Black "sun spots": Real issue or user error? (Firmware v.1.1

A BMCC running firmware v.1.1 in Paris, France is allegedly having a black "sun spot" issue ...


In the comments on Vimeo I'm attempting to determine if it's a camera issue or a computer software issue, but haven't succeeded yet in getting the user to do some quick tests.

Reportedly this issue was addressed in the BMCC v.1.1 firmware. That's why this report caught my attention.

bmcc black sun spot.jpg (137.53 KiB) Viewed 6444 times

I saw that, I wouldn't think it's user error. The black spot stays right in the center where ever the bright point is. When he pans the spot remains with the sun.

I saw that, I wouldn't think it's user error. The black spot stays right in the center where ever the bright point is.

It could be a user error if it's only occurring on his computer (e.g.: a software settings error). That's why I've repeatedly asked him to confirm whether its visible on the BMCC LCD or not.

I saw that, I wouldn't think it's user error. The black spot stays right in the center where ever the bright point is.

It could be a user error if it's only occurring on his computer (e.g.: a software settings error). That's why I've repeatedly asked him to confirm whether its visible on the BMCC LCD or not.

yeah your right, I did see that he never answered. I did not see the flaw in his other video on vimeo.

I saw this issue on a national commercial the other day

I saw this issue on a national commercial the other day

That can be either a broadcast error, or a camera or post-production error. That's why troubleshooting the issue (when possible) is important.

For years the Sony logo was broadcast as clipped-to-black at the end of every episode of Seinfeld by the network affiliate in the SF, CA area! They eventually fixed the problem, whatever the cause.

I saw this issue on a national commercial the other day

That can be either a broadcast error, or a camera or post-production error. That's why troubleshooting the issue (when possible) is important.

For years the Sony logo was broadcast as clipped-to-black at the end of every episode of Seinfeld by the network affiliate in the SF, CA area! They eventually fixed the problem, whatever the cause.

Seinfeld...what a let down the last episode was...

Just got my camera, and we have lots of sun in australia. Can confirm on v1.1 that I'm getting black sun spots. On the camera LCD and in my raw dngs.

Just got my camera, and we have lots of sun in australia. Can confirm on v1.1 that I'm getting black sun spots. On the camera LCD and in my raw dngs.

As has previously been said this is not uncommon with these types of sensors. I believe the Genesis camera was known for having some terrible issues when pointed at bright objects. I'm not sure whether it has been fixed now.

Lets hope BMD can build a software fix that fills in those black areas with pixels from the surrounding area of a similar intensity.

Shouldn't the "recover Highlight" checkbox in Resolve take care of that?

Shouldn't the "recover Highlight" checkbox in Resolve take care of that?

Regardless, IMHO if it's fixable in BMCC firmware BMD should fix it ASAP.

Here's hoping BMD has it fixed in the next BMCC firmware update. Cheers.

I have the same problem...

I can confirm this is there for the pocket as well... did some test today and got some black holes..

I can confirm this is there for the pocket as well... did some test today and got some black holes..

And with the latest firmware update? All fine on pocket version?

I have seen this in Adobe after effects when a comp has been rendered out using the DNxHD codec in a 32bpc space. When a highlight is clipped at 100 at 8bits and then you up-convert to 32bits in the DNxHD codec you get this black dot at the clipped pixels. Working and rendering in 8bit or 16bit resolves this issue. It's a bug in after effects using DNxHD

I have the BMCC MFT and can confirm I see the black sun in my on camera monitor, in my raw files and in my pro res. I even recorded it to an atomos samurai and have the same problem. It is definitely in my camera.

When BM requested people send in their BMPocket cameras for recalibration for blooming orbs and black sun issue on the pocket, I asked the Black Magic rep weighing in on the thread whether or not we would have to send in our cinema cameras as well to have the black sun issue fixed he mistakenly said yes (leter he would retract it because he thought I was referring to a pocket camera).

Because...when I called Black Magic to send it in for recalibration, they said there was no recalibration fix for black sun on the cinema camera offered. When I asked whether or not there would be a firmware update to fix it the tech I spoke to said he didn't know.

So for now at least I will have black suns in my shots whenever I see the sun in the lens