Fujinon Lenses: Top Gun: Maverick BTS with Cinematographer Claudio Miranda, ASC – Commentary

“Claudio Miranda, ASC, the award-winning cinematographer behind Top Gun: Maverick, shares behind the scenes footage, stories from the set, and all the ins and outs of selecting and working with the gear used to create this history-making film.

GEAR LIST:

• Camera: Sony Venice

FUJINON Lenses:

• Premista 28-100mm T2.9
• Premier 14.5-45mm T2.0
• Premier 18-85mm T2.0
• Premier 24-180mm T2.6
• Premier 75-400mm T2.8-3.8
• Cabrio 19-90mm T2.9
• Cabrio 20-120mm T3.5
• Cabrio 85-300mm T2.9-4.0
• Cabrio 25-300mm T3.5-3.85″

Fujinon XK6x20 20-120mm T3.5 4K cinema standard zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Corporation.

Fujinon XK6x20 20-120mm T3.5 4K cinema standard zoom lens with ENG-style Servo Drive. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Corporation.

Commentary

American-Australian Deniz Tek, rock guitarist in Radio Birdman, US Navy flight surgeon, painter, coffee grower in Hawaii, inspiration for Iceman in ‘Top Gun’. Image courtesy of Stars & Stripes.

Fujifilm has a long and noble history of making top-class stills and cinema lenses as well as analog stills and movie cameras.

Every time we attend a film and television event we’re reminded just how highly regarded Fujifilm’s Fujinon cinema and broadcast zoom lenses are in the industry.

Despite its high profile in lens-making and in producing APS-C and large format digital cameras over the last decade, Fujifilm never dipped its toes into the professional video camera pool in the way that Canon, Panasonic and Sony have for some years now.

Fujifilm’s much-lauded analog and digital colour science has led to professionals making frequent calls for non-hybrid video cameras but the market may be too saturated to make it worthwhile.

We hope that Fujifilm will ramp up its video R&D game to develop pro-quality exposure capabilities like scopes for its hybrid Super 35 and MF aka large format cameras.

We’d love to see Fujifilm encroach even more on the territory that Panasonic has staked out with its Lumix GH6 M43 and S1H 35mm sensor cameras to produce the Super 35 alternative to both for video and stills.

Fujifilm made excellent Single-8 movie cameras under the Fujica brand name

Fuji Photo Film Fujica (now Fujifilm) ZC1000 Single-8 movie camera with interchangeable Fujinon MA-Z 5-75mm f/1.8 zoom lens. Image found on ebay.

Fujinon MA-Z 5-75mm f/1.8 zoom lens for Fuji Photo Film Fujica (now Fujifilm) ZC1000 Single-8 movie camera

Fuji Photo Film Fujica (now Fujifilm) ZC1000 Single-8 movie camera. Image found on ebay.

Given Fujifilm’s lack of experience in professional cinema cameras to match its cinema lens reputation, we’re a little nervous about whether the company will give us everything we want in the X-H2S and the X-H2R flagship cameras and their future siblings.

Time and some firmware updates will tell as the year progresses.

We’e also a little nervous about where Fujifilm is going with its Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR zoom lens so have been reading up on the company’s Fujinon cinema lens division and it all looks rather impressive.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR, co-designed by Fujifilm camera division and Fujinon cinema lens team

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens on Fujifilm X-H2S. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens on Fujifilm X-T4. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens on Fujifilm X-H2S. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens with lens hood. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens with lens hood. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Optics, Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Optics, Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens. Lens consists of 15 lens elements in 12 groups, including three aspherical lenses and three ED lenses. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF lens roadmap, May 31 2022. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

We’re looking forward to the Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR finding its way into the hands of more moviemakers and photographers in all genres and applications so we can see how it holds up.

Is it the first of many so badly needed video-capable lenses to join the X-mount lens lineup, or will it just be a one-off?

Will Fujifilm add more “Fujilux” ultra-fast linear-motor prime lenses and has anyone done a thorough and serious test of them for video production yet?

Hybrid mirrorless cameras better suit our needs than dedicated cinema cameras or camcorders, but Fujifilm cameras’ video capabilities need to match if not surpass those of their competitors.

Lastly, is there any direct relationship between the design of the reportedly amazing Fujinon XK 20-120mm T3.5 Cabrio cinema zoom lens and the very promising Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR stills + movie zoom?

