Camera Shipping Update: 2/8

Some of us would like to have some information about the MFT model, there has been insinuations of there being a lot of them ready to ship, but nothing clear and nothing shipped (obviously), I bought and payed in full last september, at the time we were promised that we would get our cameras in December now it says that's available for pre-order (B&H by the way).

I understand that there's a lot of people who order the EF model that are still waiting, but IF you have MFT models ready to ship, WTH are you waiting for? Can you people only ship one camera at a time or something?

If you care at least a bit about your costumers you should give us MFT buyers at least a little hope, and/or Information.

Officially beginning my search for a used Red One MX.
Cannot stand the incompetence of BMD any longer.
Cant even get an update on shipping from BMD or BH.
Completely useless....

Well, I just reached the end of my rope. I'm no longer on a preorder w8ing list. I expected this to be but it's actually ...I feel like the w8 of the world has been lifted off my shoulders (pun intended).

It's now up to BMD to convince me that I need a BMC and early users to motivate me to walk in somewhere and buy one over the counter in a few months or so. I've learned a valuable life lesson here...never preorder anything.

I'm going to hang around (if that's okay) to keep in touch with the BMC state of affairs. I'm keen to know when VUs are there, when SSD capacity exists, what SSDs really work, etc. Besides, I really like a lot of the people who post here and enjoy reading what they have to say.

But I'm no longer an imminent customer. I may buy a BMC, I might not. The ball is back in my court as it should be.

Marc, I'm sorry to see you leave without a camera. I don't post here anymore, I bought a Red One MX back in November, seeing the signs. I only come back to hopefully see you and the first posters announce receiving the camera. This forum is not for customer service, obviously. There is no company presence on anything that matters, but it's a place where folks can yell, argue or console each other in this shared situation. In that regard I appreciate your level head and demeanor.

I'm glad the ball is back in your court though, and hope you find a better camera that will have a better support system and communication along with it. Thanks for your posts-

Thank you LincolnL, I sure do appreciate the kind words. I reached a crisis point last December (l8 November actually) and had to buy a new camera or lose a whole bunch of new business because my 7D couldn't do long format. Don't feel too bad for me...business is booming and my new camera (C100) is doing a gr8 job for me.

I still want a BMC but now I'll get it on my terms. It's intrinsic to the preorder process that customers give up their power to slick demos, marketing hype and promises and humbly take a number and get in line. If we wouldn't participate in that game, we would maintain our authority to buy what fits our needs and is available. As in so many things, our power is our money and premature commitments only weaken that strength.

I think we are going to have to succumb to the idea that BMD blew it with the Cinema Camera and all of this will go to the history books the same way as the Scarlet did. Maybe its just the digital camera industry with a bunch of opportunistic and unexperienced companies trying to brake into production too soon.

It would be great if usernames on this forum were directly linked to the users business name or company.

There's some adults on this forum behaving like 10 year old children. You'd have no business to use this camera on if you acted this petulant in everyday life.

Grow up.

Read the description... needed a bit of a laugh!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REALISTIC-STE ... 2ec6e27f11

Christine,

I understand all that you stated. I am concerned a little:

I ordered the day after the NAB announcement ... my reseller ordered 2 days afterwards when it it became available in the NewMagic list. When you announced the MFT version with no penalty to swap, I did so immediately.

I am concerned because there is a penalty, it has been stated that you will not ship the MFT until you have caught up with EF backorders ... the penalty is it seems I won't get a camera until everybody else who has an EF on order gets theirs, even they order tomorrow .... that is a huge penalty.

Can you please comment

Kevin

We see your requests for another update, but we don't have any news at the moment. If something changes, we'll definitely post an update.

Christine, Blackmagic must have news. Do you mean that Blackmagic is refusing to explain or that you personally haven't been told anything by Blackmagic? If it's really true that nothing has happened at Blackmagic since 8th February then that is very worrying.

