New Blackmagic 2.5K RAW Cinema Camera - Under $3,000 - WOW!!!!

[Ian-T]

Blackmagic Cinema Camera

Forget everything you've seen. This camera is the real deal...especially at 13 stops dynamic range....It's slightly larger than S16, and slightly smaller than m4/3.
ALEXA WHAT!!!???





We have been thinking hard about cameras and some of the limitations in quality that video cameras run into. Working with DaVinci color grading has only made these limitations more noticeable.

Some of the reasons why video cameras look like “video” is because they have limited contrast range, are limited to HD resolutions, use heavy compression for file recording, have poor quality lenses and of course they don’t integrate into NLE software with metadata management.

We decided to address these problems by developing a camera that provides feature film quality in an extremely compact portable design.

The Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes a super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, large 2.5K sensor, integrated SSD recorder that has the bandwidth to capture CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes and DNxHD files, integrated capacitive touchscreen LCD for direct metadata entry, standard jack audio connectors, refrigerated sensor and it’s fully compatible with EF and ZF mount lenses.

The Blackmagic Cinema Camera also includes SDI and Thunderbolt connectors and it comes with a full copy of DaVinci Resolve and UltraScope software. Imagine plugging in your laptop for on set grading and scopes!

The 13 stops of dynamic range is one of the most important reasons why this camera looks like film. Often people focus on more pixels, but that is just a larger video image. The real way to get film quality is to capture a wide contrast range to retain more detail in the black and white levels of the image. Then once you color grade the images, it looks amazing! Combined with amazing EF and ZF lenses, the result is a true film look!

Of course the quality is killed if you compress the images when recording them, so we built in an SSD recorder. That means you get the recording speed you need to record the full 2.5K RAW sensor data into completely uncompressed CinemaDNG files. This means you get all the detail and quality of the sensor.

No files on this camera are custom in any way and this is the first camera that’s designed to make the whole post production process simple. It records into CinemaDNG format for RAW files, and DNxHD or ProRes for HD resolution files compatible with Avid Media Composer and Apple Final Cut Pro.

You can play back all recorded files on the LCD, and there is a built-in microphone and speaker for reviewing audio. Of course you will want to plug in high quality audio into the standard jack connectors and the audio is always recorded uncompressed for highest quality.

The integrated LCD has a touchscreen and when tapped, a window called the “slate” appears where you can type in shot information just like typing on a smartphone. This is then recorded into the file as metadata in the Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve format. Common data like shot number can auto increment to save time.

You can also change camera settings on this touch LCD, such as frame rate, shutter angle, color temperature, dynamic range, focus assist settings and more. The SDI output also has overlays showing you all the camera data when monitoring on set, and even the same data when playing back recorded files!

The design is machined from a solid block of aluminum and looks amazing. It’s strong, very compact and designed to be easily hand held. I am still amazed we have fitted all this into such a small design, when normally features like RAW recorders and monitoring can be optional extras on cinema cameras.

A cinematographer friend of ours, John Brawley, has been working with the camera for the last few weeks. He’s shot some test clips in the process of working out what the camera’s capabilities are and we have posted them online for your to see. Even though some of them are just hand held test shots near John’s house, they are still great to see as examples of what’s creatively possible. Remember to select HD when viewing them!


http://vimeopro.com/johnbrawleytests...-cinema-camera


Raw recording.

2.5k

13 stops dynamic range

Integrated SSD to record Cinema DNG Raw, ProRes and DNxHD

EF and ZF mount lenses (ZF? I thought that was the Zeiss Nikons?)

SDI and Thunderbolt (!)

Integrated touch screen LCD

Free full copy of DaVinci Resolve

It doesn’t say the actual size of the sensor. I would guess Super 35mm

$2995! Shipping in July.

[Ian-T]

...and you get a free FULL Davinci Resolve with your purchase.

[BarteS]

Madness...Davinci Resolve itself already costs close to $1000,-. And if this camera is real (nope...it's 16th). It's ticking almost each and every box. The only potential bad thing is the fact it will probably be somewhat hard to handle (touchscreen, formfactor), but the other characteristics...yummie. 2.5k seems odd, but the extra resolution is very interesting to stabilize footage and a slight reframe, yet still end up with FullHD.

