Pocket Cinema Camera FAQ

More entries have been added to the official Pocket Cinema Camera FAQ. You can now find answers from our support team for the following questions:

- What SD cards should I use with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera?
- How much recording time do I get on an SD card?
- How long can I continously record for?
- What lenses can I use with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera?
- Will Pocket Cinema Camera support optical image stabilization?
- What type of battery does the Pocket Cinema Camera use?
- How long does it take to charge the Pocket Cinema Camera battery?
- What features of the Pocket Cinema Camera can I control over LANC?
- What kind of lens adapter can I use?

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support ... 849&os=mac

Thanks Christine,

I have a question not fully covered, wondered if you knew or someone else on the forum might. I plan to use one of the lenses mentioned, a stabilised 14-42mm Lumix lens MK2. The thing is you can't turn stabilisation off on the lens.(some do some newer ones tend not to) when you use it for a Panasonic camera you can turn it off and on "in camera".
So I was wondering if this function will be in the pocket or once the thing is on the IS kicks in and that's it.

The reason I'm wondering is if it won't turn off then its pretty useless on a tripod and so wondering if I need to buy additional lenses.

Thanks Christine,

I have a question not fully covered, wondered if you knew or someone else on the forum might. I plan to use one of the lenses mentioned, a stabilised 14-42mm Lumix lens MK2. The thing is you can't turn stabilisation off on the lens.(some do some newer ones tend not to) when you use it for a Panasonic camera you can turn it off and on "in camera".
So I was wondering if this function will be in the pocket or once the thing is on the IS kicks in and that's it.

The reason I'm wondering is if it won't turn off then its pretty useless on a tripod and so wondering if I need to buy additional lenses.

Jimmy, it sounds like you have the Lumix 14-42mm. Do you also have or plan to try the Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom. John Brawley uses that one, but I can't recall if he mentioned image stabilization can be turned on and off correctly on that lens. Do you know?

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

so if I have a lens that has electronic aperture control but manual everything else and it's not on the list, does that mean that it cannot be used? I don't really care about automatic or electronic focus and zoom capability, but I obviously want to be able to control the aperture.

Any chance of SD card recommendations for compressed RAW yet? Don't want to have to double purchase.

Thanks Christine,

I have a question not fully covered, wondered if you knew or someone else on the forum might. I plan to use one of the lenses mentioned, a stabilised 14-42mm Lumix lens MK2. The thing is you can't turn stabilisation off on the lens.(some do some newer ones tend not to) when you use it for a Panasonic camera you can turn it off and on "in camera".
So I was wondering if this function will be in the pocket or once the thing is on the IS kicks in and that's it.

The reason I'm wondering is if it won't turn off then its pretty useless on a tripod and so wondering if I need to buy additional lenses.

Jimmy, it sounds like you have the Lumix 14-42mm. Do you also have or plan to try the Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom. John Brawley uses that one, but I can't recall if he mentioned image stabilization can be turned on and off correctly on that lens. Do you know?

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Yes I do, I know but my issue is with lenses without an off/on switch on the camera. Or a more simple question, does the camera support for IS mean you can turn it on and off in the camera settings?

Any chance of SD card recommendations for compressed RAW yet? Don't want to have to double purchase.

As far as I understand the 64gb pro extreme is the fastest card available today, if that doesn't do it none will.

Thanks Christine,

I have a question not fully covered, wondered if you knew or someone else on the forum might. I plan to use one of the lenses mentioned, a stabilised 14-42mm Lumix lens MK2. The thing is you can't turn stabilisation off on the lens.(some do some newer ones tend not to) when you use it for a Panasonic camera you can turn it off and on "in camera".
So I was wondering if this function will be in the pocket or once the thing is on the IS kicks in and that's it.

The reason I'm wondering is if it won't turn off then its pretty useless on a tripod and so wondering if I need to buy additional lenses.

Jimmy, it sounds like you have the Lumix 14-42mm. Do you also have or plan to try the Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom. John Brawley uses that one, but I can't recall if he mentioned image stabilization can be turned on and off correctly on that lens. Do you know?

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Yes I do, I know but my issue is with lenses without an off/on switch on the camera. Or a more simple question, does the camera support for IS mean you can turn it on and off in the camera settings?

Thanks for the clarification. The Lumix 12-35mm zoom has a switch on the lens barrel to turn image stabilization ON or OFF.

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

so if I have a lens that has electronic aperture control but manual everything else and it's not on the list, does that mean that it cannot be used? I don't really care about automatic or electronic focus and zoom capability, but I obviously want to be able to control the aperture.

If any lens or SD card isn't on the list at all, it doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work, it just means that we haven't tested it enough to recommend. If we are sure that something won't work, that's usually included in the FAQ as well. (i.e. In the Cinema Camera FAQ, it is noted that some SSDs will only work with certain firmware versions or will only work with compressed footage.) As we test more third party equipment, the FAQ is periodically updated.

so if I have a lens that has electronic aperture control but manual everything else and it's not on the list, does that mean that it cannot be used? I don't really care about automatic or electronic focus and zoom capability, but I obviously want to be able to control the aperture.

If any lens or SD card isn't on the list at all, it doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work, it just means that we haven't tested it enough to recommend. If we are sure that something won't work, that's usually included in the FAQ as well. (i.e. In the Cinema Camera FAQ, it is noted that some SSDs will only work with certain firmware versions or will only work with compressed footage.) As we test more third party equipment, the FAQ is periodically updated.

Ok, cool. Actually, in retrospect, even if the pocket cam couldn't handle aperture control on non-compatible lenses, it wouldn't be that big a deal, only two of the lenses I have which I would use on the BMPC require electronic aperture control(a canon zoom and my nifty fifty) the rest are either fully manual cine lenses or vintage glass.


Thanks for the speedy response by the way.

How long does the EN-EL20 battery last when filming if the charge time is only 1 hour 15 mins?

[Kristian Lam]

so if I have a lens that has electronic aperture control but manual everything else and it's not on the list, does that mean that it cannot be used? I don't really care about automatic or electronic focus and zoom capability, but I obviously want to be able to control the aperture.

No, it just means that it hasn't been tested. Which lens is this?

[Kristian Lam]

Yes I do, I know but my issue is with lenses without an off/on switch on the camera. Or a more simple question, does the camera support for IS mean you can turn it on and off in the camera settings?

Yes, it will automatically be turned on.

Yes I do, I know but my issue is with lenses without an off/on switch on the camera. Or a more simple question, does the camera support for IS mean you can turn it on and off in the camera settings?

Yes, it will automatically be turned on.

Can you turn it off?

How long do you think till RAW is available on the pocket cam?