- Why have some resellers gone though most of their pre-order list/why are cameras available off the shelf, when some people are still waiting for an April pre-order? - Answered with this description of the distribution process, by Dan May, President of Blackmagic USA: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5119 and I tried to explain this too, here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4916&start=200#p34124

- Is the distribution across regions uneven? - Answered here by Kristian Lam, product manager of BMCC: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4916&start=270#p35428

Sorry, no, those links don't provide answers. The vagaries of distribution, dealers' waiting lists etc might explain a difference of a few weeks between territories and retailers, but we've seen here recently that 'Forstm' has just taken delivery of two cameras which were ordered on 23rd January - exactly nine months after I ordered mine, which has yet to arrive. Nothing in the links you've provided explains a disparity of that magnitude.

Christine, Blackmagic must have news. Do you mean that Blackmagic is refusing to explain or that you personally haven't been told anything by Blackmagic? If it's really true that nothing has happened at Blackmagic since 8th February then that is very worrying.

EF cameras are continuing to be shipped worldwide, as well as all the other Blackmagic products. And we're preparing for NAB, of course. Those things are happening, but I wouldn't say it's news.

Sorry, no, those links don't provide answers. The vagaries of distribution, dealers' waiting lists etc might explain a difference of a few weeks between territories and retailers, but we've seen here recently that 'Forstm' has just taken delivery of two cameras which were ordered on 23rd January - exactly nine months after I ordered mine, which has yet to arrive. Nothing in the links you've provided explains a disparity of that magnitude.

Some resellers have been able to go through their pre-order list much quicker than others due to when they ordered from us, how many cameras they ordered, and how long their pre-order list was. Some resellers chose not to have pre-order lists and are selling cameras off the shelf. We don't have access to reseller pre-order lists, but our distributors are trying to be as fair as possible.

...with no penalty to swap...

This was never said by anyone at Black Magic.
You're misquoting John Brawley, who simply stated that you could switch your order without having to pay extra or anything of the sort.
You were never going to hold your place in line for EF orders for your MTF camera. You simply just transitioned into a new line.

Christine, Blackmagic must have news. Do you mean that Blackmagic is refusing to explain or that you personally haven't been told anything by Blackmagic? If it's really true that nothing has happened at Blackmagic since 8th February then that is very worrying.

EF cameras are continuing to be shipped worldwide, as well as all the other Blackmagic products. And we're preparing for NAB, of course. Those things are happening, but I wouldn't say it's news.

Um ... yes, but I thought in the meantime someone at Blackmagic might have had a twinge of guilt about the camera distribution fiasco and decided to tell the world about it.

Christine, I see that you're not posting from the Blackmagic deathstar in Australia. You don't seem to be in Blackmagic's US office in California, but are based in Massachusetts. Are you on the staff at Blackmagic, or do you work for a PR or ad agency?

Sorry, no, those links don't provide answers. The vagaries of distribution, dealers' waiting lists etc might explain a difference of a few weeks between territories and retailers, but we've seen here recently that 'Forstm' has just taken delivery of two cameras which were ordered on 23rd January - exactly nine months after I ordered mine, which has yet to arrive. Nothing in the links you've provided explains a disparity of that magnitude.

Some resellers have been able to go through their pre-order list much quicker than others due to when they ordered from us, how many cameras they ordered, and how long their pre-order list was. Some resellers chose not to have pre-order lists and are selling cameras off the shelf. We don't have access to reseller pre-order lists, but our distributors are trying to be as fair as possible.

Nine months. Three-quarters of a year. That can't be right.

If you look at the number of distributors on the BMD web page you will find that there are 7X the number of distributors listed in the US than in the UK.

Are we talking about distributors or retailers/resellers? There is one distributor in the UK, as you'd expect, but there are quite a few retailers. Of course there are many more in the USA; it's a much larger country. We need to compare Europe with the USA to get a fair comparison. I'm not going to count the European retailers on the Blackmagic website, because I think I'd lose the will to live.

So what country did you start looking for cameras in?

If you look at the number of distributors on the BMD web page you will find that there are 7X the number of distributors listed in the US than in the UK.

Are we talking about distributors or retailers/resellers? There is one distributor in the UK, as you'd expect, but there are quite a few retailers. Of course there are many more in the USA; it's a much larger country. We need to compare Europe with the USA to get a fair comparison. I'm not going to count the European retailers on the Blackmagic website, because I think I'd lose the will to live.

