Master Guide to Rigging a BMCC

For the absolute newbie I've put together a 10-part guide on rigging the Blackmagic Cinema Camera.

Part I - Ergonomics and Connections

Part 2 - Lenses and Filters

Part 3 - Matte boxes and Follow Focus

Part 4 - Audio Gear

Part 5 - External Monitors, Viewfinders and Power Supplies

Part 6 - Baseplates, Rods and Cages

Part 7 - Tripods, Heads and Other Support

Part 8 - Handheld and Steadycam Rigs

Part 9 - Other Specialized Rigs, LANC Controllers and Miscellaneous Tools

Part 10 - Bags, Cases and Straps

Update: I have included recommendations for the MFT mount as well.

Hope this helps.

All parts are now live! Thanks for reading.

[Joshua Helling]

Hey Sareesh,

On your page one you mention this:

...and a 12V AC adapter (BMD haven’t said whether its 120V, 220V or both).

It's both. Same adapter for all countries, it will take 100-240V. Same as ships with some of our other products. It's a wall wart with multiple caps for the different regions.

Inside the camera, in true Apple style, is an integrated lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery that will give 90 minutes of life (BMD has not specified whether this is standby time or recording time). It takes 2 hours to charge, so unless you are only shooting for an hour everyday, you’ll need additional batteries. Imagine what will happen if your battery dies out a few years from now – how will that affect the resale value of your camera?

Two parts to this.

Should be 90 minutes of record time. So yeah you can use an externally attached power supply to supplement this.

If your battery dies out, years from now, we'll happily replace the battery for a small charge.

Hope that helps.

If your battery dies out, years from now, we'll happily replace the battery for a small charge.

Hope that helps.

Yes, it certainly does! That's great news and should put some people's fears to rest!!

Cheers
sean

[Joshua Helling]

Yes, it certainly does! That's great news and should put some people's fears to rest!!

Cheers
sean

Also, if the battery dies, it doesn't mean you're dead in the water, you can still run on external power for as long as you'd like. That way you can get your shooting done and then we can work the replacement.

That's great news Joshua...what if the battery dies after the warranty period? Will there be a charge for repairing or servicing it?

Two parts to this.

Should be 90 minutes of record time. So yeah you can use an externally attached power supply to supplement this.

Hope that helps.

Hi Joshua, Philip Bloom's review tells us that the camera only lasts about 2 hours in general...with about 90 minutes of recording time.

[Joshua Helling]

That's great news Joshua...what if the battery dies after the warranty period? Will there be a charge for repairing or servicing it?

Well to separate this out. If the battery is just bum...like it won't hold a charge after like 3 months, then we'd likely just replace it for you, because that's just how we do things.

After the warranty period would be when we charge you. I think it's like 80 or 90 bucks.

Hi Joshua, Philip Bloom's review tells us that the camera only lasts about 2 hours in general...with about 90 minutes of recording time.

It does, and it was a nice review. But yeah, if the you leave the camera on, that's about what you get. I was actually surprised to find the standby time so close to the record time.

It does, and it was a nice review. But yeah, if the you leave the camera on, that's about what you get. I was actually surprised to find the standby time so close to the record time.

Me too. It could be because he left the sensor read on for the touch panel display.

Nevertheless, it is an efficient system to give similar performance. I remember the JVC proHD line I bought some years ago came with a standard battery that only gave 40 minutes, so we've come a long way since then!

I have a question: Will the MTF model in December display lens information, like the EF?

I have updated the guide to include recommendations for the MTF mount as well. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks for reading!

[Joshua Helling]

I have a question: Will the MTF model in December display lens information, like the EF?

As of right now, I'm unsure. I'm not at the IBC show and haven't had much time to discuss product details with the PMs yet.

As of right now, I'm unsure. I'm not at the IBC show and haven't had much time to discuss product details with the PMs yet.

The initial reports suggest it does not, which is unfortunate! If I had to speculate I'd guess it was a licensing issue with MFT.

In any case, it is a welcome addition!

[Joshua Helling]

The initial reports suggest it does not, which is unfortunate! If I had to speculate I'd guess it was a licensing issue with MFT.

In any case, it is a welcome addition!

Not sure, but I think it probably has more to do with the lack of electronics in the bayonet. Again, i'm not 100% positive but i'll check.

The free and updated BMCC guide will be released tomorrow to subscribers of wolfcrow. 100 pages, PDF, optimized for the iPad Retina.