Links

• B&H Affiliate Link – click here to help us with costs for creating  this website and its contents by pre-ordering and purchasing items from B&H.
• B&H Affiliate Link – Fujifilm
• B&H Affiliate Link – FUJIFILM X-H2S Mirrorless Camera
• B&H Affiliate Link – FUJIFILM X-H2S Mirrorless Camera with MKX18-55mm & MKX50-135mm Lenses Kit
• B&H Affiliate Link – FUJIFILM XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR Lens
• B&H Affiliate Link – Fujinon XK20-120mm T3.5 Cabrio Lens (PL Mount) – aka “XK6x20”, listed at time of writing at USD $13,995.00.
• Deniz Tek – Facebook – the Iceman character in Top Gun was based on ex-navy flight surgeon, emergency medical practitioner, painter and former Radio Birdman guitarist Deniz Tek, based in Australia and Hawaii.
• Deniz Tek – Discogs
• Deniz Tek – Wikipedia
• Fuji Rumors – Top Gun Maverick: How Fujinon Lenses Helped to Film it without “Green Screen Nonsense” – many thanks to Patrick DiVino for alerting us to this video.
• Fujifilm USA – Fujinon Cine Lenses
• Fujifilm USA – Cine Lenses/XK Cabrio Series/XK20-120mm T3.5 –”XK6x20 is a zoom lens for cinema camera that offers high optical performance compatible with 4K cameras and covers a wide range of focal length from 20mm to 120mm. It also realizes T3.5 brightness in the entire zoom range. There is no T drop and it offers comfortable operation. Various scenes can be shot with this single lens. “XK6x20” is equipped with detachable drive unit for electric zooming and focusing which is popular function with existing products. It also features 0.8mm gear pitch for compatibility with standard accessories.”
• Fujifilm USA – Why XK series is believed as “The Perfect Zoom Lens” by the film director who use cutting-edge video technology. – “XK series which recently joined the line-up of FUJINON 4K CINELENS is the product that delivers the same level of quality images as ZK and HK series do while it also has the outstanding mobility and operability.”
• Fujinon Lenses – Juan A. Fernández AEC Talks Through Benefits of Cabrio XK 20-120 Cinema Lens – video – “Cinematographer Juan A. Fernández AEC explains the benefits of the Fujinon Cabrio XK 20-120 with the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K, and the reasons why it is one of his favorite go-to lenses for many different applications.”
• Fujinon Lenses – Top Gun: Maverick BTS with Cinematographer Claudio Miranda, ASC – video
• News Shooter – Two days with the Fujinon XK6x20 20-120mm T3.5 Cabrio – the only S35 zoom you’ll ever need? – “The 20-120mm Cabrio offers a lot of bang for your buck. It gives you image performance which is right up there with other Fujinon lenses that are more than twice the price.”
• Radio Birdman – Discogs
• SmallRig Affiliate Link – click here to help us with costs for creating  this website and its contents by pre-ordering and purchasing from SmallRig.
• Stars & Stripes – The real ‘Iceman’ was a Navy flight surgeon and ‘high-energy rock’ guitarist – “Former Navy flight surgeon Deniz Tek, 69, of Hawaii, was the Iceman before actor Val Kilmer made a character with the same call sign legendary. The flying doctor grew up in Ann Arbor, Mich., where he listened to rock bands like The Stooges and The Rolling Stones, he told Stars and Stripes by phone in February. In 1972, he moved to Sydney, Australia, to study medicine at the University of New South Wales and started playing in local bands….”

DZOFilm Adds Vespid PL-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses to its Affordable Pictor Parfocal Cinema Zoom Lens Range, Plus Octopus PL to E, L, RF and X-Mount Adapters

DZOFilm, a second Chinese-made lens brand has thrown its hat into the affordable cinema prime lens ring alongside Meike, now adding a seven-strong set of Vespid 35mm sensor aka “full frame” interchangeable PL-mount cinema prime lenses to its current lineup of Pictor Super 35 and Micro Four Thirds EF and PL mount cinema zoom lenses. 

The company has also just announced a series of Octopus adapters for PL-mount lenses, converting them for use on cameras with E, L, RF and X-mounts. 

DZOFilm Vespid 25mm T2.1 35mm sensor aka “full frame” cinema prime lens with interchangeable PL mount. Image courtesy of DZOFilm.

Some time ago I had noticed the appearance of two Micro Four Thirds mount cinema zoom lenses by an until-then unbeknownst to me Chinese lens company named DZOFilm, but it is only recently that I have seen enough behind-the-scenes photographs of cinematographers using these and other, newer, DZOFilm lenses to note they are being taken seriously in the movie production world.

As DZOFilm lenses gain traction and users, no doubt we will see more examples of what can be done with them but for the time being most descriptions imply that they are “character” lenses with a vintage look suitable for some though not all projects so best to make your buying decisions on that basis.

For the price, though, they seem remarkably good.

DZOFilm adapters, cinema prime and cinema zoom lenses

DZOFilm 10-24mm T2.9 Linglung parfocal zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds. Image courtesy of DZOFilm.

DZOFilm 20-70mm T2.9 Linglung parfocal zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds. Image courtesy of DZOFilm.

DZOFilm Pictor 20-55mm and 50-125mm T2.8 Super 35 Parfocal Cinema Zoom Lenses with swappable Arri PL and Canon EF mounts. Image courtesy of DZOFilm.