[Ian-T]

[Erik Bien]

It doesn’t say the actual size of the sensor. I would guess Super 35mm

According to the specs page, sensor size is right in between S16 and M4/3... 16.64 mm x 14.04 mm, with an active area of 15.6 mm x 8.8 mm.

[Shaunp007]

wowo

[Gillvane]

So much for the Digital Bolex.

[Ian-T]

So much for the Digital Bolex.

Right.

That thing is more or less just an idea. But this puppy is ready for sale in July. My biggest concern is.....what the heck are they going to do with the high volume of orders that i KNOW they will receive? Will they be able to keep up?

[Bertzie]

Form factor on it isn't very ergonomic. And on a personal opinion note, I don't like the way it looks, and I hate touchscreens.

[BarteS]

Form factor is in this case not that much of an issue. It has threated holes and there is an optional handle available (yet a bit on the expensive side considering the price of all this). It's just as minimalistic as possible, for you to customize it to your needs. Looks...I don't really care about that. Or actually, I don't really care if it looks ugly, if it looks pretty it's a bonus. Touchscreens, there are two things to consider. First its the quality and Blackmagic compares it to a smartphone in terms of entry of information. If it is as good, that drawback is gone. The other is indeed just the result of touchscreens in 2012, you can't control the situation without looking at the screen.

[Gillvane]

Form factor on it isn't very ergonomic. And on a personal opinion note, I don't like the way it looks, and I hate touchscreens.

People will build frankenrigs to accomodate the form factor just like for the 5d Mark II, and they will dig through endless menus as well so they can shoot 2.5k Raw for 3,000 bucks.

This is the new 5d Mark II.

[1]

But this puppy is ready for sale in July.

And these guys are known to be able to produce solid gear.

These guys I have confidence in!

This looks awesome!

[1]

Sample videos are impressive, especially in the DR department.

Jello is very evident, but expected, I guess....


Looks like I will have to buy a Mac again!

[Ian-T]

And these guys are known to be able to produce solid gear.

These guys I have confidence in!

This looks awesome!

Totally agree. Word on the street is BlackMagic tried to keep this as secret as possible. It seems like they did an excellent job at that. It's guaranteed to shake up all the big boys (you know...the ones who like to blow their own trumpet).

It's funny how many folks scream that a company like Canon (for example) is overpricing their products etc. When I look at this camera and what it specs say...I can agree with those statement. Also...Red..the big trumpet blower has bragged on what they could deliver (which they did on some level) but at the same time because they can't keep their plans under lock and key gave other larger manufacturers room to out do them.

A camera like this looks like the future. Out with the old typical camcorder body style..in with the new....all touch screen...small compact size ...(which means you can attach all the accessory gear you want)...etc..etc...

This is definitely a professional tool.

[refocusedmedia]

[zephyrnoid]

As all of us have been, I was overexcited too... until my evil twin started to whisper into my ear....
- Spotted rolling shutter and some banding in one of the demo movies.
- No high speed (FS700 wins)
- No interchangeable battery ( Hi Flip Video- who's your mama?)
- Fixed LCD reminds me of my Fiip Video HD mated to a tablet (but on steroids)
- Touch screen is sweet when it's nice and warm and dry outside but how does it perform in freezing cold driving rain?
- At least the Start/Stop button ought to be haptic
All else looks very cool !

[Almohada]

< Panavision 35mm

[BarteS]

I don't think it will be a flawless camera zephyrnoid, however it will be strong on certain aspects (RAW with DaVinci Resolve). I can imagine those would make it a complementary camera to some. But seriously, your even mentioning an FS700? That's a 4k monster with other features at 4.5x the price. (Yes I did subtract the price of Resolve.) But for uncompressed video you still need an external recorder. This one is almost entirely an all-in, the only think you'd have to do is work around the ergonomic issues. (And remember, it has LANC.)
The lack of an interchangeable battery is somewhat odd, but with the positioning of the connector and the range I can imagine a batterypack will arrive some day to help the camera out.

[1]

This is what I was hoping for in the Scarlet, 4 years ago!

It's pretty much EXACTLY what I (think I) need in a video camera!

