Blooming Sensor Update

Karl, your sample has no "white orbs" problem, and no "black sun" effect. In your snapshots, highlights have soft aura, look pleasant, and generally behave in the manner expected for film and digital. Of course your footage is acceptable.

BMPCC seems to suffer from both unnatural white orbs and "black sun", though.

Karl, your sample has no "white orbs" problem, and no "black sun" effect. In your snapshots, highlights have soft aura, look pleasant, and generally behave in the manner expected for film and digital. Of course your footage is acceptable.

BMPCC seems to suffer from both unnatural white orbs and "black sun", though.

Of course it is blooming as every digital camera. But these orbs are in tolerable range. Thats what i expect from fixed BMPCC.

... I'm shooting on the SLR Magic 25mm .95 lens, if that matters.

And again, this is the BMCC, not the pocket camera.

The night picture of the cars and people with the BMCC looks almost identical to the same picture you shot with the 60D if one overlooks the horrible flaring on the 60D. The daytime pictures with the BMCC look quite different than the orbs shown on other shots submitted by other people previously on the BMPCC before recalibration. Your daytime orbs look fake to me. Why I am saying that? Because they are so different from the hard edge orbs seen previously. Apologies if I am wrong.

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Solutions BMD, please.

... I'm shooting on the SLR Magic 25mm .95 lens, if that matters.

And again, this is the BMCC, not the pocket camera.

The night picture of the cars and people with the BMCC looks almost identical to the same picture you shot with the 60D if one overlooks the horrible flaring on the 60D. The daytime pictures with the BMCC look quite different than the orbs shown on other shots submitted by other people previously on the BMPCC before recalibration. Your daytime orbs look fake to me. Why I am saying that? Because they are so different from the hard edge orbs seen previously. Apologies if I am wrong.

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

And very wrong you are, but thank you for the accusation. I was very excited to purchase this camera, I'm just trying to get this issue resolved so that it is working properly.

I've uploaded some of the footage where I noticed the blooming/ orbs, if that is helpful to anyone. Here is the link:
password: orbs

I'm also going to do some more tests with other lenses, and also try to recreate the issue with RAW, as alot of people have asked for that.

Will Rick Lang eat his avatar hat now?

I think that "re-calibrate" only try to patch defective sensors... but problems is here, and now in BMCC too.
.

I'm seeing superb pocket cam footage, and from a sub-$1000 camera.
I guess one can be a half glass full, half glass empty guy about the post calibration pocket cam.
https://vimeo.com/groups/blackmagic/videos/74050045

I think that "re-calibrate" only try to patch defective sensors... but problems is here, and now in BMCC too.
.

I'm seeing superb pocket cam footage, and from a sub-$1000 camera.
I guess one can be a half glass full, half glass empty guy about the post calibration pocket cam.
https://vimeo.com/groups/blackmagic/videos/74050045

Thanks; while, as I wrote about here -- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12250&start=400#p78842 -- I shot all that footage at the first link on a pre-calibrated BMPC, further complicating the idea that there's good versus bad calibration; mine seems sort of in-between. I'm anxious to see more clarification before sending mine in (and the pertaining worry that it will take too long).

... I'm shooting on the SLR Magic 25mm .95 lens, if that matters.

And again, this is the BMCC, not the pocket camera.

The night picture of the cars and people with the BMCC looks almost identical to the same picture you shot with the 60D if one overlooks the horrible flaring on the 60D. The daytime pictures with the BMCC look quite different than the orbs shown on other shots submitted by other people previously on the BMPCC before recalibration. Your daytime orbs look fake to me. Why I am saying that? Because they are so different from the hard edge orbs seen previously. Apologies if I am wrong.

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

And very wrong you are, but thank you for the accusation. I was very excited to purchase this camera, I'm just trying to get this issue resolved so that it is working properly.

I've uploaded some of the footage where I noticed the blooming/ orbs, if that is helpful to anyone. Here is the link:

I'm also going to do some more tests with other lenses, and also try to recreate the issue with RAW, as alot of people have asked for that.

Well, I apologize then. You can see the orbs in the BMPCC had very hard edges whereas in the BMCC, the edges are a bit softer. Since that was the first time I had seen the orbs looking differently, they didn't look real, or didn't look like what I was expecting. Sorry about that!

