After having shot my first project with the Blackmagic Cinema Camera- also know as the Blackmagic 4K (BMPC), my initial thoughts are very positive. The images are dense, rich, and the dynamic range (12 stops!) is going to come in handy when it is time to color correct.
Keep in mind it is still very early days for this camera as it was just released to the public in April. It has only been in “the wild” for a few months, so information on it is scattershot. Whatever you read online, take it with a grain of salt.

Except for me. Everything I say is gospel

Keep in mind that every imaging device ever built has it’s strengths and weaknesses. I will be researching and blogging about these as I discover and analyze them.

The key point you must understand about the BMPC is that it is NOT a DSLR. Not even close. This is not a camera where you can simply boost the ISO (Or ASA as it is known on the BMPC) to astronomical levels to compensate for low light situations.

If you are shooting a run-and-gun documentary, forget the BMPC. It’s not for you. Get a Canon 5D Mark III.

The bulk of the negative comments on this camera I have read seem to have come from DSLR-trained shooters. There is a different ethos to verite style and cinema style.

That difference is in lighting. You have to light with this camera. It can’t see in the dark. It’s a decent low-light operator, but they have hobbled it’s ASA rating to 800 for a reason- they want you to produce a good image, not merely an “acceptable”, noisy piece of footage.

Simply put, this camera does not give you an easy out.

I’ve worked with all of the major digital cameras, and the images remind me of the Alexa’s Log-C ProRes Quick times. They have the same softness and pleasing contrast balance that has made the Alexa the staple of Digital TV and Film Production, and lack the overly razor-sharp detail the Red is (in)famous for which is a good thing.  Caveat: I have worked with the Red Epic Mysterium-X, not the Dragon.

If you want to buy an Alexa, you will spend $60,000. If you buy a BMPC you will spend around $5,000. The camera itself is only $2,999 but lets be realistic, it’s going to take at LEAST $2,000 in cages, batteries and various paraphanalia to get this camera Production ready.

The Alexa is a proven work horse in major Hollywood productions… Skyfall, Avengers, The Hunger Games, all shot on the Alexa. My BMPC camera is the new kid on the block, and at $55,000 less than an Alexa with an image that looks similar to the Alexa, I’m itching to play with our footage that is currently being transcoded into Avid. There will be lots more to come as I analyze the footage from Catharsis- stay tuned!

-Brad Schreiber

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