[zephyrnoid]

I don't think it will be a flawless camera zephyrnoid, however it will be strong on certain aspects (RAW with DaVinci Resolve). I can imagine those would make it a complementary camera to some. But seriously, your even mentioning an FS700? That's a 4k monster with other features at 4.5x the price. (Yes I did subtract the price of Resolve.) But for uncompressed video you still need an external recorder. This one is almost entirely an all-in, the only think you'd have to do is work around the ergonomic issues. (And remember, it has LANC.)
The lack of an interchangeable battery is somewhat odd, but with the positioning of the connector and the range I can imagine a batterypack will arrive some day to help the camera out.

Of course I am being the 'devil's advocate' and sure I appreciate the ROI factors. The troubling thing about this point and shoot 2.5K is that it has raised all eyebrows but not made itself open to upgrades down the road. Where will owners of this camera be in 12 months? Another $3K camera upgrade? That's insane. The FS700 is configured with the 'promise' of 4K out the door (albeit with a recorder) But hey, Hasn't Black Magic just lowered the expectations for the prices of external recorders with this new paradigm> You bet they have! Externals should be about 1/2 price or less in 12 months
I can earn the cost of a base FS700 shooting 250fps in a food commercial TVC in one day. Since the BlackMagic 2.5K tops out at 30p, We're stuck in normal motion land with this camera. I wonder if AT LEAST, there's a still image capture mode? That would be helpful to the DSLR fence sitters.

[zephyrnoid]

As all of us have been, I was overexcited too... until my evil twin started to whisper into my ear....
- At least the Start/Stop button ought to be haptic
All else looks very cool !

ERRATUM! Start/Stop button IS haptic
My slip up.

[refocusedmedia]

As all of us have been, I was overexcited too... until my evil twin started to whisper into my ear....
- Spotted rolling shutter and some banding in one of the demo movies.
- No high speed (FS700 wins)
- No interchangeable battery ( Hi Flip Video- who's your mama?)
- Fixed LCD reminds me of my Fiip Video HD mated to a tablet (but on steroids)
- Touch screen is sweet when it's nice and warm and dry outside but how does it perform in freezing cold driving rain?
- At least the Start/Stop button ought to be haptic
All else looks very cool !

Is your evil twin going to pony up the extra $6000+ for the FS700 just so it can do 60+ fps?
Does your evil twin know that every CMOS-based camera will have some form of rolling shutter? Did he notice it seems very reduced compared to, say, a Canon DSLR?
Does your evil twin realize it's only $3000 and comes with $1500 worth of free software?

Personally, I'd punch your evil twin in the mouth.

The troubling thing about this point and shoot 2.5K is that it has raised all eyebrows but not made itself open to upgrades down the road.

If you read the johnbrawley review, you'll see that they are still adding features to this camera. For example, in his DVXuser posts, he says one thing he is pushing on them is to make it Anamorphic compatible. Who knows what else they tweak between now and July, or what they will offer via firmware updates post-launch. This isn't some hole-in-the-wall hipsters releasing a camera via Kickstarter, this is a competent and respected company who obviously put a lot of thought into how they could offer what the market is asking for, at an affordable price.

Also, word is that this camera might be the first in a line of cameras (4K for $5K anyone?).

[argonaut]

Exciting stuff. I'd still have to know more - and see more - before making a proper assessment. Even as a 2k studio camera with raw output. I think they have a very interesting product for the mid range user. I think that one of the biggest down points is the battery life and internal battery. You can't expect me to do real work without extra batteries. Other than that I can definitely consider it as a future purchase.

[Ian-T]

Personally, I'd punch your evil twin in the mouth.

Aww c'mon!!! You made me spit up my breakfast drink. The mess...lol.

If you read the johnbrawley review, you'll see that they are still adding features to this camera. For example, in his DVXuser posts, he says one thing he is pushing on them is to make it Anamorphic compatible.

Right. There is also talk of 60p coming by way of a firmware upgrqade.

Also, the sensor is 4:3...so if they make it anamorphic compatible then those 2x anamorphic lens will be perfect.

[Ian-T]

Well...if you want 4K there's always the upcoming AATON Delta Penelope with A CCD sensor - 14 Stop DR & Multi-Slot GLOBAL Shutter at 100 ISO:



But, since it's in direct competition with the ARRI (which is also 2k)...I'd say we are getting a bargain.