Blackmagic Forum

Ahh, folks finally got their BMD "box" camera, eh?

I don't know if anyone here watched Attack On Titan but..

I'm glad it has a 1500 nit brightness LCD panel for the built-in monitor, and allowed for big batteries, and the connectors are not on the operator side, etc.

Not a biggie, but I wish it had 2 XLR audio inputs. The mini-jack allows for stereo input, but it's not a locking-type connector. I wish it had a HDMI video output.

Overall, though, this appears to be a very nice camera design!

I'll pass on this iteration but I'm stoked that this new body might be the basis for future cameras.

(with tweaks such as that great 1500nit screen not being fixed, internal NDs and NP-F battery or even a V-Mount back - there's a plethora of fantastic mini V-mounts on the market now).

I think if they would have increased the price by another $1,000 or so they could have added a few more professional I&O's to it. Dual SDI, separate timecode and genlock, V-Lock battery option, and a few other things. I do like that it's here, I like the 3 different mount options, love the EVF option right out of the gate.

Is it a Komodo-X killer. Nope. But will the next version of this camera be...maybe. Depends on customer feedback. The sensor scares me however.

I love the new design. I hope that they can offer the optional amounts separate as accessories that can be swapped by user, as well as perhaps a 5 inch touch monitor that connects to that USB-C viewfinder port. I’m surprised they didn’t offer that, being that all the kids nowadays don’t like using viewfinders. This way you’re still able to keep the single SDI client monitor.

Here’s what might be a dumb question-

Excluding price (let’s say you can find a used Ursa 4.6k G2) why get this new model or the BMCC6K when the G2 has better dynamic range and lower rolling shutter?

Texaco87 wrote:Here’s what might be a dumb question-

Excluding price (let’s say you can find a used Ursa 4.6k G2) why get this new model or the BMCC6K when the G2 has better dynamic range and lower rolling shutter?

Lighter weight, full frame, and less fixed pattern noise.

It looks like a great camera build and feature wise except that sensor. The readout speeds are just way too low.

The URSA Mini Pro G2 moved to a different sensor. Nothing to stop the PYXIS from doing the same in a G2 version.

If they had Rick, I would be wiring money to BMD as we speak…

Michel Rabe wrote:I'll pass on this iteration but I'm stoked that this new body might be the basis for future cameras.

(with tweaks such as that great 1500nit screen not being fixed, internal NDs and NP-F battery or even a V-Mount back - there's a plethora of fantastic mini V-mounts on the market now).

Same here. I'm concern it did not have a V-Mount back. I also think it is overpriced.

The PYXIS 6K with a dji focus pro and the video assist would be great. But Ill wait to see the outcome.

Ricardo Marty

jallen0 wrote:I think if they would have increased the price by another $1,000 or so they could have added a few more professional I&O's to it. Dual SDI, separate timecode and genlock, V-Lock battery option, and a few other things. I do like that it's here, I like the 3 different mount options, love the EVF option right out of the gate.

Is it a Komodo-X killer. Nope. But will the next version of this camera be...maybe. Depends on customer feedback. The sensor scares me however.

I think it is overpriced since the BMCC 6K is $400 cheaper and has more functionality. I was thinking more like $1,689 (just following the new odd pricing scheme), or $1,895 (their regular pricing scheme).

I'll debate this later this year. But for now I'm still happy with my UMPG2 over this because of the 120 FPS option in 4.6K Super 35. I'd want bare minimum 60 FPS Open Gate Full Frame from a PYXIS G2.

However, I really want to play with the new URSA Cine 12K! That may be a rental only, but it seems totally worth it.

rick.lang wrote:The URSA Mini Pro G2 moved to a different sensor. Nothing to stop the PYXIS from doing the same in a G2 version.

Totally, Rick. I'm just going to wait for the G2.

Also, weird that the BMCC6K has two Mini XLR and the PYXIS has one, but the price difference is like $400 more for the PYXIS.

Never say never when it comes to new gear, but a truck drove into my old weather-beaten fence a couple of days ago. Apparently insurance may replace the damaged section, but not the whole fence. The aesthetics of one new and improved section in the middle of the old fence just would be an irritant so I have to come up with funds to replace all of it. Still that unplanned expense isn’t much but it’s on top of the obscene cost of a new puppy that I pickup tomorrow!

Bad timing for my budget as I had planned on a puppy in November but the breeder had someone backout so offered the puppy to us in April. Darn real life interfering with my reel life! Might have to wait for the NAB 2025 PYXIS G2 PL.

