Tripod, Zoom, LANC -- Blackmagic Studio Cam

Hey everyone, I'm sorry if this isn't the correct area for this, however I'm a production manager of a venue and this side of video isn't my #1 area of expertise.

I have several blackmagic camera's I'm using for my live video production during concerts and corporate events. I recently purchased the Studio Camera to use as my front of house camera. I have a nice tripod that worked well with my old Canon FOH camera, but the plate won't mate up with the Studio Camera. The threaded screws are too small. Before I drop several hundred on a new Tripod, is there an adapter plate or something? If not, what's a good affordable tripod that will work with the Studio Camera?

2nd Question: Is this camera manual zoom only? I purchased the Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm lens and was told that zoom would work. It doesn't.

3rd: What LANC is everyone using with this camera? (Once I get the zoom issue figured out)

Thank you!

First, you are going to need a new heavy duty Video tripod, figure at least $500 for a minimal one, like a Manfrotto, with a fluid head.

Next the Olympus 40-150 Pro zoom lens, is a manual zoom long lens to complement the wide to normal 12-40 f/2.8 zoom. The zoom control via LANC us not going to control zoom on a manual zoom lens like this. The only Ply MFT zoom with " power" servo zoom that does work with LANC is the 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ zoom, which is not a low light venue lens, and will also change the exposure during a zoom, so no live zoom moves with it.

The BM Studio camera is a S16 size sensor camera, much smaller than the sensor in a Canon DSLR camera. So the 40-150m, lens is going to be a bit long for a FOH camera, unless you are looking for close up shots from it. A 40mm in the Studio camera is like using a 115mm lens on a Canon DSLR (135mm size sensor). A 16mm focal length is the "normal" FOV (50mm equivalent on 135), so a 12-40 might be a better choice.

You need to do some research, check comments in the Live Production forum here, for previous discussions on the BM Studio cameras.

You don't need a super expensive tripod, the camera's not that heavy. $350 for a MVH500 should do fine. That said, an adapter plate likely exists. What's you current tripod/head situation?

The tripod issue is not so much camera weight, but the OP is using a long focal length zoom.

I have a nice tripod that worked well with my old Canon FOH camera, but the plate won't mate up with the Studio Camera. The threaded screws are too small.

If I understand correctly.

Studio Cam threaded holes.jpg (62.07 KiB) Viewed 1923 times

You can purchase adapters that make 3/8-16 holes into 1/4-20 holes.

http://www.smallrig.com/new-thread-adap ... k-856.html

BUT definitely take the weight into consideration especially if you are using a long lens.

Yes, yes you can, but not always the best option. The aoP's tripod may also,have a 3/8 tripod plate option, as the smaller Manfrotto tripods have.

Yes, yes you can, but not always the best option.

I agree.
There must be a reason why BMD went with 3/8 holes for the plate mounting instead of 1/4.

I would further suggest that Jason be aware of the balance issue when using a tripod head that cannot take the weight of the camera with zoom lens.