I had a few moments after a productive day of shooting and snagged the DP with a Red Gemini 5k to quickly capture some footage to compare against the BMPCC4k and the codecs from the past CDNG and present BRAW and Prores. How would this $1295 camera handle against a $19, 500 brain? At the end of the day shoot whatever codec works best for you but I must admit that Red color science and DR is extremely enticing.
Should I make the files available for download? Maybe a follow up video?
Please read the details on the video for specs and equipment used for the test. Subscribe to this blog for the lates tests, reviews, news and articles. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
Apparently when BRAW was released to UMP users late last year the softness and other issues were noted. Here is a great review that notices the inferior performance and there wasn’t an uproar because CinemaDNG was not removed from the camera at that point. The issues that many BMPCC4k users have noted is NOT NEW. Let that sink in for a minute. What is new to BMPCC4k users is the removal of CinemaDNG in exchange for BRAW. This doesn’t affect UMP users because they have both codecs as long as they don’t upgrade. That is the reason UMP users are not negatively reacting because they have both codecs.
This particular review was published October 2018 and if you skip to 8:18 min mark the softness is noted and he even defends himself that he didn’t change the focus! That’s how noticeable it was.
I have received a few comments stating that my tests were flawed because Davinci Resolve default settings were to blame for the sharper CinemaDNG image so I decided to change the settings and here are the results. Only on CinemaDNG files have the sharpness reduced to 0.
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Even dropping the CinemaDNG files sharpness to 0 it still outperforms BRAW 3:1 and Q0. The extent of how much it outperforms BRAW can be concluded by each user. But to deny that BRAW is less sharp is complete and utter denial. Moreover, BRAW also has more aliasing/moire which is noticeable in the lines. The reviewer also noted color noise which has yet to be tested. Keep in mind these issues may not affect Youtube videos or online content due to high compression ratios. The debate of whether it is cinematic or whatever else is a moot point since personal preference should be the deciding factor on what codec to use.
Some may argue zooming in 200%-300% reveals details that viewing audiences will never notice which I agree with. But when testing lenses and codecs it is routine to zoom in 200%-300% to discover quality, flaws, strengths, weaknesses, and latitude in detail. It is completely responsible to thoroughly test equipment and then decide whatever works best for you.
The point of these articles and videos is to inform users of the quality and changes to their equipment with this new codec and arbitrary removal of CinemaDNG. I have said it over and over BRAW is equal, in quality, to Prores HQ and many people enjoy and solely shooting Prores which is fine. But we must not mistake BRAW as an equal of CinemaDNG because that is unrealistic and contrary to the facts. Using the argument that Prores was used in “….place blockbuster movie title here….” so it’s good enough for me is a defense from the absurd.
The debate over the codecs has become heated and even some users have used vulgarity and threats on both sides which is completely uncalled for. Differences and preferences are a human right but negatively attacking or bullying people online is wrong. I have seen a surge in forums and groups and we should take a stand against that behavior. We can agree to disagree. Filmmaking is a creative art and should not venture into destructive acts, words or behaviors.
I feel it is necessary to have an open digital letter to fellow BMPCC4k users and interested parties regarding the firmware update 6.2 that included the much anticipated Blackmagic Raw and the unforeseen removal of CinemaDNG.
There has been an extreme and radical reaction with hatred and childish behaviors on both sides of the coin. Here are my thoughts on the issue and I am remain firm on using whatever codec works for you without disparaging others for not following suit.
I remain supportive of BMD and it is unfortunate that litigation or the threat of litigation has backed them into this corner.
My initial impression of BRAW was negative because it came at the cost of CinemaDNG and coupled with a “raw” codec that is softer/less detail/less sharp resulted in my reaction as an epic fail. I know many people want to argue a softer image is more cinematic and blah blah blah but the point is the image quality HAS changed and whether it can be improved in post is a whole other can of worms. Some are swearing they will not update their firmware which demonstrates the real concern for users who want the best performance from their equipment. It’s equivalent to having a car with 200 hp and you take it to the shop and it now has 195 hp would that really make you happy? Oh but there is now more room in the back seat?! HAHA, same difference.
Many others on forums and groups spouted the same frustration that was directed to another camera company for pressuring through litigation or the threat of litigation to remove CinemaDNG from our beloved BMPCC4k. What a strange reason to finally receive BRAW.
Did BMD really create a camera that was so damn good that one of the “big boys” who sell their camera box alone for $30k was threatened? Did BMD blink and quickly release BRAW and remove CinemaDNG to avoid or stop litigation?
Needless to say, I was frustrated that CinemaDNG was gone with firmware update 6.2 and all I had left was Prores and BRAW (I never use Prores!).
So on a rainy day in Southern California and a canceled shoot I decided to do further testing and here are the results. Please let me know your thoughts on the new codec. Keep in mind the focus was on the center of the chart.
I have received a few emails wanting a lighter image so I added a node in Davinci Resolve and slightly adjusted the curves. The nodes were applied to the entire timeline and NOT just the clip so the gamma/extended video and curves were equally applied to each clip. Nothing on the camera was moved the only thing is that the camera was updated in place on the tripod. The stills were obtained in Davinci Resolve via the color tab and “grab still” function. If BRAW looks in inferior because of perceived compression of the internet then CinemaDNG should look inferior also. The larger shot has a color chart and highlight blown out area for further testing. The images below are zoomed in.
Please read previous post for the specs of the test : (
I am disappointed in the softer image with BRAW and have now lost the CinemaDNG codec with the upgrade. At this point I would have preferred CinemaDNG and BRAW instead of keeping Prores.
Further proof below of the softness of BRAW. Maybe some of you prefer a softer image out of camera but in my opinion if you are spending over $1k on lenses why allow a codec to soften it for you? The “softness” may be due to BRAW’s inability to capture pixel data and interpret it correctly. Whatever the exact cause it is an epic fail.
