Thu Feb 18, 2021 12:26 am
I like this release. Except the 6k that I don't need (4k is plenty for me to emulate film), everything else new in it is what I would have wanted 2+ years ago when I got my BMPCC 4k: tiltable bright screen, NDs (hopefully accompanied by a better IR CUT filter), and an updated battery/grip.
Basically, what BMD did with this release was to eliminate additional hardware that needed to be purchased and rigged on top of the camera. And this is a very good move for one-man-crews who want a smaller rig. So yes, the camera is a bit larger, but the elimination of needing other hardware compensates for it.
Now, regarding the EF mount: it is a problematic mount, but not the end of the world. What would have been a very daring, but usable approach, would be to use the MFT mount. The MFT mount covers easily up to 1.5x (consider that the E mount is as small as the MFT mount). No, the Panasonic and Olympus lenses would not cover (which would create big support issues for BMD), but it would allow for adapters and speedboosters. Also, a bunch of third party manual MFT lenses do cover at 1.5x (I tried them with my MFT->E mount adapter, and they cover the 1.5x Sony sensor): Rokinon 12mm, 7Artisans etc.
So overall, it might not make sense for existing BMPCC 4k/6k users to outright upgrade, it could bring new buyers in. Modern AF will never happen of course, but IBIS would be nice if we could get up to 2-3 stops of correction: just enough to eliminate the micro-jitters. I would never ask for a full IBIS implementation from BMD. But the micro-jitters are indeed a problem when handheld, when using a non-IS lens (which is most of the time for me, since I use Russian vintage lenses).
Overall, it's actually a good stepping stone release towards a less rig-demanding cinema camera.
Collage artist, illustrator, filmmaker: https://vimeo.com/eugenia