Matt Hoecker wrote:Ideally, in my world, Blackmagic would come out with a series of posts that said:
Day 1: Today we went out and shot a bunch of test footage and confirmed that there is an issue with extreme highlights on all cameras. This is definitely an issue that we're looking into, and we are going to figure out what we need to do about it.
Day 2: Still studying the firmware and making software changes on our test cameras, we've made progress, but no solution yet.
Day 3: Unfortunately we've decided it's not as easy as just highlight clipping within the camera. It's going to take more research. We are doing everything we can!
Day 4: So, here's what we think the issue may be, we are working to correct it! No promises, but we're hoping to have a firmware update, that we have thouroughly tested for any new bugs, out in the next two weeks. Thank you for your patience!...
Please, just a little info on your current progress would help many of us not assume the worst. Of course, if it can't be fixed, by all means, you should stay silent and get as many cameras out the door before people realize this is just going to be the way it is.
An interesting perspective and very reasonable until you get to your very last sentence. I do not intend to single anyone out including you but when I see many creative and brilliant people getting mired down on this issue, please permit a comment without it causing more angst.
It's a shame to see so many people seeing the very worst scenarios and not giving anyone at BMD credit for their efforts and integrity. We know they are not as transparent as we wish about what they are doing, but that is a business philosophy to which they are entitled at this time. When debugging any problem, they are likely looking at many possible avenues to both define all possible causes and many potential avenues to determine the best solutions. When they have proven to themselves that they have a solution, they will implement it. I have no idea when this will occur but it will occur. No one with a purchased camera will be forgotten.
Please remember although most businesses are in business to make money, that is hardly the reason they are in business. Some companies have goals that transcend the necessity to make money. Grant Petty has previously shared his goals and aspirations for his company in getting into the cinema camera business. It's not balderdash. It's the reason you get up in the morning and go to work to show yourself that you can do it. It wouldn't even be near as much of an accomplishment if it was easy. And everyone knows it isn't easy. Some days are going to look very dark. These are people, not machines, they share your pain albeit differently. They don't want to cheat you, they want to amaze you. They want you to amaze others with your talent and their tools.
I know there are things that are deficiencies, even with the original cameras. There are features that should be there. It may even be a long list. They are aware. But everything can not be done as quickly as we want. When blooming video is in their face, you can bet the priorities in the 'to do' list are shuffled. We know before the blooming video, their top priority was adding raw to the BMPCC. One BMD employee said raw would be in the next firmware release. We don't know when the blooming will be fixed, but let's understand it is very high on the list of items to deliver as quickly as possible.
For those who currently have the BMPCC, I feel sympathy and understanding and hope that your wait will be as short as humanly possible. Whatever course of action you choose, no one will criticize your decision. Some will abandon their dream to own their own cinema cameras and others will rely upon the proven big players to meet their creative needs. Some will be gone, some will return when the dust settles and new BMPCC cameras are on their retailer's shelf as the BMCC cameras are now in many areas. Some will simply buy a BMCC and get on with it. Others will abide, keep their preorders, keep busy in the meantime, and feel rewarded when they finally shoot with it.
Rick Lang
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