Bill Bruner
Forum Replies Created
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Hi Kathreen – there is no time duration limit on the Blackmagic Camera besides card capacity (you will need more than a Class 6 card to record ProRes, though).
There is, however, a 12 minute continuous recording limit for the 600D. The camera will stop recording and need to be re-started after 12 minutes.
Hope this is helpful!
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Hi Dave – congratulations on setting out to shoot your own projects. Since you’re starting from scratch, you may want to start out with a camera that is a little easier to deal with in the field than the Blackmagics.
If you want a large sensor interchangeable lens camera for interviews and action, I recommend the 4K Panasonic GH4. You can get one with the 12-35mm f2.8 lens and the 10-bit 4:2:2 Atomos Shogun external recorder (ships in September) for £3773.71 from DigiBroadcast.
If you don’t want to wait until September and don’t mind recording 8-bit 4:2:0 4K internally, your can get the GH4 with the lens and an external interface unit with 10-bit 4K HD-SDI output and timecode for £4018.20.
Either of these setups will give you XLR mic inputs which should prevent you from having to buy an external sound solution.
This camera shoots 1080/96p slow motion, has a long-lasting battery and a built-in electronic viewfinder – all features that the BMPC 4K lacks.
Here is what this camera can do, compared to the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K (please watch at your monitor’s highest resolution):
Here is what the GH4 can do on its own:
SLOW MOTION:
TRAVEL/DOCUMENTARY:
AERIAL:
I think Blackmagic cameras are terrific – I love my Blackmagic Pocket Camera – but I really do think the GH4 is a better camera for the lone camera operator.
Hope this is helpful and best of luck!
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Hi John – if you don’t mind shooting with a manual cine lens, the $579 Rokinon 10mm T3.1 is a nice (and relatively fast) wide angle lens for the BMCC.
Hope this is helpful!
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Matthew – I came from camcorders to DSLs, started out with a T2i and was very disappointed. Before you make your decision, you should be aware that the T3i is missing some of the standard features you’re accustomed to from your CX260:
– it has no video autofocus
– it shuts down and has to be restarted after 12 minutes of continuous recording – where your camcorder can record for hours without interruption
– it has no 1080/60p recording for easy in-camera slow motion
– it has no compatibility with power zoomsFor people coming from camcorders, I usually recommend large sensor, interchangeable lens cameras with “camcorder-like” features such as the $697.99 (with kit lens) Panasonic G6. This camera has:
– fast video autofocus
– hours of continuous recording instead of minutes
– 1080/60p recording
– compatibility with power zooms like this one and this oneHere is what this camera can do:
Music Video:
Narrative:
Documentary:
Slow Motion/Sport:
Travel Video:
https://vimeo.com/86145944 (shot with a power zoom lens)
Compared to the $3000 Canon 5D Mark III:
This camera is far superior to the T3i for just a little more money. Even Dave Dugdale is selling his Canon DSLRs for a higher end Panasonic.
Good luck with your decision!
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Hi Chris – It’s called expanded focus, and it’s a feature not a bug 🙂
This guy complained when he couldn’t use it (it turned off because he was using an external monitor): https://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?282655-GH2-Expanded-focus-only-works-occasionally
Expanded focus comes on 100% of the time if you adjust the focus ring in manual focus (MF) mode or when you push in the exposure adjust wheel on the back of the camera.
Focus on your subject, take your hand off the focus ring and half press the shutter button and it should go back to normal.
Cheers,
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It’s a really tough call. I love both my BMPCC and my GH4 – and at $495, the BMPCC becomes very attractive. But the BMPCC sits on the tripod in the studio most of the time while the GH4 is in the camera bag being used.
But for shooters on a tight budget, you really can’t beat a $495 10-bit ProRes/12-bit RAW camera!
And thanks for the heads-up on the Amazon link – I think they’re sold out of the $495 cameras already 🙁
Best,
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Hello Jackson – if you’re shooting short films in addition to your promos, you may want to consider a large sensor, interchangeable lens camera. I recommend the $1750AUD Panasonic GH4
with a $349.99AUD 14-42mm power zoom lens
.
That will take you a little over budget, but, with its 4K cinema resolution (4 times better than 1080p), compatibility with power zoom lenses and 1080/96fps slow motion, this is the best camera in your price range.
If you really need to stay under $2000, you can get a $249.99AUD Panasonic 14mm f2.5
or $232AUD Sigma 19mm f2.8
prime lens instead and pick up the power zoom or a manual zoom like this one
later.
Here is what this camera can do:
Promo: https://vimeo.com/99689267
Promo: https://vimeo.com/100539875
Slow Motion: https://vimeo.com/97096167
Slow Motion: https://vimeo.com/100034235
Landscape/Travel: https://vimeo.com/99041955
Landscape/Travel: https://vimeo.com/99523009
I own this camera – the footage is beautiful and it is a joy to use. Highly recommended.
Hope this is helpful!
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Sorry to hear about your challenge, Eric. Are you formatting the cards in-camera or on your computer before you use them? When you delete files from your cards are you deleting them on your computer or in-camera?
The formatting and file management processes are very different depending upon where they are done.
Best,
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When I press the shutter button down completely, the camera goes to sleep and wakes up at the time that I set. I made a little video to show you how I did it, but I was not able to upload it before leaving town on a one day business trip.
When I get back, I will upload it soonest.
Best,
Bill