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Will Rick Lang eat his avatar hat now?

Oh no! Anything but that hat. It's from Peru and I really need it when I return to South America next week for a month. I hope this is all forgotten by the time I get back.

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Well, I apologize then. You can see the orbs in the BMPCC had very hard edges whereas in the BMCC, the edges are a bit softer. Since that was the first time I had seen the orbs looking differently, they didn't look real, or didn't look like what I was expecting. Sorry about that!

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

No worries.

Here is a link to a DNG still: https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/86 ... 032/4229df

I got my BMPCC today. No extensive tests done yet but here's a few screenshots.

スクリーンショット 2013-09-14 0.19.20.png (427.01 KiB) Viewed 21633 times

スクリーンショット 2013-09-14 0.19.29.png (461.04 KiB) Viewed 21633 times

Pretty satisfied with it so far! Going to try shooting more tomorrow.

Will Rick Lang eat his avatar hat now?

Oh no! Anything but that hat. It's from Peru and I really need it when I return to South America next week for a month. I hope this is all forgotten by the time I get back.

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Way to go, Rick! Your contributions to this forum are very constructive and helpful. Protect the hat; enjoy your visit to South America.

Tom

Just in case you missed it, firmware version 1.4.2 was released today, addressing what Blackmagic calls the "black sun effect": viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12577

And while referencing other threads, here's a new split-screen "color commentary" on my prior NYC film shot with the BMPC. Seemed worth starting a thread, toward the (hopeful) interest of a productive discussion around these visual examples: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12611

New York City | "Color Commentary" on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

BMPC-Color-Commentary.jpg (209.04 KiB) Viewed 21503 times

You can watch it at: http://vimeo.com/groups/blackmagic/videos/74461805

I got my BMPCC today. No extensive tests done yet but here's a few screenshots.

スクリーンショット 2013-09-14 0.19.20.png

スクリーンショット 2013-09-14 0.19.29.png

Pretty satisfied with it so far! Going to try shooting more tomorrow.

Looks nice and crisp! I hope yours doesn't have the terrible blooming, looks good in those pictures though!

I got my BMPCC today. No extensive tests done yet but here's a few screenshots.

スクリーンショット 2013-09-14 0.19.20.png

Going to try shooting more tomorrow.

Will you please shoot some cars? Day/reflections; and night/headlights. These two scenarios seem to produce the offense with BMPCC sensor.

Just in case you missed it, firmware version 1.4.2 was released today, addressing what Blackmagic calls the "black sun effect": viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12577

And while referencing other threads, here's a new split-screen "color commentary" on my prior NYC film shot with the BMPC. Seemed worth starting a thread, toward the (hopeful) interest of a productive discussion around these visual examples: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12611

BMPC-Color-Commentary.jpg

You can watch it at: http://vimeo.com/groups/blackmagic/videos/74461805

This is great. Thank you.

This test from John Brawley, using a calibrated vs uncalibrated camera appears pretty definitive:

Hi
Im new to this forum and just taken the plunge and bought a BMCC to upgrade from my 550d's.
I have to say reading this forum really makes me nervous about my purchase.
Black orbs and white orbs,etc,etc.....
What have I got myself into ? Is my new BMCC a duff new model, is the sensor broke>?? arghhh!

I was looking forward to trying out RAW, but my Mac Pro (1,1) and graphic card (ATI5770) isn't fast enough to handle Raw or Pro Rez in Devinci... though my FCX flies handling the pro res files.
A little gutted,as new MAC means thunderbolt and all my system is PCI.

So off today to try shooting some video..... lets see.

P>S
The BMCC is BLOODY CHUNKY !!!!!

... I was looking forward to trying out RAW, but my Mac Pro (1,1) and graphic card (ATI5770) isn't fast enough to handle Raw or Pro Rez in Devinci... though my FCX flies handling the pro res files. ...

Hi "robreed": Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new BMCC.

RAW can be insanely wonderful, but "ProRes 422 HQ" (the flavor of ProRes the BMCC shoots) is amazing, too. Shooting & grading BMCC ProRes "Film" mode is a breath of fresh air compared to working with most other compressed formats.

