All about: Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 (BMMSC 4K)

Been using the G2 now for a few shoots and I think I have a good understanding of the camera and the use of it. I rigged this cam up for handheld Run & Gun and Monopod shooting and I love the image it produces (BRAW is amazing from this little beast). Keep in mind, I'm talking about using it outside of it's intended purpose of studio production. Better functionality would make all the difference for me, but would probably raise the cost, so I do understand. If they would have just gave it the ability for remote camera control with a monitor or hand device it would be a keeper for me. Keeping in mind again, I'm talking about using it as a rigged handheld and monopod machine. It would be a excellent B or C camera for talking heads, but that is bringing it back to it's studio function. As a studio cam it is excellent, especially if you plan to run it with a ATEM and harness the remote functionality.

On my rig below I'm using a .64X Metabones focal reducer that converts the crop factor from 2.121 to 1.35744. That is a big jump. The beauty is that it gives me 1 1/3 stop more light hitting the sensor. In the below image I'm using a Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4. Coupled with this speedbooster it equates out to be 47.5mm focal range and the aperture is about f/.99 approximately wide open. At night I can still shoot at the low native ISO of 400 and have great success. I'm new to BMD and BRAW. I should also mention I'm taking classes currently to become a colorist. So I'm learning the the BMD BRAW color science and for a hybrid RAW it is amazing. I fell in love with it on my first shoot with this camera. I overcame the limitation of the playback function by using the Holland Mars M1 Enhanced Monitor. the camera triggers the monitor to record and it will record up to 2 minutes of the frame so you can get a good idea of what you recorded playing it back on the monitor. Of course I record to SSD with a Samsung T7. I just had a SSD sleeve printed that I found on Thingiverse to add to this rig for a cleaner look. Will allow me to pug and play the SSD effortlessly. Using my Rode Wireless Go II I notice that I have to crank the internal preamps to max as well as the RODE receiver to 0dB to get a decent audio capture through the 3.5mm Jack. In the audio menu on the G2 I have it set to "Line In".

Looking at Image alone I would say that this is a "Cinema Camera", kind of, LOL! It truly has all the makings of one just lacks the functional part that would give some the ability to take it serious on set and get what they want from it. However, it definitely can be used as a crash cam and get into tight spaces where normal size cameras can not, and give you a pleasing image. As a Run & Gun, I will have to tap out in submission as it would give me the blues trying to work around the challenges of the functionality. Just my two cents on the matter. I will be making a YouTube video soon with footage and examples once I receive the Alt Cine Expansion pack.

JUST A NOTE: I do have one more trick up my sleeve as I have been in contact with Portkeys. We have been trading emails and I'm waiting on a few things in the mail to see if we can make some magic with camera control. "Fingers crossed"

Screenshot_20240527_144343_Gallery.jpg (1005.17 KiB) Viewed 3597 times

Screenshot_20240527_144243_Gallery.jpg (892.37 KiB) Viewed 3597 times

Been using the G2 now for a few shoots and I think I have a good understanding of the camera and the use of it. I rigged this cam up for handheld Run & Gun and Monopod shooting and I love the image it produces (BRAW is amazing from this little beast). Keep in mind, I'm talking about using it outside of it's intended purpose of studio production. Better functionality would make all the difference for me, but would probably raise the cost, so I do understand. If they would have just gave it the ability for remote camera control with a monitor or hand device it would be a keeper for me. Keeping in mind again, I'm talking about using it as a rigged handheld and monopod machine. It would be a excellent B or C camera for talking heads, but that is bringing it back to it's studio function. As a studio cam it is excellent, especially if you plan to run it with a ATEM and harness the remote functionality.

On my rig below I'm using a .64X Metabones focal reducer that converts the crop factor from 2.121 to 1.35744. That is a big jump. The beauty is that it gives me 1 1/3 stop more light hitting the sensor. In the below image I'm using a Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4. Coupled with this speedbooster it equates out to be 47.5mm focal range and the aperture is about f/.99 approximately wide open. At night I can still shoot at the low native ISO of 400 and have great success. I'm new to BMD and BRAW. I should also mention I'm taking classes currently to become a colorist. So I'm learning the the BMD BRAW color science and for a hybrid RAW it is amazing. I fell in love with it on my first shoot with this camera. I overcame the limitation of the playback function by using the Holland Mars M1 Enhanced Monitor. the camera triggers the monitor to record and it will record up to 2 minutes of the frame so you can get a good idea of what you recorded playing it back on the monitor. Of course I record to SSD with a Samsung T7. I just had a SSD sleeve printed that I found on Thingiverse to add to this rig for a cleaner look. Will allow me to pug and play the SSD effortlessly. Using my Rode Wireless Go II I notice that I have to crank the internal preamps to max as well as the RODE receiver to 0dB to get a decent audio capture through the 3.5mm Jack. In the audio menu on the G2 I have it set to "Line In".

