Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

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Carolina Bay

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Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostThu Jun 24, 2021 9:04 pm

I am getting ready to order the BMPCC 4K. Kitting out a camera like this is daunting, so I plan on ordering minimum items, learn the camera and then decide what I need. Initially, i plan on getting the camera, plus the following because I have vintage Nikon lenses.

-Viltrox NF-M4/3 Lens Mount Adapter for Nikon F-Mount, D or G-Type Lens to Micro Four Thirds Mount Camera
-Viltrox NF-M43X Lens Mount Adapter for Nikon F-Mount, D or G-Type Lens to Micro Four Thirds Camera (from what I have read this is generally almost as good as the Metabones that costs 5X more, so going to try this first.
-SmallRig Full Cage with NATO Top Handle.

So, as you know the BMPCC 4k costs $1295.00 I saw this Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit at B&H for $1689.00. This comes with the following:

-Shinobi SDI 5" 3G-SDI / 4K HDMI Pro onboard monitor
-two Sony L-series type batteries
-a fast charger
-a DC power supply
-a sunshade
-a screen protector
-a heavy-duty ball head monitor mount
-a secure HDMI 2.0 cable
-a locking cold shoe accessory mount
-a plastic travel case for the accessories
Link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... k_pro.html

I am pretty sure that I will be wanting a monitor, so this is what caught my eye. I will also need other items, such as a audio system, external recording media, better power supply, etc.

Curious as to your thoughts on this kit versus just the camera and going after all accessories separately.

Thank you,
Virgil
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Johannes Jonsson

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostSat Jun 26, 2021 10:40 am

isn´t the Shinobi 5" 3G-SDI / 4K HDMI Pro not discontinued?
I thought it was discontinued some time ago.
Johannes
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Carolina Bay

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostSun Jun 27, 2021 1:23 am

I am not sure about it being discontinued. I saw the offering on B&H a couple days ago. I am thinking now that I will probably start bare bones and add as I find out I need to. Maybe I can work with the built in monitor with a sunscreen and add monitor later if I need it. But, this deal seems like a great price as a bundle versus buying separately. Figuring out the recording, audio, and power options is daunting for me.
Thank you,
Virgil
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rick.lang

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostSun Jun 27, 2021 1:40 am

I think it’s wise to build as you find you need something. You may not save money in the long run, but you may end up with less bits and more quality. Not saying any of the pieces in the kit are bad, but for example you might find you want a different monitor with a larger screen. The BMPCC4K has a 5” screen that is not very bright in daylight but it’s main drawback is the difficulty in working with a screen that can’t be moved. So it is common to have an external screen; larger and brighter can be very useful.
Rick Lang
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Carolina Bay

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostSun Jun 27, 2021 5:17 am

Thanks for your comments, Rick. I think you are right. And while I think I will want an external monitor, the stock BMPCC 4K has a screen and I don't need to have a full kit until this Fall. Everything between now and then will be learning. Biggest issues really are figuring out battery power and an audio solution. At this point I have almost talked myself into biting the bullet on CFast media versus SSD. I am not trying to break the bank, but I want quality and reliability above all else.
Again, thank you,
Virgil
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Rakesh Malik

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostTue Jun 29, 2021 6:41 pm

I second Rick's suggestions. When you're starting out it's easy to think that you need a lot of stuff that you end up not using very much, and then missing stuff that you wish you'd bought instead.

And it's nigh impossible for me or Rick or Random Poster #42 to tell you what you need, because we probably don't share your shooting style. And if you're just getting started, neither do you. :)

If you have been shooting for a while and you're moving to a dedicated cinema camera, then it won't take you long to figure out what you need. You'll also be able to rent and/or borrow stuff from friends and colleagues while you figure out what's best, and take your camera with you to a shop (when covid allows) and try stuff out.

Given a choice I'd pick either a SmallHD or Black Magic monitor. The Atomos monitors are pretty good, but if they were identical I'd pick BMD because of the people AT BMD -- including Grant; he's actually quite friendly in person.

I have a SmallHD Focus OLED which I'm quite happy with, though it's not the brightest version available. You can often find some pretty insane deals on SmallHD goodies, so keep an eye on those.

Also, you don't have much need for an external recorder when you use a Black Magic camera. It IS quite reliable with Samsung T5s, but CFast is more convenient on set.

Audio is probably a higher priority than monitoring anyway.
Rakesh Malik
Cinematographer, photographer, adventurer, martial artist
http://WinterLight.studio
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Asus Flow X13, Octacore Zen3/32GB + XG Mobile nVidia RTX 3080/16GB
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Carolina Bay

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostWed Jun 30, 2021 1:45 am

Rakesh,
Thanks for your post. I am taking your and Rick's advice, camera arrives tomorrow and I did get a T5 with it after more research. Audio is going to be my biggest challenge. I have some very old experience with video shooting and editing, but the world has changed and I am a new newbie.
Virgil
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Rakesh Malik

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostWed Jun 30, 2021 4:50 pm

Audio can be very easy. Just get a Sound Devices MixPre MK II, an inexpensive shotgun like a Deity or one of the Rodes (IMO don' t bother with Sennheiser; they are very good, but so is Rode and Rode is about half the price across the board). Add a Rode Wireless Go 2, and between that and a MixPre your audio issues are solved in grand fashion, and without a megabudget. And you wouldn't need to upgrade it, probably ever -- because if you find yourself on a big enough project to need more robust audio functionality, you can just hire someone who has the requisite gear rather than buying it yourself. That can easily add up to well over $10,000, while you can do professional quality work for more like $1200 if you don't try to cover everything like an audio specialist would.
Rakesh Malik
Cinematographer, photographer, adventurer, martial artist
http://WinterLight.studio
System:
Asus Flow X13, Octacore Zen3/32GB + XG Mobile nVidia RTX 3080/16GB
Apple M1 Mini/16GB
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Carolina Bay

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Re: Thoughts on BMPCC 4K/Pro Monitoring Kit from B&H?

PostWed Jun 30, 2021 9:05 pm

Rakesh,
Thanks for your response. My initial order included the T5 as I mentioned, the Rode NTG, two different adaptors for my Nikon lenses, and a SmallRig cage. From there I will figure out where to go. I have a couple of tripods that will work for static shots/limited moving shots and one as a mic stand. I see the MixPre mentioned a lot, pretty sure I will go with the one you mention as I just don't hear bad things about any of those recorders. I will check out the Go 2. My past experience with video and sound was mainly instructional videos with voice over, no location sound at all. I know I want a monopod with a fluid head, a power solution, and a filter solution. I think I have what I need to get started. I am not sure I really needed the cage, but given I know I will need to mount power and the T5 and maybe a monitor at some point, I went for it. Seems like it does add some protection and I am impressed with it on first impression as far as quality goes.
Virgil

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