Why Blackmagic will ship in July

[Andrew Reid]

Let's go misty eyed for a second and imagine you're shooting a Terrence Malick inspired scene at magic hour this Summer, a warm breeze drifting through the air.

The sun glints through the trees and the scene begins "action" - with 4K with a global shutter for $4000. Is this really going to happen?



[url=http://www.eoshd.com/content/10079/why-blackmagic-will-ship-in-july]Read the full article here[/url]

[ScreensPro]

As much as i'm loving the new camera.... You shouldn't keep wheeling out the "$36k" specs thing.

 

The F55 has:

at least, 2 stops more DR

4K/60p

2k/240p

Much better low light

Much better I/Os

Much better features (dual recording, better codec choices etc etc)

Much better ergonomics

 

The 4K BMCC is not even spec'd better than RED Scarlet (though, does have global shutter).

 

Stear clear of hype.... It's a bargain, an amazing bargain that will change the indie scene..... but it is not on par with the highest end cameras... Not by a long way.

[gene_can_sing]

For me, I hope the next camera that BMC comes out with is more versatile and production oriented. They have the picture science down, but for my needs I would much prefer something that had a good EVF which is essential to my style of shooting since I do a lot of handheld and non-tripod stuff. Maybe something that looks like a smaller version of the Sony F5 which has great ergonomics with the incredible adjustable LCD / EVF combo which I love. A better form factor, removable battery, high frame rates like 120fps of 240fps, something a bit more self contained that the current iteration and I would gladly pay $8000 for it. Essentially, a high end BMC.

[dahlfors]

Very logical points all of them - I think you're right.

 

I think the Pocket Camera is a product that is extremely difficult to estimate demand on. For photographers, dp's etc it is a sweet compact portable quality camera in a price level that isn't that expensive. It's a nice tool to bring with you when you're out and about, in case you want to film something. If you go on a vacation, you might not bring your big equipment - but this one is small enough to take with you wherever you go, equipped with 1-2 MFT lenses.

 

And if you consider web video and advertisement production - there is a lot of companies producing videos with dslr's, that very likely would be better off with a nice rig around the pocket camera.

 

And then we have the DSLR video enthusiasts, low budget filmmakers, film/media/photo students, which are quite a few.

 

I hope they can supply enough for the demand of this little killer camera :)

[HurtinMinorKey]

I think this is a brilliant move by Black Magic. The are essentially selling camera futures options right now. Some people will drop their pre-order of the BMCC to order the BMPC, this will loosen the immediate supply constraints. 

 

So even if I have no faith in Black Magic's supply chain, i think it was a good move to announce now.

 

I wonder if a third party has made an investment that we haven't seen here?  That would be a good reason to expect something drastic might change with their supply chain.

[MOONGOAT]

Let's be honest, July is generous. Although I don't think the delays will be as bad this time.

[pukkascott]

Blackmagic Design will always have to compromise with form factor etc in order to produce a camera that not only meets the needs of those shooting to a low budget but pushes the boundaries of what's possible. For years everyone was happy to add masses of gear to get a decent picture out of the 5D. Now you can have 4K RAW or ProRes internally for half the price of the Canon 1DC. That's got to be welcome.

 

I can't fault Andrew's logic about delivery times and only something unexpected will delay it like the Cinema camera. If it wasn't for NAB popping up every April, BM would probably do what Apple do and delay the launch until  production was in full swing and stocks were in place to meet 50% of the expected orders.

 

It won't suit the likes of gene-can-sing but he isn't BMs target market, Canon and Sony want him. BM want me, and I think the've got me.

[zephyrnoid]

Nearly Perfect Bullet List!
Allow me to make one small observation/correction.
RE:"8. Better troubleshooting

Blackmagic personally assisted the previous sensor supplier with improved quality control, and if any similar problems crop up this time they will be armed with the knowledge to solve them relatively quickly."

 

All true. My observation is that prepayment funds for BMCC V1.0 (The Beta) were used to finance what is likely this, the BMCC public release. My point is that companies like Black Magic and to an extent, RED, need to stop fleecing prepay customers to finance thier R&D, and instead, hold off on releases and finance thier own R&D through legitimate investor funding channels.
What BlackMagic did in 2012 was at best, unethical. After all, prepay customers are not the same as vested investors, unless BMCC is planning to hand out dividends :D

[Chrad]

Nearly Perfect Bullet List!
Allow me to make one small observation/correction.
RE:"8. Better troubleshooting

Blackmagic personally assisted the previous sensor supplier with improved quality control, and if any similar problems crop up this time they will be armed with the knowledge to solve them relatively quickly."

 

All true. My observation is that prepayment funds for BMCC V1.0 (The Beta) were used to finance what is likely this, the BMCC public release. My point is that companies like Black Magic and to an extent, RED, need to stop fleecing prepay customers to finance thier R&D, and instead, hold off on releases and finance thier own R&D through legitimate investor funding channels.
What BlackMagic did in 2012 was at best, unethical. After all, prepay customers are not the same as vested investors, unless BMCC is planning to hand out dividends :D

BMD didn't recieve payment for cameras they never shipped. Deposits or full payments made in advance are usually retained by the retailer and are fully refundable until the product is actually shipped to the customer.