DZOFilm Pictor 50-125mm T2.8 Super35 PL-mount cinema zoom lens. Image curtesy of DZOFilm.

DZOFilm Octopus adapters for PL-mount lenses, converting them for use on cameras with E, L, RF and X-mounts. Image courtesy of DZOFilm.

Links

• B&H – DZOFilm lenses
• DZOFilm – website
• DZOFilm – YouTube channel
• DZOFilm Australia – website – lists the DZOFilm cinema zoom lenses as “Linglung” instead of “Pictor”.
• Meike Global – website
• News Shooter – DZOFILM Releases Vespid Full Frame Prime Cinema Lenses in EF and PL
• News Shooter – DZOFILM Octopus Adapters– PL to RF, L, X, E mount
• News Shooter – DZOFILM Pictor Zoom S35 20-55mm T2.8 & 50-125mm T2.8 Review
• Wikipedia – Arri PL

Philip Bloom: Can you TRUST the FUJI X-T4 video AUTOFOCUS? – Commentary

“This isn’t a review of the excellent Fujifilm X-T4 but a detailed look at whether the improved autofocus abilities over the X-T3 get close to the superb AF of the Sony and Canon mirrorless cameras.”

Fujifilm X-T4 with Fujifilm VG-XT4 Vertical Battery grip and Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 R LM OIS kit zoom lens. The battery grip is essential if you need a headphone port for monitoring audio while shooting. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.

Commentary

The “best camera ever made” according to Philip Bloom. ALPA XO Exoskeleton aka cage for Fujifilm GFX 100 medium format camera with ALPA Switar 140mm cinema prime lens. Image courtesy of ALPA.

I came across this video by Philip Bloom while researching recently-released Super 35 video-capable cameras.

Autofocus capabilities of current affordable Super 35 hybrid cameras are a constant subject of discussion online, with different manufacturers achieving various degrees of success with it.

Theoretically all makers of such cameras should be able to achieve near-parity in autofocusing given time and R&D dollars, but there is a question of when and whether all current makers will stay in business until they do.

Having grown up as a photographer and videographer during the analog era before autofocusing cameras and lenses even existed, I have always seen autofocus as something of a luxury and fall back on manual focus and back-button focusing anyway.

Philip Bloom has an obsession with autofocus in video and speaks about it well and in detail.

More substantial grip and better hardware design. Fujifilm X-H1 with VPB-XH1 battery grip and Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR professional zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.

Meanwhile I believe it is a good idea to keep an eye on developments in affordable manual-focus Super 35 prime and zoom lenses that are native to Fujifilm X-mount or that can be adapted.

Keep an eye also on the coming Fujifilm X-H2 professional hybrid camera, successor to the under-rated X-H1, though its arrival may be some time off.

I found the X-H1 much easier to use handheld all day long than the X-T3 and its more hand-friendly design ranks alongside the X-Pro2 for ease of use and of carrying.

As for autofocus on Fujifilm cameras, perhaps the X-H2 may see it come to fruition and match if not beat that in Sony and Canon’s mirrorless cameras, along with new and redesigned Fujinon prime and zoom lenses made for video as much as stills photography.

We can only live in hope.

A “phenomenal” manual focus lens and adapter combo for Fujifilm video

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art EF-mount fast zoom lens can be adapted for a range of Super 35/APS-C cameras or for cameras with larger sensors that can be set to Super 35/APS-C. Image courtesy of Sigma Photo.

Fringer EF-FX Pro II adapter for mounting Canon EF-Mount lenses on Fujifilm X-Mount cameras.

