Broadcast camera upgrade

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Broadcast camera upgrade

PeterDocherty

Looking for recommendations for an upgrade from my current setup. Wanting to get a tighter shot with more light. Thinking about camcorder route with Panasonic AG-CX350PJ5 or Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro (Canon EF) with Canon CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 Compact-Servo Cine Zoom Lens (EF Mount).

Currently using Blackmagic Design Studio HD 2 with Panasonic LUMIX G X Vario Power Zoom Lens, 45-175MM, F4.0-5.6 ASPH, MIRRORLESS Micro Four Thirds, Power Optical I.S, H-PS45175K

Thanks!

joelwsmith

PeterDocherty

Hey Peter. Thanks for reaching out and welcome to the community!

How far will the new camera be from your stage/subject?

What parts of both the CX350 and the BMPCC 6K do you like?

PeterDocherty

Sorry for the delayed response! Subjects are anywhere from 66-76 feet from the camera. I like the camcorder option because its a little more cost effective and maybe could be good for a wireless roaming setup? I like that the BMPCC is 6K. I really just want to meet my objective of a tighter shot with more light. I'm open to recommendations. 🙂

joelwsmith

PeterDocherty

Keep in mind that the BMPCC 6K can only record 6K in BRAW. It can't do 6K in ProRes formats or output 6K through HDMI (HDMI output maxes out at 1080p60).

You can basically go either route for around the same amount of money. The BMPCC 6K is around $2,000 and the Panasonic CX350 is around $3,700, so that leaves you around $1,700 for a decent lens if you go with the BMPCC 6K. Both of those options will perform much better in lower light compared to the Blackmagic Studio Camera HD and lens combo you have now. Even a BMPCC 6K with an f/6.3 lens will probably look way better.

However, if you can invest in some lighting that would ultimately be your best bet. A camera is only as good as the light it sees. So you may want to consider investing part of your budget into lighting and then swing for a cheaper camera/lens combo. IMO, that will return better overall results than just upgrading your camera/lens.

PeterDocherty

Thanks Joel, great info. We have very even light coverage on our platform. We could run our front lighting a little hotter but then it starts to wash out some of the up-lighting on our curtain and kills some of the environmental feels. I should have mentioned before that the other cameras in our setup are PTZ optics. They allow a lot more light in so we're trying to get closer to the way those cameras look so it's not so drastic when switching between shots.

Do you know if the Panasonic has a tally light that would work with the BM ATEM or the ability to add one?

joelwsmith

PeterDocherty

The Panasonic doesn't have a native tally light that will work with any Blackmagic products. However, there are a ton of third party options when it comes to tally lights and Blackmagic ATEMs. Skaarhoj, Tally Arbiter, Datavideo, Cuebi, Cerevo, and many more.