[Luc]

I love BM products and use them for a long time (capture card, converters, sdi switchers, ...), but the delay on their first camera is in no way their first ! Ask people who waited on the H264 encoder or the 4K capture/playback card. People have been waiting over a year for these too.

 

Also, they have been buying out small companies, and realeasing their products for much cheaper, to complete their offering (Teranex, DaVinci, ...).

 

It's really an engineering company trying to shake things down, and they are learning along the way.

Really wish the small camera comes this summer, and might even get one !

 

Luc

[nathanleebush]

Each moment I read this article I felt more optimistic about my own future and the future of humanity :)

[Daniel Lowe]

Opinion question:  I *just* received my BMCC 2.5K RAW camera last week.  I've barely shot with it.

 

Do I send it back, and wait patiently (again) for the BMPC 4K camera?  I can live without 1 stop of DR, I think, in exchange for 4K + global shutter.

 

Already, I can see that I'm not 100% happy with this small sensor or the 2.5K resolution.  I mean, it looks great for a "video camera", but I do a lot of outdoor, scenic landscape work, and I'm a time-lapse specialist... so my outdoor images need to be as razor-sharp and as crisp as possible.  It's also nearly impossible to get wide shots, even with an 11-16mm Tokina.

 

Any camera, with good lighting, can make an interview setup look nice.  I wanted a "film" camera that would be good for my outdoor, nature type work.

 

My initial feeling is that the Tokina 11-16mm doesn't focus properly with the BMCC at infinity.  I would like to do more testing with other wide lenses.

 

But if I don't have to make a film right this minute... I'm wondering if I'd be wise to return the 2.5 camera and go with either of the new models.  Or, maybe get a landscape DSLR camera plus a Pocket Cinema Camera.

 

I probably won't make a real decision until I rent a different, wide (8mm) lens and test out the image with proper focus.

 

Anybody want to purchase a gently used, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8? 

[Omega Broadcast]

For a second there yesterday I thought I was experiencing the Black Magic Convention yesterday and not the National Association of Broadcasters Convention. Definitely an exciting time. 

[pulp_writer]

I think the 4K will sell very well, as the original BMCC did, but the Pocket will sell LIKE CRAZY!

EVERY DP, even those who never shoot video, will buy one just for fun to take on location scouts or private trips, EVERYONE who used to shoot on 16mm film will buy one, so that she/he can use her/his c-mount glass, EVERYONE who has a GH1 or 2 and has been thinking of upgrading to the GH3 will buy the Pocket instead, because he can use all his glass.

I belong to the last two categories, and I already pre-ordered mine. It's like putting candy in front of a kid!

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

Where does one pre order the pocket camera in the US?

[Julian]

Where does one pre order the pocket camera in the US?

 

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera/howtobuy

[Kingswell]

Dan May let out little wry smile when he was asked about the release date in a video i saw yesterday. I'm surprised they're doing the exact same thing as last year, it's always better to announce with no fixed date or announce on the very day it's available.

 

I hope they make it but the odds are really stacked against them. Not only do they need to continue fulfilling existing overdue EF preorders, they need to start shipping the MFT mount and then these two new cameras. 

[Shane Essary]

b&h photo has them for pre-order, as well.

[tony wilson]

Opinion question:  I *just* received my BMCC 2.5K RAW camera last week.  I've barely shot with it.

 

Do I send it back, and wait patiently (again) for the BMPC 4K camera?  I can live without 1 stop of DR, I think, in exchange for 4K + global shutter.

 

Already, I can see that I'm not 100% happy with this small sensor or the 2.5K resolution.  I mean, it looks great for a "video camera", but I do a lot of outdoor, scenic landscape work, and I'm a time-lapse specialist... so my outdoor images need to be as razor-sharp and as crisp as possible.  It's also nearly impossible to get wide shots, even with an 11-16mm Tokina.

 

Any camera, with good lighting, can make an interview setup look nice.  I wanted a "film" camera that would be good for my outdoor, nature type work.

 

My initial feeling is that the Tokina 11-16mm doesn't focus properly with the BMCC at infinity.  I would like to do more testing with other wide lenses.

 

But if I don't have to make a film right this minute... I'm wondering if I'd be wise to return the 2.5 camera and go with either of the new models.  Or, maybe get a landscape DSLR camera plus a Pocket Cinema Camera.

 

I probably won't make a real decision until I rent a different, wide (8mm) lens and test out the image with proper focus.

 

Anybody want to purchase a gently used, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8? 

 

 

send it back man that piece a plastic is so last year.

you need this years plastic paid for this year for you to receive next year :)

 

just joshing i would send it back and use a hacked gh2 until all this red type waffle marketing dies down and reality sets in.

 

your also better off with a m/43 trust me your new camera is in for a price drop especially with that mount.

[Vlad Evdokimov]

Just preordered Pocket Camera, still going to buy GH3 next month :) 
Before RAW support will be added, I think they will be pretty equal in many types of shots.