Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

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Jamie LeJeune

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Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Jul 16, 2021 5:54 am

The internal ND filter on my 6K Pocket Pro just today simply stopped working correctly. The buttons only trigger randomly, it won't go past 2-stops and it reports "Clear" when the 2-stop filter is actually engaged and vice versa.
I tried re-installing the camera firmware hoping it would fix it, but no luck.
Has anyone else run into this issue?
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Travis Hodgkinson

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Jul 16, 2021 12:57 pm

Hey bud had anymore luck yet?
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Jul 16, 2021 1:16 pm

Sounds like something mechanical has come off its wheel.
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Jamie LeJeune

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Jul 16, 2021 10:07 pm

Yeah, I think it's likely a random mechanical failure. Maybe something is stuck. It will be going in for RMA.
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Travis Hodgkinson

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Jul 16, 2021 10:11 pm

Ahh shoot sorry to hear man :cry:
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Jamie LeJeune

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Jul 16, 2021 11:20 pm

Thanks Travis.
It's all good. Besides the ND misbehaving, the camera otherwise works well. It was out on paid shoots both yesterday and today, using external ND filters attached via a magnetic mount. Not as convenient as internal, but still relatively efficient.
Only bummer about the RMA will be the time where I won't have the camera to use. But I've got a couple weeks of solid post coming up, and should be able to get it round tripped during that span.
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Travis Hodgkinson

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostMon Jul 19, 2021 7:36 am

Jamie LeJeune wrote:Thanks Travis.
It's all good. Besides the ND misbehaving, the camera otherwise works well. It was out on paid shoots both yesterday and today, using external ND filters attached via a magnetic mount. Not as convenient as internal, but still relatively efficient.
Only bummer about the RMA will be the time where I won't have the camera to use. But I've got a couple weeks of solid post coming up, and should be able to get it round tripped during that span.


That's great to hear mate!
Were you by any chance using that new SmallRig matte box? I ask as you mentioned magnetic filters.
Freelance Camera Op & Cinematographer based in Brisbane, Australia.
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Jamie LeJeune

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostMon Jul 19, 2021 10:09 am

www.cinedocs.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4601572/
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Travis Hodgkinson

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostMon Jul 19, 2021 1:04 pm

Ah I see, they look really decent!

I'll have to YouTube the brand and delve a little deeper. Not always wanting to bring a matte box to the smaller shoots so something like this could be a really good option.
Freelance Camera Op & Cinematographer based in Brisbane, Australia.
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostMon Jul 19, 2021 5:00 pm

I experienced the exact same problem on the same day as you posted your experience.

I wrote BM and got a reply today. Tom gave me the following tip:

“As we have seen this behaviour occur before, we are aware of the situation, quite often when these units are returned to us for this particular behaviour the ND filters are working correctly. We believe this is due to the bumps and knocks that come from transporting the camera.
If possible please try giving the camera a light hit to the top of the unit to see if this releases the ND filters.”

I tried giving it a couple of light hits, which didn’t help. But the first time I switched the ND and gave it a light hit it fell right back into place. I’ve been stress testing it for the last ten minutes and it works flawlessly!

Saved me an entire RMA proces (I live in Denmark, so this was great news)

Hope it will work for you and others too!
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Jamie LeJeune

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostMon Jul 19, 2021 5:20 pm

I got the XUME years ago, they work well.
The only caveat to look out for are that on certain combos of wide angle lenses and sensor sizes, the XUME adds just enough thickness (even though they are quite thin) that the edges of the filter could appear in the edges of the image. Also, I'd recommend a filter wrench to make separating the XUME from filters easier.
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostTue Nov 02, 2021 9:18 pm

I had the exact same issue. My filter was stuck on the "-6 stops" NF filter and the image was pitch black dark. Interestingly enough, when I took the Tilta cage off the camera body the filters started working properly. I don't know if I had the cage on the camera screwed on too tightly or if the problem was something entirely else but give it a try. I have a feeling this won't be the first time this happens. I've now stopped using the internal ND filters and I only use ND filters on the lens.
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Travis Hodgkinson

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostTue Nov 02, 2021 9:48 pm

Well that’s rather disappointing. One of the main reasons to go the Pro is for the ND’s.
Having read the responses on this topic, I’d say there’s likely a QA issue here? Having to knock the camera to get things working. #classicBM

If I wasn’t sceptical before about this camera, I sure am now.
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Jamie LeJeune

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostWed Nov 03, 2021 7:10 pm

I had the issue. BMD support sent a replacement camera. Problem solved.

