The $500 pocket cinema camera worthy of its name!

[@cLaunMH]

I recently got one for ~400€ and I am pretty much a bloody amateur. This camera has taught me more about filmmaking in two weeks than my FX30 in half a year. When not nailing exposure, it is crazy what I can do to and recover from the BMPCC's RAW footage in post as long as I don't clip my highlights, which is easy enough once you get used to the zebras. The specs don't feel like a limitation at all and I don't even feel the need to use external power. Just scouting Amazon and testing some of the options I have found a couple of batteries that will do 50+ minutes of continuous recording that last me for a daytrip and I can actually keep the camera pocketable and we all know, the best camera is the one you have with you. I have been especially impressed using it with Power O.I.S. (not Mega) lenses from Panasonic, the stabilization is amazing. BMPCC OG, Panasonic 14-42 PZ, two fresh batteries and a tiny VND is what I take on every small trip, my memory machine.

[@evertonsiqueira9712]

Please, share the brand of batteries, the community will thank you :)

[@cLaunMH]

@@evertonsiqueira9712 PATONA Premium EN-EL20a/EN-EL20 850mAh 7.2V is what I settled on, they ran ~55 minutes of continuous recording in my testing but there are other good ones (the logo/text of the Premium line is green/white, not yellow, those are the old PATONAs) from european/german Amazon, the actual mAh and Voltage doesn't matter as long as it is marked as EN-EL20 they will work. Curiously, when testing, there was no correlation between mAh number and runtime, anything between 800 and 1300 could run for 35 minutes to 50 minutes and be good or bad, you just have to test.

[@cLaunMH]

@@evertonsiqueira9712 it was PATONA Premium EN-EL20 850 mAh (green/white text on the battery, not yellow, those are the old ones) from german Amazon, they ran ~55 minutes of continuous recording when testing, funily enough there was no corellation between mAh number and runtime so don't be afraid to check out the lower mAh batteries when scouting for good ones, they might just hold their charge better

[@juliancantillo97]

Please name those batteries :)

[@cLaunMH]

@@evertonsiqueira9712 PANTONA Premium (white/green print, not yellow)

[@upthewayproductions]

Came for the camera info, stayed for the skate. Cool camera the look of the footage is so sick!

[@denver_video]

I was getting nostalgic for my C100 today... and right now I'm going back a bit further to my Panasonic DVX-100B. This was a wonderful reminder about how fun it is to remember that great tools are pretty much great forever. Thank you!

[@roblivings7447]

Love the DVX-100B. Shot a feature on it a couple of years ago. So beautiful.

[@louisianalegendsandlore]

Oooh. The famous goonies location shot. Great video buddy.

[@timcroweufc]

I used to have the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera (Same guts as the original Pocket), and I had some excellent times with that little camera. It basically documented the first couple years of my daughter's life. While I miss the Micro sometimes, my A7s 3 has been a wonderful workhorse. Great video and excellent footage!

[@invisibleadversary]

This is the best camera Blackmagic ever released. I was looking at some older footage I'd shot with this camera with Kern-Pillard Switar lenses years ago and it really does look magnificent. Everyone's been chasing the film look since the transition to digital but this camera with the old Bolex 16mm lenses and some decent color correction kind of nails it. I'm surprised prices haven't soared for this like the Digital Bolex.

[@studio1kpro]

Stunning footage with the small pocket camera. It make sense to use it even today. Your love for videography and skateboard reflecting very well in this documentary.

[@jbrucifer]

All these landscape shots remind me why I love living up here

[@issaconspiracy]

What state? 👀

[@thedigitalemotion]

Don't worry about getting the latest greatest camera, use what you've got. Learn composition, learn how to cut a scene, and learn how light falls, and how to light if you're in darkness. If you get the basics right, you're absolutely golden. By the way this camera is amazing. I still have it and will NOT sell it. It is a power house, will only go up in value once people realise its got that certain look that is not obtained anywhere else.

[@craigburnett8723]

2:21 Vista House cameo! Love that highway

[@Dionne_Sheree]

Nigel your locations are always so epic lol! Gorgeous shots as always! That board you created and your skating is fire and so is the OG Blackmagic! That sensor! 🤤 Nigel and Nick best filmmaking duo! 🫶🏾

[@seecraig]

Still have my original I bought in 2013. To me it looks like good 16mm film. It has noise that looks closer to film grain than video noise, giving it a fairly unique look. Best not rigged since the "pocket" nature allows you to get pick up and b roll shots with that unique look. With that style shooting just switch batteries as needed. BTW since it's an HD camera you may want to talk about your "secret" to uprezzing to 4K as you must be doing given this KZbin video is 4K.