Here's one of my favorite examples of an early BMCC ProRes "Film" video, shot by the very talented James Tonkin using a minimal camera kit:


Enjoy your new camera, take things one step at a time, and I think you'll do great. Cheers.

-

Everyone got their fix? I just got back from Lyon.
here is my video with the pocket camera on the trip.
did alot of biking from hotel to museum space everyday.
The City is Lyon in France.

I shot many of into the sun, back lit flare-y shots. No tripod everything handheld from bicycle with one hand hold the camera.





can forum jedi guru tell me how to post embeed video links from vimeo here?

Did some quick test shots.
At night with cars and headlights too!
Seems fine to me but how's it to you guys?

Hi,
i'm interested to buy the blackmagic pocket cinema camera. I've got that sensor recalibration it's absolutely necessary to use this camera.
I would like to know if right now the cameras arrived in shops are just calibrated or still uncalibrated?

I will have to do a little trip to buy BMPCC and I want to be sure that I will not need to send back the camera

I would like to know if right now the cameras arrived in shops are just calibrated or still uncalibrated? I will have to do a little trip to buy BMPCC and I want to be sure that I will not need to send back the camera

I assume you didn't preorder on the first day the camera was announced? By the time you get your camera it will definitely be calibrated... But don't count on getting it this year!

I've just proceeded 1.42 firmware upgrade, and i can confirm the Black Hole Sun issue has been fixed.

I've just proceeded 1.42 firmware upgrade, and i can confirm the Black Hole Sun issue has been fixed.

Hmm is this on a re-calibrated unit?

Updated mine yesterday, but I still see the black sun . Did a scene at a wedding with the sun in the frame.

Mine has not been recalibrated yet.

I've just proceeded 1.42 firmware upgrade, and i can confirm the Black Hole Sun issue has been fixed.

Hmm is this on a re-calibrated unit?

Updated mine yesterday, but I still see the black sun . Did a scene at a wedding with the sun in the frame.

Mine has not been recalibrated yet.

My own pocket cam has not been away for recalibration but the update did sort out the black sun as advertised

Hmm is this on a re-calibrated unit?

Nope, my camera hasn't been re-calibrated yet.

My Pocket Cam is arriving tomorrow, would it be a re-calibrated one if sent now? or still maybe the first gen one?

[Kristian Lam]

My Pocket Cam is arriving tomorrow, would it be a re-calibrated one if sent now? or still maybe the first gen one?

Anything sent from the factory form about a few days before my initial post on this forum uses the new calibration so unless your reseller has been holding on to the units for 2 or more weeks, it should be fine.

My Pocket Cam is arriving tomorrow, would it be a re-calibrated one if sent now? or still maybe the first gen one?

Anything sent from the factory form about a few days before my initial post on this forum uses the new calibration so unless your reseller has been holding on to the units for 2 or more weeks, it should be fine.

Any update on whether distribution is now going to be ramped up now that it seems many problems have been resolved by the early testers?

Is it the right time to pre-order a BMCC? Will it be calibrated? Who knows...

My Pocket Cam is arriving tomorrow, would it be a re-calibrated one if sent now? or still maybe the first gen one?

Anything sent from the factory form about a few days before my initial post on this forum uses the new calibration so unless your reseller has been holding on to the units for 2 or more weeks, it should be fine.

Thanks Kristian! very happy to say, just opened and tested the unit.. and no white orbs!!! updating now to the newest firmware

very happy to say, just opened and tested the unit.. and no white orbs!!!

Geoff, which lenses did yu check your BMPCC with? Apparently some lenses may produce stronger white orbs effect, as other users posted here...

very happy to say, just opened and tested the unit.. and no white orbs!!!

Geoff, which lenses did yu check your BMPCC with? Apparently some lenses may produce stronger white orbs effect, as other users posted here...

I think you're confusing white orbs with the actual subject line of this thread, the latter of which is believed to be lens-related.

My Pocket Cam is arriving tomorrow, would it be a re-calibrated one if sent now? or still maybe the first gen one?

Anything sent from the factory form about a few days before my initial post on this forum uses the new calibration so unless your reseller has been holding on to the units for 2 or more weeks, it should be fine.

