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21 Nov 201809:32

TLDRIn this video, Josh Yeo takes the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K on a vacation to Maui, showcasing its capabilities and modifications for optimal performance. Despite its challenges with low light focusing and battery life, the camera impresses with its 12-bit 4K 60p raw recording, making it a powerful yet affordable option for aspiring filmmakers. Yeo's creative hacks and insights into using the camera for various scenarios highlight its potential as a first film camera, offering great value for its price.

Takeaways

  • 📸 The Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K offers 12-bit 4K 60p raw recording capabilities for $1,300.
  • 🔧 To achieve better balance on a gimble, modifications like adding a cheese plate are necessary due to the camera's football shape.
  • 💰 An AngelBird 256GB cfast two card is recommended for optimal performance, costing around $350, while a 500GB SSD can be used for external recording via USB.
  • 🚫 High bit rate recording, such as 4K 60P at 12 bit raw, results in short recording times before buffer overheating.
  • 🔋 A security battery bank can be soldered for extended power, but this voids the warranty and requires a 12-volt battery with three amps or more.
  • 🔋 A USB-C port allows for battery charging while recording externally, but a special power plug is needed for this setup.
  • 🎥 The camera's low light capabilities are good, but manual focus is required in low light conditions.
  • 🎞️ The camera's price point, included software (DaVinci Resolve Studio), and performance make it an excellent choice for aspiring filmmakers.
  • 🔄 Despite its affordability, the camera's reliability and autofocus system do not match professional-grade cameras like the 1DX mark two.
  • 🎁 The camera includes a 1975 VW bus upgrade, metaphorically speaking, as it significantly enhances filmmaking capabilities at a fraction of the cost of higher-end equipment.
  • 🎬 The overall verdict is that the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a powerful tool for creatives, offering professional quality at an accessible price.

Q & A

  • What is the price of the camera mentioned in the script?

    -The camera mentioned in the script costs $1,300.

  • What type of video format does the camera shoot in?

    -The camera shoots 12-bit 4K 60p raw video format.

  • What is the main purpose of the trip to Maui mentioned in the script?

    -The main purpose of the trip to Maui is to take the soon-to-be wife on a vacation and test out the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.

  • What modification is suggested for the camera to improve its balance on a gimbal?

    -Adding a cheese plate on the bottom of the camera is suggested to improve its balance on a gimbal.

  • What are the two memory card options discussed in the script?

    -The two memory card options discussed are an AngelBird 256 Gig CFast 2 card for about $350 and a 500 Gig SSD for $110 that can record externally via the USB port.

  • How long can the camera record continuously at the highest bit rate before overheating?

    -At the highest bit rate of 4K 60P at 12 bit raw, the camera can record for about 15 seconds before the buffer overheats and it shuts down.

  • How does the script suggest extending the camera's recording time with the SSD?

    -By mounting the SSD directly into the crane and using a shorter USB-C cable, the camera can record for up to 26 minutes.

  • What is the proposed solution for extended battery life while recording externally?

    -The proposed solution is to use a 12-volt security battery bank that requires soldering, but this voids the warranty.

  • What is the main drawback of the camera in low light situations?

    -In low light situations, the camera's one-touch auto focus has difficulty focusing, and manual focus is required.

  • How does the script suggest ensuring focus on oneself for vlogging without a flip screen or face tracking?

    -The script suggests using an ordinary fishing line attached to the camera and to one's big toe, then hitting the zoom in for sharp focus, as a hack to ensure focus on oneself for vlogging.

  • What is the final verdict on the camera after a week of shooting?

    -The final verdict is that the camera is incredible, packing an amazing punch for its price point, and it should be the first camera for every aspiring filmmaker due to its value and capabilities.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Unveiling the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

The paragraph introduces the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, highlighting its capabilities to shoot 12-bit 4K 60p raw footage. It discusses the need for modifications to achieve a fully automatic setup, the camera's unique shape which resembles a football, and the challenges of balancing it on a gimble. The script also covers the use of a $12 cheese plate for mounting options, the AngelBird 256 Gig cfast two card, and the possibility of recording externally via a USB port using a 500 Gig SSD. The limitations of continuous recording at high bit rates are mentioned, along with solutions for extended recording times. The script then discusses power solutions, including a 12-volt battery bank and the risks of voiding the warranty with DIY modifications. The segment concludes with preparations for a trip to Maui to test the camera extensively.

05:01

🌟 Testing the Limits of the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

This paragraph delves into the camera's performance during a trip to Maui. It compares the 12-bit raw color depth to the 8-bit of the 1DX mark two, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness and dazzling color depth at a fraction of the price. The camera's low light capabilities are tested, with acceptable noise levels at various ISO settings. However, the manual focus requirement in low light is noted. The script humorously addresses the camera's limitations for vlogging without a flip screen or face tracking, offering a creative hack using a fishing line. The paragraph concludes with the user's overall positive impressions of the camera after a week of shooting, its reliability, and its suitability for aspiring filmmakers. The inclusion of Davinci resolve studio with its own denoiser is highlighted, making the camera a compelling choice for its price.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

The Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a compact and powerful digital film camera designed for professional video production. It is noted for its ability to shoot high-quality 4K footage at 60 frames per second in raw format, offering extensive color grading possibilities. In the video, the camera is the central equipment being tested and discussed, with its features and performance being the main focus.

