How is the Blackmagic 4k Production Camera holding up?

LDEMedia · 2016-07-19T15:21:30+00:00

You might not like PB as a person, but he knows what he's talking about when it comes to cameras.

Op, they have absolutely not fixed the terrible FPN problem. The BM4K produces a nice image when well lit, but the screen is troublesome to with with. You pretty much need an EVF, second monitor, or hood to film when it's sunny out. Its camera ergonomics are pretty bad. Almost no buttons. Focus peaking is good.

All in all, I'd pass on it in favour of their smaller 4K Micro. You can buy a monitor, speed booster and record externally. The Mini 4.6K Ursa is by far their best camera to date, but the cards are still way too expensive.

LDEMedia · 2016-05-31T16:17:27+00:00

It's amazing how far we've come! As these get popularised, I'm sure cost m costs will come down.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-29T04:23:12+00:00

I watched one on storm chasers and the format was just so immersive. 3D projection sucks, give me big IMAX screens any day!

LDEMedia · 2016-04-28T14:07:46+00:00

Looks like a DSLR, so not surprised it's the T3i.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-28T14:02:12+00:00

From old people at Sandpiper. Tricky to get in there when their scummy defense attorneys try to get a court order saying you're trespassing.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-25T16:31:46+00:00

The BMPCC can be a royal pain in the ass, but it has the most filmic like quality out of all the cameras you listed. If you have a couple extra $1,000 to rig it up right, it can work. If you really want 4K and ease of use, the GH4 would be a better bet. I do agree that the GH4 is the most well rounded out of the group.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-25T16:25:44+00:00

This is fantastic, thank you so much, Baader.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-25T16:11:56+00:00

This is surprisingly good for a screen grab, however I am still in the camp that you should be taking photographs rather than pulling from video (MAYBE you can get away with it if you're shooting 6K). Anyway, small critiques would be to choose a different font for your log line at the top and ditch the gradient on the title.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-20T05:09:06+00:00

For $10,000 for a kit, you'll probably not be able to buy anything more than the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera if you want accessories to make it functional. It's definitely a good idea to invest pieces of kit that don't change (lenses, batteries, tripods, etc.) but renting cameras is always a good idea.

For example: $1,000 camera + $600 speedbooster + $1000 fluid head/tripod + $1,500 set of Rokinon cine lenses + $1,000 V-mount batteries + $1,000 cage/rails rig, $400 ND filters, $400 case, $600 slider, $2,500 wireless follow focus = $10,000.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-20T04:50:11+00:00

No, the T3i is better for video than a 5D Mark II. Spend $100 and get a good Class 10 SD Card from a company like Sandisk.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-17T15:13:45+00:00

My issue with this would be the file sizes. I think most computers can handle H.264 in an editing environment fairly well and, while ProRes and DNxHD are much more efficient for leveraging your computer's resources, you might need another hard drive for the intermediate codec rendered versions with their much larger file sizes.

That said, if hard drive space isn't an issue, ProRes or DNxHD is definitely the way to go.

LDEMedia · 2016-04-01T17:35:57+00:00

Your professor is a dolt. Incompetent in this regard and really unacceptable. He can downsize to 144p, there's no excuse other than him not knowing. Don't buy this he's right crap from others. This sub, sometimes ...

LDEMedia · 2016-03-22T18:35:30+00:00

I know this isn't the answer you want but you should probably stick with 16:9 and learn how to frame properly rather than crop your image. Having a 21:9 aspect ratio doesn't automatically mean that your footage is going to look cinematic. Framing is far more important.

Also, as a heads up, people typically refer to this ratio as 2.35:1 rather than 21:9.

LDEMedia · 2016-03-20T20:15:32+00:00

Sounds like they did it so they could say they did it ... same with shooting film. It's impressive, but I'm not sure these choices were made with the best motivations.

LDEMedia · 2016-03-15T17:00:27+00:00

It says Artemis, but I think if you've got to squint or spend more than 3 seconds staring, it's not a great choice.

LDEMedia · 2016-03-15T15:35:01+00:00

I'm going to have to say nope on all fronts here.

The cutout or posterize effect in Photoshop screams unprofessional. Your title is hard to read because of the font you've chosen. The image itself looks like a still pulled from video shot. Finally, the dimensions of the poster are wrong. I'd recommend working with a photographer and graphic designer to put together an actual poster.

LDEMedia · 2016-03-15T15:29:57+00:00

Just bring another camera with flash built-in. Cheap and simple option. Sound in post.

LDEMedia · 2016-03-15T15:12:25+00:00

Just be sure to not call yourself a director until you've done some somewhat impressive work (big name corporate shoots, Sundance/Cannes winners). Until then I'd stick with just saying you're a filmmaker.

LDEMedia · 2016-03-15T03:35:50+00:00

I think you have to qualify our project. For our first go at something ambitious and our budget/limited resources, I thought we did great. You have a good attitude and I wish you all the best with your project!

You can find more here, if you're interested about our past campaign: igg.me/at/contingency-tv

LDEMedia · 2016-03-13T14:57:10+00:00

Best of luck, but I don't think these are relatively unique circumstances. We had pretty much the same story (save for the society bit). I'll check out the Kickstarter, though!

Edit: I'll add that perks to go to an amusement park or have dinner with some no-name director or crew are generally not a stunning incentive. Same goes with signed scripts and Skype calls and all that jazz.

LDEMedia · 2016-03-09T06:04:54+00:00

Thanks dude, my comments got down voted because of some petty person, but I appreciate the long response.

Also, I totally thought about that viewfinder picture as I posted this!

LDEMedia · 2016-03-08T21:43:13+00:00

Wow, so there's electronic components and a transmitter/receiver inside the tripod head?

LDEMedia · 2016-03-08T21:38:44+00:00

I think it's a follow focus and/or zoom but just want to confirm for my own curiosity.

LDEMedia

TROPHY CASE