Links

• B&H – Atomos Ninja V 5″ 4K HDMI Recording Monitor
• B&H – DZOFilm cinema zoom lenses for EF-mount or PL-mount cameras and adapters.
• B&H – Fringer EF-FX Pro II Lens Mount Adapter for EF- or EF-S-Mount Lens to Fujifilm X-Mount Camera
• B&H – Fujifilm GF lenses
• B&H – FUJIFILM GFX 100 Medium Format Mirrorless Camera – Philip Bloom refers to this as the best camera ever made.
• B&H – FUJIFILM XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Lens
• B&H – FUJIFILM XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR Lens
• B&H – FUJIFILM MKX18-55mm T2.9 Lens (Fuji X-Mount)
• B&H – Fujinon MK18-55mm and MK50-135mm T2.9 MFT Mount Zoom Lens Bundle
• B&H – FUJIFILM MKX50-135mm T2.9 Lens (Fuji X-Mount)
• B&H –FUJIFILM VG-XT4 Vertical Battery Grip – essential if you need to use headphones to monitor audio on your X-T4.
• B&H – FUJIFILM X-T4 Mirrorless Digital Camera
• B&H – FUJIFILM XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS Lens – While not the most impressive Fujinon lens for stills photography, there have been good reports about its video autofocusing capabilities with the X-T4 running the latest firmware.
• B&H – Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF – This in combination with the Fringer adapter above is often recommended as the best video lens for Fujifilm cameras, even being described as phenomenal.
• B&H – SmallRig Camera Cage for Fujifilm X-T4 with VG-XT4 Vertical Battery Grip
• B&H – Tiltaing Camera Cage Kit A for Fujifilm X-T3 (Tilta Gray) – appears to also work for the Fujifilm X-T4.
• Fuji Rumors – Fujifilm X-T4 Video Autofocus Tested: Can You Trust it? Settings Nightmare, Inconsistency and Which XF Lenses Are Best for It – an excellent summary of major points in Mr Bloom’s video.
• Meike Global – Meike Prime 35mm T2.1 for Super 35 Frame Systems,such as RED Komodo,BMPCC6K,Z CAM S6,Canon C500 and Sony FS5II etc. – first  release of a series of Super 35 lenses with EF or PL mounts for use natively or adapted.
• Philip Bloom – Can you TRUST the FUJI X-T4 video AUTOFOCUS? – video
• Philip Bloom – My Video AUTOFOCUS OBSESSION! – video
• SmallRig – SmallRig Cage for FUJIFILM X-T4 Camera CCF2808
• SmallRig – SmallRig Cage for FUJIFILM X-T4 with VG-XT4 Vertical Battery Grip CCF2810

News Shooter: Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Review (lite)

https://www.newsshooter.com/2019/08/22/blackmagic-design-pocket-cinema-camera-6k-review-lite/

“This is a ‘lite’ review of the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC) 6K. I say lite because there is no way anyone can do a proper, in-depth review of a camera in a few days or even a few weeks. To properly review a camera you need to spend a lot more time with the camera than I have so far….”

Heavily-rigged Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (EF).

Commentary

Paul Leeming of Leeming LUT Pro’s Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K rig ready for shooing a feature movie. Paul says that “
The new Blackmagic Pocket 6K is a game changer. This truly is the realisation of 6K for $6K 😮 Lens aside, this setup cost less than $6K, and for that you have a full Super35, RAW 6K shooting package with batteries, rigging, timecode sync, follow focus, monitor/recorder and more. Just nuts!”

Australian cinematographer Matthew Allard ACS of video industry bible News Shooter has just published a lengthy, in-depth though “lite” hands-on practical review of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and it makes for useful reading especially for those who own a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and are considering replacing it with its Super 35 sibling.

Blackmagic Design has pulled one out of the hat with both cameras, making them the currently most affordable cinema cameras, but not without a number of compromises.

Mr Allard has the longterm experience as an on-location news and documentary cinematographer working around the globe to write well-qualified reviews like this one and I look forward to the non-lite version of this review for even more invaluable insights.

Meanwhile Australian cinematographer/director Paul Leeming has obtained his own BMPCC 6K and as a seasoned BMPCC 4K owner is even better qualified to opine on both cameras.

Australian cinematographer/director Paul Leeming of Leeming LUT Pro in footage from his Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. NOTE: this is an uncompressed still frame from the BMPCC 6K and so will take a little while to download on some Internet connections.

These are some of Paul’s initial thoughts on the BMPCC 6K:

Let me say right off the bat, this camera is going to be my A cam simply for the fact that there’s no Speed Booster glass to degrade your lens!!! No matter how good the Speed Boosters are from Metabones (and the new BMPCC4K one is quite good), it just can’t hold a candle to the quality of the lens on a native mount. Not to mention that the 6K is smooth and sharp across the entire frame, and downscaling that to 4K is going to give incredibly clean images. Look into the very corners of this frame and you can clearly see the benefits.

This still only has my Blackmagic V4 1.5 LUT applied, plus a small amount (25%) chroma noise reduction done in Resolve to get rid of some of the tiny BRAW fringe issues that that format seems to have. Hopefully, being their own format, they will eventually figure out how to do that better without NR being required. The clip was shot 6K at Q5 quality.

Some out of the box things I like – the screen is more neutral (second gen I’m guessing, same as the later 4K’s) and I like the locking body cap which I haven’t seen anyone mention before anywhere.

Paul shared some notes on the rig illustrated above:

• [Blackmagic] Pocket [Cinema Camera] 6K
• 8Sinn Pocket 4K cage, rod riser and handle
• Shoot35 Cine Follow Focus
• Ultrasync One timecode generator/receiver
• Atomos Ninja V 4K monitor/recorder
• Smallrig arm for Ninja V
• Hawk-Woods Mini V-Lok 98Whr battery and plate
• Sigma FF Cine 50mm T1.5 prime lens (EF mount)
• Samsung T5 SSD 1TB

Links

• Leeming LUT Pro – “Leeming LUT Pro™ is the world’s first unified, corrective Look Up Table ( LUT ) system for supported cameras, designed to maximise dynamic range, fix skin tones, remove unwanted colour casts and provide an accurate Rec709 starting point for further creative colour grading.”
• News Shooter – Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Review (lite)

Help support ‘Untitled’

Clicking on the links and purchasing through them for our affiliate accounts at Adorama, Alien Skin, B&H Photo Video, Skylum, SmallRig or Think Tank Photo helps us continue our work for ‘Unititled’.

• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (Canon EF) – B&H

PhotoJoseph: LIVE UNBOXING: LUMIX 10-25mm f/1.7!! + Live Q&A

*my precious*…  itshereitshereitshere!! (And the ONLY reason I’m not unboxing it before the show is because I HAVE to finish something else first… and if I open this box… GAME OVER)

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 Aspheric wide to standard zoom lens, equivalent in 35mm sensor terms to 20mm to 50mm, excellent for documentary moviemaking and stills photography.

Commentary

“Five prime lenses in one”, stated a Japanese Panasonic executive when announcing the unique Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 Aspheric onstage a while back and I am hoping he was right about that.

If Panasonic has managed to achieve top-end prime lens quality and lack of optical distortion right throughout the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 Aspheric’s focal length range, especially at its wide end, I will be well-pleased.

Lenses equally useful for stills and video work need to permit attaching screw-in fixed and variable neutral density filters and protective UV filters, which this lens permits via its 77mm filter diameter, easily stepped up to 82mm via a step-up ring such as the excellent knurled brass step-up rings made by Breakthrough Photography.

Ultra-wideangle lenses need to be distortion-free when tracking subjects walking through cityscapes and interiors packed with parallel horizontal lines to avoid the sometimes comical but mostly annoying, visually cloying, effect of those horizontals bending and unbending as the camera follows the figure.

Shudder.

Cameralab’s review of the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 Aspheric seems to indicate some degree of barrel distortion but I want to see more analysis and examples of the lens at its wide end, especially when shooting amongst skyscrapers and interiors.

I look forward to PhotoJoseph and other well-qualified reviewers looking into this soon.

Links

• Cameralabs – Leica DG 10-25mm f1.7 review
• PhotoJoseph – LIVE UNBOXING: LUMIX 10-25mm f/1.7!! + Live Q&A – video
• Wikipedia – Distortion (optics)

Help support ‘Untitled’

Clicking on the links and purchasing through them for our affiliate accounts at Adorama, Alien Skin, B&H Photo Video, Skylum, SmallRig or Think Tank Photo helps us continue our work for ‘Unititled’.

• Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens – B&H

Blackmagic Design Shares Downloadable Movies and Camera Original Files from Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and 4K

Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty continues to make good on his promise for professional-quality moviemaking to become accessible and affordable for all who want it and has raised the bar even higher with his surprise announcement of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and its Super 35 sensor and even more firmware and hardware features than its older sibling the Super 16 sensor-equipped Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. 

The affordability and cinematic feature-film quality achievable with the raw-shooting BMPCC 6K and BMPCC 4K and their associated editing and colour grading software package DaVinci Resolve have bumped high-quality moviemaking out of the longtime death-grip of the rich WASP boys’ club into the hands of self-funded independent documentarians like myself and I am beyond chuffed at this excellent development. 

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K comes with Canon EF-mount for the vast array of Canon and other brand cinema and stills photography lenses out there and supplements the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K’s Micro Four Thirds mount that accepts M43 and adapted larger sensor format lenses.

Blackmagic Design’s Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K with Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM lens.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera rigged for heavy-duty moviemaking.

In order to demonstrate the high quality, similarities and differences between the two cameras’ output, Blackmagic Design is sharing a number of movies in various genres at its Workflow and Gallery pages, with the files viewable in-page or downloadable as camera original files and finished products.

Blackmagic Design’s absence from the recent SMPTE Australia METexpo conference and trade show in Sydney was disappointing but the announcement and imminent release of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K takes some of the edge off that.

Priced at US$2,495.00 compared to the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K’s US$1,295.00, the BMPCC 6K is the most affordable cinema camera in its class with both BMPCC models usable stripped-down and handheld as well as heavily rigged and tripod or gimbal-mounted for Hollywood quality feature film production of documentary and narrative movies.

What next for Blackmagic Design and its noble quest to make high-end moviemaking accessible to the rest of us?

Perhaps Grant Petty might consider creating a second version of the BMPCC 6K with a shorter lens flange depth and a set of adapters permitting attaching a broader range of lenses such as those made by Fujifilm, Nikon and more.

Fujifilm’s Fujinon lenses are of particular interest given that Fujifilm’s X-mount cameras use APS-C/Super 35 sensors, the same size as the one in the BMPCC 6K.

Fujifilm X-T3 with Fujifilm VG-XT3 Vertical Battery Grip and Fujinon MKX 18-55mm T2.9 cinema zoom lens. Imagine a possible variable-mount adapter version of the BMPCC 6K allowing for use of other mount lenses such as X-mount cinema lenses like this and the very affordable X-mount MicroPrime cinema lenses made by SLR Magic.

