There’s not a lot to criticize about the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Pro 6K—in addition to its cumbersome identify. An array of considerate options and a deal with video first make it the excellent stepping stone between conventional mirrorless shooters and high-end film cameras, if you may get previous its hefty weight and middling battery life.
An Affordable Pro Package
The BMPCC 6K Pro makes use of a Super 35-mm sensor which has been one of the most popular sensor formats for filmmakers for many years. While it is technically smaller than full-frame sensors, it is corresponding to the APS-C sensors you will discover in many photography cameras (although it’s kind of wider). The digital camera additionally makes use of an EF lens mount, which suggests it has entry to a fairly big selection of standard lenses.
Most notably–so notable they put it in the identify–this digital camera can shoot as much as 6K footage, which is difficult to seek out at this worth level. Why would possibly you need 6K footage, you ask? Well, in case your modifying rig can deal with it, you get much more flexibility to crop, zoom, and motion-track footage in postproduction, with out sacrificing image high quality. For low-to-no finances productions, a standard approach to get this flexibility is to shoot in 4K and distribute in 1080p, however 6K permits you to maintain that energy whereas nonetheless outputting the highest decision most individuals can watch proper now.
The digital camera additionally helps capturing in each Blackmagic RAW and Apple’s ProRes RAW codecs (the latter is barely supported as much as 4K, although). Both codecs are nice for capturing as a lot element as potential whereas capturing and adjusting your shade grade later. Blackmagic additionally makes DaVinci Resolve, which began as top-tier shade grading software program and has since advanced into a complete video modifying bundle that may generally give Adobe a run for its cash. So naturally, the digital camera comes with a free copy of the $300 Studio version of the app.
DaVinci Resolve’s free model is already extremely highly effective, and most cinema cameras that push into the 6K vary are fairly a bit pricier than the BMPCC 6K Pro. If you are seeking to get your foot in the door on pro-level filmmaking, it is onerous to discover a cheaper entry level.
Chonky Bod
Photograph: Blackmagic Design
The 6K Pro felt unimaginable after I first pulled it out of the field. It’s easy however grippy, and the crisp LCD display dominates the digital camera. Unlike most competing cameras, bodily buttons are pretty sparse right here, and the ones which might be on the physique have all earned their place. Just a few bodily buttons and a dial on the proper facet allow you to modify settings like ISO and white steadiness with out digging by way of the interface.
On the rear of the digital camera, buttons to regulate the aperture and focus robotically (in case your lens helps these options) are handily proper subsequent to your proper thumb. Finally, there are three programmable buttons alongside the high, which by default are mapped to the False Color characteristic, a default LUT, and body guides. However, you’ll be able to change these to no matter perform you discover most helpful whereas capturing.
