Making the BEST Blackmagic Cinema Camera - Upgrading A Classic (BMCC 2.5K)

Join Dominic from Gimble Productions in this comprehensive video that explores exciting modifications that will transform your Blackmagic Cinema Camera into a cinematic powerhouse.
See the first video here!
• The Blackmagic Cinema ...
Learn step-by-step how to enhance your camera with the Magicbooster Focal Reducer, unlocking new creative possibilities with improved lens performance.
Discover the Rawlite Optical Low Pass Filter and elevate the image quality of your footage to the next level.
Dominic also walks you through the Battery Swap Modification, enabling you to extend your shooting sessions without interruption. Plus, find out how to enhance your shooting experience with the LCDVF Viewfinder by Kinotehnik, providing precise framing and critical focus.
Unleash your creativity and revolutionize your filmmaking with these essential modifications. Watch now and take your Blackmagic Cinema Camera to new heights!
I am NOT sponsored by any of these products/companies. All of these views are of my own!
Links to all products, as well as Rawlite OLPF reviews and discussions, can be found here:
drive.google.com/file/d/1xcbr...
Don't forget to join the Gimble Productions community for more camera content and exciting VFX tutorials!
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[@scott_schroeder]

A ridiculously high quality video. I do not, nor will I ever own this camera, but this was very enjoyable to watch. Keep it up!

[@GimbleProductions]

Thank you - I really appreciate the comment. Still getting my bearings on making youtube content like this and playing around with the styles and whatnot, but I am very glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@barrysbaps01]

I've got the Black Magic Production Camera 4K the images from the centre under the right conditions are beautiful you come back years later and review the images and they are mind blowing something very special about the sensor. Really good production, good luck on your productions.

[@SourceAwareness]

👍🏾👍🏾 Agreed! You cannot go wrong with the Fairchild sensor. I have the BMPCC Original, and love it.

[@tubeman1983]

Great! I'd love to see a modification of the pocket 4K... Good job 👍👍👍

[@knocknapeasta]

So great to watch this... this was my first workhorse 'cinema camera' so I'm nostalgic for it. I researched the focal reducer and battery mod options available for it many years ago but decided to sell it to finance my next camera. In reality: when rigged up it weighed a tonne and it had so many quirks you were constantly juggling on set which added a lot of stress. Great that you're Australian - Blackmagic has contributed many film tech achievements we can be proud of

[@JacobWWitt]

Awesome, thanks for making this video, i've been looking to revive my BMCC! Thank you!

[@fredr.]

I will never buy this camera but I watched the whole video, so satisfying!!! Great Job! 🥇

[@baileytheepicminecraftman6303]

OMG THIS IS LIKE SO SUPER INFORMATIVE THANKS PAL, I SHAL USE THIS ON A LATER DAY 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@roar4398]

Cool video. Bmcc 2.5 is still amazing

[@redhouse409]

Ive been using one and love it . These upgrades and a few more and ill never want another camera for video.

[@GimbleProductions]

Wonderful! I hope you found this video helpful!

[@redhouse409]

@@GimbleProductions extremely . Please keep showing more upgrades or just tweaks and stuff for it im tuned in for sure

[@destructoblog]

Great video dude, I'm very curious about buying one of these and repairing/modifying it.

[@GimbleProductions]

Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it!

[@dasa36]

Muchas gracias por tu video, fue de mucha ayuda para mí.

[@chunkykizza]

Great video! I had actually done these mods a few years ago, almost exactly. Such a great camera and I'm sad I sold it recently :(

That batery desing was... desafortunado. :) Gracias.

[@ThomasBlackmoreProductions]

As someone who used a Blackmagic 2.5k and wants to own one, this is a really cool video

[@rockyBalboa6699]

Great video!!

[@GimbleProductions]

Thanks!

[@WillvonTagen]

Great video man! Still a solid old camera :)

[@XanderPhillips]

I had the very first 2.5k magic booster sold. It didn’t work properly and I had to get parts sent to me by the guy to make it work. However now, I can’t imagine my camera without it!

[@h96films]

Wow man. What a great video. Did you really make that 3D animation? It's insanely good.

[@GimbleProductions]

Yup! I’ve taken up 3D animation as a bit of a hobby - I have a few VFX tutorials on the channel that showcase some of my other work too! Spent a whole week tinkering with it to get it looking okay. Thanks for the feedback!

[@timebendpictures]

Wow I’m so impressed! Nice work 🤩

[@Probotector-dn8cw]

Great video! You can update the camera to the latest firmware to get rid of that "black sun" problem, so you dont have to do it in post :)

[@GimbleProductions]

Thank you for the comment - I am not aware of the firmware for the BMCC for black sun removal, I believe it was only for the original BMPCC that it was fixed in firmware Thankfully Resolve has a one click solution inside Resolve so it isn't too much trouble to remove :)

[@Leonidaspa64]

@@GimbleProductions Blackmagic's latest firmware has not fix the problem for the BMCC, only for the BMPCC as you said. Which is the one click solution for the "black sun" in Davinci?