Fujifilm’s Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9 and MK 50-135mm T2.9 cinema zoom lenses would be terrific to use natively with the BMPCC 6K as would SLR Magic’s X-mount MicroPrimes which now come in 12mm, 15mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm focal lengths.

Imagine ever-increasing numbers of hybrid photography and video shooters relying on Fujifilm XF cameras and X-mount lenses for stills work then being able to use the same lenses on a possible future variable-mount BMPCC 6K camera.

It seems unlikely that Fujifilm would provide raw video capability on its cameras any time soon, whether via Apple ProRes Raw or Blackmagic Design’s BRAW, but Fujifilm and Blackmagic Design cameras would complement each other nicely if the latter takes up this suggestion.

Adapted lenses have their pros and cons given the variable feature sets and quality of currently available third-party adapters, but the BMPCC 6K now makes Sigma’s Canon EF-mount 18-55mm and 50-100mm zoom lenses even more appealing in their stills and cinema versions.

Pity Metabones has not seen fit to make an EF-to-X-mount Smart Adapter and a Speed Booster given the proven quality of their other adapter offerings, and the reason remains a mystery given the high potential market for them.

The same thoughts above apply to the short flange distance L-mount lenses made by Sigma, Panasonic and Leica – imagine being able to use them on a possible BMPCC 6K variant as well as L-mount cameras.

Links

• Blackmagic Design – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
• Blackmagic Design – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera: Gallery
• Blackmagic Design – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera: Workflow
• Metabones – Fujifilm X/G Mount – at time of writing only lists Canon FD Lens to Fuji X adapter and Canon FD to Fuji X Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x. The Canon FD lens range includes some excellent prime and zoom lenses that remain suitable for contemporary use in manual focussing and are being bought up by those in the know but it would be good to be able to adapt current electronic-only Canon lenses to Fujifilm cameras.
• Metabones – Metabones® Introduces a New Series of Speed Booster® for BMPCC 4K Camera – for BMPCC 4K

Help support ‘Untitled’

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art zoom lens for APS-C sensors and for adapting to M43 with Metabones SpeedBoosters, lens available in Canon EF or Nikon mounts. This Super 35 lens may be a great choice for the Super 35 BMPCC 6K unadapted, and for use on the BMPCC 4K adapted with the recently-released Metabones SpeedBooster for BMPCC 4K.

Clicking on the links and purchasing through them for our affiliate accounts at Adorama, Alien Skin, B&H Photo Video, Skylum, SmallRig or Think Tank Photo helps us continue our work for ‘Unititled’.

• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – B&H
• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (Canon EF) – B&H
• Canon EF mount lenses – B&H
• Fujinon MK18-55mm T2.9 cinema zoom lens – B&H
• Fujinon MK50-135mm T2.9 cinema zoom lens – B&H
• L-mount lenses – B&H
• Metabones lens adapters – B&H
• Micro Four Thirds mount lenses – B&H
• Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF – B&H
• Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF – B&H
• SLR Magic MicroPrime ciné lenses – B&H

James Miller’s DELUTS Releases DELUTS Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Creative Looks

https://sellfy.com/p/gg0m/

“DELUTS BMPCC4K Creative Looks, Base transforms for use with Blackmagic ‘Film’ profile for use with BRAW and ProRes.

75 Luts designed for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (This set is also compatable with Blackmagic Ursa Mini 4.6k & Blackmagic Ursa Mini 4.6k Pro using ‘Film’ profile)

• 4 Base Tranforms when working with the Blackmagic Film profile.
• 9 Monotone Creative Looks
• 62 Colour Creative Looks

Davinci Resolve Legacy .cube format Luts. For use in FCPx (Version 4 or Higher), Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Adobe Photoshop, Davinci Resolve and many more supporting applications.

Luts supplied in x64, x33 and x17 resolution. Use x64 for Davinci Resolve, x33 for FCPx and limited adjustment layers with Adobe Premiere CC, x17 for Adobe Premiere CC general use….”

James Miller’s DELUTS Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Creative LUTs for use with Blackmagic raw aka BRAW and Blackmagic camera film profiles.

Commentary

Director/cinematographer James Miller creates and sells creative looks LUTs under the DELUTS brand, and supplies to moviemakers looking for fast, efficient ways of adding strong, emotive looks to their footage.

Mr Miller’s latest DELUTS release is aimed at users of Blackmagic Design’s Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K aka BMPCC 4K, as well as other cameras using Blackmagic Design’s Blackmagic RAW raw video codec such as the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro.

Links

• DELUTS
• DELUTS – @sellfy.com
• James Miller – Vimeo channel
• Miller Creative

Help support ‘Untitled’

Sony 128GB M-Series UHS-II SDXC Memory Cards 2-Pack, R: 260 MB/s, W: 100 MB/s

Clicking on the links below and purchasing through them or our affiliate accounts at B&H Photo Video, SmallRig or Think Tank Photo helps us continue our work for ‘Untitled’.

