sanveer

Wow, that would be great. @BTM_Pix I will try and update you soon.

I read a lot of reviews of the Z Cam E1, and many users were more than satisfied after the various firmware updates and after the price cut. But, considering it was a product by a small little startup, they seemed to have resolved a lot of the issues users had when the product was released. I too feel the Z Cam Z2 could have included a screen and some (more) ports and a SD Card slot. Also, ProRes and RAW. But it does include H264 and H265, and if Sony and Panasonic's implementation of codecs is any indication, than one won't really be missing ProRes (though we could do with RAW). It also seems to have wifi, and I am guessing if it has an App that's even close to @BTM_Pix quality of implementation, it could be a runaway success. Or better still, @BTM_Pix makes a controller for the ZCam E2. That would be a great collaboration.

Most of us on these forums and almost all Indie Filmmakers (especially those who buy their own gear) are forever asking for features a camera should have or not have. The ZCam E2, already seems to have a few very impressive list of features (4k @120fps and 13.5 stops of Dynamic Range). What features do you feel it really needs to be able to sell in the truckloads? I didn't really like the live streaming Ethernet port thing, which except the high speed advantage doesn't seem to offer anything. Also, by the time things are uploaded on YouTube, are already down to way less size than they were shot or edited on. Also, IMHO very high bitrate live streaming may not be a great idea. 1. IMHO since they probably cannot fit in another Card Slot (for SDXC or other cards, apart from the CFast one it already has) maybe a dual usb-c may be a better idea instead of one Ethernet and one USB-C. 2. Perhaps either one or 2 mini XLR ports for sound. 3. A few flavours of Cinema DNG RAW. Finally, I feel the price seems a little off. If it were priced at $1495, it may seem a lot more attractive. I am creating a new thread for this, because I feel the ZCam guys are open to listening and want feedback on features filmmakers want on their camera.

The number of down votes on the forums is going up big time. Maybe it's time to introduce an icon with 'the finger' ?

I am pretty interested in the Stella Pro lights, though for video. I wonder if a few of those are bright enough to light a large room, or a small open area. Could you test them for brightness, and also if possible, to see how they hold underwater (since they are rated at 100 Metres). Thanks in advance

The youtuber Mrwhosetheboss had demonstrated a very interesting holographic 3D design by some cheap DIY hack. It shouldn't be too difficult to replicate that with a screen having distinctively raised corners, square in shape with thick glass. If it can do 4k 10-bit 4-2-2 video, it would be the First Smartphone to be able to pull it off and for that alone a lot of filmmakers would pick up one. Even if it has the Sony IMX477 sensor which is a 1/2.3" sensor, it would be good enough. Having 10bit JPEG type HEIF photos and 10-bit 4-2-2 video alone is huge in a smartphone. Right now, those twin cameras in the phone look strangely like those on Moto Phones.

Maybe poor choice of words. And I agree, it' Canon that had terribly minor increments. Thought the chances of 10-bit 4-2-2 in the A7siii are next to impossible (8-bit 4-2-2 internal may happen, though, and it will could be much better than the 4-2-0 that is there right now). Like I mentioned in the other group, better colour science (on the lines of the Venice and the FS5ii) and possibly 1-1.5 stops better low light. And a 50% chance that the recording limit might go (after a firmware update in July or near the year end), when a change in the tax laws is expected).

Actually the new A7iii seems to have a new processor and pipeline, thereby eliminating issues with overheating almost completely (according to Sony). I am guessing it also have an advanced heatsink built in. That is one the reasons Sony held its launch event in the dessert, to show that it's resistant to overheating and reasonably well weather sealed. If Sony is not providing a charger in the box with the A7iii, they obviously are cutting corners with things like taxes too. But considering that full frame sensors are Four Times the size of M43, the A7iii does offer a lot of bang for the buck. Sony and Panasonic both have their strong and weak points. Panasonic's stills (photos) could be much better (14-bit) and their autofocus in video is still a joke. Plus their 12 stop limitation in VLog-L (effectively pushing everything around 11.5 stops and below), is terrible and preventing the camera from realising it's full potential for video (Panasonic's main selling point). RAW won't be introduced because they don't want to destroy everything above the GH Series, but they can certainly do with more dynamic range in video. Sony could be generous with their recording time limit and have 10-bit (or 8-bit) 4-2-2 internal recording, apart from better colour science. It's just that the A7s series has sold well regardless of the 4-2-0 codec so they don't or disnt care. Plus their lenses are priced pretty high (especially their G Master lenses).

