Shipping dates

I remember 3 or more years ago when Canon posted Vincent Laforet's film "Reverie" shot with their brand new 5D mark 2 camera with the HD video record function... People went NUTS! There was a huge run on the camera.. and the camera giant Canon could not keep up with demand.. the cameras they sent to retailers were sold before they can even update their websites to say 'in stock' I had to wait for months to finally get my 5Dmk2 even when the camera was in full production. Now leap forward to the current date.. A company announces a camera as revolutionary as the 5Dmk2 was years ago.. and there is a similar run on this low priced Cinema camera.. Here's the difference.. Blackmagic Design is not a camera manufacturer.. they are starting from the ground up manufacturing this ground breaking new camera.. so the infrastructure first has to be built. the parts assembled from third parties.. (the cost for making the camera non-proprietary).. then the cameras can be built and shipped out to the throngs of filmmakers that have plopped down their hard earned cash.. (including me).. I waited for my 5D mark 2.. and now I'm waiting for my BMCC! the folks that have paid for their Digital Bolex cameras are waiting for their camera.. as well as the folks that are now waiting for their C100.. VG900.. etc.. the difference is our beloved BMCC is a real working camera.. soon to be shipped and in our hot little hands.. as we scan the web for accessories, batteries.. SSD's.. and watching the next BMCC video..
Just remember..
Patience is the companion of wisdom.
~Saint Augustine

i don't know about "impossible". i bought 5dmk2 7 days after canon sent cameras to resellers. just came in to the store and bought it. maybe in some places it was different. idk.

At least I'll soon have a new 5D Mark III to keep me busy until the Blackmagic comes. Not necessarily to film with, but to test with photography.

I'm less worried about the date being the 13th of September, and more worried that no one has any idea if BMD have really even produced many at all.

Shipping in August (well, end of) shoud be... Shipping in August regardless of delays due to demand. Barely anyone actually has a camera yet. But then, we don't know about people who ordered and aren't active at all on the various forums or posting footage for all to see.

At least I'll soon have a new 5D Mark III to keep me busy until the Blackmagic comes. Not necessarily to film with, but to test with photography.

I'm less worried about the date being the 13th of September, and more worried that no one has any idea if BMD have really even produced many at all.

Shipping in August (well, end of) shoud be... Shipping in August regardless of delays due to demand. Barely anyone actually has a camera yet. But then, we don't know about people who ordered and aren't active at all on the various forums or posting footage for all to see.

i was thinking to get the same or get financial for red scarlet, but as you can see i'm here.. so many stuff for bmc around that i got..
like wheels without a bicycle

Peter just to be clear, your credit card was charged by your dealer and not BMD.
I dont have proof of this but after hearing it over and over, I will have to believe it.

Just got an email from Calumet saying 'stock now due the middle of october.'

Words from my reseller (italian) :

"At IBC I asked what's happening with the shipment, but the only news I got is that there's a delay because BM is having problems to receive one of more pieces to build the camera. They are not giving us a date, that's the main problem. Officially "BM has started shipping the camera" but I don't think It's true."

maybe it is time for one?
i can understand delays, i can understand missed deadlines....
i would like to know at this point: is the camera shipping or not? btw: i would not call any number under 50 "shipping"...not even "limited shipping"
i would like to know when i can realistically get one (i ordered it in april)....
a realistic date please.....if it is november, so be it....please no october and then it is november again....
please do this for the distributors, dealers and end users so this crazy noise can stop....right not everybody is sitting hoping for their camera to ship "next week"...
sony has a very nice line up, some just announced....still does not give me what the BMCC promises but at one point i will have to get one or another...summer is over....

i think blackmagic owes their customers an explanation.....just let us know what is going on and what will happen...thanks

Shipping someday in the following weeks. Accurate, huh?

Agreed. I've been first on two auth sellers lists since April and all I get from them is "maybe November". Why are they estimating so late? They both say no units, zero, have shipped to the US distributer. None. While BMD says it's trickling out?? What's going on?

*the only units I've heard of we're two specially sent to B&H that are rumored to be reflashed demo units. Apparently just so BMD can say they made their Aug release date.