So what country did you start looking for cameras in?

I'm not sure I understand the question. I ordered from CVP, a large retailer in the UK.

So what country did you start looking for cameras in?

I'm not sure I understand the question. I ordered from CVP, a large retailer in the UK.[/quote]

What I am saying is perhaps you would have had a better chance if you found a small reseller that had fewer orders. But who the hell wants to call various shops in various countries to find one. So because there are more smaller,often ignored, resellers here it makes it easier for somone here to get one sooner than a person who is choosing from a smaller pool of sellers.

What I am saying is perhaps you would have had a better chance if you found a small reseller that had fewer orders. But who the hell wants to call various shops in various countries to find one. So because there are more smaller,often ignored, resellers here it makes it easier for somone here to get one sooner than a person who is choosing from a smaller pool of sellers.

I ordered mine from a local reseller, mostly because I was looking for a local reseller. I found one that has good ratings and found that they were doing the deposit thing, so I gave them a call and put in my deposit... and learned that I'm #2 on the MFT list. So... I'm hoping mainly to have the BMCC in time to start shooting some upcoming projects on it.

Christine, I see that you're not posting from the Blackmagic deathstar in Australia. You don't seem to be in Blackmagic's US office in California, but are based in Massachusetts. Are you on the staff at Blackmagic, or do you work for a PR or ad agency?

Blackmagic HQ for the US is in Fremont, CA, but we have a few smaller offices across the country. I'm a Blackmagic employee. My full work history is available in the LinkedIn button to the left, if you're curious or want to connect.

Hi Christine
Why do you keep skipping the MFT question?
Please tell us something about it

Hi Christine
Why do you keep skipping the MFT question?
Please tell us something about it

It's because I don't know the answer. Sorry!

Hi Christine
Why do you keep skipping the MFT question?
Please tell us something about it

It's because I don't know the answer. Sorry!

your answer is not very reassuring
It seems like you are the person hired to talk to us.. so you should know

Go and ask your boss!!

What I am saying is perhaps you would have had a better chance if you found a small reseller that had fewer orders. But who the hell wants to call various shops in various countries to find one. So because there are more smaller,often ignored, resellers here it makes it easier for somone here to get one sooner than a person who is choosing from a smaller pool of sellers.

At the time I signed up, nobody had many orders. I had no way of knowing that things would end up in such a mess. You don't have to negotiate this sort of minefield when you buy a camera made by, say, Sony or Canon.

What I am saying is perhaps you would have had a better chance if you found a small reseller that had fewer orders. But who the hell wants to call various shops in various countries to find one. So because there are more smaller,often ignored, resellers here it makes it easier for somone here to get one sooner than a person who is choosing from a smaller pool of sellers.

At the time I signed up, nobody had many orders. I had no way of knowing that things would end up in such a mess. You don't have to negotiate this sort of minefield when you buy a camera made by, say, Sony or Canon.

This is exactly why everyone is in panic and feels neglected.

This is exactly why everyone is in panic and feels neglected.

What's funny is that if you talk to the Red early adopters, it turns out that when they introduced their cameras, they went through similar teething pains, yet look where they are now. Now it's Black Magic's turn. BMD's mistake was underestimating how long it would take them to get the camera into full-scale production, and basing an announcement on that estimate.

This is exactly why everyone is in panic and feels neglected.

What's funny is that if you talk to the Red early adopters, it turns out that when they introduced their cameras, they went through similar teething pains, yet look where they are now.

Whats really funny is Red was a startup ( buy a guy that made sunglassses no less) and their ability to enter the market was seriously doubted and discounted by ALOT of people.
Blackmagic were supposed to be major players in the game, with experience, and a track record as "game changers". Their "baby Alexa" was to free the masses from dslr purgatory!

Time to get off the Red kick as some sort of appeasement. Really, its been done to death here, and its an apples to oranges comparison anyway.