• 8Sinn cages – B&H
• Angelbird 256GBGB Match Pack (2 x 128GB) – B&H
• Angelbird AtomX SSDmini (1TB) – B&H
• Atomos Ninja V 5″ 4K HDMI Recording Monitor – B&H
• Atomos Handle Adapter for AtomX SSDmini (5-Pack) – B&H
• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – B&H
• Blackmagic Design Mini XLR Cable for Video Assist/4K (Set of 2, 19.5″) – B&H
• Breakthrough Photography – B&H – the finest brass traction-framed ND, UV and CPL filters as well as the best step-up rings (sadly only sold direct on the company’s own website at present).
• CFast 2.0 memory cards – B&H
• Chiaro Premium UV Protection Filters – B&H
• G-Technology Atomos Master Caddy 4K – B&H
• LockCircle cages and accessories – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H
• Samsung T5 Portable Solid-State Drive – B&H
• SmallRig cages – B&H
• Sony 128GB M Series UHS-II SDXC Memory Card Kit (2-Pack) – B&H

Blackmagic Design: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K ‘Balloons’ [Extreme outdoors lighting test, by Andreas Neumann]

“Andreas Neumann talks about using the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K for the first time. ‘Balloons’ is Andreas’ extreme lighting test as he constantly shoots directly into the sun, wide open. ‘Balloons’ documents the camera’s performance from 5am in the morning into the height of the midday sun.

“I shot this test at Temecula in California, shooting from dawn until midday. This was a challenging environment for any camera, because I was constantly shooting into the light, or with the sun directly behind people’s faces. The detail I got was incredible. You can see everything reflecting in my wife’s Chanel glasses. You can actually see reflections off the ground, the balloon above, and the sky in the background. The camera really did capture everything I was seeing. I love shooting directly into the light wide open, and with this camera you could safely do that. I was totally amazed at what the micro four thirds sensor could handle. It seemed like the same quality as the URSA Mini Pro with the full sensor. I was also very surprised at how well the back-screen performed in bright sunlight, where I could truly see every detail.”“

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K with Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro standard zoom lens and mini-XLR-to-XLR audio cable for attaching XLR microphones, mounted on Benro Aero 4 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit. Mini-XLR cable is made by Blackmagic Design for their Video Assist monitor/recorder but is also great for connecting XLR microphones to the BMPCC 4K, product code HYPERD/AXLRMINI2.

Commentary

The footage keeps on coming as US moviemaker Andreas Neumann shows off the low-angle, low-level lighting capability of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K aka BMPCC 4K with this video shot with Rokinon 24, 50 and 80mm cinema prime lenses.

Links

• 8Sinn – Supported Cameras – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
• Lock Circle – Hipock, the Pocket 4K Camera Cage 
• News Shooter – Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – ‘Models walking in daylight’
• News Shooter – First official video from the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K released
• Olympus Global – M.Zuiko Pro
• SmallRig – SmallRig Cage for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K 2203

Image Credits

Header image concept and hack by Carmel D. Morris.

Help support ‘Untitled’

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 Pro, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro and Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 Pro professional prime lenses with manual clutch focusing, brilliant for shooting video or stills where accurate focus is absolutely critical.

Clicking on these affiliate links and purchasing through them helps us continue our work for ‘Untitled: Stories of Creativity, Innovation, Success’.

• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – B&H
• Blackmagic Design Mini XLR Cable for Video Assist/4K (Set of 2, 19.5″) – B&H
• Breakthrough Photography – B&H – the finest brass traction-framed ND, UV and CPL filters as well as the best step-up rings (sadly only sold direct on the company’s own website at present).
• Chiaro Premium UV Protection Filters – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H
• Rokinon Cinema Prime Lenses – B&H

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K ‘Models Walking at Night’ [Second clip from the BMPCC 4K with skin tones, by John Brawley]

“John Brawley shares his experiences with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. ‘Models Walking at Night’ is his second camera test where he was checking out the camera’s higher dynamic range and color accuracy.

“What I wanted to achieve was to test the dynamic range, but to still come up with some really great looking images. Having that higher dynamic range and a high bit depth file, means you have a lot of wriggle-room to correct anything that needs to be balanced. This extra range lets you manage and massage the image to get you into a really nice place. You’re not fighting the codec or the dynamic range of the camera.”

“The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K gives you a ton of options. If you want to take it warmer, darker or cooler, you now have so much latitude in terms of dynamic range and depth of color. With this camera you just have so much extra choice, because you can take the image whereever you want. And that’s the truly great thing about having such a vibrant and high precision image!”“

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K with Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro standard zoom lens and mini-XLR-to-XLR audio cable for attaching XLR microphones, mounted on Benro Aero 4 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit. Mini-XLR cable is made by Blackmagic Design for their Video Assist monitor/recorder but is also great for connecting XLR microphones to the BMPCC 4K, product code HYPERD/AXLRMINI2.