You know what would be great? A company that communicates with their customers. This is getting really, really out of hand.

A simple RSS or twitter feed that updates customers every other day on whats happening, kills time and ensures people that they are thought of

Good asking!
i pre-order in april too in Montreal city and i'm the number 5 on the list and my dealer just dont know what to tell me!

I already sell all my olders cameras, i just keep my rig and ready to put bmc on.
Trouble is'nt the delay, we are use to with red stuff... but as a BM client i want to know if i had to buy something else before i get my bmc or if it's just about 2-3 weeks.

I'm still waiting for the bmc even if i buy a 5d or sony... but right now i need a official delivery update.

Thanks!

You guys do realize that the last time we were updated was a week ago from today, right? And in that update, Terry said...

Would love to give dates and a more exact timeline, but right now that is not possible until we get info on when that slow to arrive component will arrive in bulk. We want to be as transparent as possible, but have to make sure that any information communicated is accurate.

...

At this time certain components are coming into our factory slower than expected and as a result the manufacturing of units has slowed. We ask that you please be patient with us as we are doing our best to get more stock flowing within the next few weeks.

Thank you for your patience. We will be communicating more detailed updates on shipping when that information is available.

That was one week ago. ONE week ago. Pay attention to the part I underlined and put in bold. Terry asked us to "please be patient ... as we are doing our best to get more stock flowing WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS."

So... being that that was ONE week ago, not a FEW weeks ago, we still have a little while to wait. Let's say definitely not before October, as that is in 2 weeks or so. I could be wrong, but that seems to be likely - earliest October.

I want my camera too (for my web series, blogging, and other real world work) but it's not looking likely before October. Maybe the reason why we haven't heard anything in the ONE WEEK since the last update is because there's nothing to say. Most likely they're still waiting on the slow arriving part(s).

And if we really want to get stupidly specific, a "FEW" does not mean one, or two. It's more than 2. So expect that, otherwise you're going to drive yourself crazy sitting on the internet waiting for an announcement to come.

I agree with Paul. I continue to do work with what I have or rented gear. This delay hasn't stopped me from working, it's only delayed me from working with the BMCC.

DAYS and not WEEKS?

I mean really, would it hurt anybody to at least give us a little redundancy? Say SOMETHING.

DAYS and not WEEKS?

I mean really, would it hurt anybody to at least give us a little redundancy? Say SOMETHING.

Something.

DAYS and not WEEKS?

I mean really, would it hurt anybody to at least give us a little redundancy? Say SOMETHING.

Something.

See...how hard was that? Too bad you don't work for BMD.

DAYS and not WEEKS?

I mean really, would it hurt anybody to at least give us a little redundancy? Say SOMETHING.

Technically, Terry could just come on here and quote himself from last week if people want yet another announcement of the same thing, but I'm sure he has more important things to do.

DAYS and not WEEKS?

I mean really, would it hurt anybody to at least give us a little redundancy? Say SOMETHING.

Technically, Terry could just come on here and quote himself from last week if people want yet another announcement of the same thing, but I'm sure he has more important things to do.

I think customers should be a priority. Folks are getting antsy (understandably so)...Terry could spend a little bit of time holding us close and telling us "everything's going to be alright".

More than half a dozen authorized resellers I've spoken with have said it's going to be later than a few weeks, they're guessing months, and I'm wondering why we're constantly hearing conflicting messages. It was many many weeks ago we heard as the official statement "days not weeks". Now we hear a vague "weeks" again, for some undefined amount of units. Everyone I've spoken with has said that the US distro never received any units. Is that what we're looking at again? The statement said WITHIN a few weeks, not in a few weeks. The US distro should have received something by now, not be saying it going to be months.

More than half a dozen authorized resellers I've spoken with have said it's going to be later than a few weeks, they're guessing months, and I'm wondering why we're constantly hearing conflicting messages. It was many many weeks ago we heard as the official statement "days not weeks". Now we hear a vague "weeks" again, for some undefined amount of units. Everyone I've spoken with has said that the US distro never received any units. Is that what we're looking at again? The statement said WITHIN a few weeks, not in a few weeks. The US distro should have received something by now, not be saying it going to be months.

