f-stop (iris control)

Can anyone please help by describing how the iris control function works on the camera.. how can i set a certain f-stop like 2.8 or 5.6 on it???

Can anyone please help by describing how the iris control function works on the camera.. how can i set a certain f-stop like 2.8 or 5.6 on it???

I believe John Brawley has reported that with the current (public) firmware release v.1.1, there's a 1/3 of a stop change with each click on the BMCC-EF's "transport" (FF/RW) control buttons. Unfortunately, the current aperture is not displayed on the cam's LCD. Hopefully a future version of the firmware will enable display of the lens aperture setting.

On the BMCC-MFT model, aperture settings are performed using a manual lens' aperture ring. Alternatively, there are (relatively expensive) 3rd party electronic lens mounts adapters which support electronic EOS lenses on a MFT mount camera, including electronic control of a lens' aperture, IS, etc. On the MFT cam, the IRIS button only toggles zebras.

As described in the BMCC user manual (which can be downloaded from BMD's website), on both the BMCC-EF & BMCC-MFT, the IRIS button also toggles the cam's zebras exposure aid display ON/OFF. The zebras settings can be adjusted in the cam's menus.

In the manual, it also says (regarding the BMCC-EF): "When shooting using the Video dynamic range, the exposure will set using an average of scene similar to what you're used to on a stills camera. However, in Film dynamic range, the IRIS button adjusts your exposure to ensure that nothing in your scene is clipped."

Can anyone please help by describing how the iris control function works on the camera.. how can i set a certain f-stop like 2.8 or 5.6 on it???

I believe John Brawley has reported that with the current (public) firmware release v.1.1, there's a 1/3 of a stop change with each click on the BMCC-EF's "transport" (FF/RW) control buttons. Unfortunately, the current aperture is not displayed on the cam's LCD. Hopefully a future version of the firmware will enable display of the lens aperture setting.

On the BMCC-MFT model, aperture settings are performed using a manual lens' aperture ring. Alternatively, there are (relatively expensive) 3rd party electronic lens mounts adapters which support electronic EOS lenses on a MFT mount camera, including electronic control of a lens' aperture, IS, etc. On the MFT cam, the IRIS button only toggles zebras.

As described in the BMCC user manual (which can be downloaded from BMD's website), on both the BMCC-EF & BMCC-MFT, the IRIS button also toggles the cam's zebras exposure aid display ON/OFF. The zebras settings can be adjusted in the cam's menus.

In the manual, it also says (regarding the BMCC-EF): "When shooting using the Video dynamic range, the exposure will set using an average of scene similar to what you're used to on a stills camera. However, in Film dynamic range, the IRIS button adjusts your exposure to ensure that nothing in your scene is clipped."

Just curious as to why on earth would they leave out the ability to know the aperature setting...that just baffles me to be honest I really hope they get on that quick as I don't think they have on the first firmware update....

There's currently a few of those Cuboirs. Aperture, VU meters etc. It's those little features where you think, wait, this really got through the gate to final release? Really?

There's currently a few of those Cuboirs. Aperture, VU meters etc. It's those little features where you think, wait, this really got through the gate to final release? Really?

Well...it hasn't *really* cleared the gate yet, has it?

This is a serious issue for any serious DP relying on electronic aperture control, for me it rules out using those sorts of lenses... How are you supposed to expose using a light meter without knowing your f-stop?!

Use the force Luke. (sorry...couldn't resist).

You little cowboy, you! I used to live out in Houston. Got it there all the time. Something about Americans and the name Luke!

If it helps any, I feel the same way about the lack of VUs and remaining record time on an SSD. All omissions that are very hard to understand.

If it helps any, I feel the same way about the lack of VUs and remaining record time on an SSD. All omissions that are very hard to understand.

You know what's funny? I don't mind the lack of VU meters because I always use an external recorder. Most cameras record at 16bit 48kHz uncompressed and my external recorder does 24bit 48kHz uncompressed, so I would always want to use my external recorder. The lack of VU meters doesn't bother me as much as the lack of f-stop. It just proves the point that each customer has specific needs and there is no perfect camera. It all depends on what each end user wants.

That being said, I'm not against having VU meters, as that would just be another option to record audio. I'm all for options. That's what makes a product great.

... my external recorder does 24bit 48kHz uncompressed ...

As does the BMCC.
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/product ... techspecs/

All the more reason the BMCC's current lack of VUs is quite odd, and why hopefully this omission will be addressed "soon". No guarantees, but here's hoping.

