As of today, Blackmagic has just slashed the price of their pocket camera in half, from $995 to $495! This is great news for anyone in the market for a pocket cam, or those that already have a pocket or cinema camera and are looking for a b-camera to use in multi-camera environments.
The pocket camera really is an amazing tool. I’ve shot with it a number of times and the images that it produces are exceptional – I have just never invested in it because I have the larger BMCC camera, and ultimately didn’t have much of a use for the pocket camera for that reason. That said, with the recent price drop I will need to re-consider as they are practically giving them away now, and a solid b-cam or backup cam for my BMCC could be a great tool to have around.
What does this mean for Blackmagic?
This news could be taken two ways. It could be interpreted that Blackmagic is planning on updating the pocket camera lineup soon, so they are trying to get rid of as much inventory as possible before they introduce the new line… Or it could simply mean that they haven’t had the sales that they anticipated with this camera, and are eager to get more filmmakers using it to create more buzz around the camera. Personally, I think it’s the latter. Blackmagic Design is likely developing updated models for all of their cameras, however they traditionally announce them at NAB (which is still the better part of a year away), and then it takes another few months at least to get the cameras out the door. If this was happening in January or February, I would certainly think it was more directly related to a new product announcement, but because of the timing I think this might be more reflective of their lack of sales with this camera.
Whatever the reason may be, the fact is that now you can achieve full 1080p RAW images with 13 stops of dynamic range for only $495. That is pretty ridiculous!
If you’d like to order the camera, you should act quickly as this pricing is for a limited time only. Here is the link to the pocket camera on B & H:
23 Comments
Mary
atThank you for your reply. Which camera would you recommend me for weddings? I have experience with prosumer cameras (canon XF100). I am looking for a good one with a good price to buy.
Thank you in advance.
Noam Kroll
atHi Mary, cameras like the C100 or FS100/700 are great for event capture since they have everything you need built right in. You can probably get a good deal on a used one if you need to save a few bucks, and it should cost about the same as buying a DSLR with all the bells and whistles that you might need (like a rig for instance).
Mary
atIs this Camera good for shooting weddings? If so, witch lense could you recommend me with good zoom?
Thx
Noam Kroll
atHi Mary – I wouldn’t recommend it for weddings necessarily, although I’m sure you could get great results with it if you are willing to work around some of it’s shortcomings. The lumix 12 – 35 and lumix 35 – 100 are great lenses for this camera!
Marko
atI understood that promotion is until end of August, but already camera went back to $995?
Noam Kroll
atUnfortunately yes. It was supposed to extend until the end of the month but it looks like they stopped it early.
Eric
atYour “cinema camera under $1000” article recommended the Panasonic G6. I’m curious, if you wrote that article now and the pocket cinema camera stayed $500, would you still recommend the Panasonic G6 in your article or would you recommend the pocket cinema camera instead?
Noam Kroll
atHey Eric, it really depends on your needs. For DSLR style shooting, the G6 is still the better option especially because it can also double as a stills camera. But the pocket is a great buy for very specific types of narrative/controlled shooting environments.
Nathan
atI’m not sure what “dslr shooting ” means. For us, we’re shooting story-based music videos. Kind of like short 3-4min films. Which camera do you think would serve us better? Thanks Noam!!
Noam Kroll
atThe pocket camera or a regular Blackmagic Cinema Camera are excellent options for anything narrative… As long as you’re okay with using an external battery solution you will be just fine!
Nathan
atWhich would you recommend for a band shooting story based music videos? We’re going for the short film kind of look. As cinematic as possible. We have the g6 now and primarily use a Nikon 28mm 2.8 w a generic speed booster.
Danny
atI pre-ordered the BMPC from BH the first day you announced it on your blog. THANKS! When I ordered it said it will take 3-5 days to ship. Now BH and other major retail camera websites say ” BACK ORDERED” or ships in 2-4 weeks. Im in no rush for the bmpc to make it to my porch because I have the GH4 and that thing rocks! Awaiting your “Capturing Cinematic images with the DSLR ” Tutorial. Thanks you sir
Noam Kroll
atThanks Danny! Hope you will receive the camera soon and looking forward to releasing the cinema guide very shortly!
