Reddit reviews LCD4Video Viewfinder Sunhood for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
We found 4 Reddit comments about LCD4Video Viewfinder Sunhood for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Let me know if you're still looking to purchase a BMPCC. I purchased two units for a shoot and ended up just using one. I'm keeping the camera I used, since I love it so much and can sell you the second one, which is brand-new and factory sealed.
With that said, here are my 2 cents regarding the BMPCC.
While the camera body itself will fall into your $2,300 budget, be ready to spend some extra money on additional items (i.e.: extra batteries, sd cards, lenses, nd filter, cage/rig., speed booster, sun shade/monitor/viewfinder, etc.)
I. BATTERIES: These things eat up batteries. A fully charged battery can last anywhere from 30-50 minutes, depending on your camera settings and whether or not you leave the camera on standby or turn it on/off between takes. So, if you're planning on a full day's shoot, and have no access to run the camera off the AC adapter, be sure to have plenty of batteries on hand. Luckily, the batteries run about $10-$15 each, depending on the brand. Your other option is utilizing a battery pack solution, like the one seen here: BMPCC Battery Pack Solution. This is just one of very many examples out there, for a battery pack option.
II. SD CARDS: While the camera produces a great image and 13 stops of dynamic range, it comes at a cost of taking up a good amount of card and hard drive space, especially if you plan on filming RAW. On a 64GB card you will get around 16 minutes of runtime in RAW. So, depending on your filming situation, you need to have enough cards on hand, just like the batteries. If RAW isn't necessary for your shoots, then you can always use their ProRes options, which will take up less card space and give you more recording time, on different card speeds. Just be sure to check their website to see compatible cards, you can't just throw in any SD card. I've been using SanDisk's 64GB SDXC Memory Card Extreme Pro Class 10 UHS-I 95 MB/s, and haven't experienced any issues [i.e.: dropped frames in ProRes/RAW] thus far. This particular card can run anywhere from $90+ each, which can add up quickly. Just like the battery pack solution, you can purchase an external recorder, such as the Atmos Ninja 2.
III. AUDIO: The on-board microphone is unusable for production. It should basically be used as a reference point. The best way would be to get separate audio through an audio recorder and microphone, then sync in post.
IV. LENSES/FILTERS/BOOSTER: The camera utilizes a Micro-4/3 mount. If you already own Canon or Nikon lenses from your DSLR, just purchase an adapter. There's also a crop factor of 2.88x on the camera, a Speed Booster, such as the one from Metabones, reduces the crop factor to 1.75x and gives about an extra stop on the aperture.
Other optional accessories: ND Filters
V. LIGHTING/NOISE/ASA: From my experience, the camera loves light and doesn't do too well in low-light situations compared to DSLR's. You can apply noise reduction in post, but be aware with low-lit scenes.
VI. SUNSHADE/EXT. MONITOR/LCDVF: If you're planning to film outside in the sun, the LCD screen on the BMPCC is extremely hard to see. A sunshade (i.e.: LCD4Video), external monitor (i.e.: smallHD) or an LCD viewfinder (i.e.: Zacuto, Kinotehnik) is a must.
VII. STABILIZATION: With the 2.88x crop factor, the camera's sensor and it's body's shape and size, going handheld isn't recommended, even though you can use an IS lens and apply stabilization in post. Be prepared to use a tripod/monopod/stabilized rig./etc.
VIII: POST-PRODUCTION [WORKFLOW, COLOR CORRECTION]: With it's flat profile in film mode, be prepared to invest time with color correction to achieve the look you want. LUTS are very helpful as a starting point in this situation and Davinci Resolve Lite is a great program to learn, plus it's free.
IX. SETBACKS & ISSUES: Many people have had issues with the camera, straight out of the box, mainly with hot pixels, which I experienced with my first order and was fine with my second. Whether it's a firmware issue or a bad batch, just be aware that this camera isn't 100% with it's current version. From what I understand, basically all units will have hot/stuck pixels when the settings are at its highest ISO and shutter angle, but you should probably not be filming in those settings to begin with.