[@muziektelevisie]

Very cool! Have you tried using the clear filter instead of the IR cut filter, and doing some infrared cinematography? And did you shoot in prores or in RAW?

[@GimbleProductions]

Thanks! No I haven’t tried that! I suppose it’s as simple as just removing the ir cut filter like the magicbooster tutorial section shows and film! I’m unsure if this could damage the sensor though

[@GimbleProductions]

I always shoot raw!

[@kurencee]

Is it possible for you to design a 3d printed bracket for the Metabones Speedbooster glass so it can be used for the BMPCC 6K? in the same way as the Lucadapter? Great video!!

[@GimbleProductions]

Sadly I don’t have the design knowledge in order to do that - lucadapter does make speedboosters for the Pocket 6K though! Not pro or cinema 6K however

[@Owlbot]

Very cool! Love to see someone tinkering and reviving older equipment. Those OG Pockets (and that little one) are still so sick. As a note, any focal reducer ("speed booster") will actually DEEPEN your Depth of Field, not make it shallower, as you're literally converting a long lens into a wider lens. Even if you're at f1.8, you're doing so at 35mm instead of 50mm (as an example) due to the additional optical element behind the lens. You don't calculate your DoF using the original focal length but the "new" one. In the same vein, there's no such thing as a "full frame look". Larger sensors give you more detail and softer gradations/tones, generally, but don't inherently have a "look". What people often call the FF Look is really just lens choice. It may be *easier* to get that wide/shallow look on Full Frame, but you can do that with a fast enough lens on a smaller sensor.

[@GimbleProductions]

Thanks for the information! I’m definitely no guru when it comes to specific definitions, I just recited what the official Magicbooster website states here ☺️ www.lucadapterstore.com/product-page/magic-booster-c-2-5k

[@Owlbot]

@@GimbleProductions For sure! I was confused about Speed Boosters for a hot minute but I did this whole "lens month" on my cinematography podcast and made friends with some real experts in the field of lenses, notably Matthew Duclos and Jay Holben, ASC and they set me straight so I'm trying to spread the wealth, as it were haha. There's a TON of misinformation on the subject unfortunately, and a lot of it is easy to put in marketing material because it's not common knowledge.

[@mclafraseoficial]

Uffff wow me diste ideas tengo una es una joja jamas saldre de esta camara a un que tengo otras este es mi cinsentifa

[@C.I...]

I want to get the brightinstar 35mm f0.95 with my BMPC4K, but they don't make an EF version of the lens. In your opinion, would it be easy/workable to swap the MFT mount from a BMPCC to the BMPC4K so I can use this lens (The image circle is designed for APS-C, so that won't be an issue)? (or is there a much easier way to get this lens to work with the BMPC4K?)

[@GimbleProductions]

In terms of modifications, there is no easy way to do what you are hoping. There IS a modification for the BMPC4K that grants swappable lens mounts, however. Sadly, there is no MFT mount accessory for it, only PL, Nikon, Canon, Leica, and BNCR adaptors woodencamera.com/products/bmpc-4k-camera-modification

[@asirib3670]

I bought the 4k production model years back and has a beast of images coming out from it which I'm still using to date. The problem is burns in the sensor after communicating with the company a new one was sent to me. Now I need to clean the camera sensor as it looks dirty, I contacted the Blackmagic Dubai branch and they refused saying I did not buy it from them. Now where do I take it for a cleanup? Thanks

[@GimbleProductions]

For a sensor clean, you can probably take it to any camera repair shop. Have a look online for one near you! It might be a dirty IR Cut filter, the blue filter from inside the camera in this video - you can buy and replace those yourself

[@Supercon57]

Unless I'm mistaken There may be a firmware update for your camera I see in your B-roll the sun clips into a black void, this was fixed in later firmware versions of black magic cameras

[@GimbleProductions]

If im not mistaken, the black sun update was only for the BMPCC. The BMCC still has the black sun

[@Supercon57]

@@GimbleProductions first feature film I worked on was shot on a BMPC 2.5K and a BMPCC, I could have sworn they updated them to remove the black sun I was working on the lighting team but the topic of the black sun definitely came up Second feature I worked on I was third unit DP with a BMPC 4k and I recall the DP saying the black sun issue was patched out I could be wrong but I thought this whole time it was fixed many many years ago

[@mclafraseoficial]

Como logro quitar el ojo negro que sale del sol.

[@elchrispalacios]

Hello, it is the best video I have seen of BMCC 2.5K. I would like to ask you something: I have this 2.5K camera and I am thinking of changing it for the BMCC 6KG2. Do you recommend that I make the changes as in your video or would it be better to change it in your experience by having both?

[@GimbleProductions]

To put it simply, I have not used my BMCC camera as much ever since I got my 6K Pro camera. This camera takes time but gets a beautiful image, though my 6K Pro is just so quick, tacticle and is my work horse - though thats a personal preference and depends on your shooting styles!