Terry did say that we will be updated when they ramp up, so if we haven't heard anything, then most likely that means nothing has changed. I suspect that it will be a month or more before we see anything significant. I'd love to be wrong, though, but I'm not getting my hopes up. To me, that's the reality of the situation and that's what I'm going with, otherwise I'll set myself up for disappointment, which it seems a lot of people have already done.

otherwise I'll set myself up for disappointment, which it seems a lot of people have already done.

It's the customer's responsibility to set his own expectations?

otherwise I'll set myself up for disappointment, which it seems a lot of people have already done.

It's the customer's responsibility to set his own expectations?

No, what I'm saying is that the situation is what it is and for the sake of keeping sane, I'm adjusting my expectations. That's just my way of dealing with it. Of course I want my camera, but it's not like Blackmagic doesn't want me (or anyone else) to have one. I'm sure they're working hard trying to get these things out. Knowing that, sitting on the internet waiting for an announcement is an exercise in frustration (for me, personally).

My point is that the situation sucks obviously, but there's nothing I can do about it, so I'm just going to go about my life and when the good folks at Blackmagic get what they need to get in order to get a supply flowing, I'm sure I'll hear about it and get excited again for the camera. Until then, my preorder will sit, I'll try not to think about it, and when it's my turn, I'll get mine shipped to me by the good folks I preordered from.

Well, I want interest on my $3000.00 loan to my retailer. Three months should come to at least 50 cents. I want my check and I want it now...where did I put that collection agency's number?

otherwise I'll set myself up for disappointment, which it seems a lot of people have already done.

It's the customer's responsibility to set his own expectations?

but there's nothing I can do about it,

nobody is asking you to do something about it....

i am not sure why it seems to completely out there to you that some people would like to have a little more transparency....i am really happy for you that you have no problem being told one thing and waiting until the good people of BM are getting around to delivering on their promise...but that is not the point...

i would also like to know why everybody seems to have different information about shipping/not shipping.....

is it really THAT hard? "check is in the mail!" ....well is it or not...if it isn't don't tell me it is....tell me when i can expect payment and i won't expect anything before that date...but i will after that date...

days, weeks.....it really is pretty simple..."we are planning to ship xxx cameras and this is how long it will take to build them"

i guess the real problem is that another DELIVERY deadline has passed and the only statement claims manufacturing issues.....not customs, distribution, others....manufacturing problems usually don't get resolved within days or weeks......

DAYS and not WEEKS?

I mean really, would it hurt anybody to at least give us a little redundancy? Say SOMETHING.

Technically, Terry could just come on here and quote himself from last week if people want yet another announcement of the same thing, but I'm sure he has more important things to do.

I think customers should be a priority. Folks are getting antsy (understandably so)...Terry could spend a little bit of time holding us close and telling us "everything's going to be alright".

Everything's going to be all right.

Go play with your LEGOs, you won't even notice the time fly by!

Words from my reseller (italian) :

"At IBC I asked what's happening with the shipment, but the only news I got is that there's a delay because BM is having problems to receive one of more pieces to build the camera. They are not giving us a date, that's the main problem. Officially "BM has started shipping the camera" but I don't think It's true."

B&H said they got just 1-3 cameras, and 1 of them for the store itself.
they said basically BMD didn't send them anything yet.

also they said - "we believe BMD will solve this problem in a month, because as you know other raw cameras is coming soon that will be competitive with bmc (in the same budget)."
don't forget they said - we believe. not - we know. they said - we don't have ANY OFFICIAL information from BMD.

Everything's going to be all right.

Are you a BMD employee or do you just play one on the Internet?

A simple RSS or twitter feed that updates customers every other day on whats happening, kills time and ensures people that they are thought of

+1 They might also copy and paste the twitter feed to this forum. I know I would look forward to reading it.

