Second Hand Heroes

SECOND HAND BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera SECOND HAND HEROES HYBRID SPECIAL ISSUE This article first appeared in issue 166. Please note pricing may have changed. Please check with retailer for current pricing and offers. For back issues please visit professionalphoto.online

As we celebrate all things hybrid, check out a tiny camera that enables aspiring videographers to step into the world of pro movie quality for less than £500 - maybe the deal of the century?

ET’S GET THINGS STRAIGHT; modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are a great choice when stills photographers want to mix things up and try shooting some video. But what if you want to take video more seriously while still being on a relatively restricted budget? The answer could well be the Pocket Cinema Camera from BlackMagic. It’s fair to say BlackMagic got the name for this model spot on as it really does fit in your pocket, yet despite the small size, the PCC is packed with high-tech features that will make a real difference in the field for aspiring filmmakers. L

Pro features So what actually is the Pocket Cinema Camera? Well, this is a dedicated video camera in a body whose shape is more reminiscent of a Sony a6300. At the heart of the camera is a Super 16 size sensor that films Full HD footage - highly desirable for vloggers who intend to share their footage online and perhaps don’t require the higher resolution 4K footage that BlackMagic’s other camera models can provide.

The Full HD footage comes in either lossless CinemaDNG RAW or Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) format, allowing videographers the tolerance they require to properly grade the footage and to make every pixel look its best. Thanks to these formats and the sensor, the Pocket Cinema Camera offers a wide dynamic range of 13-stops, allowing more shadows and highlights to be captured - particularly useful for high contrast lighting scenes, such as filming at sunrise and sunset for example.

The PCC features a Micro Four-Thirds (MFT) mount, which is great because that means there is a huge selection of

WORDS MATTY GRAHAM

affordable zoom and prime lenses out there so filmmakers can mix up the focal lengths in their footage. What’s more, these lenses are typically compact and lightweight, so they fit perfectly with the modest dimensions of this model.

However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that, because it’s small and light, this is a flimsy camera. In fact, the opposite is true and the PCC is built around a rugged alloy body. The small build lets you film great looking video, without bringing attention to yourself in the way that using a bigger body would - perhaps an important consideration for aspiring documentary videographers?

While this model has been superseded by the 4K and the 6K, this has resulted in prices dropping in recent months. In fact the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera we reviewed, which was supplied by MPB (www.mpb.com) came in at £470 – that’s a price of under five hundred quid for a genuine cinema camera!

What to look for The Pocket Cinema Camera we reviewed was in excellent condition and was priced accordingly, although it should be noted MPB also offers models in slightly less pristine condition but still fully guaranteed, for below £400! Like any camera though, some basic checks should be made to ensure you’re making a wise investment.

In the case of the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera these revolve around wear and tear and how heavily it’s been used. As it’s a small camera, users may be tempted to stick it in their pocket or throw it in a camera bag and this can lead to scuffs and scratches so take care to review images of the actual camera you’re thinking of buying and make sure these aren’t present.

One particular area to review is the LCD as this is where you’ll not only review footage but it also acts as the menu screen too. An additional area to address with caution is the lens mount; make sure there is no damage to the contacts and they all work as they should. Prospective buyers should also look out for bundles that include extra batteries as you’ll get through juice quickly if shooting extended scenes. PP

More information: /mpb.com

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Who is this camera for: Aspiring and established videographers Expect to pay: From around £450 Standout features: Tiny size, useful MFT mount, pro video quality, metal body design Alternative buys: Pocket Cinema Camera 4K