X. FINAL THOUGHTS: This little camera produces a stunning image with the appropriate filming and color correction applied. It's small body makes it easy for me to be less noticeable when trying to film discreetly, as opposed to my geared up DSLR setup. Of course adding attachments to the BMPCC will add bulk, but for my light setup, this isn't the case. With the free DaVinci Resolve Lite software and its low price point, it's an awesome camera in my opinion.
Hope that helps.
Let me play devil's advocate for a minute on the idea that "You sure picked a tough camera to learn on". I actually think the BMPCC is one of the easier cameras to get great images out of, due to it's massive dynamic range. If you're shooting outdoors, or anywhere there's decent light, with a native Micro Four Thirds lens like the Panny 14-42 you recommended, it's hard to screw it up. All you really need to do is use the iris and focus buttons. The iris button will stop down until nothing's over 100%, and although the focus button can hunt around quite a bit, it will usually get there. Besides, the focus peaking is pretty good for manual focus.
Forget about shooting raw at first. Shoot film gamma to ProRes LT or higher, 180 degree shutter, ISO 800. If you're "in the film industry", you'll probably be aware that all footage needs some basic color grading at a minimum. This is especially true for the Pocket. Use the Three Way Color Corrector in your editor, crank the saturation and contrast WAAAAY up, add a sharpening filter, and I think you'll be surprised at how fantastic the footage looks from this little cam.
BTW, the Pocket's screen is practically useless in sunlight, so at the minimum get a cheap $20 hood, and then eventually you'll want to graduate to a nice $200 loupe so you can really see what you're shooting.
I bought one of my Micro Four Thirds lenses used from KEH, and I can recommend them highly. Right now, you can pick up that Panny 14-42mm lens in excellent condition for around $90.
Sooner or later, you may want a zoom lens that is faster and doesn't change exposure when you zoom (like the 14-45, which is f3.5 at the wide end, and f5.6 at the telephoto end). If you want to go all out with a single lens that will work in the widest variety of situations, you might end up with the Panny 12-35mm at a constant f2.8. But it's a bit pricey. Ask around if anyone you know has an old Bolex 16mm camera. Many of those old C-mount prime lenses are very, very good, are a good size fit for the pocket, and mount with a simple, cheap adapter.
I look at the Pocket a lot like a digital version of a Bolex. It's the closest you can get to shooting Super-16mm film, and you can even use the same old lenses - hah! Except, instead of burning through expensive film and processing, you wipe the SD card and start again. I say learn the right way, and make owning the Pocket your own personal film school.
Hi /u/indieforge - congrats on the new BMPCC! I started out with a T2i and I think you're going to love the image quality you can get from this camera.
Since you already have a handle on the battery and storage issues, you have a head start on most folks who have made this transition.
Two other issues that you're probably aware of, but that have to be dealt with, in my view, are the crop factor and the crappy LCD.
If you don't plan to use the T3i and EF-S lenses for stills, I would go ahead and sell them and address the BMPCC's issues in this order [Referral Links]:
Without some sort of focal length reduction, the 3x crop is a problem. My widest lens is an old [Oly 11-22mm f2.8-3.5 for classic 4/3] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001M47FG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001M47FG&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) that I adapt to the BMPCC with a [Panasonic MA-1 adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ISKNKK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001ISKNKK&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) (as pictured [here] (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PPks3tbjifY/UpdE8YROY5I/AAAAAAAAIQc/mX6lKHFiEyU/w724-h543-no/P1060597.JPG)) - but even at 11mm, it gives me a 33mm equivalent field of view. That's pretty tight indoors.
Hope this is helpful!
Bill
I used one of these folding sunhoods: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FW69CWY/, it helped a little, maybe not as much as an enclosed loupe. But then, you're not gonna have many opportunities to get your eyeball right on the camera while you're using the stabilizer.