💡12-bit 4K 60p raw

The term '12-bit 4K 60p raw' refers to a high-resolution video format with a frame rate of 60 frames per second, captured in a raw, uncompressed data format. '12-bit' indicates the color depth, which means the camera can capture a wide range of color information, providing more flexibility in post-production color grading. This feature is significant in the video as it is one of the selling points of the camera being reviewed, allowing for high-quality, detailed video capture.

💡Gimble

A gimble is a device used to stabilize a camera during movement, ensuring smooth and shake-free footage. In the context of the video, the presenter discusses the challenges of balancing the camera on a gimble due to its unique shape but mentions a solution involving a cheese plate for better compatibility. This highlights the importance of gimbal stability in video production and the practical considerations when using specific camera models.

💡Memory Cards

Memory cards are data storage devices used in cameras to hold recorded video and photo files. In the video, the presenter discusses the use of an AngelBird 256 Gig CFast 2.0 card and a 500 Gig SSD for external recording via the camera's USB port. These memory cards are crucial for capturing high-quality footage, especially when shooting in high bit rates like 4K 60P at 12-bit raw, which requires high-speed and high-capacity storage solutions.

💡Buffer Overheat

Buffer overheat refers to a situation where the camera's buffer memory, which temporarily stores data before it's written to the memory card, becomes too hot due to the high volume of data being processed. This can lead to the camera shutting down to prevent damage. In the video, the presenter mentions that recording at the highest bit rate will cause the buffer to overheat and shut down after about 15 seconds, emphasizing the need for external recording solutions to manage the data load.

💡USB-C

USB-C is a type of USB connector that is used for data transfer, charging, and video output. It is a newer, reversible design that is becoming standard on many devices. In the video, the presenter discusses using a USB-C cable for both charging the camera and for external recording to an SSD. This highlights the versatility of the USB-C port in facilitating various functions essential for video production.

💡Battery Life

Battery life refers to the amount of time a device can operate before its battery needs to be recharged. In the context of the video, the presenter is concerned with the camera's battery life during extended shooting sessions and explores solutions such as using a battery bank and a 12-volt power source to extend the recording time. This is crucial for filmmakers who need reliable power sources to capture continuous footage without interruptions.

💡Vlogging

Vlogging, short for video blogging, is the creation and sharing of video content typically hosted on YouTube or other social media platforms. In the video, the presenter discusses the camera's suitability for vlogging, noting that without a flip screen or face tracking, it may not be ideal for this purpose. This highlights the importance of specific features like a flip screen for easy self-recording, which is essential for vloggers.

💡Low Light Capabilities

Low light capabilities refer to a camera's ability to capture clear and detailed images in conditions with insufficient lighting. In the video, the presenter tests the camera's performance in low light situations, mentioning that manual focus is required and that the camera's ISO can be increased to 12,800 without significant noise, maintaining image quality. This is important for filmmakers who may need to shoot in a variety of lighting conditions.

💡DaVinci Resolve Studio

DaVinci Resolve Studio is a professional video editing software that offers advanced color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production tools. In the video, it is mentioned that the Black Magic camera includes DaVinci Resolve Studio, which has its own denoiser feature. This inclusion is significant as it provides filmmakers with a comprehensive post-production solution to enhance their footage further, making the camera an even more attractive option for aspiring filmmakers.

💡Learning Curve

A learning curve refers to the process of acquiring new skills or knowledge, which typically involves a period of struggle or difficulty before one becomes proficient. In the context of the video, the presenter mentions that there is a learning curve associated with the Black Magic camera, suggesting that users may need time and practice to fully utilize its features and capabilities. This is an important consideration for potential buyers, as it implies an investment of time and effort to master the camera.

Highlights

The Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K offers 12-bit 4K 60p raw video capabilities for $1,300.

The camera's unique football shape makes it slightly difficult to balance on a gimble but is manageable with modifications.

A $12 cheese plate can be added to the camera for versatile mounting options with design crane or Ronin-S mounting plate.

An AngelBird 256 Gig cfast two card or a 500 Gig SSD for $110 can be used for recording, with the latter requiring external recording via USB port.

At the highest bit rate, 4K 60P at 12 bit raw, the camera can only record for about 15 seconds before overheating.

An SSD can extend recording time to 26 minutes, significantly improving upon the camera's internal recording limitations.

A shorter USB-C cable can be used for a cleaner setup when recording externally.

The camera's battery life can be extended by using a 12-volt power source or a security battery bank with soldering, although this voids the warranty.

The camera can tap into a 12-volt battery that outputs three amps or more for extended recording and charging.

A DIY approach to mounting the battery on the camera using 1/4 inch 20 spacers and glue can be employed for convenience.

The camera's low light capabilities are good, but manual focus is required in low light conditions.

A creative hack using a fishing line attached to the camera and the user's toe can help with manual focus in vlogging situations.

The camera's price point of $1,200 makes it an excellent choice for aspiring filmmakers looking for a powerful tool for their first film.

Despite its low cost, investing in good quality glass like a Leica 42.5 lens with image stabilization and fast aperture is recommended for optimal performance.

The camera includes DaVinci Resolve Studio, which has its own denoiser, making it an attractive option for post-production.

While the camera competes with higher-end models like the 1DX, it does not replace them due to differences in reliability and autofocus capabilities.

The camera's learning curve is noted, but its value for the price and the features it offers makes it a standout choice for filmmakers.

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