Poor Man's LCDVF Solution for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

I apologize for the long break between posts, but a second trip to Hawaii got in the way (sorry) - this one was all business, though, and I had zero time for shooting, editing or writing blog entries.

But since my most recent return, I've been slowly addressing the challenges that I had on last month's vacation test shoot with the BMPCC.

One of the biggest challenges was glare on the LCD.  As readers of my blog posts and forum entries know, I am a big proponent of cameras with built-in EVFs.  One of the disqualifying weaknesses of DSLRs for me is their lack of a video-capable viewfinder.  This is one of the main reasons I don't buy or recommend DSLRs for video.

But I really wanted to get away from 8 bit 4:2:0 video cameras - and the BMPCC's 10 bit ProRes 422 and 12 bit CinemaDNG RAW were the only affordable option  - so I had to break the "built-in EVF rule".

As I wrote in an earlier post, I bought the Cavision MHE52 (along with an $8 3.5" LCD adapter) from Adorama before my BMPCC came in.  Sadly, there was no easy way to attach this viewfinder to the camera.  I had to place it over the LCD and then physically press the eyecup to my eye during the shot in order to keep it from falling off.  The screen looked great, it gave me another point of support for the camera - and it was the only way I was able to compose and focus my shots, but it slipped or fell off several times at critical moments.

It was nice that the loupe came with straps, so I could hang it around my neck and 'look like a director' - but this was not the optimum solution.

So when I came back, I ordered a $15 Viewfinder Sunhood from LCD4Video via Amazon.  This is a traditional LCD hood - but with the straps in a "V" configuration - designed to go around the lens in front of the BMPCC.   After adjusting the straps and the velcro size adjustment for the hood, it was a workable solution.

But I had lost a point of support.  Without an eyepiece, I could no longer hold the camera up to my eye for critical focus.  And there might be times when the sun was directly behind me that it would still lose the screen to glare.  I was resigned to switching the hood out with the Cavision in those situations.

Then I saw BMCC EF owner Chris Barcellos' post and video over on dvinfo.  He asked his wife to sew some black kitchen towels together, then wrapped them around a cardboard shade and stuck a viewfinder in the back of the contraption - not elegant, but it worked!

So I pulled the Cavision viewfinder out of the camera bag, wrapped the LCD4Video shade around it, and strapped the assembly back on the camera.  It was a perfect fit.  The entire screen was bright and perfectly visible, I was able to use my eye as a third point of support for the camera, and I have complete confidence that it won't fall off or shift during the shot.

This solution doesn't require you to glue a frame on your camera or buy an external EVF.  It also steadies your shots by providing a third point of contact with your body.  Another big plus for me, is that it takes me back 40 years to the Super 8 form factor. If I squint a little, I can see the outlines of my old Sankyo and Chinon Super 8 sound cameras!

If you like this solution, you can get the LCD4Video Sunhood for $15. Unfortunately, the standalone MHE52 is now $79.95 at Adorama, but you can get a $17 EZPhoto viewfinder from Amazon, and it should work just as well.

And if you want to go all the way with the retro Super 8 look - the Photography & Cinema pistol grip is $19 at Amazon.

SALE - Sony NEX-EA50 Shoulder Mounted Camcorder for $2999

I have had my eye on this camera for a while.  It is a large-sensor shoulder-mounted camcorder with interchangeable lenses, power zoom and built-in XLR inputs.  It also takes pretty good 16.1 MP stills.   This camera has the added bonus of a built-in shoulder mount - so there's no need to pay for an expensive rig to get the camera up on your shoulder.

This is a great camera for newsgathering, docs and reality.  Here are a couple of examples:

The NEX-EA50 is on sale for $2999 at Amazon, at Amazon via Adorama, and at Adorama Direct. If you want a large sensor, interchangeable lens, shoulder mounted still/video camera with pro mic inputs for less than $3000, the EA50 is pretty much the only game in town.

First Footage from the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera - 13 Stops of Dynamic Range for $995!

John Brawley, pro cinematographer from Australia (and Blackmagic Design's most trusted camera tester), has posted what seems to be the world's first test footage from the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera.  Talk of the show at NAB 2013, this camera has the dynamic range of a film camera in a body the size of an NEX-5 - with a native micro 4/3 lens mount!  Here is what John shot casually at his local market:



Note the exposure match between the foreground subjects, the sky and the people in the background. The Dynamic Range from the $1000 BPCC is clearly wider and more "film like" than any 8 bit consumer camcorder or DSL camera (even my $1300 GH3).  Case in point - see the blown-out backgrounds/skies in this otherwise wonderful little GH3 test film:



And the skies in this Canon HF G10 test:



The BPCC delivers a very similar look to the 16mm film cameras I shot with in the 70s - at a much lower price in 1970s dollars - with the addition of internal sound recording, lens stabilization, focus peaking and a headphone jack - and without the hassle and expense of film processing and splicing.

This test footage was what I was waiting for. I just pre-ordered my BPCC from Adorama!

Really looking forward to what this little camera can do when it gets the CinemaDNG RAW upgrade.

$50 Off New Panasonic HC-X920 Camcorder at Amazon Until 4/20

The brand new Panasonic HC-X920 is 5% off at Amazon until April 20th.  The X920 improves on the low light performance of the X900 with a backlit sensor. It also has built-in wi-fi and improves on the X900s in-camera stabilization.  I have the TM900 from a couple of years ago, and it was a great camera - this looks to be better. Here is Panasonic's promo video:

The camera is backordered as of this post, but Amazon will hold it at this price and will not charge your credit card until it ships.