Knowing Sony, it will most likely be limited to 8-bit 4-2-2. And one stop/one and a half stop improvement in low light, and colour science on the lines of the Venice and FS5 ii. Nothing else.

Wow. The Panasonic App is not bad, but it could get much better. Nice. The options of jumping between cameras ? Hahaha. 3D printing is like sunscreen against sun caused cancer. It IS the cancer. I am sure there are many Off the Shelf Monitors. I am being a Little Greedy, but do you think you could do a Multi-Cam version where one could control 3 BMPCC4k cameras or 3 Panasonic GH5s cameras with one controller? ??? (Ignore the multi-cam request if it sounds ludicrous).

Ok nice. That would be pretty interesting.

I guess Mercer meant a version which probably attaches to a monitor or a a Smartphone so that one can see the video. The Linux app does this, but the interface is meh and the functions seem limited. Also it has a strange delay and it drops way too many frames and has very low resolution. I wonder if these controls can be ported via an app to a smartphone too? I love the way it is, I am curious because sometimes I want to shoot something Guerilla style, without permission and I would love the flexibility of checking the composition or video from my phone and pretend that the camera around my neck is off or something. Wow. Like a multi-cam controller, swappable according to which camera you're using at the moment. Very impressive. Wow. So you've already added juice to the BMPCC4k. It may just be able to pull 60 mins or more. That's excellent. Fair enough. It would be a waste to unnecessarily stock mounting options, especially when people could crib about quality control on those. Excellent. This is probably the most exciting hack in the M43 and Mirrorkess space this year. And even more exciting is it's Black Magic (and multi-cam) integration. Wow.

Interesting. I thoght I read otherwise on B&H or Amazon. Maybe the buyer was confused. Thanks for confirming. Yes, it's similar to what's with Panasonic's dual IS tech, though Panasonic stabilization is in a completely different league. I hope the A7iii APS-C Crop mode improves stabilization better. I hope Sony introduce something like the GH5's Stabilization IS mode where handheld shots look like those on a Tripod. That would be amazing.

Wow. I hope curiosity doesn't kill the cat. ? Then we should spread the word about the calculator and the and use it for super quick reference (and making notes regarding each shot like DoPs do). About the screen, I meant to ask, whether there is some way to switch off the screen (like on Panasonic cameras super economy mode) and make it go into mini hibernation at least until the shot is ready and the setting are being puched in. Also, maybe in-between the shot, or immediately aftr the scene, when the camera may be on, but the screen is not required for monitoring. Yes, the Lumix controller has some strange limitations and issues. I think you little device should find an audience with M43, Mirrorless and Indie Film Blogs and then immediately thereafter with indie filmmakers, as soon as they start finding out what's cooking (or what's mostly already cooked). I was actually gathering some Indie Filmmakers to pick up the BMPCC4k in bulk and bargain for a bulk discount from blackmagic. Well, until I saw that Blackmagic had corrected prices here, and that the bulk buying exercise may not be necessary. For this kind of Indie Filmmaking group this may be a great idea. Are you planning to buy the controller in bulk, and are you also looking at cheap mounting contraptions to fix it close to the cam to keep checking settings continuously (for people with mild OCD). I think you should make a Cold Pitch (it can be Made Here on Eoshd, as a Poll; on 43rumors, on mirorlessons etc; basically most people will allow It, if you share the pics and a short working video of present features and the what the benefits of this great contraption would be), almost like an Evaluation Pitch to figure out how many Preorders there may be (and how many orders in Total) and what features people are most looking forward to. My 2 Cents. ?