This looks like it could really be a great camera - I love the new form factor. Still, three design decisions I find odd:

1. Only one XLR input (so there are 3 tracks of audio total??)
2. A V-Mount would've been nice, or in lieu of that at least two NPF slots so we could hot swap the batteries and keep running.
3. I just don't understand that fixed screen on the side. Who is it for? A focus puller? This seems like a single shooter kind of camera. If the screen were articulating, you might not need an external monitor for all jobs. I just don't get that screen...

Curious what accessaries they will make down the line for this camera and other in the same form factor. 5" and 7" monitor on the Viewfinder USB-C that also can controll the camera, like the REDs. Also use the back USB-C for extra XLR inputs.

3. The screen on the assistant side of the URSA Cine is for a focus puller so they can keep an eye on the frame and the marks at the same time.

See I got re-ended the other day. Now, insurance will cover the cost of the repairs. But nonetheless, it's things like this that make me realize how invaluable it is to have extra money for those unexpected life events. Same as Rick.

Still, looking at the PYXIS I see a lot of potential. However, I would have liked a V-Mount like everyone else.

rick.lang wrote:3. The screen on the assistant side of the URSA Cine is for a focus puller so they can keep an eye on the frame and the marks at the same time.

I definitely would understand it for the URSA Cine for that reason (though the URSA Cine has a fully articulating screen). It doesn't make any sense to me on the PYXIS 6k, though.

rick.lang wrote:3. The screen on the assistant side of the URSA Cine is for a focus puller so they can keep an eye on the frame and the marks at the same time.

I still don't understand why they didn't announce a new Wireless Video Assist with these features. Too much of focus pulling now is done wirelessly not to make this accessory.

The fixed screen does not make any sense, no.

I just wait for G2: articulating screen, NDs (PL and EF version) and NPF or Vmount.

And a s35 6K restricted version of that new sensor <3

The Other Mark Williams wrote:

rick.lang wrote:3. The screen on the assistant side of the URSA Cine is for a focus puller so they can keep an eye on the frame and the marks at the same time.

I definitely would understand it for the URSA Cine for that reason (though the URSA Cine has a fully articulating screen). It doesn't make any sense to me on the PYXIS 6k, though.

I’m a bit confused. The assistant side screen is only on the URSA Cine. The PYXIS has room to mount a side panel to mount various devices, not an assistant’s screen.

Dig the 17K Ursa Cinema but its for another Userbase. i would have liked to see a full Frame Pocket or a follow up to Ursa-Mini 4.6 with full Frame Sensor. With a decent Rolling Shutter under 10ms and some Kind of internal NDs, that would have made me happy.

timbutt2 wrote:I still don't understand why they didn't announce a new Wireless Video Assist with these features. Too much of focus pulling now is done wirelessly not to make this accessory.

Another future upgrade option!

Poor souls at BMD though. I’ve got to believe they were hoping at least to rest a bit for a week or two, basking in the glory of a stupendous NAB 2024 delivery. Alas with the number of improvements we’re suggesting, they must realize there’s always another stone to roll up the mountain before they can rest.

Sleep is for Autodorks

Finally!!! Yes! Cant wait to get one of these!!!!!!!!!!

rick.lang wrote:Never say never when it comes to new gear, but a truck drove into my old weather-beaten fence a couple of days ago. Apparently insurance may replace the damaged section, but not the whole fence. The aesthetics of one new and improved section in the middle of the old fence just would be an irritant so I have to come up with funds to replace all of it. Still that unplanned expense isn’t much but it’s on top of the obscene cost of a new puppy that I pickup tomorrow!

Bad timing for my budget as I had planned on a puppy in November but the breeder had someone backout so offered the puppy to us in April. Darn real life interfering with my reel life! Might have to wait for the NAB 2025 PYXIS G2 PL.

Sorry to hear about the troubles but that puppy will be a joy and the PYXIS can wait. Maybe call it Pyxis?

Here’s our bundle of joy. Just turn 2 yesterday.

timbutt2 wrote:

rick.lang wrote:3. The screen on the assistant side of the URSA Cine is for a focus puller so they can keep an eye on the frame and the marks at the same time.

I still don't understand why they didn't announce a new Wireless Video Assist with these features. Too much of focus pulling now is done wirelessly not to make this accessory.

Conjecture on my part: Maybe one of the reasons they lowered prices on all Video Assist models was to clear-out inventory ASAP, to make room for new wireless versions "soon".

It’s bigger than I thought it would be. The Pyxis is 50% larger than the Komodo and twice the size/weight of the BS1H that shares a similar sensor.

