Would this lens, the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5 -5.6 Asph. / MEGA O.I.S., costing all of $149.00 at B&H be OK as a starter lens for the Blackmagic Pocket Camera? At this price I have to ask what is the catch? What am I missing?

Plastic construction makes for difficult focus and zoom control. The range is nice but you'll be struggling for light in darker environments. Outside it would probably be just fine. It's not a bad lens, it's just not a very good lens. I got one for $65 off ebay for what it's worth. There's a million of them around.

I got one of these for €50 from eBay. Personally think it'll be a nice way to get started, to play around with the camera. But for serious stuff it's not really practical. I'll probably like it because it's small, just like the camera. But for real shoots I'd probably end up using at least some of my 'big-camera-glass', like my 24-70mm f/2.8

I'll be on the lookout for wider angle lenses. Since that'll be the most troublesome for this little camera. A 12mm lens will still be 35mm effective. So to get really wide, you'd need something like a 8-10mm lens, I know Sigma makes one at a reasonable price.

Also consider the fact if you're going to stick with the BMPCC or will you eventually upgrade to -for example- the 4K BMPC - which has a Super35 (just slightly bigger than APS) sensor. You want to invest in glass that you can 'brign along' to the next camera, or stay with the smaller Micro 4/3 glass. These are at least some of the things I'll be taking into consideration.

John - an AUS$149 Sigma 19mm f2.8 via eBay Australia (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/705-53470-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=321110802921&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229515&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg) might be a better starter lens.

In addition to the great price, it will perform better in low light - and is wide enough to be useful at 57mm equivalent.

Cheers,

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution (http://hybridcamerarevolution.blogspot.com)

Thanks for the inputs, gentlemen, much appreciated. I am inclined to go with the Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5 -5.6 Asph. / MEGA O.I.S., costing all of $149.00 as it does enable a modicum of framing and in as much as framing is critical in my mind then that’s the way I should go. I understand that moving myself and the camera also enables critical framing however quite often, most often in fact, that is simply not possible.

Let me ask the question in another way if I may; given that the Blackmagic Pocket Cam is not quite as sharp as the original BMCC and given that the above lens was designed for still shooting does that mean the limiting factor regarding sharpness will be the sensor and/or perhaps the associated internal electronics rather than the lens? For example, my NEX 5n with the Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 attached delivers excellent sharp photographs however the video delivered from the same combo is soft, to say the least. In this situation I conclude the limiting factor regarding sharpness is certainly not the lens but the electronics post capture. So the question now is will this above plastic no-account throw-away piece of whatever also not be the limiting factor regarding sharpness with the Blackmagic Pocket Cam? I know I could spring for the Lumix G Vario HD 12-35mm Zoom Lens f2.8 costing 10x the el cheapo above and I am aware that I would gain slightly wider capture and better low light capabilities not to mention a better build and so on but would the captured image, under decent outdoor light conditions, be sharper, or significantly visually better in any way?

I am disinclined to invest significant dollars in MFT lenses until such time as I have established where and how the Blackmagic Pocket Cam (and the other MFT mount models) might fit into my shooting agenda.

For some strange reason there is no footage shot with the Pocket Cam available as yet, other than that shot by John Brawley which from my perspective is only just better than nothing. I wonder if the cunning Aussie cousins across the Tasman are having problems, or perhaps they have a bonzer fair dinkum killer marketing plan that is based on the mushroom treatment: feed’im bullshirt and keep’em in the dark!

I wouldn’t be surprised!
.

Kern Paillard 16mm C-mount Bolex lenses. They're sharp, great color & contrast, fast, and TINY... they'd really put the "pocket" in this camera, and they aren't too expensive.

I've preordered the pocket cinema camera. The first lens I bought, and should receive tomorrow is the Panasonic's Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 Asph. Lens for Micro 4/3. Might also get the Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 Lumix G Vario Zoom Lens for the Micro 4/3. Ill have 2 zooms that will cover just about everything, expect the wide end. Going to pick up the 20 f1.7 prime, and a few other fast primes.

Well, talk about jumping in the deep end. You certainly have covered the waterfront. Good on you. I shall be most interested in your thoughts after taking that lot around the block a time or two.

My thought is, I'd eventually like to pick up the 2.5k cinema camera. When I do, I'll get the new MTF mount version and these lenes will work with both cameras. Will probably be a few months after I receive the pocket cam, that ill look into getting the 35-100mm. But figure the mid range will be covered from the go.

