Blackmagic Forum

I recently purchased a BMCC EF mount and after shooting a bit on it I've noticed a vertical line that comes about half way up the screen and always stays in the middle. It starts to show up when shooting in low light or when the background is dark. It shows up on the monitor as well as in the recorded image. Has anyone else experienced this? advice? Thanks!

Here is a video clip with the line in the middle. Its easiest to see while watching full screen. the password is blackmagic

Josh Hanson wrote:Here is a video clip with the line in the middle. Its easiest to see while watching full screen. the password is blackmagic

I can't exactly make out what you mean. Could you provide a screenshot with the problem marked?

If it's the flickering horizontal line(s) to the right of the picture, those are flicker from setting a wrong shutter angle.

The white line from the center and down is seen quite well in full screen mode.

Unfortunately it's a quite popular defect. My BMPCC also has vertical lines but they are visible in very dark conditions only.

There are rumors that in order to get rid of it you should flash a new firmware. If you already have a new firmware, then flash the previous one then the new one again.

If nothing happens call BM for support.

Will try this and post any results, thanks!

I tried flashing the firmware and it didn't work.. I've called Blackmagic and they informed me it's a hardware issue. Since I bought the camera second hand (no warranty) they say it should be around a $500 repair to replace the faulty sensor with a new one.

All BMCC's have a line in the middle of the image. The camera natively scans the top and bottom of the sensor to make a progressive image. It occurs when you underexpose an image and/or boost exposure in post. There are many users on this forum that have posted about this particular top / bottom sensor scan.

The BMPCC and BMMCC does not have this top/bottom sensor readout and still offers the same dynamic range / low-light performance. That's actually why I now own a BMPCC and a BMMCC. However, underexposing the image will introduce vertical lines, in the image, at some point. (( In essence, it appears that you may be on the edge of what the sensor can see and, on top of that, looking to see what's there.)) In many ways, that part of the recorded image is not meant to be seen at 40 - 80% IRE. It's best to keep these type of exposures and/or exposure levels in the 10 - 40% IRE, unless you're using a very, very fast prime lens.

I do know what you are experiencing. Even still, I can't really make it out in your video on Vimeo. It's not bad, in my Vimeo review opinion. Still though, the solution would be to not boost exposure in post and to shoot at ISO 800. **

Some users have found a way to mask out the center of the screen and boost the top/bottom sectors to get great low light results. But, you do need to be aware of this while filming.

This is what mine looks like. I have tried flashing firmware but no change.