[@JJARCHIE]

most likely topaz

[@NigelBarros]

nope I just render my 1080p timeline in 4k

[@NigelBarros]

I agree minimal rigging is the way to go with this camera. as for the 4k resolution, I simply render my 1080p timeline in 4k in premiere pro

[@mattyrossfilms]

​@@NigelBarroshow comes you do that? It's not improving the image any just making the frame & file sizes bigger

[@abrahambiro230]

@@mattyrossfilmsIt does on yt. The compression won’t be nearly as bad as it would be in 1080p, thus making it look better.

[@travisgardiner8997]

I had to sell mine for rent money like 5 years ago and I think about almost every day

[@RC-go2kl]

"everything reminds me of her"

[@Michael-lg4wz]

I know the feeling but for cars, sold my Mitsubishi Evolution 5 now they are big $ to buy

[@AndrewPRoberts]

I just got my hands on a Lumix G9, which also cost me around 500 bucks used- it's a camera that can do 4k 10bit 4:2:2, and with a 100 dollar upgrade, VLog L. For 600 bucks, the quality matches my BMPCC4k pretty closely but with IBIS and autofocus, features that my BMPCC4k lacks. It's been an absolute joy to shoot with and color grade, and it might honestly become my main camera. HIGHLY recommend for the price.

[@raksh9]

I use a G9 with v-log upgrade for general production work alongside the S5, and they match fairly well. It's good to know that the G9 is close to the BMPCC 4K, as that removes some of the 'what if' curiosity about that camera.

[@raksh9]

@@mikeceebo8611 The G9 shoots 10bit video in 4k 24p and 1080 50p, and v-log L with the paid firmware upgrade.

[@AndrewPRoberts]

@@mikeceebo8611 At release it did, but they added 10bit in a firmware update

[@AndrewPRoberts]

@@mikeceebo8611 I am literally holding it right now

[@thebluedan]

What codec? All intra frames?

[@theadamtron]

Thanks for this video. I found it inspiring to get back into making little films. While i don't have a black magic pocket just making me think about what's possible and what can be made on the cheap.

[@JonahLorsung]

Vast majority of my personal and even some professional work is shot on this thing. Love it.

[@TheOffroadCamper]

My daughters adopted mother and father were professional photographers in Los Angeles until the passed in an auto accident. She inherited one of these cameras with all there other equipment and up until this video I had no idea what it was. I thought it was just some cheap toy. I’m gonna have to go get it out of storage.

[@MyCzechLife]

Still have my original. People should check out the film "Cosmos" by two brothers who filmed an entire wonderful space film with the OG BMPCC, and it had a theatrical release all over the world. I met the brothers at a premiere in Los Angeles. They filmed most of the film in their garage. Lately people on youtube are now constantly talking about this camera again, short memory folks have.

It still produces the best cinematic picture you can get for the money. It's magical. I bought mine for $700. It came with 3 lenses (including a Lumix 14-42) and a hard case.

[@matteop9911]

bruh, where T_T i only find the body for over 1500 euros

@@matteop9911 I found it on Mercari.

[@KodeWarrior]

Dude, ur essentially doing a camera review and it so felt like more of a documentary! The music selections, edits and scenes were amazing....keep it up!

[@noureddinehasan]

absolutely in love with your cinematography. good job nigel 👍🏼

[@TheAugusts]

Man, been wanting to pick one of these up. Great vid bro!

[@mrkthmn]

It's funny how desperate we get for something new and better just to end up fantasizing about what we used to have. I really enjoyed this video, thanks.

[@ChopsticksDIYGarden]

That's a beautiful camera! I can see why you'd want to capture some stunning footage with it. Handheld shooting can definitely be challenging, but with a little practice and maybe a stabilizing rig, you can achieve great results. Smartphones have certainly made stabilization much easier, but there's something to be said for the versatility and image quality of a dedicated camera like this.

[@initspurestform1793]

Good video man I'm going to keep my eye out for one of these pocket cinema cameras now!

[@briantorsell]

Just started the video and I love the sound design in the opening shots!

[@andrew22mcnally]

Bro - it's my favourite tool of all time. Your perspective and approach is precisely the same as mine. Only diff is mine is full time in a cage because I never want it to break

[@sgcutfilms]

Great storytelling loved it yaaaaa

[@AmbientEndeavors]

just beautiful work. sucker for all the skate footage , and landscape shots are 💯

[@filipmichalsaffray441]

Cool that you made the video with Nate I like his channel as well!!!😊

[@LudwigPB]

awesome! got one myself in January 2024 and only thing I regret is not already buying one when it was released back then :x

[@tellus.aflame]

Never thought I want this camera so bad

[@Frytech]

This camera’s sensor has that filmic Motion Cadence that many new cameras (even from BMD) are lacking. It really feels like the motion in the frame is from a cinema camera. I know it’s something almost intangible, but it’s certainly there, at least judging by hundreds of videos online I’ve seen filmed with OG Pocket Cinema camera :)

[@georgefromgreece4119]

It's how it records motion, you are totally right.