Looking at Image alone I would say that this is a "Cinema Camera", kind of, LOL! It truly has all the makings of one just lacks the functional part that would give some the ability to take it serious on set and get what they want from it. However, it definitely can be used as a crash cam and get into tight spaces where normal size cameras can not, and give you a pleasing image. As a Run & Gun, I will have to tap out in submission as it would give me the blues trying to work around the challenges of the functionality. Just my two cents on the matter. I will be making a YouTube video soon with footage and examples once I receive the Alt Cine Expansion pack.

JUST A NOTE: I do have one more trick up my sleeve as I have been in contact with Portkeys. We have been trading emails and I'm waiting on a few things in the mail to see if we can make some magic with camera control. "Fingers crossed"

Screenshot_20240527_144343_Gallery.jpg

Screenshot_20240527_144243_Gallery.jpg

Great write up! Love the cage


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Great write up! Love the cage


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Thank you brother. You have a great cage for this little monster. I appreciate your innovation. You are definitely needed in this space. I would like to encourage you to keep reaching. The sky is the limit to an open mind. I really enjoyed using the cage and the ability to create my own personal rig that fits me and my own style, is awesome. I have the expansion pack coming in the mail and then I will have the option of switching up setups to fit my mood or style of shooting for that moment. I will be expressing my thoughts and use case in my next YouTube vid to advocate and recommend this cage. Mainly for those that are daring enough like myself to rig this little guy and get out here and have some fun.

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It's good to hear that they're finally shipping, just finished this prototype today. 30w of power via POE, ethernet to USBC, and BNC to micro BNC. Once I get the cam, I'll cut the cables to suit and make some final tweaks to the geometry.

I'd have preferred they made the body bigger, use full size BNC, and a dedicated RJ45 port. This thing really has a terrible design. With all the cables sticking out every which way it loses it's "micro" volume pretty quick.

Good Luck

backpack.jpg

I like this idea, but what about you skip the BNC part (a simple adapter cable will do) and just make a Ethernet - USBC Hub. It would be much better to have more USBC ports and an ethernet connection.

I like this idea, but what about you skip the BNC part (a simple adapter cable will do) and just make a Ethernet - USBC Hub. It would be much better to have more USBC ports and an ethernet connection.

I use(d) the camera live in multiple locations and configurations so a robust BNC connection is paramount, POE solves power and control. The original design had an Ethercon connectors but it made the enclosure too large. If I were going to build a "cine" style backpack I'd probably include a card or maybe drive slot rather than USBC. The whole point of the enclosure is not to have a bunch of dongles/drives hanging off the camera.

The box is just an enclosure for some off the shelf parts that I cracked open, a POE splitter and a Cat-USBC adapter. The POE splitter fried after 72 hours anyway, maybe heat, I dunno. If I did it again I might just surface mount the components to a battery dummy plate. I'm over it at this point the camera doesn't really offer the exposure control that I want.

Good Luck

I like this idea, but what about you skip the BNC part (a simple adapter cable will do) and just make a Ethernet - USBC Hub. It would be much better to have more USBC ports and an ethernet connection.

I use(d) the camera live in multiple locations and configurations so a robust BNC connection is paramount, POE solves power and control. The original design had an Ethercon connectors but it made the enclosure too large. If I were going to build a "cine" style backpack I'd probably include a card or maybe drive slot rather than USBC. The whole point of the enclosure is not to have a bunch of dongles/drives hanging off the camera.

The box is just an enclosure for some off the shelf parts that I cracked open, a POE splitter and a Cat-USBC adapter. The POE splitter fried after 72 hours anyway, maybe heat, I dunno. If I did it again I might just surface mount the components to a battery dummy plate. I'm over it at this point the camera doesn't really offer the exposure control that I want.

Good Luck

do you know Cyanview? Maybe this is something you are looking for to control the camera:
https://support.cyanview.com/docs/Integ ... gic/Camera

Yeah, I met those guys during NAB last year, they showed up at a gig in Vegas to help sort an issue and wrote a new firmware on the spot. I'm a big fan. However I'm looking for a set it and forget it solution. I also use a couple BGH1s and I can configure them to shoot exactly the way I want without the need for constant/steppy shading, the G2 just isn't there yet.

