Pyxis 12K

Will, in what frame rate were you recording the footage? What frame rate was your monitor or projector used for viewing the footage?

Thanks for trying to help Rick, but I'm afraid it's not a setting or my monitors. I was filming at 24fps. Go on YouTube and look at every Pyxis video. There is something off with the motion. It's unpleasant and looks off to my eye.

Check out this video below that was tagged on Instagram as being shot on Pyxis. I did not shoot it. I messaged the DP and he confirmed it was shot on Pyxis and that he shot in 8:1. Although the commercial is excellent, looks amazing, and very is very well done, there is something off to the motion. This is what I noticed in my footage. Look at how people move, especially when the guy walks up to his wife in the kitchen. I only shot in ProRes (since they got rid of CDNG) with all my previous Blackmagic cameras and Pyxis was my first only BRAW camera. Perhaps it's not the camera and its BRAW, because I noticed a similar motion with the Ursa Mini 12K older camera.

Looks like he shot 30 fps at a 90 degrees shutter angle or 60 fps.

Here is another example below of the motion cadence of the Pyxis, by a different DP. Again, I didn't shoot it and I think that it's funny and it is well shot and looks great. But the motion is a little off... to my eye. Maybe it's my brain, and what I see as odd from Pyxis is unique to me. This motion cadence issue I see is the same no matter what monitor or TV I watch the video on. I don't see this motion issue from any of my other cameras. Never saw it when filming on ProRes on old Pocket 6K or my Ursa Mini 4,6K I used to own.

This just doesnt look very good.

The shutter speed is off on those.

Pre-ordered yesterday.
Curious to test it out when it arrives.

One thing I hope that they can add in the future is a lower resolution s35 mode (that would be 6K if I understand correctly), to improve RS since those are still a bit on the higher side (as are the 12K options).
Especially for my current go-to anamorphics Elite S7.

But still.. excited for the great DR and colors, and better "lowlight" than the Pyxis 6K

Pyxis 12K 9K Super 35 16:9 window resolution is 8688x4896 photosites and 25.1952 mm x 14.1984 mm with image circle 28.92 mm which is slightly larger than the traditional 24.9 mm film gate horizontal.

The ‘6K’ resolution is considered one of the 8K group options 6432x5360 6:5 aspect ratio but crop it in post to a smaller resolution 6432x4824 photosites and 18.6528 mm x 14.1984 mm with image circle 23.44 mm but that’s a 4:3 aspect ratio that can be used with a 1.33x anamorphic lens.

You could certainly crop it in post and use as a Super 35 16:9 aspect ratio, 6432x3618 photosites 18.6528 mm x 10.4922 mm with image circle 21.40 mm however it’s closer to an APS-C sensor size or a BMD mFT sensor which is larger than the traditional mirrorless 17.3 mm horizontally.

The closest standard Pyxis Super 16 16:9 frame is 4K 4096x2304 photosites 11.8784 mm x 6.6816 mm with image circle 13.63 mm.

What resolution and aspect ratio would you like to see?

Rick I respect your super detailed mathematical calculations with photosites and all, but I can't bring myself to work all of that out hahaha.

I really like the 4:3 s35 mode of the pyxis 6K, especially for anamorphic use. In fact... for me the Pyxis 6K is mainly a s35 camera, with a bonus that it can shoot LF for certain types of projects.

The 12K will be a more capable LF camera, and if a s35 4:3 option is possible with a faster RS than the 9K option (aka lower resolution)... that would be amazing.

I’ll get back to you later on that. We can see what works best with that Pyxis 6K as a guideline.

Pyxis 6K Super 35 4.3 anamorphic
4096x3072 photosites
24.3304 mm x 18.2477 mm is very close to traditional Super 35 film gate 24.89 mm x 18.56 mm 4:3
readout 19.1 msec

Pyxis 9K 8688x4896
readout 14.69 msec

So for Super 35, the Pyxis 12K is actually less rolling shutter than the Pyxis 6K.

The 12K will be a more capable LF camera, and if a s35 4:3 option is possible with a faster RS than the 9K option (aka lower resolution)... that would be amazing.

If you ask me, the most exciting thing about the 12K Pyxis and Ursa Cine bodies is that they're basically delivering Alexa S35 color and dynamic range for under $10K Canadian (plus extra goodies required to make them work, but those can be added gradually and CF Express are no longer insanely expensive).

The Alexa S35 is "only" a 4.6K camera, and yet the 12Ks can match its dynamic range and color science even with a 12K sensor, which is very impressive.

That it's so inexpensive is just mind boggling.