[@GearZenChannel]

@@GimbleProductions I wish the pro had a MFT mount. Also wish there was a decent MFT 2x anamorphic to go with it, but that is another story.

[@darkfox3482]

Великолепно) В своём бм я поменял батарею уже дважды. Очень хотел бы такой же спидбустер

[@GimbleProductions]

Рад слышать, что вам понравилось видео!

[@astrophilicsfilms2882]

Nice job, does it work with the 4k version ef mount (blackmagic production camera 4k ) ?

[@GimbleProductions]

Yep! All of these would work with the 4K EF mount version, though you need to purchase the Production 4K magicbooster instead :)

[@astrophilicsfilms2882]

@@GimbleProductions the 4k is all teady 1.6 crop what it will be then?

[@karvasika]

Thanks for the really great video. I was wondering if anyone knows if the Magicbooster Focal Recuder for 2.5k can still be purchased somewhere?

[@GimbleProductions]

It can be purchased here! www.lucadapterstore.com/product-page/magic-booster-c-2-5k

[@karvasika]

Thank you so much for quick reply!

[@garthmccarthy4911]

I've been trying to find some sort of cage for mine. Any suggestions?

[@GimbleProductions]

I use this cage! It is superb! www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003883479686.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.5.2055CrhwCrhw9y&algo_pvid=da937ef6-4efa-4775-a3ff-769e4c402cd2&algo_exp_id=da937ef6-4efa-4775-a3ff-769e4c402cd2-2&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21320.62%21304.59%21%21%21204.37%21194.15%21%40210324f117146070793071571ef691%2112000027383218968%21sea%21AU%210%21AB&curPageLogUid=nSqFduIGrM4Y&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

[@DJZofPCB]

could this work for the Black Magic Production Camera 4K ?

[@GimbleProductions]

Most of these mods will work for the P4K :) The magicbooster will need to be the P4K model though and not the 2.5K version).

[@GoDuffdaddy]

❤thanks. Awesome video overview. Loved this camera. But it was always such a brick and worse once rigged. The raw image is amazing however. But Jeeze those reducers are expensive. Nearly $700 NZD on sale at the moment. I’d love one if they were half that price but I think I would rather invest it in a new Sony FX3 or a7s III. As good as it is it just doesn’t have the same feature set as a modern camera for flexibility across all my work.

[@GimbleProductions]

Hey mate, I would say your money may definitely hold more value going towards a new system. The camera image, while great, does come with a lot of challenges. At the end of the day, I suppose you could consider whereabouts you'd be using the camera and what type of work you'ld be doing. On the fly, quick shooting scenarios are not this camera's strong suit!

[@GoDuffdaddy]

Totally agree @@GimbleProductions we're a tiny agency so run'n'gun and social media - nothing very 'cinematic' but we can dream right : )

[@thewellvideoproductions8244]

Anyone ever have the SDI port fry on them, mine stopped working..:/

[@VoltageFilms]

Hi, I'm doing this with my camera right now. But after I've got the O-ring out the IR filter will not come out of the camera still, like it's stuck. Do you have any advice on what to do?

[@GimbleProductions]

That did happen to me! Be very careful, if you apply some pressure on the edge of the filter and perhaps pry softly, the filter should unstick and fall out. It might just be a slight stickiness keeping it in place

[@VoltageFilms]

@@GimbleProductions Thanks for replying! I ended up getting a small suction cup and using that to suction it off. Great video btw and I love the results of this adapter!

[@laurensvanderveken6373]

I own a Black Magic Production Camera for a couple of years now and have been using it for many small productions. But what I still can't find is a cage, so I can safeley carry it around when using it handheld. I do have a full smallrig set-up. But it doesn't feel that safe when I have to take it off my shoulder. Anyone who knows where to find a cage for these, and which are, preferably, not too expensive? :D

[@GimbleProductions]

Hey mate! I picked up this cage recently! It is fantastic and amazing quality, perhaps the best cage I've ever purchased for my cameras. www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003883479686.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.367f61f8sPEUuh&algo_pvid=207baf52-458a-4c12-9015-84ee8c030dc5&algo_exp_id=207baf52-458a-4c12-9015-84ee8c030dc5-1&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21310.46%21294.94%21%21%21199.00%21189.05%21%402101f08717093500783832136e172e%2112000027383218968%21sea%21AU%210%21AB&curPageLogUid=3kj2kdfRihWz&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A So many rigging points, and comes with many rods

[@SoloTraceur]

I love my BMCC 2.5k so much, I don't have the guts to mod it. Just in case.

[@GearZenChannel]

I might want to do the battery change, but I just know I'll screw something up.

[@GimbleProductions]

Definitely not for the faint of heart!

[@GearZenChannel]

@@GimbleProductions I wonder if I could find a tech to pay to do the swap? The sad thing is that I have a background in electronics repair, but got away from it for a long time so fiddly stuff drives me crazy.

[@Photosetproduction]

как убрать черное солнце?

[@GimbleProductions]

Black sun can be removed in Davinci Resolve Right click the clip when in the colour tab and select black sun correction :)