Thanks Kristian! very happy to say, just opened and tested the unit.. and no white orbs!!! updating now to the newest firmware

So, what are the QC procedures at the factory? I produce videos for industry and QC is one of the things that is stressed and gone over multitude times. Do the factory people have any video/photo experience?

Hi Joshua,
Just received my panasonic 12-35 for my early Pocket cam that needs re calibrating and it seems that the Pockets lens mount is faulty.

The lens will not secure to the mount and click causing intermittent f stop/autofocus/ etc. the lens can be twisted off without pressing the pockets release button.

Its not the lens as i tried a few other mft lenses in a local store.

No reply from the UK recalibration depot on these issues either.

Thanks.

Hi Joshua,
Just received my panasonic 12-35 for my early Pocket cam that needs re calibrating and it seems that the Pockets lens mount is faulty.

The lens will not secure to the mount and click causing intermittent f stop/autofocus/ etc.

Its not the lens as i tried a few other mft lenses in a local store.

No reply from the UK recalibration depot on these issues either.

Thanks.

FYI, I don't have that problem with the same lens.

Thanks.

I suspect the lens mount is not machined properly as the pockets release button works properly and the pin lowers and releases all ok.

Any word yet on when the US Support Center will be ready to start calibrating cameras?

Any word yet on when the US Support Center will be ready to start calibrating cameras?

I actually called yesterday to find out about my camera which they had since last week Monday... I was told that my camera will be re calibrated next either yesterday or today at the latest so it looks like they have started!

I'm headed over to the Fremont CA facility now to pick up my recalibrated Pocket Camera. They completed the calibration late yesterday afternoon but had to wait on the repair to clear their shipping queue.

Check that, seems as if my RMA hasn't been processed (paperwork) and I won't be able to pick it up until tomorrow. Looks as if it takes 24-hours to clear shipping after repair. No worries, the communications from service and follow up was top notch.

Check that, seems as if my RMA hasn't been processed (paperwork) and I won't be able to pick it up until tomorrow. Looks as if it takes 24-hours to clear shipping after repair. No worries, the communications from service and follow up was top notch.

The U.S. "calibration" (i.e., product recall) repair process is on a 3-4 week backlog, at least I was told, which seems suspicious considering how few BMPCs are in the wild within the U.S. At least they created a system where you put in your RMA, then get notified when you're up for a 2-3 day turnaround. In case you hadn't heard, U.S. customers have the option of either getting covered shipping costs each way, or a free battery with express return shipping covered only.

There's also still a lot of confusion in terminology (starting with this thread's name). Blackmagic themselves keep calling this a fix for sensor blooming, which has nothing to do with what they're offering. They never have committed to fixing the flaw of sensor blooming that looks like lens flares but is a non-lens flaw. They have only committed to resolving the white orbs flaw.

As apposed to sending the cameras back to the factory we are doing the recalibration in the local office. So this will cut down on the time people should be without the camera, but conversely we can only feasibly get through so many each day. Hence the reason we are staggering when we are having customers who want the calibration send in their cameras. This way we hope to be able to complete the process quickly and you are not without your camera for an extended amount of time.

Are you saying for those of us who live in the Bay Area, we can just drive to Fremont?

Are you saying for those of us who live in the Bay Area, we can just drive to Fremont?

That is certainly an option but you need to contact the tech support people and set up the RMA first. They will let you know when you can bring in your camera.

I live in the Bay Area and they were cool with me dropping off the camera for the recalibration service. You need an RMA number and you can't wait on the camera.

Richard, Gilbert and Julian were very helpful and now I'm waiting on a call from shipping to go pick up the camera.

I wonder if Will Call qualifies for a "free" battery?

I live in the Bay Area and they were cool with me dropping off the camera for the recalibration service. You need an RMA number and you can't wait on the camera.

Richard, Gilbert and Julian were very helpful and now I'm waiting on a call from shipping to go pick up the camera.

I wonder if Will Call qualifies for a "free" battery?

I'm not completely sure on the process with that so I would suggest you clear that up with the person handling your RMA either through email or calling in.

Is it possible to get a serial number range of the units that might be prone to this issue?