Camera

User Manual: https://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/UserManuals/BlackmagicPocketCinemaCamera4KManual.pdf

Lenses

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K uses Micro Four Thirds lenses (MFT)

Current one

Since 2020:

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42 mm / F3,5-5,6 ASPH. / Power O.I.S

Here's a breakdown of what each marking typically means:

• LUMIX G: This indicates the brand and line of cameras that the lens is designed for. LUMIX is a brand of Panasonic cameras, and the G series is a line of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
  Vario: This suggests that the lens is a zoom lens, as opposed to a prime lens which has a fixed focal length. "Vario" is often used by Panasonic to denote zoom lenses.
• 1:3.5-5.6: This is the aperture range of the lens. The numbers represent the maximum aperture values at the minimum and maximum zoom positions, respectively. An aperture of f/3.5 allows a lot of light to pass through the lens at the widest zoom setting, and f/5.6 allows less light at the telephoto end.
• 14-42: This indicates the focal length range of the lens in millimeters. At 14mm, you have a wider field of view, which is great for landscapes or interior shots. At 42mm, you get a narrower field of view, more suitable for portraits or close-up shots.
• ASPH: This stands for aspherical lens elements. Aspherical lenses are designed to reduce aberrations and improve the sharpness and clarity of the image, especially at the edges.
• Ø37: This is the filter thread size. It means that if you want to attach a filter to the lens, such as a UV filter or polarizer, it needs to have a diameter of 37mm to fit properly.
• POWER O.I.S.: This stands for Optical Image Stabilization, which is Panasonic's technology to stabilize the image and reduce blurriness caused by small, involuntary movements of the camera (like hand-shake). This feature is particularly useful when shooting in low light conditions or at longer focal lengths.
  The red
• "X" symbol next to Vario may indicate that the lens is part of Panasonic's high-performance X series, which usually means the lens has some advanced features or improved optical performance. However, without further context, it's hard to specify exactly what the "X" denotes in this case. It could also be a design or branding element.

Exploring new ones

[80 EUR!] Meike 25 mm f/1.8 / TO TEST?

MANUAL FOCUS
Large Aperture Wide Angle Lens Manual Focus for Olympus Panasonic Micro 4/3 Mount Mirrorless Cameras

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Aperture-Olympus-Panasonic-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B07D3L7VX1/ref=sr_1_5

[169 EUR] Sigma 19mm F2,8 DN Art MFT

WORTH TESTING?

https://www.foto-heibel.de/objektive/sigma/fuer-mft-olympuspanasonic/780/sigma-19mm-f2-8-dn-art-mft-schwarz

[330 EUR] Sigma Sigma 30 mm F1.4 MFT

TESTED. NOT WIDE ENOUGH.

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c016_30_14/

[369 EUR] Sigma 30mm F/1.4 DC DN Contemporary MFT

27 Sep 2024 ❌ TESTED. NOT WIDE ENOUGH.

https://www.kamera-express.de/sigma-30mm-f-1-4-dc-dn-contemporary-mft

[370 EUR] Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH

Aperture: The f/1.4 aperture provides great control over depth of field and performs well in low light conditions.
Image Quality: Known for its sharpness and rendering, which is crucial for keying in post-production.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/H-X025E/dp/B0056H5VLK/ref=sr_1_3

[399 EUR] Sigma 16mm F1,4 DC DN Cont. MFT

27 Sep 2024

Note: “The field of view of the lens with the Micro Four Thirds mount corresponds to a 32mm focal length lens."

https://www.foto-heibel.de/objektive/sigma/fuer-mft-olympuspanasonic/1469/sigma-16mm-f1-4-dc-dn-cont.-mft

30 Sep 2024 Perfect, from field of view, to quality of image, to build quality & quick/silent autofocus. This is the one (for now).

[490 EUR] Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S. / BEST COMPROMISE?

Aperture: Like the Olympus, it has a constant f/2.8 aperture, excellent for depth of field control and low light.
Image Stabilization: The POWER O.I.S. is beneficial if you're doing any handheld work or if the camera is on a rig that might introduce some vibration.
Versatility: The focal length range is similar to the Olympus, making it a versatile choice for various shot requirements.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Panasonic-H-HS12035E-Lumix-VARIO-12-35mm/dp/B0086ODC3O/ref=sr_1_1

[600 EUR] Panasonic H-XA025 Leica DG Summilux Lens 25 mm F1.4

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Panasonic-H-XA025-Summilux-Protection-Splash/dp/B07XNKB2J6/ref=sr_1_1

[1,250 EUR] Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f1.2 Noticron

TOO ZOOMED IN

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/H-NS043E/dp/B00I1BXD7M/ref=sr_1_1

[750 EUR] Sigma 18-35mm HSM Art Lens (REQUIRES EF ADAPTER)

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/210101/dp/B00DBL0NLQ/ref=sr_1_2

ChatGPT:

When choosing a lens for studio shoots on a green screen background, especially for chroma keying in post-production, you want a lens that offers sharpness, minimal distortion, and good control over depth of field. For the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, which has a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount, there are several lenses that are highly regarded. Here are some options that are often considered the best for such specific requirements:

[1,085 EUR] Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO

Aperture: The constant f/2.8 aperture is great for controlling depth of field and performs well in various lighting conditions.
Focal Length: The 12-40mm range is versatile for studio work, allowing for both wider shots and tighter fram
ing without changing lenses.
Build Quality: Known for its durability and weather-sealing, which is a plus even in studio environments.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/EZ-M1240/dp/B00EY6AV50/ref=sr_1_7

[1,350 EUR] Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95

Aperture: The extremely wide aperture of f/0.95 allows for very shallow depth of field, which can be a creative tool for certain shots.
Manual Focus: This lens is manual focus only, which allows for precise control, a feature that can be particularly beneficial for fixed studio setups.
Build Quality: Known for its solid build and excellent image quality.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Voigtlaender-Nokton-MFT-TYP-mm-Lens/dp/B00IGQV17Q/ref=sr_1_1

Adapters

Canon EF Lens to BMPCC4K T Speed Booster® ULTRA 0.71x

EF mount to MFT
https://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB_SPEF-m43-BT8

2024-01-19 23:37
"1.4 is too open on such narrow distance. 13 cm in focus.
better to go with a 2.8 lens or so, then you have 27cm in focus
Joakim: 30mm, f/2.8

Issues

In order to record in ProRes on the camera (SSD or SD card), the ATEM Mini needs to be disconnected (HDMI cable).

Resources