When researching the Ursa 12k LF, it seemed that both CF cards can be recorded simultaneously striped to get higher data rates. Can anyone confirm that the Pyxis 12K can do the same? I have one on preorder.

Interested to hear this as well Richard!

Also wondering about the pre-record function (by the way a 2.800 EUR license feature with an Alexa35). Grant previewed a 10 Sek Pre-Rec at NAB, would this apply to all resolutions? With Arri the time usually reduces as the resolution and codec quality increases.

When researching the Ursa 12k LF, it seemed that both CF cards can be recorded simultaneously striped to get higher data rates. Can anyone confirm that the Pyxis 12K can do the same? I have one on preorder.

Richard, that’s been standard practice for raw intra codecs for cameras that have two identical cards in two card slots. DaVinci Resolve / Media page recognizes the dual recording and marries the alternate frames as if they were one in the Media Pool. To confirm we would need to verify in the Pyxis 12K manual.

If you want to take advantage of that feature, it probably means you may use the mature class 2 cards rather than the new class 4 cards. I have decided what I’ll do until i see more results from the early adopters.

Pyxis 9K 8688x4896
readout 14.69 msec

So for Super 35, the Pyxis 12K is actually less rolling shutter than the Pyxis 6K.

This is for the 16:9 and 17:9 yes. But the 6:5 and 3:2 are both around 19ms.
For anamorphic a lower RS is usually better. So I guess a lower resolution for 6:5 so we can get a RS around 13/14ms would be amazing.

But of course these current specs are still crazy good for the price so can't be mad about it at all
Looking forward to july!

Stefan, 6:5 and 3:2 are not Super 35 resolutions. I was trying to address your request for Super 35 by working with frame aspect ratios normally associated with that term. BMD was not helpful when they started calling sensors with photographic APS-C dimensions Super 35. So I can understand it seems acceptable to call anything between ‘full-frame’ and Super 16 a Super 35 frame.

The Cine12K and Pyxis 12K don’t currently have the 4:3 ratio that is found on the Pyxis 6K as you know, but cropping in post can get you there if you want to shoot with 1.33x anamorphics. The 6:5 ratio is designed to support 2x anamorphic lenses but at the cost of a higher sensor readout.

For me anything less than 15 msec sensor readout is generally acceptable, but I completely understand many shooters need a faster readout as they’re shooting requirements are different than mine.

It may be that the Cine 12K camera is a better solution for your needs given the much shorter sensor readout. I prefer the lighter weight and less cost of the Pyxis, but the Cine 12K is clearly a superb camera whose many desirable features more than justifies its higher cost and weight.

For the most part those who adopt the Pyxis 12K are doing so because they feel they’re getting the same image pipeline as the Cine 12K. That’s mostly spot on except when you consider the sensor readout speeds when you need to capture fast motion. I’ll never notice that benefit but you might.

Can someone confirm that 4K mode on PYXIS 12K is limited to 6:1 compression?

Blackmagic RAW 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, Q0, Q1, Q3 and Q5 at full sensor width or height scaled to:
4,096 x 2,680, 4,096 x 2,304, 4,096 x 2,160, 4,096 x 1,704 and 3,216 x 2,680

4K - 4096 x 2680
Blackmagic RAW 3:1 - 135 MB/s
Blackmagic RAW 4:1 - 101 MB/s
Blackmagic RAW 5:1 - 81 MB/s
Blackmagic RAW 6:1 - 68 MB/s
Blackmagic RAW Q0 - 34 to 81 MB/s
Blackmagic RAW Q1 - 20 to 50 MB/s
Blackmagic RAW Q3 - 13 to 34 MB/s
Blackmagic RAW Q5 - 10 to 25 MB/s

Hello, apologies if this post is repeated as I’ve just made it but then disappeared!

I’ve just pre ordered the Pyxis 12k L mount. I’m trying to get some advice as to whether this was the best choice based on my needs. I purchased the 6kff in L mount too as I was advised this was the most versatile. I have an ef adapter and a PL adapter and it’s been super easy to swap between lenses and I feel like I have 3 cameras in one. Is this the same for the Pyxis? I literally don’t have any L mount lenses and would be using ef and pl but want to make sure I’m not limiting myself by making the wrong decision. Ultimately I’m wondering if anyone can advise that my same application with my 6k can be applied to the pyxis if u buy some adapters or even use the ones I already have for my 6k.

Thank you

Abdoul I believe you made the right choice. Adapters should be compatible - maybe check in case your adapters have a support foot to support heavy lenses how that can be connected with your Pyxis for additional support.

Looks like tariffs were just paused for 90 days. Hopefully, this means some stability in the camera market, at least for the next 90 days.