Flippy screen is a missed op given the proprietary viewfinder connection, hopefully a new Video Assist with camera control is in the works. A single SDI output is a bummer when you need to feed Video Village/wireless and see what you’re shooting. SRT streaming is cool but that workflow needs to be developed for VTR.

Full size ethernet is a bonus, genlock as well. Dual CFE, sweet.

This thing is probably awesome for flipping 90 and shooting vertical.

I’d have preferred Micro V-Lock over yet another proprietary battery system.

So Blackmagic cams aren’t doing Prores anymore? Unfortunate.

Good Luck

The maximum BP-U battery is 97 Wh. Do we know the wattage the camera and viewfinder require?

The Other Mark Williams wrote:I definitely would understand it for the URSA Cine for that reason (though the URSA Cine has a fully articulating screen). It doesn't make any sense to me on the PYXIS 6k, though.

+1. They should have put it on top like the Komodo and use that side for other mount options, controls, whatever like a caddy for NVMe or SSD drives.

That battery will be a problem and point of issue down the road. With the mini v-mount batteries getting cheaper, a mini vmount would be a better design.

For me, that Cine is a dud, like what happened to the big URSA. It’s one designed like the URSA where you have 2 or 3 ops. These days, with remote controls, the focus puller doesn’t have to be staring at a monitor on the side of the camera.

The URSA Cine assistant’s screen may go largely unused given recent developments such as the DJI Focus Pro. But I don’t feel the URSA Cine is a dud when you consider its other features.

I’m glad they redesigned their proprietary 12K Super 35 sensor as a 12K ‘full frame’ sensor with higher dynamic range. I really enjoy working with HDR and having another stop in-camera is much appreciated. We are all accustomed to delivering SDR Rec 709, but for a few years now phones, tablets, and lately laptops can handle higher specifications than SDR allows. So I’d love to shoot with 16 stops, but I can’t predict when that will happen.

I think the PYXIS Pro will fix some of the things we're complaining about body wise with internal ND and a screen that folds out and is more useable. Maybe with that model they'll also have a new Full Frame 6K sensor that has better readout speeds and allows for faster frame rates.

Ellory Yu wrote:For me, that Cine is a dud, like what happened to the big URSA. It’s one designed like the URSA where you have 2 or 3 ops. These days, with remote controls, the focus puller doesn’t have to be staring at a monitor on the side of the camera.

I don't think it's a dud. But, I do agree that an assistant focus puller doesn't stand at the side of the camera anymore. They are pulling wirelessly.

This is why I suspect IBC 2024 will see new Video Assists that are Wireless and have the features that are in that Side Cine Screen. Maybe the price reduction was in preparation for this. But I suspect new Video Assists are coming.

timbutt2 wrote:I think the PYXIS Pro will fix some of the things we're complaining about body wise with internal ND and a screen that folds out and is more useable. Maybe with that model they'll also have a new Full Frame 6K sensor that has better readout speeds and allows for faster frame rates.

I hope you're right, but I'm not sure they can fit mechanical internal NDs that can move out of the way in that body with a sensor that size. The Pocket 6K Pro has a much smaller sensor and its body is taller than the Pyxis.

I wish they would have released a Ursa Cine Lite.
Take away built-in wireless and the side screen, knock the price down to ~$10k??

Alright, hopefully it’s not a dud like the big URSA. The price is too steep for mass sales. If it’s not pulled out due to poor sale, we might see this same unit priced around 4-6K in a year or two.

They’re learning with the Pyxis how to design a box camera so I am going to wait for G2 as it will be much better and corrected.

If you are an EVF user, I think you'll enjoy the Pyxis, (gosh that is hard to type over and over)

With the screen being mounted to the side, there's no way to use it while operating. Unless I'm doing a top-down shot. I'm 'forced' to used an external monitor, but I still need to consult the screen for info and settings. I don't know if, when accessing the menu system it would show up on an external monitor...?

The image quality is already proven itself with the 6k FF. It's really nice with 400ISO, but anything above 1250 ISO is noisy. Even with the new DR Noise Reduction enhancement, it's a bit annoying.

Lack of NDs isn't that big of a deal, but once you have them, it's hard to leave them.
(speaking from experience, of owning a UMPG2 and a Pocket 6k Pro, The L Mount sans internal NDs means I'm screwing on a VND while I'm moving around filming docs, which isn't very fun.)

I know there's plenty of people that film with all the lights in the world and have all the time in the world to move talent or ask for another take, but in my field, I usually only get one or two shots at a moment and then it's gone. (end ?rant?)

