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Flying the Blackmagic cinema camera

Discussion in '3 Axis Gimbal' started by Tim Joy, Oct 24, 2012.

  1. Tim Joy

    Tim Joy Active Member

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    ....They are getting close. My dealer says mid-November. A friend on the opposite coast has one already.
    I would like to be ready to roll once they get here.
    Who will be flying one?

    Here are my questions for anyone who has investigated-

    1. What will be required to balance it? Longer tubes? epic tilt plate? anything else?
    2. Apparently it can be controlled by sony LANC. What options besides gentled are there to control it?
    3. SDI out only, what's the best converter to get to composite/ SD for standard downlink?
    4. Will a canon IS lens help? and what are some good lenses?
    5. Since it has a built-in battery, will you take it out to save weight? Or, just power it from the gimbal battery? Separate battery?
     
  2. Thijm

    Thijm Member

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    3. Decimator 2 > Hdmi/Sdi to composite converter
    4. Carl Zeiss Compact Prime EF Mount
     

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  3. Jon Fredericks

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    We've looked at it and it looks like it will be a great camera; the one limitation i see is in the frame rates.
     
  4. Daisuke Ide

    Daisuke Ide Distributor

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    I do not know when it will come is waiting for us.
    It is a material that we consider the outer dimensions of BMCC.

    BMCC Study
     
  5. Tabb Firchau

    Tabb Firchau Administrator
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    Hi Guys,

    I have a BMCC on the way. We will make a kit if needed to allow mounting it. I have a feeling it will be a popular camera for the CineStar!

    Tabb
     
  6. Josh Lambeth

    Josh Lambeth Well-Known Member

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    Do you know when you will receive it? We are trying to decide if we should upgrade our CS to fly an epic or put the money into that camera... hmmm decisions decisions...

    Josh
     
  7. Tabb Firchau

    Tabb Firchau Administrator
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    I have one avail to me whenever, but I need some time in the shop to figure out the needed modifications. I think I will have some time around Nov 3rd or so.

    Tabb
     
  8. Johnny Beavers

    Johnny Beavers New Member

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    Anyone else concerned about the fact that you'll have to connect external power to this camera if you're planning on using it for more than 90 mins??
     
  9. Adam Paugh

    Adam Paugh Distributor

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    Concerned...yes. However, someone in the Pittsburgh area mentioned something about a work around to integrate external power supply, hmmm
     
  10. Johnny Beavers

    Johnny Beavers New Member

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    Indeed he did...I think he also may have been concerned about the extra weight that the external power supply might add to the rig... ;)
     
  11. Jon Fredericks

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    We're in the same boat, Josh. The CS epic upgrades may work ok at sea level, but in higher DA's like AZ and CO it might be the extreme outer edge of the envelope. We have clients that want us to fly red, but we're not convinced at this altitude. The BM could be a good middleground ticket with some realistic safety margin (i.e. motor failure).
     
  12. Tabb Firchau

    Tabb Firchau Administrator
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    Hi Jon, I have never noticed much decrease in performance at altitude. I have flown the EPIC in Leadville, CO without an issue. I think there is plenty of thrust margin with these multi rotors setup properly. To be honest the EPIC is a very light load for the heavy lifter....if you wanted to fly the Alexa then I would be a bit worried ;)

    I think the BM will certainly hit a sweet spot though for price vs performance!

    Tabb
     
  13. Jon Fredericks

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    Thanks Tabb, that's great to know. We have done some testing up to 14,500' DA with moderate payloads (4-5lbs), but nothing more. Would love to hear your reccomendations on CS8/epic mods for high alt. folks like us.

    Thanks-
     
  14. Tim Joy

    Tim Joy Active Member

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    IMO- going 6s is the answer to all power problems when lifting large loads.
     
  15. Shaun Stanton

    Shaun Stanton Active Member

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    We are getting one cant wait to try it out
     
  16. Daisuke Ide

    Daisuke Ide Distributor

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    I'm trying to install the BMCC.
    It was not enough but was fixed with Camera Mount Screw.
    It could not fix the heavy camera.
    Is not there a way to fix the more so as not to move the camera?
    Be released or dedicated mount?
     

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  17. Andy Johnson-Laird

    Andy Johnson-Laird Administrator
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    Hi Daisuke:
    Is the problem that the plastic clamps on the booms are slipping? If so, I believe Tabb is working on providing some metal clamps that will not slip. I do not know whether these metal clamps are available yet, but Tabb does read the forum so I'm sure he will respond when he sees your and my message.

    Andy.
     
  18. Daisuke Ide

    Daisuke Ide Distributor

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    I have not yet reached the issue of the clamp.
    Camera fixed to Camera Mounting Plate to slip easily.
     
  19. Andy Johnson-Laird

    Andy Johnson-Laird Administrator
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    Oh. Sorry. I have seen duct tape or thin adhesive foam rubber placed on the camera plate to provide better friction.
    As you say, the carbon fiber is very slippery.

    Andy.
     
  20. Tabb Firchau

    Tabb Firchau Administrator
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    HI Daisuke! Good timing...I was just working on mounting the BMCC up today to see what new parts need to be made to make it work on the CineStar gimbal. Here are some pictures below.

    Here are a list of the modifications I made to allow the camera to be mounted and easily worked with:
    1. 240mm roll front cross tube
    2. 255mm roll rear cross tube
    3. 115mm down tube
    4. 180mm tilt arm tubes
    5. Metal clamps on roll cage
    6. Metal clamps on shafts (not needed, purely for simplicity and cosmetic reasons)
    7. Adjustable Tilt Bars

    As for putting something with a little more grip on the camera plate....I think I have gaffers tape on a few of mine and then on the others I have the new adjustable camera plate which is not as slippery as the carbon.

    \ web_IMG_1349.jpg webIMG_1341.jpg webIMG_1345.jpg webIMG_1346.jpg webIMG_1347.jpg
     

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