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This has to be one for the books….so close then a fumble on the one yard line.
Today BMD just released firmware 6.2 with great applause then shocking news that CinemaDNG would be removed in exchange for Blackmagic Raw. I decided to conduct a quick test in the studio with a more in-depth video coming soon but the results are the results. At this time there is many rumors that you cannot downgrade back to 6.1 to retain CinemaDNG in place of BRAW but nothing is confirmed.
Apparently there is some sort of patent case pending and BMD believed it would be easier or beneficial to remove and replace CinemaDNG from the camera to avoid litigation. But how good is BRAW? How much space is gained on your hard drives? Let’s take a quick look.
test specs: Viltrox ef-m2, Sigma 18-35 @24mm 1.8 f, iso 400, 4k dci, film, 24 fps. Gamma changed to extended video and zoomed in about 100% no other changes or corrections in Davinci Resolve. Superman is slightly underexposed and another part of the shot is overexposed but is cropped out with the zoom. There is also a color chart but not visible once again with the zoom.
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As you can see the BRAW codec is softer and further testing will be done to demonstrate how far it can be pushed in the highlights and shadows. One major change has been the media space with BRAW!
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The very first firmware update for the BMPCC4k is now available for download and install. Does it have the much anticipated BRAW? Some are openly posting on forums that it will never reach our cameras but apparently the delay has caused much doubt.
Scroll all the way to the bottom to see my test results. Unfortunately BRAW was not included in this update but here are a few cool things that were updated:
What’s new for Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Added support for pixel remapping in camera.
Added 2:1 monitoring frame guide.
Improved media formatting user interface.
Improved audio monitoring latency performance.
Improved auto focus performance.
Improved signal to noise ratio performance of camera internal microphone.
Improved power efficiency for improved battery life.
Improved 3.5mm audio input selection interface.
Improved AV sync performance.
Fixed an issue where time and date is not updated on camera when connected to the Blackmagic Camera Setup utility.
Fixed an issue where the 3.5mm audio input level is 6dB lower than expected.
Fixed an auto focusing issue with Lumix 20mm f/1.7 lens.
Fixed an issue where some USB-C external SSDs were not detected when connected before camera is powered up.
Fixed an issue where some batteries might shut off earlier than expected.
Fixed an issue where low battery indicator is not displayed appropriately.
Fixed an issue with camera not being detected by host computer when connected to certain USB ports.
Updated dynamic range and ISO chart in user manual.
Here is the link to download on your MAC OS or Windows
Battery test #1: 53 min record time 4k dci, 4:1, 24 fps, ssd, Viltrox adapter, OEM battery
37 min the battery indicator turned red battery died at 52 min
Battery test #2: 46 min record time 4k dci, 4:1, 24 fps, ssd, third party battery
38 min the battery indicator turned on, 20%battery died at 46 min, 4%
Battery test #3: 56 min record time. 4k dci, 4:1, 24 fps, ssd, OEM battery I forgot to push the record button on the other camera but the OEM battery with no Viltrox adapter lasted 56 min.
Conclusion of the battery tests: The OEM batteries have improved by roughly 20-15 minutes when recording 4k dci, 4:1, 24 fps, ssd, Viltrox adapter, OEM battery and approx. 15-10 min with third party batteries. Keep in mind these tests were conducted by constantly recording and Prores will consume more battery power and reduce battery life by about 10 min. Also an adapter with electronics (aperture control) will consume a little bit of battery and so does the SSD. According to my test the Viltrox reduced the battery life by roughly 4 minutes.
Another helpful feature included in the update was a 3 second format media selection so that you do not accidentally format the media by just pushing it once. Now you will need to make the selection and keep it pushed for 3 seconds before the drive is formatted.
Also a “pixel remapping” function that should fix any dead or hot pixels .
One downside is that my grid display feature no longer works : ( Another problem is that the Viltrox efm2 adapter may stop working but that can be fixed by simply downgrading the focal reducers firmware to 2.3
All in all, good job BMD for improving an already amazing camera and I look forward to the next update.
Disclaimer: the video was shot at different times of the day and the exposure and focus would vary, I left the camera recording while I worked on other things
Since one of the chief complaints of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k being poor battery life I decided to see if I could find the smallest external battery to power the camera. I stumbled across the Powerextra which is a Sony NPF 960 style that insanely has a USB 5v output and 6-8.4v DC output that can power my Feelworld 5″ monitor.
Can it be true that the Powerextra battery can power my monitor and camera??? Can it power while recording to SSD? Can it handle Prores and Raw?
Watch the video and find out.
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We are happy to have teamed up with Nopalero Studios to direct and edit this short film about East LA singer Frank Barajas. The performance and interview were filmed at Turnbull’s Tavern in Whittier, CA. Only natural available light was used. Camera was used on a gimbal, handheld and monopod.
Thank you Frank, Turnbull’s Tavern, patrons and my lovely wife. What a great time.
Tech specs camera: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k gimbal: Moza Air 2 microphone: Rode Videomic Pro codec: CinemaDNG Raw 4:1 edited on Davinci Resolve 15 and rendered with Handbrake
Here is a brief look at how cinematic the BMPCC4k can be utilizing the Voigtlander 17.5mm .95 and SLR Magic 25mm .95. This was the first time shooting a live sports event with these legendary lenses and I learned a tremendous amount. I typically only shoot in the studio with these lenses. The DOF was extremely shallow. ALL HANDHELD and monopod!!
details:
both lenses shot wide open .95
iso 3,200
codec Raw 4:1, 60 FPS
film
4k dci
edited in Davinci Resolve 15, correction and slight grading.
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