The Lumix lenses WILL NOT work with the passive mount MFT BMCC. Hope for an active mount.

The Lumix lenses WILL NOT work with the passive mount MFT BMCC. Hope for an active mount.

Thanks for pointing that out. As I haven't looked into buying the 2.5k camera, I didn't know that. It will be sometime before I would go that route any how. Maybe by then it will. But if not, I'm sure ill be picking up some manual lenses to use with the pocket camera.

What's the situation with the older c-mount television zooms? There seem to be quite a few that are wide (10-15mm range), fast (< f/2.0), and have a decent zoom range(5-10x) with constant aperture. I found this example shot on an m4/3, just by eye it looks like the vignetting would be completely eliminated by the time it's cropped down to s16 sensor area:

GH1 1st test with C mount CCTV zoom 17-102mm 1:2.0 on Vimeo

My intention for BMPC WA lens.

Olympus F2 12mm + 46mm screw on .45x WA adapter (ebay) + 62-82 step ring + 82mm vari nd fader.
With GH3 edge clipping on fader is apparent, however BMPC 3.2 crop, another story, I could also machine away step ring at 4 points if required.
Focus on GH3, tack sharp.

Would this lens, the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5 -5.6 Asph. / MEGA O.I.S., costing all of $149.00 at B&H be OK as a starter lens for the Blackmagic Pocket Camera? At this price I have to ask what is the catch? What am I missing?

I have this lens on the pocket cinema camera often.

It's a very serviceable lens and crazy cheap. The IS works well too.

Aside from the slower speed in terms of aperture it's great value if you want a *starter* lens. It's the first m4/3 zoom I've ever bought. I own lot's of m4/3 primes (for my Olympus m4/3).

jb

John.


Have your tried any PL-Mount Super16mm lenses like Optar Illumina or CP Ultra T* on the BM pocket cam?

Hi bob.

I've tried many PL mount lenses. The OPTARS are nice and I remember them fondly from my super 16 days.

Superspeeds are good too. I've even had a 150-600 Centruy / Canon with a doubler ! Rolling shutter was pretty bad though.

JB

I have this lens on the pocket cinema camera often.

It's a very serviceable lens and crazy cheap. The IS works well too.

Aside from the slower speed in terms of aperture it's great value if you want a *starter* lens. It's the first m4/3 zoom I've ever bought. I own lot's of m4/3 primes (for my Olympus m4/3).

jb

Many thanks for your comments; most helpful. Based on your input this will be my starter lens for the BMPCC. Slower speed is not a beg deal for me as outdoor decent weather shooting is my intended use, for now.

Cheers.

John.

Thanks for that. A DoP friend and neighbour over here prefers to remain nameless as he is taking a break from the deeper industry for family commitment reasons. He sold off his 35mm film camera and lens set, something he now regrets as he would have liked to try the lenses with the Canon DLSR he has.

We were investigating the practicality of adapting an Angenieux 25mm - 250mm ( older type ) that I have left over from groundglass adaptor times and some older Cooke Speed Panchro Series 2 which he had not sold, to live with the Canon. Only the Angenieux can work with the camera with a custom mount, an expense the lens probably does not justify

For the small short term assignments he takes on in the meantime, the BM pocket cam has since piqued his interest. He saw the camera and talked with one of the BM reps at Broadcast Asia recently. He has not been able to find any raw camera footage to play with in Resolve.

Resolve is a toolset he is familiar with from his 35mm film days of shooting commercials. He was much encouraged by BM releasing it at an affordable level and being able to grade SI2K vision to his satisfaction, the first time in electronic imaging since his last film job.

He anticipates that the BM pocket cam footage with good S16 lenses will be comparable with and perhaps a little better to deal with than the SI2K footage.

Subjectively, would you regard the Super16mm lenses as being a potentially better performer than the more recent micro 4/3 lenses which you have used in your tests? The S16 lenses seem to yield their best sharpness in the approximate zone T2 - T4.

The 35mm stills lenses seem sweeter in the region f4 - f11. The newer micro 4/3 lenses I have no experience with.

I already have the Optar set for the SI2K, which he would use with a PL-Adaptor if he buys in the BM camera. For the small corporates he still does, the vision needs to be the best it can be.

My imagining of a lightweight kit for the BM camera would be to make a PL-Mount adaptor that is the spine of the support structure with rod mounts/tripod base with BM mount on rear and PL-Mount on front.

The BM camera would be supported by its own mount to the spine and not bear any other mechanical loads other than forces from operating camera controls and inserting cables etc..