Pyxis 9K 8688x4896
readout 14.69 msec

So for Super 35, the Pyxis 12K is actually less rolling shutter than the Pyxis 6K.

This is for the 16:9 and 17:9 yes. But the 6:5 and 3:2 are both around 19ms.
For anamorphic a lower RS is usually better. So I guess a lower resolution for 6:5 so we can get a RS around 13/14ms would be amazing.

But of course these current specs are still crazy good for the price so can't be mad about it at all
Looking forward to july!

If you shoot 8K mode in 6:5, then do a user frame guide at 80% and frame for that, your frame will then be 6K+ resolution at about the gauge size of an ana frame on 35mm, and the RS of that particular sensor area will be something like 10.7ms in the 8K mode, as per my calculations.

This would be a great way do anamorphic with a fast read readout on this cam, all you need is an input sizing preset when you process the footage.

And this is one of the reasons why we NEED SHADABLE, CUSTOM SIZABLE FRAME LINES -- or at least shadable user guides for these full frame cameras. The current user guides are ok, but they're not shadable and only increase in 5% increments. I feel like at least adding shade options to the user guides would be a fairly easy firmware fix.

Until that happens, Tamas, I use the Safe Area for that purpose and it usually gets me in the ballpark of my deliverable frame. If I remember correctly the Safe Area can be from 95% to 75% in 5% steps.

Great tips guys!
Love the community on here (most of the time)

Pyxis 12k closest competitor in terms of form factor and spec turns out to be the RED V-Raptor 8K VV both cameras with similar DR. At 8k 17:9 the Raptor has a slightly faster readout at 8ms compare to the Pyxis at 10.89. Pyxis 12k has advantage of 3:2 Open Gate and the optional 12k modes but Raptor has higher frame rates options but at the expense of cropping into the sensor. All the Pyxis 12k need now is getting PDAF focus tracking working and we have a camera that can go toe to toe with the V-Raptor VV at 1/5 the price.

I wanted to get people's opinion of the BMD pyxis accessories vs. third party. With my Pyxis 12K preorder (I locked in the old prices at B&H) I also ordered the Pyxis handle (not pro) the Pro grip side handle, and the Pyxis monitor with EVF kit. I now see the Tilta cage, including handle, SSD slot, rod/baseplate, and V mount, all for $350.

https://tilta.com/shop/camera-cage-for- ... k-pro-kit/

Any thoughts on this vs. BMD accessories?

What would be the best arm to get the basic Pyxis monitor off to the side like the EVF kit? Alternatively can I use the Pyxis EVF kit with the Tilta cage, and would that be a better solution?

Would one of Tilt's nice wood hand grips be a better choice than the BMD and would it start/stop the camera (I don't care about the zoom rocker)

I don’t own the Pyxis (yet) but with all my other BM cameras, especially the URSAs, I would go with the top handle and EVF, and the BM monitors because they just integrate very well. Then I would used third parties like Tilta and SmallRig for focus assist, cages, mounting plates since they have different configurations and of course cheaper (but it really depends because BM kits can be nicer and a better deal). You have to plan how you’re going to use the camera so you can rig it right.

I expect to order the BMD top handle designed for Pyxis with the Pyxis Monitor EVF Kit. I don’t expect to order the side handle initially but that could come later if I need to be mobile. I hope to add the DJI Focus Pro and another lens when I can manage them.

If you have questions on my rig, I made a post over at the thread: PYXIS 6k, page 14

GB_myPyxis6k_front_web.jpg (146.86 KiB) Viewed 7215 times

I do really love the Blackmagic Pyxis monitor and the Blackmagic accessories are remarkably minimalistic, yet almost always perfect for me. But you should be thinking more how can I solve a problem I ran into?

I started my Pyxis build using the Ursa Cine Handle cause I wanted a monitor on top of the handle. And I was thinking, "Boy, this is just what I want." I regret selling that handle cause it was so nice but I started trying to build out my rig before planning specifically. Start bolting things on and you'll run into issues you hadn't thought about.

Blackmagic, Tilta, Smallrig, Kondor Blue, Shape, and many others. Start using things you already own, then decide if one of the brands have something that solves your problem.

GB_myPyxis6k_front_web.jpg

I do really love the Blackmagic Pyxis monitor and the Blackmagic accessories are remarkably minimalistic, yet almost always perfect for me. But you should be thinking more how can I solve a problem I ran into?

Question, does the DJI focus pro motor even work when it is reversed like shown in your picture? I have a pretty similar rig setup, but I can post that in the PYXIS 6K thread instead of this one so we dont go way off topic.

