Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K (L-Mount)

[PJD]

Since I've been giving some thought to the new Kolaris OLPF Lumix S5 series cameras (specifically for potential use with my S5iiX), I'm also taking another look at Blackmagic's Cinema Camera 6K (which has an L-mount lens mount) @ $3089 US.

The BMCC6K has a full-frame, 24MP sensor similar to the one in my S5iiX, but the BMCC6K also features a built-in OLPF installed at the factory. Another feature I really like about the BMCC6K is its built-in 5" high-brightness, articulated LCD. Blackmagic also sells an optional EVF for it. As much as I like using EVFs, I'll consider using the camera without one given the LCD's size, brightness & ergonomics. TBD.

Before I got my S5iiX I owned a smaller, older-model Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. It has a MFT size 8MP sensor. I really liked the "look" of its sensor, and the newer BMCC6K has a later generation sensor featuring an improved Blackmagic's "look".

Blackmagic's cinema cameras (as their name implies) are primarily designed to record high-quality RAW (Blackmagic RAW) VIDEO, and they do that very well. However, both the BMCC6K and Pocket 4K camera can capture full-rez RAW "stills". I did this by pre-programming one of the camera's function buttons to instantly switch the camera to timelapse mode, at which point I used the camera as a RAW-shooting stills camera in burst mode. This worked very well for me, and I shot thousands of "photos" this way.Blackmagis cameras include the company's Davinci Resolve Studio editing software, which I used to edit & color-correct both video & stills. If desired, the individual still frames can be exported as 16-bit TIFF files for processing in external photo-editing apps. NOTE: The reason I used the timelapse method instead of pressing the cameras' "STILLS" button is because the latter doesn't support a burst mode.

I don't heavily depend on auto-focus, and AF has never been a strong point of Blackmagic cameras. In fact, until relatively recently their cameras could only do momentary push-to-focus AF, not continuous AF. But they're working on new firmware which promises to greatly improve the BMCC6K's AF. TBD.

The BMCC6K camera will likely be generally compatible with the tiny 2TB SSD drive I currently use with my S5iiX, subject to my testing. The BMCC6K has built-in stereo mics, and 2 built-in mini-XLR audio/mic inputs which I can use with my XLR mics (I already have mini-XLR to XLR adapters). And many other features I enjoyed using in my Pocket 4K camera, plus loads more in the newer model BMCC6K. Oh, and Blackmagic's on-screen user interface is WONDERFUL.

Anyhoo ... I haven't made up my mind yet. If I decide to get the BMCC6K I'd sell my S5iiX, but keep my 2 Lumix lenses (50mm f1.8 and 20-60 f3.5-5.6). Ain't "G.A.S." fun? Cheers.

P.S.: If I get a BMCC6K then I'd continue to post here on the L-Mount forum, and also over on the "sister" forum for Davinci Resolve users.

 

[CharlesH]

I'm also taking another look at Blackmagic's Cinema Camera 6K (which has an L-mount lens mount) @ $3089 US.

I never quite caught the Blackmagic Cinema camera bug, but I fully understand it. One Blackmagic camera I would really like to have, or be able to rent, is the URSA CINE IMMERSIVE. I have an Apple Vision Pro, and when I got it I wanted to learn how to make movies for it. But there was really NOT a camera commercially available to do this well until Blackmagic introduced their immersive camera.

 

[PJD]

Since I've been giving some thought to the new Kolaris OLPF Lumix S5 series cameras (specifically for potential use with my S5iiX), I'm also taking another look at Blackmagic's Cinema Camera 6K (which has an L-mount lens mount) @ $3089 US.

The BMCC6K has a full-frame, 24MP sensor similar to the one in my S5iiX, but the BMCC6K also features a built-in OLPF installed at the factory. Another feature I really like about the BMCC6K is its built-in 5" high-brightness, articulated LCD. Blackmagic also sells an optional EVF for it. As much as I like using EVFs, I'll consider using the camera without one given the LCD's size, brightness & ergonomics. TBD.

