BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Super 16 Sensor at DVinfo.net

Steven Schuldt · April 12th, 2013, 12:08 PM

Trying to wrap my head around the implications of the Super 16mm-sized sensor in the new Pocket Cinema camera. If I'm calculating this right, to achieve a 50mm field of view I'd need a 17mm M43 lens? Is there an M43 17mm lens of high enough quality/speed that it'd be worth considering for use in shooting a feature?

Other options include the Metabones M43/EF speed booster. I hear murmerings about this thing but see no evidence of a formal announcement, never mind an actual product at the Metabones site. If this beastie did become available, what would a 50mm Canon EF lens translate to in terms of FOV with this sensor?

Then there is the vast array of bizarre Super 16 lenses that one sees on eBay covered in dust and rust that have been sitting in attics and closets for decades and are now going for $8,000. Wouldn't even begin to know what to look for.

Basically, I shot my last feature on a 5D MkII using a Canon 50mm 1.2L and was very happy (at least with the lens, the crappy codec and other issues I could do without). I don't much give a damn about other focal lengths, 50mm was good enough for Ozu and Bresson and it's good enough for me.

So what's my play in terms of lenses if I go with this camera? Many thanks in advance!

Frank Grygier · April 12th, 2013, 01:41 PM

Olympus & Panasonic have fast primes in the 12mm, 17mm, and 20mm range. It sounds like the 12mm will get you to 36mm on the super 16 sensor. The Pana Lieca is 25mm and is an excellent lens. All are under 2.0 aperture.

Ruben Kremer · April 12th, 2013, 03:18 PM

This is exactly what I was thinking about when I read about the sensor. I was wondering what the effective focal length of my current lenses would be on this S16 sensor - and thought more people would be wondering. So I made this simple calculator which tells you (based on your input) what the effective focal length (35mm equiv) of your current lenses is (for comparison purposes), and what the effective focal length of those lenses will be on the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera.

Link: Field of View on the BMPCC - RubenKremer.nl

I hope it's of any use to you, or anyone else. I know it helped me in quickely figuring out which lenses would be usefull and which would be ... well ... way too long (my 135mm f/2.8 prime becomes a 389mm prime on the Pocket Cinema ;-))

Steven Schuldt · April 12th, 2013, 03:49 PM

Excellent calculator tool! Would like to request addition of a section for Super 35 sensors like Arri Alexa and Canon C300. Cheers.

Philip Lipetz · April 12th, 2013, 05:24 PM

The active version of the speed booster for m4/3 is delayed until next year, and the passive version until the end of the year.

Chris Joy · April 14th, 2013, 07:48 AM

There are some really great manual m43 primes including SLR Magic 12/1.6, Voigtlander 17/0.95 & 25/0.95. There are tons of old Super 16 lenses (though the cine lenses are costly) and possibly C-mount lenses will cover the sensor as well.

One option I'm going to experiment with is a B4 broadcast zoom, which vignettes slightly on a M43 sensor. I bought a cheap one awhile back to tinker with on my EM5 - I think its a 9-63mm/f1.6 - which would roughly translate to a 27-252 in FF terms - and it has a built in 2x doubler so it'll really have some reach. The S16 sensor will hopefully be small enough to eliminate the m43 corner issues.

I've preordered and right now all I have in m43 is my EM5 kit 14-42 and the B4 lens, along with a m43 to EF dumb adapter so I can use all my Canon lenses wide open. If the Pocket Cam is a keeper, I'm going to pick up the m43 Speedbooster when available and use my EF lenses.

April 12th, 2013, 12:08 PM	#1
Steven Schuldt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 90	BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Super 16 Sensor Trying to wrap my head around the implications of the Super 16mm-sized sensor in the new Pocket Cinema camera. If I'm calculating this right, to achieve a 50mm field of view I'd need a 17mm M43 lens? Is there an M43 17mm lens of high enough quality/speed that it'd be worth considering for use in shooting a feature? Other options include the Metabones M43/EF speed booster. I hear murmerings about this thing but see no evidence of a formal announcement, never mind an actual product at the Metabones site. If this beastie did become available, what would a 50mm Canon EF lens translate to in terms of FOV with this sensor? Then there is the vast array of bizarre Super 16 lenses that one sees on eBay covered in dust and rust that have been sitting in attics and closets for decades and are now going for $8,000. Wouldn't even begin to know what to look for. Basically, I shot my last feature on a 5D MkII using a Canon 50mm 1.2L and was very happy (at least with the lens, the crappy codec and other issues I could do without). I don't much give a damn about other focal lengths, 50mm was good enough for Ozu and Bresson and it's good enough for me. So what's my play in terms of lenses if I go with this camera? Many thanks in advance!

April 12th, 2013, 01:41 PM	#2
Frank Grygier Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 125	Re: BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Super 16 Sensor Olympus & Panasonic have fast primes in the 12mm, 17mm, and 20mm range. It sounds like the 12mm will get you to 36mm on the super 16 sensor. The Pana Lieca is 25mm and is an excellent lens. All are under 2.0 aperture.

April 12th, 2013, 03:18 PM	#3
Ruben Kremer Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Zutphen, NL Posts: 47	Re: BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Super 16 Sensor This is exactly what I was thinking about when I read about the sensor. I was wondering what the effective focal length of my current lenses would be on this S16 sensor - and thought more people would be wondering. So I made this simple calculator which tells you (based on your input) what the effective focal length (35mm equiv) of your current lenses is (for comparison purposes), and what the effective focal length of those lenses will be on the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera. Link: Field of View on the BMPCC - RubenKremer.nl I hope it's of any use to you, or anyone else. I know it helped me in quickely figuring out which lenses would be usefull and which would be ... well ... way too long (my 135mm f/2.8 prime becomes a 389mm prime on the Pocket Cinema ;-))

April 12th, 2013, 03:49 PM	#4
Steven Schuldt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 90	Re: BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Super 16 Sensor Excellent calculator tool! Would like to request addition of a section for Super 35 sensors like Arri Alexa and Canon C300. Cheers.

April 12th, 2013, 05:24 PM	#5
Philip Lipetz Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 273	Re: BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Super 16 Sensor The active version of the speed booster for m4/3 is delayed until next year, and the passive version until the end of the year.

April 14th, 2013, 07:48 AM	#6
Chris Joy Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 220	Re: BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera Super 16 Sensor There are some really great manual m43 primes including SLR Magic 12/1.6, Voigtlander 17/0.95 & 25/0.95. There are tons of old Super 16 lenses (though the cine lenses are costly) and possibly C-mount lenses will cover the sensor as well. One option I'm going to experiment with is a B4 broadcast zoom, which vignettes slightly on a M43 sensor. I bought a cheap one awhile back to tinker with on my EM5 - I think its a 9-63mm/f1.6 - which would roughly translate to a 27-252 in FF terms - and it has a built in 2x doubler so it'll really have some reach. The S16 sensor will hopefully be small enough to eliminate the m43 corner issues. I've preordered and right now all I have in m43 is my EM5 kit 14-42 and the B4 lens, along with a m43 to EF dumb adapter so I can use all my Canon lenses wide open. If the Pocket Cam is a keeper, I'm going to pick up the m43 Speedbooster when available and use my EF lenses.