Apparently not fast enough. If a 30p 4k camera is shooting at 12fps, there is a serious issues with writing speed. Also bitrates make a Huge difference, and that is why Panasonic issues directives for the 4k @ 400mbps shooting speeds wrt what cards Would be compatible. This may have Even Higher Bitrates. The guy who put the card in night have well used a 30MBps UHS-i card and let people judge based in 10fps, the video quality. It seems a little unfair, if not absolutely ludicrous. Actually there is a chart somewhere highlighting the exact dynamic range at the various ISOs. I believe it is like 1/2 or 2/3 stop lower at ISO3200 than it is at the 400-1600 range (I could be wrong though). If someone remembers where the chart is, Please share it here. I saw a (trailer of a) documentary shot on a moving train across hundreds of kilometres somewhere. It was shot on an F35, which also has open fans like almost all large film cameras. It was used in some terribly dusty and hot places. Except for rain and ice, I think BMPCC4k should do just fine in most environments. It may be even suffer a little dust, considering the sensor isn't exactly open and the fan cools and areas around it and not the sensor itself.

I read in one of the reviews of the 24-105mm f4 lens that it doesn't allow for Eye Focus. Apparently Sony has small issues with lenses and bodies which it doesn't disclose as much as it should. Maybe you could shoot it in Full frame and APSC Crop mode and see if it is prevalent in both shooting formats.

Oh ok. Hmmmm ... I hope, then, that it is as capable, if not more. I suspected that the sensor may have a few versions with slight differences in size and ISO sensivity (with dual sensitiity being common to the group).

Actually since the sensor is the same as on the GH5s, I am wondering whether Black Magic should also have a 14-bit RAW when one needs to absolutey push the codec and push maybe 3+ stops either way.

@BTM_Pix The magnitude of your invention is so profound, that I am still trying to wrap my head around this one. Hahaha. I can just imagine. I would suggest you speak to Grant Petty directly. This solves one of the fundamental issues with the BMPCC and (prospectively with the) BMPCC4k cameras, which is terrible battery life. If the 5inch screen monster can be switched off, even if briefly to punch in the required settings, it could easily add 30-50% to the battery of the camera. The price and features seem quite competitive. You could adopt an informal or formal crowd-funding route to see how many of these can be sold (approx figures). Since LUTs can be baked-in on the BMPCC4k, information regarding then and the various codecs would be very interesting.

Wow. This is absolutely insane. Yes, Please. It would add so much more to the BMPCC4k. Btw how much does this thing retail for?

I found the concept and this shape and of the cameras very fasinating. Unfortunately the implementation was a complete mess. IMHO it could have done VERY WELL if: 1. It had an IBIS version found on the Panasonic and Olympus Camera it would have been great. They could have used a floating design to reduce the load on the battery, or have quick swappable batteries. 2. If it had a mini monitor or screen for shooting, with a semi articulating screen like on the GX85. The screen size could be tiny (>2 inches) as long as it has focus assist or some kind of focusing help. Attaching it to a smartphone was clunky and cumbersome, more so due to the disappointing transfer speeds. Also, monitoring on smartphones or using it for truly Guerilla Shoots remotely was also absent (like on the Olympus). Plus many of the apps for using it were apparently very disappointing. 3. The Transfer of footage (photos and videos) seemed like forever. They should have had a USB-C with super fast data transfer speeds. 4. The Servo zoom Sony version of some of the models seems great. Maybe they could have added to that. Also, like mentioned Above, shooting remotely (via Smartphone) should have been the biggest priority. 5. They should have tried building an ecosystem around it by collaborating with InstaMic and others for using this as a Guerilla filmmaking super tool, or something that could replace point and shoots. Instead of a large lens to be attached to a smartphone, which itself was pretty capable. It could also had had accessories like tiny tripods or motorised mini time-lapse setups for shooting. The list seems almost endless.

I kept wondering what is about you that don't draw as Much attending with a boom Mic and Large Sound Equipment (or camera equipment in this case) as everyone else. Sir, you look like Einstein testing for things nobody is quite sure of, in the city. They probably won't suspect that you are part of a film crew. I won't be surprised if some bystanders stand next to you for Yoga lessons and lessons on Eastern Mysticism. You have almost 2 careers running parallel. The Sound Yogi ?

I swear there is something about those mics. It almost seems like they are hiding some secret sauce. ?

RAW?

???