Whats really funny is Red was a startup ( buy a guy that made sunglassses no less) and their ability to enter the market was seriously doubted and discounted by ALOT of people.
Blackmagic were supposed to be major players in the game, with experience, and a track record as "game changers". Their "baby Alexa" was to free the masses from dslr purgatory!

Time to get off the Red kick as some sort of appeasement. Really, its been done to death here, and its an apples to oranges comparison anyway.

How many cameras has BMD made before this one?

In any case, it's to a large extent the fact that BMD has an established factory and revenue stream that it's even possible for them to make this camera at $3k AND include Resolve. If Red had made this camera, it would cost... wait, Red's costs $9800, when Red tried to make a 3k camera for $3k. They weren't even close. My guess is that Red COULD have made a $3k 3k camera, but they'd have had to break the bank to do it. BMD is able to do the Intel thing, use economies of scale to get the price down.

That there are so many preorders doesn't imply that BMD failed, it implies that they are succeeding. Until they've caught up on preorders. They are turning the industry on its ear, and in the process paving the way for some really cool stuff like the Apertus and the Digital Bolex. It's going to be a great time to be a film maker, and BMD is in the vanguard.

I'm holding onto my preorder and being as patient as I can because it's going to allow me to step up the quality of my work drastically, and for the price it's a bargain any way you look at it.

It's going to be a great time to be a film maker.

When wasnt it?
And when does the new "great time" start, I want to mark my calendar.

It's going to be a great time to be a film maker.

When wasnt it?
And when does the new "great time" start, I want to mark my calendar.

Or maybe you could try growing up.

How many cameras has BMD made before this one?

How many aquisition, editing, post, etc items did Red make prior to their initial announcement that they were setting out to sell their first camera?

Again, apples to oranges.

It's going to be a great time to be a film maker.

When wasnt it?
And when does the new "great time" start, I want to mark my calendar.

Or maybe you could try growing up.

Bwahahahahaa, you sound like a hurt troll.
Way to convey your so called point you were trying to make.

Bwahahahahaa, you sound like a hurt troll.
Way to convey your so called point you were trying to make.

You did a good job of living down to low expectations.

Bwahahahahaa, you sound like a hurt troll.
Way to convey your so called point you were trying to make.

You did a good job of living down to low expectations.

Yah, good times to be a filmaker brah!

Buzz off

...with no penalty to swap...

This was never said by anyone at Black Magic.
You're misquoting John Brawley, who simply stated that you could switch your order without having to pay extra or anything of the sort.
You were never going to hold your place in line for EF orders for your MTF camera. You simply just transitioned into a new line.

If I cancel an EF and reorder and MFT I don't have to pay extra too. That is obvious in how businesses are done. Comming out and saying "no penalty" and that BMD is helping the reseller to assist you to switch implys a guarantee your order are delivered promptly and will not be penalised.

...with no penalty to swap...

This was never said by anyone at Black Magic.
You're misquoting John Brawley, who simply stated that you could switch your order without having to pay extra or anything of the sort.
You were never going to hold your place in line for EF orders for your MTF camera. You simply just transitioned into a new line.

If I cancel an EF and reorder and MFT I don't have to pay extra too. That is obvious in how businesses are done. Comming out and saying "no penalty" and that BMD is helping the reseller to assist you to switch implys a guarantee your order are delivered promptly and will not be penalised.

again, Blackmagic NEVER said there would be "no penatly" - John Brawley said it, he does not work for BMD and is not a spokesperson for them either. Furthermore, he recently clarified that he was referring to payment, not to delivery date.

again, Blackmagic NEVER said there would be "no penatly" - John Brawley said it, he does not work for BMD and is not a spokesperson for them either. Furthermore, he recently clarified that he was referring to payment, not to delivery date.

So if I cancel my EF and then reorder an MFT would I encure a penalty? Err, I think not.
Comming out and say I can switch my EF to MFT without penalty implys I would otherwise incur a penalty if I cancel the EF and then reorder MFT.

Sounds to me like double speak politicians often use when things didnt turn out as it meant to be.