Commentary

This is the second in a series of three videos by Australian Director of Photography John Brawley that explore some of the capabilities of Australian-based Blackmagic Design’s Blackmagic Pockets Cinema Camera 4K, due for release sometime later this year.

Mr Brawley is an exponent of the benefits of shooting video in Micro Four Thirds, and has an extensive collection of Olympus M43 lenses.

In this series of videos, he is using various lenses from the Olympus M.Zuiko Pro collection to great effect, not so hard to do given the manual clutch focus mechanism on these lenses for easier focus pulling and pinpoint manual focus accuracy.

Links

• 8Sinn – Supported Cameras – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
• Lock Circle – Hipock, the Pocket 4K Camera Cage 
• News Shooter – Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – ‘Models walking in daylight’
• News Shooter – First official video from the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K released
• Olympus Global – M.Zuiko Pro
• SmallRig – SmallRig Cage for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K 2203

Image Credits

Header image concept and hack by Carmel D. Morris.

Help support ‘Untitled’

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 Pro, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro and Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 Pro professional prime lenses with manual clutch focusing, brilliant for shooting video or stills where accurate focus is absolutely critical.

Clicking on the links below and purchasing through them or our affiliate accounts at B&H Photo Video, SmallRig or Think Tank Photo helps us continue our work for ‘Untitled’.

• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – B&H
• Blackmagic Design Mini XLR Cable for Video Assist/4K (Set of 2, 19.5″) – B&H
• Breakthrough Photography – B&H – the finest brass traction-framed ND, UV and CPL filters as well as the best step-up rings (sadly only sold direct on the company’s own website at present).
• Chiaro Premium UV Protection Filters – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H

Blackmagic Design: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K ‘Models Walking in Daylight’ [First footage from the BMPCC 4K with skin tones, by John Brawley]

“John Brawley talks about the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K for the first time. ‘Models Walking in Daylight’ is his first camera test where he checked out the camera’s ability to handle different skin tones.

“The whole point to this daylight test was to see how the camera handled skin tones. We were shooting these scenes later in the afternoon, so I was at ISO1000 or 1250, so it was at the lower ISO for this camera. I understand this gives more in dynamic range, so you have a little bit more highlight-headroom there. When I look at those shots now, I am really impressed at how good the dynamic range is. It is great to see all of that detail I was seeing was actually captured in those shots.”

“I don’t think people realize how easy it is to make things look cinematic with Micro Four Thirds! I know that there are a lot of people who like that 35mm full frame look, but it’s still very easy to get images with an out of focus background with the Micro Four Thirds sensor. I found it a great 4K sensor and really good compromise for a small camera that still gets really, really good looking pictures.”“

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K with Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro standard zoom lens and mini-XLR-to-XLR audio cable for attaching XLR microphones, mounted on Benro Aero 4 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit. Mini-XLR cable is made by Blackmagic Design for their Video Assist monitor/recorder but is also great for connecting XLR microphones to the BMPCC 4K, product code HYPERD/AXLRMINI2.

Commentary

This is the first in a series of three videos by Australian Director of Photography John Brawley that explore some of the capabilities of Australian-based Blackmagic Design’s Blackmagic Pockets Cinema Camera 4K, due for release sometime later this year.

Mr Brawley is an exponent of the benefits of shooting video in Micro Four Thirds, and has an extensive collection of Olympus M43 lenses.

In this series of videos, he is using various lenses from the Olympus M.Zuiko Pro collection to great effect, not so hard to do given the manual clutch focus mechanism on these lenses for easier focus pulling and pinpoint manual focus accuracy.

Links

• 8Sinn – Supported Cameras – Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
• Lock Circle – Hipock, the Pocket 4K Camera Cage 
• News Shooter – Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – ‘Models walking in daylight’
• News Shooter – First official video from the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K released
• Olympus Global – M.Zuiko Pro
• SmallRig – SmallRig Cage for Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K 2203

Image Credits

Header image concept and hack by Carmel D. Morris.

Help support ‘Untitled’

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 Pro, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro and Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 Pro professional prime lenses with manual clutch focusing, brilliant for shooting video or stills where accurate focus is absolutely critical.

Clicking on these affiliate links and purchasing through them helps us continue our work for ‘Untitled: Stories of Creativity, Innovation, Success’.

• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – B&H
• Blackmagic Design Mini XLR Cable for Video Assist/4K (Set of 2, 19.5″) – B&H
• Breakthrough Photography – B&H – the finest brass traction-framed ND, UV and CPL filters as well as the best step-up rings (sadly only sold direct on the company’s own website at present).
• Chiaro Premium UV Protection Filters – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 PRO Lens – B&H
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO Lens – B&H