Good Luck

My second issue is with the temperature. Will have to grab my IR cam to check it, but the HDMI plug was already too hot to touch. Is that to be expected?

Did you ever get any information on the Micro Studio 4k G2 temperature? I got one a few weeks ago and the camera has been working well and I'm very happy with the image quality, but I've also noticed that the entire camera casing heats up to the point of being too hot to handle after being on for a little while (on AC power, not recording). I don't have an IR camera to get a definitive temperature reading, but it is to the point that I believe it would cause burns if you held it for too long and I'm concerned about the plastic casing on the HDMI cable melting. It is particularly annoying because the tiny power button is recessed so it can be difficult to turn the camera off without touching the casing. As I said, the camera seems to be working fine, but if this temperature isn't the typical, I want to make sure I get it checked ASAP.

My second issue is with the temperature. Will have to grab my IR cam to check it, but the HDMI plug was already too hot to touch. Is that to be expected?

Did you ever get any information on the Micro Studio 4k G2 temperature? I got one a few weeks ago and the camera has been working well and I'm very happy with the image quality, but I've also noticed that the entire camera casing heats up to the point of being too hot to handle after being on for a little while (on AC power, not recording). I don't have an IR camera to get a definitive temperature reading, but it is to the point that I believe it would cause burns if you held it for too long and I'm concerned about the plastic casing on the HDMI cable melting. It is particularly annoying because the tiny power button is recessed so it can be difficult to turn the camera off without touching the casing. As I said, the camera seems to be working fine, but if this temperature isn't the typical, I want to make sure I get it checked ASAP.

I notice that my MS4KG2 heats up as well. I notice the heat when I touch the SDI ports. My housing do not seem to heat up as what you were explaining though. I also rig mine up and have tons of stuff attached that may work as a heatsink as well.

Found out that the Micro Studio 4K G2 has push to autofocus capability with a Speedbooster.

Hey! I've got a question regarding the connection of BMD Studio Area 4k G2. I've been working before with studio cameras, but not the mini. I was wondering if there is any easy way to get a SDI out/in on long distance?
I purchased this: hoping that I will be able to extend the cable ending with regular BNC, but it doesn't fit. Is there any other way? (I would rather not use the adapter that needs to be powered).

Thanks!

Hey! I've got a question regarding the connection of BMD Studio Area 4k G2. I've been working before with studio cameras, but not the mini. I was wondering if there is any easy way to get a SDI out/in on long distance?
I purchased this: hoping that I will be able to extend the cable ending with regular BNC, but it doesn't fit. Is there any other way? (I would rather not use the adapter that needs to be powered).

Thanks!

This camera has Mini SDI. you need a Mini SDI to SDI adapter.

Any news regarding dongle compatibility list?
The only one I've found working so far is the Surface Travel Dongle.
I also tested an Aukey 5-in-1 grey dongle, without much success.

Any news regarding dongle compatibility list?
The only one I've found working so far is the Surface Travel Dongle.
I also tested an Aukey 5-in-1 grey dongle, without much success.

I've tried 3 different USB ethernet (Uni, Best Buy, Belden) and USB/USB-ethernet dongles and they all work. Stay away from dongles that have HDMI, they're far more hit and miss.

Good Luck

Thanks for the feedback, Howard.
I just tested the UNI USB-C/Ethernet dongle, and unfortunately, neither of the two ports works with the BMMSC4KG2.
I tried the same dongle on a laptop, and it worked as expected.

I’m starting to think the Micro Studio has specific requirements that necessitate using a particular type of dongle.

Thanks for the feedback, Howard.
I just tested the UNI USB-C/Ethernet dongle, and unfortunately, neither of the two ports works with the BMMSC4KG2.

Which two ports? This one works fine with usbc going to the cam.

Good Luck

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Here is the one I used


Thanks for the info, I will try the other one.

I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, and I'm not trying to beat a dead horse...

But the initial report that this camera would have Bluetooth support, coupled with the firmware-activated Bluetooth support way back with the URSA Mini Pro has me wondering: has anyone done a teardown of the G2 to determine for sure there's no Bluetooth antenna inside?

I spoke with tech and sales at BMD and they confirmed there is no Bluetooth inside the G2.


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Copy that, I appreciate the confirmation.

...I guess I'll just have to wait and see if they're successful with the Pyxis monitor integration...