Cheers.

It just proves the point that each customer has specific needs and there is no perfect camera. It all depends on what each end user wants.

I see a minimum level of features that would be considered "assumable" on any camera...much as you assume an automobile will have a gas guage and speedometer. VUs, F/stop, SSD capacity aren't "features"; they are basic functions of any camera.

I see a minimum level of features that would be considered "assumable" on any camera...much as you assume an automobile will have a gas guage and speedometer. VUs, F/stop, SSD capacity aren't "features"; they are basic functions of any camera.

"Real men" don't need gas gauges, speedometers, or that other stuff you mention.

Heck, real men hand-crank both their cars and their cameras!

"no power nothing" huh? Back in the day, real men considered 2" Quad decks portable.

I can't remember the last camcorder I owned/used that didn't have VUs, recording medium capacity, F/stop...w8 a minute...I can't remember any camcorder prior to my D90 and 7D that had f/Stop or ISO for that matter. Nevermind.

It just proves the point that each customer has specific needs and there is no perfect camera. It all depends on what each end user wants.

I see a minimum level of features that would be considered "assumable" on any camera...much as you assume an automobile will have a gas guage and speedometer. VUs, F/stop, SSD capacity aren't "features"; they are basic functions of any camera.

Yeah that's true. DSLR changed that because they're not video cameras, so it's weird how expectations have changed. For some reason, I always just saw the BMCC as a PICTURE camera only. I'm not saying that's the way it should be viewed, that was just my view on it, probably based off all the years I've now spent shooting solely with my DSLRs.

Strange to say the least.

This is a serious issue for any serious DP relying on electronic aperture control, for me it rules out using those sorts of lenses... How are you supposed to expose using a light meter without knowing your f-stop?!

While we wait for BMD to update the firmware to display the f-stop you can always work it out. Each press of the button will change the f-stop by 1/3 of a stop. Take your meter reading then open the lens up to it's widest aperture and start clicking the button to close the aperture down.

Each click is 1/3 of a stop. So if the lens is f/2.8 you'll get this:
2.8 - 3.2 - 3.5 - 4 - 4.5 - 5.0 - 5.6 - 6.3 - 7.1 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 13 - 14 - 16 - etc

If it helps any, I feel the same way about the lack of VUs and remaining record time on an SSD. All omissions that are very hard to understand.

I forgot about this one. A very important thing to know! Half way through a take and boom. No more space.

This is a serious issue for any serious DP relying on electronic aperture control, for me it rules out using those sorts of lenses... How are you supposed to expose using a light meter without knowing your f-stop?!

While we wait for BMD to update the firmware to display the f-stop you can always work it out. Each press of the button will change the f-stop by 1/3 of a stop. Take your meter reading then open the lens up to it's widest aperture and start clicking the button to close the aperture down.

Each click is 1/3 of a stop. So if the lens is f/2.8 you'll get this:
2.8 - 3.2 - 3.5 - 4 - 4.5 - 5.0 - 5.6 - 6.3 - 7.1 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 13 - 14 - 16 - etc

Thanks buddy....this chart looks cool!!!... but seriously..BMD should have considered the display of f-stop which even the cheapest of the DSLRs have!!!!!

Thanks buddy....this chart looks cool!!!... but seriously..BMD should have considered the display of f-stop which even the cheapest of the DSLRs have!!!!!

Think of the work involved in getting this camera to market. It's not as simple as you might think to integrate another companies protocols. It took Metabones some time to get the EF to E-mount Smart adapter to work properly with all of the Canon lenses. BMC have built an entire camera with many features. Each feature needs to be tested and tweaked before it can be released. Some will even have knock on effects on features that are already working.

F-Stop display will come as will many other features. They are continuing to work on the software. They have already releases an update that added IS support and fixed some bugs. More will no doubt be on the way. Most of us don't even have the camera yet. F-Stop display may already be in the next firmware release, maybe in time for the arrival of your camera.

I believe John Brawley has reported that with the current (public) firmware release v.1.1, there's a 1/3 of a stop change with each click on the BMCC-EF's "transport" (FF/RW) control buttons.

Being a BMPCC user, I was at a total loss when searching for that functionality on the BMCC.
(BMPCC= auto-iris+UP/DOWN buttons. Breaks your wrist/fingers to reach such a button combination but does the job.)
I would never have thought about FF/RW since these buttons are out of view above the light shade.