[@TopshelfJunior]

Nice video man, and a GREAT reminder that I need to get out and use mine more !

[@GacysHouse-h6w]

Great footage!

[@mjgfromDDD]

Theis camera has helped me a ton. Still keep in nestled in my closet. I upgraded to a C70 so I could try to keep a similar image as the OG. Keeping the OG forever aha.

[@rkrehe20]

I could tell from the image quality that it was BMPCC...Such a wonderful little device that punches so far above its weight class. Use it like a point and click, perfect for some stealthy guerilla style shooting where you aren't concerned about framing too much...part of what made it fun was taking your footage into color grade and seeing what comes out, almost like developing film. The battery life is a major bummer, thanks to them slapping way too large of an LCD on the back of it, but just means you gotta carry around a lot of extra batteries.

[@alejandromedina1019]

This camera is also surprisingly forgiving in the low range, don't fear to expose on for the highlights and push in post

[@JonathanPace]

Bro, the quality of the initial clips in particular is spectacular! Great job, seriously 🙌 I never had the opportunity to shoot with this camera but will definitely give it a go if a good opportunity comes out ✨

[@camp.olsonwilde]

This is so much doper than your run-of-the-mill, oversaturated camera review. Really appreciate the extra work you put in.

[@Thevikingcam]

It is still a monster. BUT there is new "cheap" camera on the rise. Panasonic S5, you can find them under 800€ with 20-60mm lens.

[@allen_bernardo_jr]

they should make a 4k remaster with this sensor that'd sell well

[@PaulSoare_DP]

f that sensor, you had to go like below 20mm just to have a normal lens

[@RC-go2kl]

they should remake the bmpcc4k in a og size, but I figure they want their other cameras to sell

[@liceagadavid]

Loved the video! the specs part was fire, literally 😂

[@NigelBarros]

Yeah i had fun with that bit haha

[@rashhuman]

I have this camera, and let me tell you how special it is. Recently the notoriously fiddly micro hdmi socket finally died on me after 5 years of owning it. I can’t tell you how distraught I was!! Other cameras come and go, but this one is so special you’ll be affected if anything happens to it! I was so sure that even though it still works I would have to buy another one, even though I couldn’t afford it, because as you know the screen is rubbish. But I’m keeping it as I have the Kamrar viewfinder.

[@Altcine]

Awesome man. Just picked up another myself 🙌🏾

[@NigelBarros]

that handle you use was a perfect pairing for this camera!

[@JonahLorsung]

@@NigelBarros oooh, what handle?

[@TLMuse]

Really enjoyable storytelling in this video! One of your best, from a narrative perspective. And thanks for the great info about the history of this camera. -Tom

[@NigelBarros]

Thanks a lot for that, I'm definitely trying to switch up how i make my videos!

[@alvarobravura]

Came for the camera review, but wow man, what's the location of that stunning waterfall on 5:00 ?

[@shueibdahir]

One of the things I still dislike about this fairchild sensor is the fact that the shadows, or the darkest part of them lack color information. In film, the shadows are sometimes the most saturated part of the image. Even with digital cameras today they still contain some color. That's the only big downside to this thing. Fun fact: this camera combines 2 11-bit linear signals to create the 13 stops of DR

[@birthing4blokes46]

Nice video mate, I am a novice film maker at 60 years old. I love this video, the attention to detail etc. My only question is why do you not have more subscribers? Amazing video.

[@Zbik420]

Bests are aloners 😂

[@Sensorium19]

Gotta say, this looks great.

[@VascoDuarteAbranches]

Hi Dear Nigel. Thank you so much for your work. It has been so useful! I have one also and I am super happy with it! It is an incredible camera. All the Best!

[@markjob6354]

*I recognize the outlook pavillion over the Columbia River in the beginning of your video. The shoreline Ocean shots look like somewhere near Oceanside, Oregon.*

[@nickgrant5800]

Everyone is talking about this camera but nobody is talking about the BMCC - It’s colour science is the same only the sensor is actually bigger. I wouldn’t mind one of these as a B can but that takes the better camera any day!

[@kcphotogeek6207]

Video looks great. Got mine for 3,300PHP last year which was 63USD at the time.

[@jaredschutz8486]

Whaaat. that's an awesome price lol. What do you say we do a little retail arbitrage biz. I'll sell em here in nyc haha

[@TrustyDigitalMedia]

I keep this JUST so I can throw C-Mount lenses on it every so often. It's so fashionable to have tape cameras and access to vintage lenses for digital.

