The OG BMPCC - My LOVE/HATE Relationship

Today, I discuss one of my favorite cameras, which- ironically- is also one of my least favorite cameras. Check out my love/hate relationship with the great (terrible?) original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. Here are my thoughts.. let me know yours! As always, thanks for being here! I appreciate you.
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Affiliate Links for Cinema Cameras I use and Recommend:
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Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k ►► amzn.to/3eJP0oa
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6k ►► amzn.to/3eNH05v
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6k g2 ►► amzn.to/3g7BZZ0
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6k Pro ►► amzn.to/3EtUO1M
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My Gear ►► kit.co/RyanThomasDalton​​​​​
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[@billpolitis8855]

There is not hate when you talk about the Pocket one! Love Only!

[@RyanThomasDalton]

It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind! And I love the image. And the size. Frustrating little thing.. but I’d never sell it :)

[@MockeryManor]

Here’s how I see it. If you had a chance to buy an Arri for $700, or a Sony fx3 for $700….which would you pick? I’d personally pick an Arri all day long. I only care about buttery image manipulation. No one does it better than Arri. Having said that, I don’t mind rigging out my bmpcc with a v mount battery, ninja v, and follow focus. I can shoot all day with no power issues, and get all the footage I desire. Of course, ymmv.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Yeah, I know- and it makes a beautiful image. I'm really nit-picking here. It would just be really cool if it was usable as a true pocket camera. It's certainly not "big" when it's rigged out. It's just that I can rig out any camera- like the newer pockets- so that image quality in a tiny camera is pretty neat. And it would be really cool to be able to use it properly when it was that small. Merely a rant. Thanks for the input!

[@darkvisionsbrightlights8145]

Great video and I totally share your thoughts about it. But the image quality/color science is awesome and I´d love to see a "BMPCC OG 2", too.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Agreed! Love the image AND would love to see a 2!

[@uhuhno6441]

Yeah same. I mean why not make a real good, straight forward 1080p RAW camera? No fancy shmancy stuff, just everything the BMPCC had but better and a little more. Like maybe the option to manage files on your device or at the very least to just delete them individually. I mean that wasn't rocket science even in 2012/2013. Gimme: - 1080p 12bit RAW 60fps max - an actual UI - option to record to ssd - a FULL SIZE HDMI OUT holy f I hate that flimsy little thing, scared to death every single time - a bit better OLPF - a version with built in NDs, 2 is plenty enough That is what I want from flat earth santa 😁

[@darkvisionsbrightlights8145]

@@uhuhno6441 Full size HDMI fully agree. Another Camera Conspiracies fan. Nice :)

[@uhuhno6441]

@@darkvisionsbrightlights8145 Yay! 😄 Wholesome internet moment.

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

I use it as a pseudo-super8 cam. The viewfinder I use is a bit smaller because I refuse to spend 200$ for the kinotehnik loupe, but I usually crop to a 4:3 aspect ratio anyway. The pistol grip makes it much more practical and for the lens I use a Canon 16-100 tv lens. It's bulky indeed, but you need a lens that has a physical aperture gear and a good focus throw when doing manual focus if you want to be comfortable shooting. External batteries are not optional if you don't want to carry five-six of them for a single day. The real downside to this camera you can't do much about is the brutal crop factor. Speed boosters can mitigate it but only to a degree.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

I couldn’t agree more! In fact, after rigging it and shooting handheld, I’ve decided that the “pseudo-super8” style you mentioned is probably the way to go. I feel like that would be a fun way to shoot, and I have every accessory except the viewfinder, because- like you- I refuse to pay the ridiculous price for the Kino! I’m now curious what viewfinder you settled on? Thanks for your insight!

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

@@RyanThomasDalton I settled for a 3.2" viewfinder from amazon and attached it on of the LCD's outer frame with three sides out of four ahdering. The adhesive these viewfinders' attaching frames come with is quite mild so it's a completely reversible thing. You lose a bit of field of view on a side but if you're going for a super-8 look you're cropping to 4:3 anyway

[@RyanThomasDalton]

​@@jacopoabbruscato9271Good to know! Very cool. Like I said, I've been wanting to try this for quite a while, but wasn't sure the best workaround with the overly-expensive viewfinder. I'll look into a cheap 3.2" on Amazon. Thanks so much!

[@Panotaker]

There are a couple of solutions to your problem. One is to have two OG's, one rigged out, and one naked. That way you don't have to take it apart and put it back together again every time you want to go naked. The other solution is to get a Sigma FP. I have one, and absolutely love it. It's basically, a full frame, OG mk2. I have mine with the add on Electronic EVF with a T5 SSD. The SSD holds an hour of video, and the battery last about an hour.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Solid points. I don't know if I'd want two of these lol (I won't get rid of it tho!) I have, however, considered getting a Sigma FP for the very reasons you pointed out! Thanks for the suggestions!

[@colinthomas2525]

Great video. I’m about to start using mine so I’m getting excited. Has anybody ever paired it with a mono pod to get stable footage?

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Thanks! It's as enjoyable as it is frustrating lol and such a great image out of it! I'm sure a monopod would be a good addition. Lemme know what you come up with!

[@marcopervo]

It’s best buried in a cinema rig w/ lots of accessories but has grown on me for run & gun after lots of experimentation. External batteries are a must have as the tiny BMD batteries lose their charge.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Yes, I agree. Compromises need to be made. I think the rig is the only option really. And yes, you’ll need external batteries for sure! I have a v-mount option, and the smaller SmallRig battery plate option.