I hardly agree that Brawley is not a BMD spokesman and represent the company. This guy has been using several BMCC EF loooong before NAB 2012 and has been playing with a BMCC MFT since last summer. I would say he is part of the PR and development team.

Well, our BMCC shipped yesterday from B&H—the nice thing is, they still haven't notified my that it shipped, we just saw a $3000 dip in our bank account so we went to the site and saw that it was shipped yesterday. We ordered our camera on July 9th, 2012 and are shipping it to Oregon State. Not sure if this helps anyone figure out where they are in line, but thought I'd share!

again, Blackmagic NEVER said there would be "no penatly" - John Brawley said it, he does not work for BMD and is not a spokesperson for them either. Furthermore, he recently clarified that he was referring to payment, not to delivery date.

So if I cancel my EF and then reorder an MFT would I encure a penalty? Err, I think not.
Comming out and say I can switch my EF to MFT without penalty implys I would otherwise incur a penalty if I cancel the EF and then reorder MFT.

Sounds to me like double speak politicians often use when things didnt turn out as it meant to be.

I hardly agree that Brawley is not a BMD spokesman and represent the company. This guy has been using several BMCC EF loooong before NAB 2012 and has been playing with a BMCC MFT since last summer. I would say he is part of the PR and development team.

Using your logic, I could classify myself as a BMD spokesperson (I am not, but then neither is Mr Brawley), and say "All EF orders come with a free t-shirt" - then I could complain that I don't have a free t-shirt.

Whether John Brawley is or is not a BMD spokesperson is not a debatable thing - he is not a BMD spokesperson - fact. When he says anything, he is not talking on behalf of BMD.

If you want factual information about BMD products, look at official press releases and statements from BMD employees. Not people that have been given test units to try out as part of their development process.

No BMD press releases or statements have said anywhere anything about "no penalty" or words to that effect.

The only time it has been mentioned (and subsequently repeated by people such as yourself), is from a blog post made by John on his own website. And even then, he has stated very clearly that he was referring to payment for the camera, not shipping times, pre-order positions or anything else.

This is the last comment I will make in this back and forth, I don't think its right for me to talk about other people in this defensive manner - John and BMD can speak for themselves I guess. Somewhere along the way, people started to claim this "no penalty" thing, and it was not based on fact. I just wanted to clear it up for those confused. I get the impression you and I just disagree - rather than there being confusion.

I hope BM can start shipping out the MFT version soon. It's two and a half months past December now.

I hope BM can start shipping out the MFT version soon. It's two and a half months past December now.

It's been 9 months since the original June delivery date for the EF mount. Hang in there.

It's been 9 months since the original June delivery date for the EF mount. Hang in there.

Hopefully the estimate in the Doddle interview is reasonably accurate. If it is, then BMD will be starting on MFT mount cameras in a week or two.

Hopefully.

I got my camera!

After checking ebay/craigslist and having a preorder at GearTechs I broke down and got one for $3700.

INFORMATIONS!!!!!!!!!!????????

"Alllooooooo"...

Consider myself to be extremely lucky. Ordered my camera Feb 22nd online in the UK and received it today!

Consider myself to be extremely lucky. Ordered my camera Feb 22nd online in the UK and received it today!

wow! from whom?

3D Broadcast Pinewood.

3D Broadcast Pinewood.

I also ordered from them just over a week ago, I'm currently 4th in line. Enjoy your camera!

I received a call from 3di synthèse in Montréal and I will have my camera on monday ! I ordered on november... I think I'm a bit lucky !

3D Broadcast Pinewood.

I also ordered from them just over a week ago, I'm currently 4th in line. Enjoy your camera!

Cheers Adrian.

there seems to be a few for sale on bmcuser ...

Boston Rule Camera http://www.rule.com had a few camera's available earlier today per their Facebook page, I counted 5 on the shelf of the pic they posted, after 2 or so hrs they were all sold. The cameras do appear to be shipping. If you look to the smaller sales outlets you will probably have better luck.

Well, ordered mine in France (Video Plus France) in october... no annouced date for delivery.
Is that what BM CEO calls "evenly distributed" ?

!!!UPDATE THIS MONTH???