Before I got my S5iiX I owned a smaller, older-model Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. It has a MFT size 8MP sensor. I really liked the "look" of its sensor, and the newer BMCC6K has a later generation sensor featuring an improved Blackmagic's "look".

Blackmagic's cinema cameras (as their name implies) are primarily designed to record high-quality RAW (Blackmagic RAW) VIDEO, and they do that very well. However, both the BMCC6K and Pocket 4K camera can capture full-rez RAW "stills". I did this by pre-programming one of the camera's function buttons to instantly switch the camera to timelapse mode, at which point I used the camera as a RAW-shooting stills camera in burst mode. This worked very well for me, and I shot thousands of "photos" this way.Blackmagis cameras include the company's Davinci Resolve Studio editing software, which I used to edit & color-correct both video & stills. If desired, the individual still frames can be exported as 16-bit TIFF files for processing in external photo-editing apps. NOTE: The reason I used the timelapse method instead of pressing the cameras' "STILLS" button is because the latter doesn't support a burst mode.

I don't heavily depend on auto-focus, and AF has never been a strong point of Blackmagic cameras. In fact, until relatively recently their cameras could only do momentary push-to-focus AF, not continuous AF. But they're working on new firmware which promises to greatly improve the BMCC6K's AF. TBD.

The BMCC6K camera will likely be generally compatible with the tiny 2TB SSD drive I currently use with my S5iiX, subject to my testing. The BMCC6K has built-in stereo mics, and 2 built-in mini-XLR audio/mic inputs which I can use with my XLR mics (I already have mini-XLR to XLR adapters). And many other features I enjoyed using in my Pocket 4K camera, plus loads more in the newer model BMCC6K. Oh, and Blackmagic's on-screen user interface is WONDERFUL.

Anyhoo ... I haven't made up my mind yet. If I decide to get the BMCC6K I'd sell my S5iiX, but keep my 2 Lumix lenses (50mm f1.8 and 20-60 f3.5-5.6). Ain't "G.A.S." fun? Cheers.

P.S.: If I get a BMCC6K then I'd continue to post here on the L-Mount forum, and also over on the "sister" forum for Davinci Resolve users.

… but, on the other hand, the Blackmagic cinema cameras don’t have IBIS, which is kinda a bummer. They do record the camera’s internal gyro data so it can be used in Davinci Resolve to stabilize video (this is quite effective). For stills you either need steady hands, or a tripod, or a OIS lens — or a combination of those.

Sooooo … I will have a further think about the BMCC6K … or the Kolari OLPF for my S5iiX. Hmm …

 

[PJD]

I never quite caught the Blackmagic Cinema camera bug, but I fully understand it. One Blackmagic camera I would really like to have, or be able to rent, is the URSA CINE IMMERSIVE. I have an Apple Vision Pro, and when I got it I wanted to learn how to make movies for it. But there was really NOT a camera commercially available to do this well until Blackmagic introduced their immersive camera.

The Blackmagic immersive camera looks to be quite a beast. I agree it would be very very fun to play with (together with Apple Vision goggles).

 

[cascadian]

Hard to argue with your reasoning if the BMCC bodies work for you. Hope your life becomes easier once you've settled on a kit.

I've involuntarily replaced GAS with MEDs: Medical-Expense Displacement, (which really) Sucks! So I'm a spectator for the next 6 months. Glad I'm decently set, other than the compact AF telephoto that we nearly all seek.

 

[PJD]

Hard to argue with your reasoning if the BMCC bodies work for you. Hope your life becomes easier once you've settled on a kit.

I've involuntarily replaced GAS with MEDs: Medical-Expense Displacement, (which really) Sucks! So I'm a spectator for the next 6 months. Glad I'm decently set, other than the compact AF telephoto that we nearly all seek.

I wish you best of good luck with your "MEDs" issue.

In my case, my GAS is often moderated by "WIFE" (wife-induced financial economy)!