How Do You Manage the Original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera's Battery Life?

Question

What are some strategies that can be employed in order to effectively prolong the lifespan of the original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, especially with regards to its battery life which is often a cause of concern.?

Answer 1

The original design of black magic pocket cameras has received its fair share of battery opinions that are neither good nor bad but best practices have been noted. For instance, replace additional batteries as if they were film canisters. Given the constraints of power, three or ideally four batteries should be enough for a day.

Comments

I recently got one for ~400€ and I am pretty much a bloody amateur. This camera has taught me more about filmmaking in two weeks than my FX30 in half a year. When not nailing exposure, it is crazy what I can do to and recover from the BMPCC's RAW footage in post as long as I don't clip my highlights, which is easy enough once you get used to the zebras. The specs don't feel like a limitation at all and I don't even feel the need to use external power. Just scouting Amazon and testing some of the options I have found a couple of batteries that will do 50+ minutes of continuous recording that last me for a daytrip and I can actually keep the camera pocketable and we all know, the best camera is the one you have with you. I have been especially impressed using it with Power O.I.S. (not Mega) lenses from Panasonic, the stabilization is amazing. BMPCC OG, Panasonic 14-42 PZ, two fresh batteries and a tiny VND is what I take on every small trip, my memory machine.

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Still have my original I bought in 2013. To me it looks like good 16mm film. It has noise that looks closer to film grain than noise, giving it a fairly unique look.
Best not rigged since the "pocket" nature allows you to get pick up and b roll shots with that unique look. With that style shooting just switch batteries as needed.

By the way, since it's an HD camera you may want to talk about your "secret" to uprezzing to 4K as you must be doing given this content is 4K.

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I have this camera, and let me tell you how special it is. Recently the notoriously fiddly micro hdmi socket finally died on me after 5 years of owning it. I can’t tell you how distraught I was!! Other cameras come and go, but this one is so special you’ll be affected if anything happens to it! I was so sure that even though it still works I would have to buy another one, even though I couldn’t afford it, because as you know the screen is rubbish. But I’m keeping it as I have the Kamrar viewfinder.

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It’s 2024 and we finally have v mount batteries that can rig to the OG Pocket Cam nicely.

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Cheers much, the image is stunning ❤ if it wasn’t for the battery life

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I like how u choose to travel light with this camera. Only one thing. How did you manage to be so steady with some of the handheld shots? Any tips?

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back when I upgraded to the 4k, I tried to sell my OG and I ended up getting scammed

honestly such a great tool to learn how to shoot effectively. from proper colour correction, framing on a small sensor, and using unique lenses. those 10-minute batteries are no joke lol.

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great! just a technical question because i used to shoot with this some years ago... is there still compatibility issues for SD cards? from what i can remember you could only shoot a certain brand and type of SD card...
i was considering buying one again too :))

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I sold mine it was awesome as far as pictures worse battery every made so the Sony battery is a must from memory the screen wasn’t very bright so outside it was hard to see