GB_Austin thanks for sharing those images! Could you post a detailed image of your microphone mount? Most of the rigs posted online don't include a mic, probably for aesthetic reasons, but I very much will need a mic on my rig and am looking for the cleanest way to mount it.

Also what rod clamp/mount are you using for the top 15mm rods? How are you attaching those to the Pyxis body?

Also wondering if someone has come across a clean v-mount plate that attaches directly to the top of the Pyxis body? Looking for something similar to the Mid49 solution, except I don't need all those additional features, just a 2-pin lemo for the camera and maybe a d-tap or two.

Here’s how I like to rig my UMPG2 - just as I need it. I’m using the URSA BM handle and have a SmallHD on a nato rail. On the side, I have a SmallRig plate where I have other things attached. I don’t mount a microphone on the camera coz I use external audio capturing sources and booms. This is one way I set up to be on a stick that I can easily release to go handheld at times. I know this is a Pyxis 12 thread however rigging the URSA and the Pyxis are somewhat similar and can adopt to mostly any plates available to both cameras.

BTW, I didn’t know the URSA handle would work on the Pyxis. Thanks for that info as it can come handy in the future. The URSA handle is excellent and well made.

IMG_1261.jpeg (113.03 KiB) Viewed 6997 times

Any Pyxis 6K owners that could measure the distance between the top 1/4" mounting points on the front of the camera?

[Kristian Lam]

Any Pyxis 6K owners that could measure the distance between the top 1/4" mounting points on the front of the camera?

46.1mm

I just thought of something I hadn't considered before pre-ordering. How is audio levels adjusted on the Pyxis? Can you assign levels to the custom buttons? My current cameras, the EVA-1 has nice dials for audio levels, once the gain is set internally.

Also a little confused as to if the mini jack audio can be used to record a second channel of audio, with the XLR mini being ch. 1.

I wish the Pyxis had two mini-XLR ports for audio! Yes, there is gain level adjustment and I test gain with headphones or stop the recording and playback if I have a chance.

But to make do, yea ..you can mini-XLR a mic into one channel and mini jack mic into the other. For me I use audio baked into the video with one XlR channel. And my 2nd mic I go into a Tentacle Sync Track E recorder just for safety sake.

Any Pyxis 6K owners that could measure the distance between the top 1/4" mounting points on the front of the camera?

46.1mm

Thank you Kristian. Assuming this is center to center?

@gb_austin thank you for the info.

[Kristian Lam]

Any Pyxis 6K owners that could measure the distance between the top 1/4" mounting points on the front of the camera?

46.1mm

Thank you Kristian. Assuming this is center to center?

Yep.

Thank you Kristian!

Is there any way to get the measurements of the hole distances on the top and bottom? Trying to figure out a minimal rigging solution.

At first we were told it will be July then reps at NAB says June maybe July.
Will it be June or July?

At first we were told it will be July then reps at NAB says June maybe July.
Will it be June or July?

Yes.

I have been quoted 4-6 weeks from different resellers in EU, but not sure if they were just trying to get my order. In the end I went with the same resellers I bought my 6K Pro from. I guess it'll just arrive when it does, but my experience has been that the V2 cameras are usually much more on time than a new body or a new sensor.

Hey guys - moving this over from the "Fate of the Ursa 12k" thread...

While waiting for our Pyxis 12k to arrive, I was wondering if people would be able to recommend some CFexpress type b cards, and a card reader, heck maybe an external SSD as well haha

I've already settled on trying the Core SWX NANO X V150 Micros, we currently have a couple Smallrig VB155's as dedicated on camera batteries but I've been wanting to try core so I figured now would be the time

Thanks so much in advanced!

Hey guys - moving this over from the "Fate of the Ursa 12k" thread...

While waiting for our Pyxis 12k to arrive, I was wondering if people would be able to recommend some CFexpress type b cards, and a card reader, heck maybe an external SSD as well haha

I've already settled on trying the Core SWX NANO X V150 Micros, we currently have a couple Smallrig VB155's as dedicated on camera batteries but I've been wanting to try core so I figured now would be the time

Thanks so much in advanced!

I've been using the AngelBird 2TB AV PRO SE CFexpress v4 Type B Memory Cards with my URSA Cine 12K with good success. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... ro_se.html

I'm still waiting for the Angelbird PKT CFexpress 2.0 Type B Card Reader to ship, so I've been offloading the media via the 10G Ethernet Port on the camera. But that's the card reader I ordered. I may buy the ProGrade for an extra soon so I have a card reader on hand. Then I'll have two. But I want to stay in one brand and Angelbird is that brand. So hopefully these card readers ship soon.