Glenn
atThe low budget filmmaker’s question of the week, “should I get one?” My friends and I are going back and forth on this. Wondering which one, or if all 3 of us will click… Submit order.
Last summer I picked up the Canon EOS-M body, during its price drop, for a measly 180 bucks and it was probably the best money I ever spent on a camera. I haven’t picked up my T2i since (but for some reason I don’t have the heart to sell it) and now this happens, two hours after I shell out $225 for a 20mm Takumar.
Why are they doing this to us no budget filmmakers? How can I justify another camera when I still have not filmed a masterpieceofshit with my latest one?
My aspirations go back to the glory days of analog tape, a time when a filmmaker dreamed of the day he could afford to rent a silent Bolex 16mm camera and buy a few dozen rolls of short ends to burn an image. So when a camera with these specs goes on sale, for this price, I should jump on it, BUT, do I have a story to tell with this camera? Do I want to justify production headaches because this camera is half off? I just don’t know? And I’m not sure I’ll have the answer until after the sale ends, or they run out of stock… Whichever comes first.
The question really becomes… What lenses am I going to use? Is the crop factor too much? I can’t afford a speedbooster. I have a set of Cosmicar TV, C mount lenses, will the 12.5mm f1.4 vignette on the BMPCC? The in camera audio is horrible so now I have to get a Zoom. Do I shoot prores or Cinema DNG Raw… Can my computer handle raw footage? Too many damn questions. I think I’ll go write a script instead.
David Peterson
atYou don’t need to get the Metabones focal reducer. The RJ Lens Turbo is much much cheaper, and gets good reviews:
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/9086/rj-lens-turbo-m43-adapters/p1
I use one myself. I recommend the Nikon F/G to m4/3 mount version.
You could then get the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 (in a Nikon F mount of course) and you’d be well covered for most needs with just that one lens! (Or the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 if you’re looking for a cheaper option. Can be found quite cheap on the second hand market)
The next three lenses I’d recommend as you expand your collection over time is (and approximately in this order, depending on your needs):
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D
Rokinon 85mm f/1.8
Glenn
atI have heard some good things about speedboosters, but I’m not sure that they’re the route I’d take with the BMPCC. I think c mount lenses are my best option… Either vintage c mounts or the newer CCTV lenses. Those are some nice lenses you have yourself there. I’m more of a prime guy myself but that Sigma and the Tokina 11-16 are sweet hunks of glass. I’m slowly building my Nikkor collection. I have a 50mm 1.4 and a 35mm 2.8. Next on my list is either the 24mm or the 20mm f/4. I also have a set of Series E that I get some good results from. But my Pentax-M rivals my Nikkors, but their wide angle lenses are pretty hard to come by.
Noam Kroll
atI absolutely love the Nikkor manual primes as well… Hoping to get some more soon! Haven’t tried the Pentax-M lenses, but will need to give them a go. Thanks!
Noam Kroll
atThanks David. I’ve never used Lens Turbo, but have heard it’s a bit soft… Glad to hear you’ve had such great results with it!
Noam Kroll
atHey Glenn! Agreed with your points, sometimes it all becomes too overwhelming and it’s best to just focus on the what really matters – the story!
Charles Coleman
atQuick question because I have a BMCC on order right now but after seeing this am considering canceling it. If you didn’t own either the BMCC or the BMPCC right now and you saw this price drop which would you buy today for yourself?
Noam Kroll
atIt’s a really tough decision, but there is a good chance I would go for the pocket camera and a speed booster. That said, the grass is always greener and I may be taking my BMCC for granted… The other thing is with the BMCC you get DaVinci Resolve, so if you plan on doing lots of color grading, the BMCC might be the better option. Sorry to confuse matters even more, but it’s a very tough choice…
Charles Coleman
atHey wanted to say thanks for your feedback on the topic ordered a pocket (will run with Resolve lite for a little while). Looking forward to the upgrade from my teams 5d MKIII we’re usually shooting with. Thanks for this blog btw as well crazy amount of useful info here. Appreciate your hard work man.
Noam Kroll
atExcellent! So glad that it’s working out for you and thanks a lot for the feedback.
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