I think the Pyxis might make a good 'cinema' camera to pair with the 6k FF, where I would rig it up with a monitor and more robust battery and rails and follow focus and such. I honestly HATE rigging up the 6k FF. Even with a cage, it's just so cumbersome and awkward.
Maybe the Pyxis form factor would save me the headache?
Or Maybe buying a use UMPG2 for $2500 would be a viable solution? (I still have all the UMP parts and plates and such, haha)

Totally agree Adam. We are in the same situation. The more I look at the Pyxis the less I like it. An Ursa Cine without wireless etc would suit us much better than the Pyxis.

We have stuck with the 6K Pro for so long now, we were really convinced we would be buying a new camera today but none of these new models suit our needs.

We also shoot doc style so there is no time to mess with NDs, complex rigs, etc.

rick.lang wrote:

The Other Mark Williams wrote:

rick.lang wrote:3. The screen on the assistant side of the URSA Cine is for a focus puller so they can keep an eye on the frame and the marks at the same time.

I definitely would understand it for the URSA Cine for that reason (though the URSA Cine has a fully articulating screen). It doesn't make any sense to me on the PYXIS 6k, though.

I’m a bit confused. The assistant side screen is only on the URSA Cine. The PYXIS has room to mount a side panel to mount various devices, not an assistant’s screen.

Sorry, Rick - poor communication on my part. I'm talking about the screen on the left side of the camera (for the person holding and operating it). On the URSA Cine it's an articulating screen, but on the Pyxis it's not. I'm saying that the Pyxis is more likely than not in the hands of a solo operator, who actually needs to have a visual on that screen, but can't see it with the way the Pyxis has been designed.

Now, if there's a way to use the Video Assist 12G or a SmallHD to control the camera, then OK, not a huge deal. But still, it sure seems like a missed opportunity to have that screen simply be an articulating screen so the shooter can see it and control the camera. Seems like that would've been a really easy thing to do.

If there is no way to control the camera via external monitor, then the whole thing seems like a very weird design choice. Like, weird enough that it will affect sales.

I'm rooting for BMD here - this is not meant as anything but constructive.

Actually, found a brilliant way that the fixed side screen on the PYXIS comes into play: vertical shooting! Then it becomes a top screen. So this camera is perfect for social media content. Haha.


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The Other Mark Williams wrote:… I'm talking about the screen on the left side of the camera (for the person holding and operating it). On the URSA Cine it's an articulating screen, but on the Pyxis it's not. I'm saying that the Pyxis is more likely than not in the hands of a solo operator, who actually needs to have a visual on that screen, but can't see it with the way the Pyxis has been designed… But still, it sure seems like a missed opportunity to have that screen simply be an articulating screen so the shooter can see it and control the camera. Seems like that would've been a really easy thing to do...

Understand now. Forgive my misinterpretation of your earlier post. Too many things on my mind. Now that they have a very versatile articulating monitor on the new URSA Cine, it would have been better to add that capability on the new PYXIS. Add it to the list of potential improvements for G2.

Instead of calling it PYXIS 6K,
why not name it 6KKK (Komodo Killer )

Watch this forum go alive again like back in 2013.

I feel that both of this camera are what BMD needed to step up the game.

Resolve 19 sounds super exciting !

BMD did it again (after long time).

Congrats !

Just told the Missus that I'm buying me a new camera. SO glad I didn't get the pocket 6k for 1495 at B&H last June. That Pykxix or whatever they're calling it punches *all* my buttons ... !

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I just saw this on a Reduser channel and thought it was appropriate for this conversation.



Let's remember this is a sub $3,000 camera, arguably at least as or more capable than Komodo, for half the price. If we can't make great images and tell decent stories with 13 stops of DR, the camera is not the problem.

Is it perfect? No. Will it make everyone happy? Of course not.

When the BMCC6K was released, people groaned and said "but if only it had been a box!". Here's the same camera, in a box, with a screen that you may or may not find useful, at half the price of a Komodo.

I'm sure BMD appreciate the feedback, and some of it is more than reasonable. Like improving the sensor readout speed, or possibly finding a way to engineer the next iteration of the camera to have internal NDs. But the side screen? But hyperbole about a the commercial failure of a camera, before it even ships?

Lots of people will find that side monitor useful. You might not, but the ones who do will use them to make something. I'll rig one with one of my existing 5inch monitors on top. Maybe I'll find that my clients love being able to see a preview on the side of the camera. Maybe it's useless. It's $3,000. Go out and make something.

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy (trust me, all I want is an ALEXA), congrats to Grant and team for always pushing the envelope and trying to always give us more for not so much. Can't wait to see the Ursa Cine in person.