Blackmagic Cinema Camera
The Blackmagic Cinema Camera with EF Mount from Blackmagic Designbrings to film makers a tool that many have waited for. Recording to a 2.5K image sensor, the camera is capable of recording 12-bit RAW DNG files, as well as ProRes and DNxHD formats to built-in removable SSD drives (not included), while delivering 13 stops of dynamic range. And it does so at a previously unheard of price point.
The camera is housed in an elegant, minimalist enclosure, crafted from a single block of aluminum. It can be used hand held or mounted on industry standard hardware. The lens mount accepts Canon EF and Zeiss ZE lenses, and the LCD touchscreen provides monitoring, plus the ability for the user to add metadata such as shot number, filenames and keywords.
To handle the high data video output, the company includes a full version of DaVinci Resolve, its premier color correcting software for Mac and Windows. Also included is a copy of UltraScope. When connected to a computer via Thunderbolt, the software provides technically accurate waveform monitoring, displaying six live scope views on a single monitor.
Since everything has been designed to provide high quality acquisition, the camera is perfect for independent film, television commercials and episodic television production, all places where image quality is paramount. And being affordable, it will also find its way into wedding, sporting event and music video capture.
- Dynamic Range
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- Captures a super wide dynamic range of 13 stops into 12-bit DNG files for a true “filmic” look
- Preserves detail in both shadows and highlights, and even handles indoor shots while keeping the details of any images captured through windows
- Allows for keeping all sensor data and enhancing the creative decisions during DaVinci Resolve color grading
- EF Compatible Lens Mount
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- Supports optics from leading lens crafters such as Canon, Zeiss and many more
- Compatible with EF and ZE mount lenses
- Allows full electronic control of the lens – simply point, set iris and focus on command
- Capacitive Touchscreen Display
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- Five inch touchscreen allows for setting up a shot, as well as playback from the SSD using the transport control buttons below the screen
- Enter shot data and update the camera’s settings using the capacitive touchscreen display
- Double tap to zoom the image for fast and accurate focus
- Data strip displays information including record status, shutter angle, ISO, battery level, record time and more
- Metadata Entry
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- Features built-in metadata entry so that files include information compatible with popular editing software
- Dramatically speeds up the whole post production process
- Entering metadata is easy – simply tap the capacitive LCD touchscreen to display the slate where information can be entered including shot number, search tags, scene number, Timecode, and more
- Set shot number and other data to increment automatically
- Metadata is compatible with leading editing software and is fully searchable, bypassing the time consuming task of searching for specific shots when editing a project
- SSD Recorder
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- Built-in SSD recorder uses low cost 2.5″ SSDs
- Allows for 2.5K uncompressed CinemaDNG RAW 12-bit capture, as well as Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD compressed video formats
- Play back directly from the camera, mount the disk to any computer, or use Blackmagic Design’s HyperDeck Studio deck
- With Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD video formats, record for more than five hours on a single 480 GB SSD
- All file formats conform to open standards used by most professional NLE software
- When finished shooting, simply connect the SSD to a computer and edit or color shots straight from the disc
- Connectors
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- Uses only standard connections, no custom cable required
- Dual balanced microphone/line audio inputs for recording high quality uncompressed audio
- 3 Gb/s SDI out for on set monitoring or for sending to live production switchers
- Includes 12 to 30 VDC input for power and battery charging
- Stereo mini (3.5 mm) headphone output
- LANC remote control and high speed Thunderbolt port for computer capture
- Open File Formats
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- Camera uses standard file formats
- Recording native 2.5K resolution uses the open CinemaDNG format, delivering full 12-bit RAW recording quality
- Choose 1080HD recording into ProRes and DNxHD compressed video formats for even greater compatibility
- Included Software
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- Full DaVinci Resolve 9.0 software including Resolve USB dongle for Mac and Windows
- Shoot wide dynamic range images and then make color correction decisions in post production
- Media Express software for video capture from the camera’s Thunderbolt port
- UltraScope provides technically accurate waveform monitoring
- Connect the camera to any computer using Thunderbolt to display six live scope views on a single monitor
- Use UltraScope on set or in any location for parade, waveform, vectorscope and histogram signal measurement
- Includes picture view, audio level , and phase monitoring
| Sensor Resolution | 2432 x 1366 |
| Raw Resolution | 12-bit RAW files recorded at 2432 x 1366 |
| Shooting Resolutions | 2.5K RAW at 2432 x 1366. ProRes and DNxHD at 1920 x 1080 |
| Frame Rates | 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p |
| Sensor Size | Actual: 16.64 x 14.04 mm Active: 15.6 x 8.8 mm |
| Dynamic Range | 13 stops |
| Focus | Focus button turns on peaking |
| Iris Control | Iris button automatically adjusts the lens iris settings so no pixel is clipped |
| Lens Mount | EF and ZE mount compatible with electronic iris control |
| Screen | Size: 5″ with 800 x 480 resolution Type: Integrated LCD capacitive touchscreen |
| Metadata | Automatic camera data and user data such as shot number, filenames and keywords |
| Controls | Onscreen touch menus Physical buttons for recording and transport control |
| Microphone | Integrated mono microphone |
| Speaker | Integrated mono speaker |
| Connections | SDI Video Output: 1 x 10-bit HD-SDI 4:2:2 with choice of Film or Video Dynamic Range Analog Audio Input: 2 x 1/4″ TRS balanced phone switchable between microphone and line levels Analog Audio Output: 1 x 3.5 mm TRS stereo mini headphone SDI Audio Output: 4 channels in HD-SDI Remote Control: 1 x 2.5 mm LANC for Record Start/Stop, Iris Control and Focus Control Computer Interface: Thunderbolt port for capture of RAW video and audio, USB 2.0 mini B port for software updates and configuration External Power: 12V-30V DC port for external battery power or use included 12V AC adapter |
| Storage | Type: Removable 2.5″ SSD Format: Mac OS Extended format (SSDs can be formatted on any Mac or use Mediafour MacDrive [not included] on a Windows PC) Rates: 5 MB/frame in RAW 2.5K fits about 30 minutes of 24p video on a 256 GB solid state disk – compressed HD formats fit more than 5 times the amount of RAW video Uncompressed Recording Format: RAW 2.5K CinemaDNG Compressed Recording Format: Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD. All compressed recording in 1920×1080 10-bit YUV with choice of Film or Video dynamic range |
| Standards | SDI Compliance: SMPTE 292M SDI Audio Sampling: 24-bit/48 kHz |
| Mounting | 3 x 1/4″ thread mounting points on top of camera 1 x 1/4″ thread tripod mount with locator pin |
| Power | Integrated Lithium-ion Polymer rechargeable battery 12~30 VDC port for external battery power or use included 12 VAC adapter |
| Battery | Life: Approximately 90 minutes Charge Time: Approximately 2 hours when not in use |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 4.5 x 5″ (166 x 114 x 126 mm) 1 |
| Weight | 3.8 lb (1.7 kg) |
