Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Review 

I've own and shot with a BMPCC for a couple of years now and this is what I have to say about it: 1-It's a VERY GOOD camera out of the box, but to make it GREAT you need: -An IR CUT filter, if not, you WILL have issues color grading. -An external battery solution. I recommend the Smallrig Battery Plate and a couple of NPF batteries. -If you can afford it, buy a Metabones Speedbooster. It will help with the low light performance and it will make any glass you throw at it wider. - If you are planning of shooting RAW, buy the proper recommended SD card. A Sandisk Extreme Pro Class 10 will do the trick. -You might want to consider a cage or some sort of stabiliser, being such a small, light weight camera it's hard to get steady shots when handheld. -Consider buying a small monitor, since there is no flip out screen it's tricky to get some shots properly framed and focused when in low or high angles. And if you do get a monitor, use an optacopter drone HDMI cable (They are very light and won't compromise the infamous micro HDMI port on the BMPCC). I recently shot a music video recording RAW + Speedbooster + Sigma 18-35 and I am very happy with the results. Also, a little tip, don't be afraid to upscale the BMPCC RAW footage to 4K, I did, and it looks much better than 1080. Hope this helps anyone interested in a BMPCC.

By far the most honest and comprehensive review out there..A must for anyone looking at this camera, thank you!

Thank you for this very honest review...almost 10 years after this camera has come out, many people are still trying to get ahold of these cameras (Used)

i just got my bmpcc and because of this video i went ahead and got the switronics (probably misspelled that) battery setup i haven't had much time to figure it out yet but so far I'm loving it thanks for the info love the show!

BMPCC and Digital Bolex only cameras that look like actual film. Never see filmic footage out A7sii or most "cine cameras" to be honest. Something about that super 16 sensor.

That awkward moment when your camera reads 0 Kelvin and then the spacetime continuum breaks

Your Review is so thorough, I can't thank you enough! I probably owe you something

Solid review, Caleb. Question: what happens when you slap on Canon EF mount lenses on it? Do you have any control over aperture??

they fixed most of the cons! Pls do an update vid because I love the camera

awesome quality! I shot my last 3 shortfilms with the pocket camera!

Great review guys ! Not being able to trash files/format & no EF mount options.... bummer man I was sold. I hope they fix these issues !

7 years on, that shoulder rig looks ridiculous.

This is truly a beta camera but most of these things can be fixed with firmware updates. People forgets what this camera was made for. Professionals who wants raw quality in a small package and i think it was really made as a b cam. But it can be used as a A cam if you really want to (:

Very good and extensive review. I shoot with a 550d and have been wanting to upgrade to something higher end. This camera seems promising but it does have a lot of lacking obvious features. What do you think? Would it be a good step up from my camera? Or should I go more for a 70d or 6d or something else? Thanks!

Thank you for the great review, I was just wondering which rig are you using, as it looks pretty solid?

Great review, Caleb. I kinda ruled out this camera after your review, it's just too much hassle. Luckily I have a 5D Mark III and have figured out how to shoot RAW on it pretty reliably, otherwise I might have looked harder at this camera. If they keep making them, pretty soon we'll have some really amazing high end filmmaking tools. At the very least this puts pressure on the big camera companies to up the image quality.

Thanks for the review, Caleb. I also liked your review of Nikon Ai and Ai-s lenses. Would there be any advantage in getting an Nikon Ai-s lens over the Ai for use with the BMPCC? Thanks

Thank you...best review yet!

Really good video--thanks. I'm really interested in the camera; your video really helped a ton.

Good review! I have the same shoulder rig. What are you using for the counter weight?

Magic lantern on my 5d3 shooting raw video is pretty sweet. Have you tried it on your canon? By the way, enjoy your videos.

Hey, if you don't mind, where did you get your Voitlander lenses?

Please review it again in 2022

Many of the issues have been addressed with firmware updates

Seems like a lot of the issues could get fixed with firmware updates. Has anything happened in that department since release?

Any update on what's changed since you put this original review out?

Would you say this would be a good camera for a beginner filmmaker

What lens did u use for the BMPCC???

Great review. I'm seriously considering getting one of these since picture quality is my highest priority, but I'm a little new to dslr shoots. So I'm wondering what would be a good all purpose lens, with or without the metabones adaptor for a film shoot? Thanks. Would the Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO be a good all purpose lens? It should be for the price. haha Is there any cheap good vintage lenses you'd recommend? Preferably a wide, mid, and tele lens to cover all my bases. Sorry I'm asking for so much help. If I am just ignore me.

Hi, do you know if i can use this camera for livestreaming using an Ultrastudio Mini Recorder?

Can you name a better camera or 2 in this price rang. For me a new shooter.

Regarding recording live music how would you say this stacks up to a Sony A65?

I definitely believed I went to the wrong channel.

Did you just compare this to an Arri Alexa?

in 2023 this gem of a camera has many many fans. I have 2 bmpcc's and I love them to bits!. This review is sooo negative!

Well at least you don't have to worry about deleting or formatting accidentally!

I use a 6D I chose it over the 7D (which is more robust) because you really want full frame. You lenses give you literally so much more on full frame. And the 6D has been very kind to me these last 6 months I have it. If there's some things I am not too thrilled with is the noise on higher ISOs and there's some aliasing but not as bad as the 5D MkII. 5DMkIII would even be better especially when you shoot RAW. Small sensors *UGH*! Super16 is the minimum you want.

Most of todays cameras are only slightly better. 4K/6k/8k is really not even needed, just look at the 1080p from this camera. Todays cameras don’t even shoot 1080p this well lol. Who needs high frame rates anyways, shoot in 24p and use topaz ai for slowing the footage down and upscaling if needed. This camera was ahead of its times for sure and yes I’d does have quirks but show me a camera that doesn’t. I have a bmpcc and I’m looking to get the micro next and then a pl mount production 4K for the global shutter.

you don't want touch screen in underwater housings

oh my god that intro, lol

LOL, see how young you were!!! with the hair, lol, but is it worht it still in 2021?

You have zebra's on Canon's when you use magic lantern ;)

I think this is an awesome piece of engineering but it is just that a show-pony. It's not really suited for real long shoots because of the poor choice of battery and the form factor. It is not ideal for the dad with his kids in the zoo because it takes time to setup and properly grade, which most dad's at the zoo don't really want to do (let alone know how to). So definitely cool tech but I would not consider it to be a serious choice.

Wow, I wish i have one,😪

¿Where can I buy the rig?

7yearslater

Who else is waiting for theirs to come in the mail?

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lol at the intro..

I left this video because it basically introduced it with negative notes. Not something I wanna see when I'm looking into it.