I personally have been using Angelbird 512Gb 1785MB/s cards with the Pyxis and a cheap Xcellon CFexpress reader. No complaints, but I also don't shoot anything above 5:1.

I've been using the AngelBird 2TB AV PRO SE CFexpress v4 Type B Memory Cards with my URSA Cine 12K with good success. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... ro_se.html

Tim are you recording all resolutions/framerates to those cards? At which quality settings? And are you using the dual recording feature or recording to cards individually? Considering the 1TB Version of this card for the Pyxis.

I've been using the AngelBird 2TB AV PRO SE CFexpress v4 Type B Memory Cards with my URSA Cine 12K with good success. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... ro_se.html

Tim are you recording all resolutions/framerates to those cards? At which quality settings? And are you using the dual recording feature or recording to cards individually? Considering the 1TB Version of this card for the Pyxis.

So far I've done numerous resolutions and frame rates without issue. I did a good 1.5 minute clip in 12K Q0 Open Gate without issue. I did a whole bunch of clips at 12K Q5 Open Gate no issue. I've shot 8K 16x9 at 168 FPS with 18:1 compression. The cards are performing well for me.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zGfJC5jMd8s

Interesting tidbit with Cined claiming that they have access to the pre-order numbers at CVP and B&H and stating that this camera is seeing a lot of demand.

The Pyxis 12K originally priced at $4,995 USD and currently $5,495 due to the minimum 10% import tariff in the US. But the price to purchase from a Canadian retailer is $7,445 CAN which is a completely reasonable difference considering the current currency exchange rates for the $5,495 USD sale price. But I’m not aware that Canada has a 10% tariff on cameras coming from ‘overseas’ so I would think Canada can source the camera from its country of origin which is not USA and therefore the price might be about $6,795 here.

Does anyone have knowledge of the feasibility of sourcing the camera from, say Australia, or are Canadians forced to buy the camera from the US Region which is subject to the tariff?

Still no Pyxis 12k footages

Still no Pyxis 12k footages

There's a reason for this: it doesn't ship till July.

Now, there may be some early beta units that make it into the hands of the usual suspects. But I guarantee that Blackmagic will keep a pretty tight lid on that footage until they are ready for it to be released.

Ultimately, we've seen the footage already: the URSA Cine 12K. It's the same sensor. Albeit with limitations for frame rates and sensor readout speeds. But it's the same sensor either way and thus the footage will look the same.

I'm loving the URSA Cine 12K. I'll be getting more footage shot soon. The first bits of footage are now showing as sponsored ads for a client I shot for that I used the camera. Can't link since it's sponsored ads on Facebook and Instagram and I usually find that linking doesn't always work for the sponsored stuff.

I'll have more soon. Attending the Sunscreen Film Festival this weekend. About to head out for the next party event. Networking, and drumming up excitement for this camera being in town.

Still no Pyxis 12k footages

There's a reason for this: it doesn't ship till July.

Now, there may be some early beta units that make it into the hands of the usual suspects. But I guarantee that Blackmagic will keep a pretty tight lid on that footage until they are ready for it to be released.

Ultimately, we've seen the footage already: the URSA Cine 12K. It's the same sensor. Albeit with limitations for frame rates and sensor readout speeds. But it's the same sensor either way and thus the footage will look the same.

I'm loving the URSA Cine 12K. I'll be getting more footage shot soon. The first bits of footage are now showing as sponsored ads for a client I shot for that I used the camera. Can't link since it's sponsored ads on Facebook and Instagram and I usually find that linking doesn't always work for the sponsored stuff.

I'll have more soon. Attending the Sunscreen Film Festival this weekend. About to head out for the next party event. Networking, and drumming up excitement for this camera being in town.

The Ursa Cine 12k footages were out months before it was available for sale. Cine 12k and Pyxis 12k might share the same sensor but readout speed is different, beside seeing is believing. Will there be nuances, motion cadence different, the different in processing? Even the Pyxis 6k and BMCC6K both share the same sensor has some differences in noise handling.

At this point I'm less interested about what the Cine 12k can do, thats not the camera I'm buying and its a mistake to even think the Pyxis 12k might be the same without seeing actual footages.

… At this point I'm less interested about what the Cine 12k can do, thats not the camera I'm buying and its a mistake to even think the Pyxis 12k might be the same without seeing actual footages.

Agree we want to see the footage and footage that exercises the sensor. Not much point in showing scenes with modest dynamic range when we want to see how it handles high light and low light. And it’s important that I don’t shoot the motion pictures as we need to see more motion than someone chewing a piece of straw. Just a simple exercise in demonstrating its charms.