BM might consider commissioning such an accessory for direct sale with the camera as a kit. This might risk cannabalising the sales of the original BM camera.

My own thoughts. What a pity this was not around in 2009.

Hello Bob.

The 25-250 Angenieux (HR or HP?) should work fine on the pocket using a m4/3 adaptor. Perhaps consider something like the Hot Rod version which is very well made and has a rails support which would make sense for the way you're thinking of configuring the camera.

BMD have not released or allowed me to release any RAW footage as yet from the pocket.

There is of course RAW footage from the BMCC floating around and you can rest assured that the result will be very similar from the pocket, with a slight hit to resolution being the main difference.

Lens selection is such a highly subjective thing. Some like the perfection and cleanness of the newer zeiss. Some like the personality of the older lenses, especially the Cookes. Generally vintage lenses, be they Super 16 or 35mm or stills look really nice and give you a way of getting a "look" in camera that's a bit unique. They are generally softer and tend to flare more easily.

With the unforgiving sharpness of modern digital cameras, things that used to get hidden like flatness of field and chromatic aberration tend to show up more readily. Also, because we tend to shoot in higher contrast lighting situations, because the cameras have so much more DR, we can get away with, this also tends to show up flaws like CA much more.

To be honest, though technically you can use m4/3 lenses on the pocket, they wouldn't really be my own go to simply because I can't stand focus by wire and electronic IRIS. So it's great that I can HAVE those lenses, I just wouldn't choose them all things being equal for simple practical reasons.

That's just me though and I'm sure there are many that will make them work fine for what they need to do.

The Si2K is a lovely camera for it's time. I used it on several drama shoots and it's look reminds me a lot of the BMCC. These days the DR is a bit limiting and of course that terrible sensor crop ;-)

I'm not sure BMD will be getting into accessories anytime soon. Much better to leave it to aftermarket parties that can then design different solutions for different user needs....

jb

John.


Thanks once more for your response. I have sent a dvinfo.net email enquiry which your last reply has already anwered. You need not reply to that message unless you choose to.

In it, there is a message which identifies the cinematographer and a link to his youtube channel via a recent lighting test. The other clips are a reprise of his S.E.A. commercial work posted mainly for reminiscence of former members of production crews there.

If BM were to consider making test footage available in the future, he would be very interested.

I have this lens on the pocket cinema camera often.

It's a very serviceable lens and crazy cheap. The IS works well too.

Aside from the slower speed in terms of aperture it's great value if you want a *starter* lens. It's the first m4/3 zoom I've ever bought. I own lot's of m4/3 primes (for my Olympus m4/3).

jb

Hey John, any new footage being released anytime soon?

Here's an interesting new choice: Rokinon 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS Lens for Micro Four 16M-M43 B&H

I'm not familiar with PL lenses, need to look into it some more.

Any experts on C-Mount Super 16mm here?

I preordered the Pocket Cam with dreams of cheap lenses, and so far it isn't working out that way...

Any experts on C-Mount Super 16mm here?

I preordered the Pocket Cam with dreams of cheap lenses, and so far it isn't working out that way...

I'm no expert on any kind of lens. Have invested in som mtf lens myself. But came across this Facebook group that might be of interest to those wanting to know about C-mount lens.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/cmountm43

What's the situation with the older c-mount television zooms? There seem to be quite a few that are wide (10-15mm range), fast (< f/2.0), and have a decent zoom range(5-10x) with constant aperture. I found this example shot on an m4/3, just by eye it looks like the vignetting would be completely eliminated by the time it's cropped down to s16 sensor area:

GH1 1st test with C mount CCTV zoom 17-102mm 1:2.0 on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/7616171)

I've got the 17-102 that I use with the pocket camera. There is a world of difference in terms of smooth zoom operation compared to the practically useless 14-42. The image quality is decent but not quite as sharp as some of my nikon glass. If you want parfocal performance, you would need some way to adjust the midline to the proper position. The Yeenon c-mount to mft adapter allows that.

One of our BMPCC cameras would not work with two different Lumix 25 F1.4 lenses (H-X025). It didn't snap into place. We had a Lumix 12-35 F2.8 (H-HS12035) work on one BMPCC but not on another. I just keep thinking... long live Rokinon!

Omega - Packages - Omega Broadcast - Single Packages - Canon EF Mount Lens Kit (http://www.omegabroadcast.com/fmp/packages-detail.php?-manuRecID=674&-recid=317)

These lenses have a smooth aperture, no clicks, built in focus ring...