I've only seen a few other reports of the same issue. Given how many cameras have shipped, it doesn't seem like some widespread QA issue. If it was anything more than a random rare occurrence, these threads would have hundreds of reports.
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostWed Mar 23, 2022 10:53 pm

I had the same exact issue. I can confirm that some Rock 'n Roll solved the issue. This was not a light hit on the top of the camera as suggested by blackmagic (Jazz People) but it was shacking and hitting against my leg multiple times while in the meantime messing up.with the ND switches (Rock Man). It eventually surrended and the ND are now working. Looks like we should trigger them from time to time even if not needed for a while, avoiding them tomger stucked maybe because of moisture or somethng.
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostWed Mar 23, 2022 11:51 pm

If you expect moisture as a cause where you live, you should store the camera in a dry cabinet anyway.
It can cause more problems than this one ( I know what I'm speaking of).
No, an iGPU is not enough, and you can't use HEVC 10 bit 4:2:2 in the free version.

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostThu Apr 21, 2022 5:49 pm

I ran into the exact same issue, mine was stuck on stop -6 as well which was super annoying. I tried the "lightly hit the top" method with no success, but then I saw another user mention the use of additional force. This worked perfectly after a few tries. Hitting the camera against your leg (with various degrees of force) while pressing the -+ buttons is the solution.

I'm going to see how long it functions normally, if it happens again I'm going to send it in because I spent too much money on this rig to be hitting it on my leg mid-shoot hahah :lol:
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostThu Aug 18, 2022 8:42 am

Hello guys!
I had the same issue, thank God i saw that "soft hit from the top" advice. I've hit my bmpcc for 1 minute while pressing the '-' button and it was not soft hits. But thankly it's worked for me.
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Aug 19, 2022 6:02 pm

Judging from these experiences, it seems that the internal mechanism is a bit fragile.
There might be a good reason to buy the 6K G2 instead…
No, an iGPU is not enough, and you can't use HEVC 10 bit 4:2:2 in the free version.

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Aug 19, 2022 6:08 pm

I dunno.

I count six people posting about this issue over several months. I imagine this is where people would most likely come to search if they have the issue.

I’m sure they’ve sold tens of thousands of cameras……

Or sixty present of the posters in this thread have this issue ? I mean how can you really tell.

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Jeffrey D Mathias

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Aug 19, 2022 7:39 pm

maybe compare to any complaints of the ND filters in the URSA
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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostFri Aug 19, 2022 9:05 pm

Jeffrey D Mathias wrote:maybe compare to any complaints of the ND filters in the URSA


Probably about the same. I’ve seen people posting about issues with the ND filter wheel. Most common is the magnets that tell the camera which ND is active no longer working.

The “rainbow flare” was another one on the earlier copies too. Probably more prevalent than this.

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Re: Internal ND filters on 6K Pocket Pro Not Functioning

PostSun Aug 21, 2022 8:36 am

Given the size of the miniature components in the cameras of today, to me, it is something of a minor miracle that they work at all.

My guess is that the working surfaces on the moving parts may be dry plastic-on-plastic. The ND motion in the 6K appears to be linear which is a harder engineering challenge than rotary.

Some moving parts of identical plastic type may stick when left at rest for some time. With wear, there may occur fine particles which build to bind working surfaces.

As suggested in previous replies, it may be one of those "use it or lose it" situations and the entire filter selection may need to be exercised periodically.

As with some servo lenses, it may be helpful to exercise the filter system with the camera held upside-down, nose up and on each side to hopefully avoid tiny notches building up on load bearing surfaces opposite to where an actuator motor adds power.

Upside-down operation helps to reintroduce lube into lubricated actions where the lube has become squeezed out from the load-bearing surfaces.

I am guessing that rack and pinion actuation may be the mechanical method used. It is the nature of any gear system that the two gears want to spread apart and load their bearing surfaces. A sliding gear rack creates much more wearing surface and friction to overcome than a rotary gear.

Then again my guessing may be entirely wrong and all panels may be moved by direct acting solenoids. That would be something of a remarkable coup to achieve in miniature.

Thumping and banging may release a baulky filter panel but knowing how delicate surface-mounted PCBs can be I would be nervous.

My personal preference would be to first try the stuck hard-drive trick of rotating back and forth the camera around the optical axis with vigorous twisting wrist movements before engaging in higher violence but that's just me. Whatever gets you out of a fix is what works in the end.

Human innovation as an amazing thing. Just when you think something cannot be made any smaller and more complex, it is.

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