Everyone understands that it takes time to build a camera, I don't think anyone is commenting about that. What bothers me is saying "days", or "soon", leaving us all waiting for weeks, and weeks and weeks thinking or hoping that what they said is true. If they just said it's going to take us x amount of time to get roughly x amount of units out, then we can all relax. We'll know what to plan for and what to expect. They have been setting the expectation that any of us could get a shipment at any moment. That's creating insane anxiety when that's not coming true.

nobody is asking you to do something about it....

i am not sure why it seems to completely out there to you that some people would like to have a little more transparency....i am really happy for you that you have no problem being told one thing and waiting until the good people of BM are getting around to delivering on their promise...but that is not the point...

i would also like to know why everybody seems to have different information about shipping/not shipping.....

is it really THAT hard? "check is in the mail!" ....well is it or not...if it isn't don't tell me it is....tell me when i can expect payment and i won't expect anything before that date...but i will after that date...

days, weeks.....it really is pretty simple..."we are planning to ship xxx cameras and this is how long it will take to build them"

i guess the real problem is that another DELIVERY deadline has passed and the only statement claims manufacturing issues.....not customs, distribution, others....manufacturing problems usually don't get resolved within days or weeks......

I trust the word of someone high up in Blackmagic. I'm sure the distributors are talking to people who maybe don't have the right info or the distributor is just flat out guessing. Of course, I'd love it if someone from Blackmagic came on here whenever a conversation about shipping dates flared up, but I'm not sure how realistic that is. All I know is that I have to handle my excitement about this camera in the best way I see fit. I never said anyone should follow what I'm doing.

Blackmagic has said they'd update us once things change, and since I haven't heard anything, I'm assuming nothing has changed. They're still waiting for the part. So I can either sit here and get mad (which won't change how quickly a 3rd party ships Blackmagic the needed parts) or I can just wait, enjoy my life in the meantime, make some money, shoot with what's available, etc.

That's MY way of dealing with it. Others will have their way. Whatever works for them.

Everything's going to be all right.

Are you a BMD employee or do you just play one on the Internet?

well, we should expect different opinions and people that affiliate to bmd

They have been setting the expectation that any of us could get a shipment at any moment. That's creating insane anxiety when that's not coming true.

I know what you mean. When you say, "soon," it creates this expectation, but I can't help but think that if they said, "No cameras until November," it would cause a whole other type of anger. People will want it sooner, etc. It's a lose/lose situation in a way if you look at it like that. The only way people aren't going to get angry is when they finally say, "It's shipping in mass quantities," and at the moment, they can't say that.

Again, I want my camera too. I'm anxious and a little let down, but such is life. I'm sure they're disappointed too that they don't have a million cameras out there.

Shipping in August.

"Shipping parts to BMD in August."

I wonder though, why did they apparently (from customer perspective) leave it so late to realise that they needed parts for more than a small collection of demo units? They've known for months and months about the demand of the camera. Was the final hardware version of the camera finished only weeks ago?

I'm too just "waiting" for the camera, and yes, it's only 2 weeks into September, but some of this baffles me. It's like the boy who cried wolf.

Edit: I see BMD has changed it to "Limited Shipping" on the site.

Blackmagic responded a week ago explaining the situation. From the behavior on this board, I wouldn't expect another response from them. Unforeseen complications with mass production of the sensor -- and you blast them for not being transparent? I've paid in full and want my camera, just like the rest of you. If you expect hourly updates from the labs at Blackmagic, you are living on another planet. They didn't charge you for the camera, they aren't a publicly traded company and there were only 'estimates' not 'deadlines' for shipping -- they need to focus on their bottom line, mass camera production -- not spending their time keeping a dozen reactionary forum posters who pre-ordered happy. You represent a tiny, tiny but extremely VOCAL percentage of purchasers.

Edit: I see BMD has changed it to "Limited Shipping" on the site.

Seriously, could somebody define "Limited Shipping" for me? Will the US Distributor get any cameras? How many? When? Will all of them go to B&H or will a few other "authorized dealers" get some? How many? When? Which authorized dealers? Seriously.

+1 Jason.

You represent a tiny, tiny but extremely VOCAL percentage of purchasers.

This subject concerns many...even you.

Hey guys:

We've been living our lives without the Black Magic Cinema Camera, so I think we can wait for even a couple months.