[@Panotaker]

I have this camera. I also have a Sigma FP. If you like the OG, you need to try the FP. It’s basically a full frame version of the OG.

[@NigelBarros]

I've heard that a lot, might have to try the FP out sometime

[@Panotaker]

@@NigelBarros I bought mine when they first came out, so I had to get a new one, but now you can find them used.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Very well put.

[@TheBigfootdood]

This was my dream camera when it came out! Currently using a sigma Fp

[@lonniesfilmmaking333]

Cheers much, the image is stunning 😊❤ if it wasn’t for the battery life

[@AnthonyPOG]

I worked at production company and they actually ended throughing away a two old pockets one worked and the other didn’t and the image I got to play is amazing

[@TheBigRat770]

Tip for anyone looking for that perfect camera, it’s all in how you edit and color grade. Just buy one with the specs you need and just go for it.

[@heyndre]

what top handle do u use? 2:16

[@paulojleite]

Im old enough to remember the magenta rolloffs in the blown highlights. also had a black sun issue

[@jayxu9852]

I like how u choose to travel light with this camera. Only one thing. How did you manage to be so steady with some of the handheld shots? Any tips?

[@TheOrisya]

you blew up the 1080p footage into 4k? looks really really really great

[@FranzButcher]

love this video! Can you tell me where this place at 5:35 is? And can you tell more about the rig used at 2:33?

[@tamernader]

nigel are you still use Gh4 camera ?

[@isatlea]

Hey, I am looking for a camera for ethnography. Can you film with it handheld? Any autofocus (or tricks to keep moving people in focus)?

[@juliancantillo97]

Nigel could you please name the handle you were using? seems interesting

[@enriquetoso]

This with some Voigtlander Nokton, with Duclos cine-mod, is a really really great kombo.

[@contrerasjosue]

Great work.What pancake lens did you use?

[@josefilmspvd]

still looks amazing

[@jimb3055]

Pardon my stupid question. Can this camera be used for “live” podcasting purposes? Is there a better model by the same company for this purpose? I’m looking for an authentic look in my stream. Thanks all!

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

I should buy one!

[@NigelBarros]

that's a good idea, maybe make a video about it?

[@starling1360]

wow!! Was this all shoot with this pancake lens?

[@TheD7aim]

Where was that footage? Looks beautiful.

[@JohnIn2SonAZ]

I still have mine that I brought brand new.

[@BlackJackzOO]

Munra Point before the fire? One of my favorite hikes...

[@Farbulus]

Man, I love living in Oregon.

[@ammarkhan3945]

back when I upgraded to the 4k, I tried to sell my OG and I ended up getting scammed 😭 honestly such a great tool to learn how to shoot effectively. from proper colour correction, framing on a small sensor, and using unique lenses. those 10-minute batteries are no joke lol.

[@jpobrien1973]

Followed the Amazon link at the top and there were "no offers available"?

[@Gill2242]

Is there a tutorial on how to get that colour grade in davinci?

[@SilverCuz]

I still have my original, and was thinking of selling it recently until I watched this vid. I forgot what a good little camera it is.

[@jesseyules]

It’s 2024 and we finally have v mount batteries that can rig to the OG Pocket Cam nicely.

[@RC-go2kl]

This camera is actually pocketable

[@ploufbadaboum2221]

great! just a technical question because i used to shoot with this some years ago... is there still compatibility issues for SD cards? from what i can remember you could only shoot a certain brand and type of SD card... i was considering buying one again too :))

[@cAHOONah]

Where are you guys located. This looks like Oregon and just waiting for the Goonies to show up ;)

[@TroyQwert]

Seems like transitions in your editing is not an option. 😊 Anyways, nice video. I am looking for a camera: one fits all my needs. And will last...

[@PeterDiBussolo]

what kind of top handle are you using

[@Treborray]

dang I would love to have one of these bad boys

[@Isaypreach]

Would it make sense to buy this even though i have a sigma fp?

[@UnclePur]

Simple and lovely. But not easy to find with a safe uv filter on the sensor

[@Webrisernl]

Does it has auto focus?

[@TrustyDigitalMedia]

There's those classic pink highlights

[@finaltouchpro648]

does it overheat?

[@bejoyfulvideography8485]

What top handle is that?

[@ivisuminioficial]

Great content!

[@suchtignachoptik]

En México había una en 200 USD 🙃

[@AREDITS77]

Can you please do a review of the Sony a5100

[@colinthomas2525]

I have one with a speedbooster and some canon fd lenses and alt cines olpf to reduce moire. I have not had the time to play with it much yet because I’m busy at work and have sick parents. I still need some nd filters and a tripod. Any recommendations?

[@ChrisWatkinsMedia]

Beautiful video