[@phongkhachcuajun-pkcj]

My rig is still compact with some compromise. I truly think the OG should have a a mark2 version, with modern technology with RAW codec. Then Blackmagic will be the only market leader in the section.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

I couldn’t agree more! That would be amazing. I’d love to see it too.

[@kirphophotography7452]

Yes a real BMPCC mark 2… The body could be (a little bit) thicker (fan?), then improved battery life and a better screen. 1080p, CDNG, 60fps with IR Cut would be great!

[@phongkhachcuajun-pkcj]

@@kirphophotography7452 I'm thinking of 2-2.5K. An articulated screen, same M43 mount, sturdier HDMI and voila, you've got a godsend cinema camera for students and prosumer

[@uhuhno6441]

@@phongkhachcuajun-pkcj Yes.

[@ZacktheFilm]

I’ve been wishing for something like a pocket 2.8k with a similar form factor as the og 1080p. Just put a slightly larger battery in it and update the screen size. That would be a dream.

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Absolutely! Would love to see it.

[@seachill]

If you looking for new alternative you got the Sigma FP I highly recommend

[@RyanThomasDalton]

I've definitely been wanting to try one!

[@seachill]

@@RyanThomasDalton You'll never regret it. I had mine for 1year Sadly I sold it couple months ago to Get the S5. The S5 is good but not as compact as the FP Now I am looking again for FP beside my S5. I Miss How small it is and I miss Sigma Color Science

[@RyanThomasDalton]

@@seachill Good to know! I’ve wanted to try one and an s5. I’d definitely like to test the full frame dng files- and I like how small it is too! It’s probably the closest thing to a full frame bmpcc successor! I’ll get my hands on one sooner or later.

[@SimplicityForGood]

making it into a digital Bolex is not making it bulky, is making it ergonomic and vintage like, is a great solution, so stop whining and go out filming man! 🤣😘

[@RyanThomasDalton]

lol not whining- just pointing out my frustrations. I still appreciate the camera for what it is- and being way ahead of its time! I also agree that the digital bolex setup is probably the way to go! Just need to find that pricey Kinotehnik LCDVFBM for a good price. Unless you have a suggestion for an affordable viewfinder solution?

[@SimplicityForGood]

@@RyanThomasDalton ha ha no, I dream of the same concept ! is kind of true what you aim at though, we seem to live in the age of frustrations and compromise where manufactures just want to use the same frames as the other brands already do as they are all ready-made 3D printed in some shady factory in China and cost them nothing to replicate, while we the film makers crave precise aesthetics and ergonomics of our own no one ever seen before so to get into the Flow-State of creating and being one with the camera while filming ones next master piece ! 🤠😅 - may the force be with you!

[@uhuhno6441]

Bahahaha my shoulder rig weighs around 20lbs in total, with matte box, follow focus, monitor and 96Wh powerbank. I always carry it around in an old gym bag with another 5lbs in lenses and accessoires. People think I'm insane and they're probably right. I got mad big arms though 😄

[@RyanThomasDalton]

Lol bc careful! Yeah, I guess one of my gripes is because I’ve carried Ursa rigs and stuff similar to that around- so I’d like my pocket to be the opposite, like pocketable! Haha

[@uhuhno6441]

@@RyanThomasDalton Makes sense. I just recently frankensteined the hell out of it and made it a bit smaller in the process but it's still a chonker. Love it tho. It's surprisingly balanced and depending on the use case and in my personal opinion almost as good as a gimbal. Ok maybe not that good but like a ⅓ of the way. And that ain't nothing, especially when you simply don't have a gimbal. Just the standard, not too extreme conditions stabilization aspect, obviously there's things a gimbal can do that humans can't. But a little chonkier rig on a *DIY cinesaddle** can do wonders, I tell you, wonders! 😂 Sure, I would totally use the bionic arri crane that is attached right to your hip and stabilizes your core shakra or whatever if I had the money but I don't and I kinda love the whole DIY thing. What can I say, it's late, sorry for this wall of text, I need to go grocery shopping 😁✌️ *literally a friggin gym bag

[@uhuhno6441]

Oh one thing that really bothers me: I can't use DNG. It always comes out all chopped up when I import it into davinci and I really have no idea why. Any ideas? Anyone? ❤️

[@kirphophotography7452]

Do you import the CDNG folders in the cut page or the edit page? Try it in the edit page 👍

[@Itaketoomanypics]

maybe computer sucks

[@uhuhno6441]

@@kirphophotography7452 Hm mkay. Thanks

[@vol-de-nuit]

Missing frames. Maybe a bad or incompatible SD card.

[@uhuhno6441]

@@vol-de-nuit Yeah that might actually be it, thanks. Only recently considered it about a week ago when I watched a video about sd cards in general. Makes sense, the card sorta "has to" record since it's rated at a certain speed but it doesn't actually deliver so 💩 gets all minged. And everything else works fine, which makes sense since ProRes HQ and everything below has way smaller files so the bottleneck is not a factor. Kind of a bummer since I specifically got it for the high dynamic range (for the price and at the time that is) and ProRes footage does seem to have basically less of it. Yet still good enough for me, the card works fine otherwise, it was 90 bucks and with this camera it's such a gamble. So I guess I'll just stick to it for now. Again, the footage is good enough and raw is just so. Friggin. Huge. Me no gusta.