all of us will still want more. (Another GH camera, but instead of 4k - its got 120FPS!)   So your point taken.   But my point: dream on, and keep shooting.  ;)

This thread is a tiresome, long thread, about a camera that doesn't do video. The morale of this story is: Bang your head and hit your face until you remember that this camera is a STILLS camera. And there are other cameras that do video! Oh yeah! Almost forgot! Sigh.

I thought this was a filmmaking website, not photography. I don't see why it's such an issue that the Nikon doesn't do video. Who cares? Time is better spent making stuff than ranting about a camera model. There are plenty of cameras out there, waiting to be used. Now.

You kind of summed it up there. Photographers should stop buying DSLRs and instead should buy camcorders with a bolted on stills mode!! On a serious note, I really do think Panasonic are going to nail this as some point (AG-GH4?) While they DO have ridiculous P2 carded, behemoth broadcast cams... they currently have a wide-open slot in their catalogue for a cinematic camera. Sony might do something. But forget Canon! How dare they create a Cinema EOS line! Lazy bastards! :P

There is no answer to Blackmagic from these manufacturers. Canon will release a C200, C400 and C600 with big price tags. Nikon won't do anything as they are a stiils business. Sony, again, will do a Canon. They have an F series to protect. As far as I'm aware, Blackmagic Cameras are pro cameras that lack many pro features. Canon and Sony think professionals will buy their cameras as they are much more practical and have years of experience and reputation. If any of you are dreaming for Canon, Sony, Nikon to compete with Blackmagic then forget it. The only company I expect to deliver anything is Panasonic as they have NOTHING to protect. Pointless debate that we all should know.

I don't understand this post. DSLRs are for photographers. They are made for stills and not video. It's just so happens that we have adopted it as a filmmaking tool. If you are a serious filmmaker, Canon want you to buy the Cinema EOS Line. Nikon aren't interested. Fuji, erm... No need to bother. Panasonic...they have plans and want you to buy into their M43 system. They get punters in with the GH line, to then offer video based models later. ;) So what if Nikon haven't bothered with a video feature in this camera, who cares? Technically, hobbyists don't need professional features. Professionals need professional features and therefore buy professional cameras. Blackmagic cameras are for pros and lack many pro features. Canon etc, I expect, don't care. It's very niche. I'm not sure why ML RAW comes into this in any way at all. The effect this has on the market is literally nothing. It's a hack. It's not a feature of the camera. ML RAW is a discovery, it's not a market leading feature. The annoying fact for most is that if you want a camera with better features, you need to get shooting and earn some money. If it's just a hobby, then why would the camera manufacturers screw their business models by giving top features to people who just want to point and shoot? It doesn't make any sense. There is a feeling that manufacturers (Canon especially) are not putting in the juice they could even into their pro cameras. This is true, and it happens because they are a business who want to make a profit. I don't think the camera companies are out of touch. This forum is out of touch. The camera companies believe they are catering for you, and as we are all buying their cameras, they are. ;)

All this talk of 4K hardly different to the eye than 1080p, load of nonsense in my experience. I used a GoPro today and did a shot with the 4k option for a laugh, then I did the same shot in 1080p and put it on a 1080p timeline....... The difference was easy to see. The image in 4 k was miles better.... And this was just from a GoPro on an iMac screen. Do we need 4k? Definitely not for most of us. Many consumers are happy watching pixelated streamed movies off dodgy websites. But as a serious filmmaking tool, it could be very useful and very beautiful. I don't need 4k. But I sure want to film in 4k. I want to say wow again!

The pro market is much smaller than the consumer market. And most consumers are stupid. We, and them, fall for it - then buy the next camera thinking its awesome, then realise it's not that much better, then buys an iPhone and forgets about dedicated cameras almost completely. My opinion is that it's more the all-in-one technology of today then lack of innovation. Mostly.

The image the camera produces is great for the price. It's just that when you are used to video cams and DSLRs that have basic features, such as knowing how much space you have left on a card - using a Blackmagic can be a very frustrating experience, as these cameras don't have hardly ANY of the basic features. Even the White Balance is very limited. Blackmagic want you to workaround the cameras shortcomings. The confusing thing is, as they are price range of amateurs, enthusiasts, semi pros and independent professionals, these workarounds are just, on the majority, a pain in the ass. You can put up with it, but a lot of people don't want to. Now Blackmagic have gone 4k, and I hope they stop there and improve these cameras they have already made. They have so much potential. Panasonic are going to announce this 4k camera, with loads of features. The image will soon catch up!

I don't see why 4k is being criticised so much. Its happening. Its another tool to use and you don't have to use it.    Having used the Blackmagic cams on some shoots recently, I felt the cameras were very difficult to adopt into a professional shoot yet the image quality was fantastic......   I've been using my GH3 again and the image out the camera doesn't look nowhere near as good now I've used the Blackmagic cams, but I will continue using it because its so versatile and is packed full of necessary features that the Blackmagic cams severely lack. Not just 60fps (even Canon cant be arsed with that), but all then usual camera formatting stuff and recording time left issues. Very silly omissions.    At the moment, I don't think Blackmagic cams are ready for full-on professional work yet. Great hobby cam for shorts and the odd project here and there. Great tool for a shot that requires the DR. Same goes for the Digital Bolex. Cant say having never shot with it, but looks like a beautiful love toy that just happens to have a gorgeous image.    If Panasonic bring this camera out, and the image stacks up, I will be jumping for joy. 

  It appears to me this is mostly a technical forum, as per Andrews blog posts are normally technical reviews and tests. I've not seen any narrative pieces by him or anybody else in the forums, maybe nobody bother sharing them or some get a buzz out of technical aspects. Not sure. Whatever floats whose boat.    I consider myself mostly a creative 'narrative' person. I care most about the content, the way its shot and lit, the styling, the locations....but I come on this forum for education, so I understand how to technically bring my ideas to life.    To stay on topic, I particulary enjoy the work of Alfonso Cauron, like Children Of Men. His experimentation with cinematography is awesome. As I also love making music videos, I feel inspired by the weirdness and surreal aspects of Chris Cunningham, Michel Gondry and Jonas Auckerland - striving to make every video I make completely different in every way.    Heres 2 examples of music videos I made, just to show you how different and experimental I treat every project.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmDU5HDwlnM     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFba6-mLwLo

4K has great potential creatively for 2K work. I love the idea of re-framing, zooming, tracking, panning...making some impossible shots now possible. I'm excited about the GH4. If they include 120fps, I'm sold.

  ......which by that time, Blackmagic will have made a 4k raw high speed camera that folds into your pocket (major shipping issues), Canon will release the 5D MkIV with the exact same features as a 550d (it was accidental, machining issues) and Apple will release a top secret gadget that beats the living daylights out of any camera/phone/watch/toothbrush ever!!!

I just couldn't use a PC. Maybe this sounds shallow or totally head shaking to some, but i just can't. The whole experience of using a Mac is miles better and worth the money on a psychological level!   I think I have decided to wait on a new Mac purchase, although I'm warming to the Mac Pro - because overkill sounds great. Just enough power isn't enough. I think it will suit my needs well and into the future.    Monitors...... haven't though about this one yet....

I honestly think Android is inferior to iOS. Not just for features, but for usability and presentation.  :P  :P

Imagine if the RX10 was full frame. That would be insane!