Jesus

I'm not asking for daily updates and I'm very willing to wait, what I would appreciate is honest, direct communication and not vague, elusive statements that leave us all thinking we're getting our cameras any day when it in reality has been months. If they say, the next shipment is going out in the end of october at the very soonest, as all the re-sellers I've spoken to are saying, then I'd wait until then without a peep. Again, it's this leading us on updates from BMD that say "days not weeks" or "within two weeks" that don't come to fruition that are upsetting.

So far the re-sellers have been disagreeing with everything BMD has said, and so far the re-sellers have been right. Why aren't BMD just being honest with us?

But the real question is...Who ate your teeth?

whoatemyteeth.com

My sister. When I put them in a pop corn box at the movies as a kid.

Sorry to go off topic, but great show reel man!

Unforeseen complications with mass production of the sensor -- and you blast them for not being transparent?

"unforeseen complication with mass production" can (in this case) occur in july....they are not a good reason to postpone "for another couple of weeks" AFTER the second deadline has expired.....

a deadline which, btw, nobody asked for....BM has set their own deadlines which is why (i guess) they don't want to set another one.....

it just seems now that the july timeframe was complete, total BS....if you have the "unforeseen complications" first week of september....

which is why i just want BM to tell me and all others who want to know (which i am positive includes dealers who get calls every day and have to be nice to everybody...) what is going on and when a REALISTIC timeframe is....

i am also not sure why so many feel the urge to come here and tell me (and others) to chill out...i am completely calm...and honestly most of the noise is created by posts telling people to shut up and wait and these people in turn feel like they have to defend themselves......

why is it so important to tell people that they are completely inconsiderate to ask simple information from a manufacturer? isn't that a major waste of time?

For everyone that has ordered with B&H, you understand that your card has NOT been charged, and will NOT be charged until the camera is shipped to you? (edit: For US, apparently international orders are charged. Thanks!)

Look, I ordered mine and want it just like everyone else, but c'mon. They have a delay because a component is back ordered. There's nothing they can do to make this go any faster. I'm sure they want to get rid of units just as much as we want to get them.
This is something they can't control, and bring agressive towards Black Magic on this board isn't going to get you your camera any faster.

They don't want to give any concrete info on shipping dates because they don't have it. The component is back ordered and has to be created by someone else. The shipment of cameras here is at liberty of who ever is manufacturing the missing component.
It's not like they don't lurk this board, they just have more important things to do... like make the camera.
For all the people complaining about shoots they have coming up and all the accessories you purchased...
You pre-ordered a camera and purchased all your components before you had the body, and you based a shoot around a component that you don't have. Yes, the deadline has been pushed by BM, but I'm sure they weren't expecting such a huge flood of orders from all over the world. From a company that can't simply mass produce these like Canon or Nikon, you have to understand that handmaking such an amazing piece of machinery takes time, and you have to respect that. You can rent a camera for the mean time. Not having this particular body isn't the end of the world, there's thousands of others you can use to keep you occupied for a month or so.

Everyone is eager to get their camera, myself included.
But we need to take a deep breath and give this company some space to create their product. We'll have it when it's made.

/rant

Ugh, yet again, I haven't seen anyone say anything about it needing to go faster, instead they're asking for accurate information on what is going on. We want to be able to have accurate expectations.

PS - Thanks George Wharmby!

For everyone that has ordered with B&H, you understand that your card has NOT been charged, and will NOT be charged until the camera is shipped to you?
/rant

International buyers' cards have been in fact charged.

I paid in full by check. It was cashed days ago...and by days ago I mean a few weeks ago...and by a few weeks ago I mean a month and a half ago.

I paid in full by check. It was cashed days ago...and by days ago I mean a few weeks ago...and by a few weeks ago I mean a month and a half ago.

well that means you should be getting it in a few days from now...and by few days from now I mean weeks..and by weeks I mean months

Sorry I just had to do that! I just hope that the parts hold up is solved sooner then later or what ever the actual cause to it shipping in limited quantities is resolved in the next few weeks and they get fully up and running with cranking them out!